Symbols And Symbolism In Frankenstein

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Recommended: Learning the intricate relationship between symbolism and theme/an

Symbolism While reading through any piece of literature, understanding why the author chose the words they use is very important. Through different techniques the author will choose words that have an underlying meaning to them. While it is imperative that you read and understand the words straight from the page, it is equally as important to analyze and understand exactly what they mean. Using external sources to understand the setting and culture in which the author lived, as well as contextual clues in the reading is necessary to get a full understanding of any piece of literature. Specifically, this paper will be looking at Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein through different interpretations. Themes and symbolism are two of the most important aspects that authors use to convey deeper meaning, and is vital to the reader’s full understanding of the literature. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic piece of literature that has survived through the ages. Dracula has become a famous villain in countless movies and has been the inspiration for many others. What many people may miss about this book first written in 1897 is the purpose and symbolism behind this famous vampire. To begin to understand the symbolism and theme in the text, first you must understand a little background of the Victorian era in which Stoker lived. Named after Queen Victoria from 1837-190, this era was a time of “…sexual moralism, domestic propriety, and imperialist ambition” (“Dracula & the Fears of Victorian England”). Through these ideals and a declining economy, tensions were on the rise in the working class. Things such as sexual deviance or being improper was seen as a threat to proper Victorian society. Dracula and his mini... ... middle of paper ... ... had vowed revenge upon was dead the creature was overwhelmed with sadness for he had been the only person that he shared any type of relation with. This ending leaving us with the underlying theme of the importance of relationships and the fact that revenge doesn’t always leave us satisfied. Through the close reading and analyzing of literature we can find underlying meaning and symbols to fully understand the text better. Dracula and Frankenstein are two excellent examples of horror stories with famous monsters that, through themes and symbolism can really come to mean much more. A simple story of a vampire can turn into a representation of the Victorian era versus the modern era, and in Frankenstein nature versus science. Analyzing themes and symbolism in literature will bring out the full meaning of the text, as well as bring more enjoyment to reading it.

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