Nature in a Novel & a Poem

The natural setting in the story of Dr. Frankenstein is not immediately alien or threatening. In fact, the writer of the letter which begins the novel finds an affinity in nature: "As I walk in the streets of Petersburgh, I felt a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks, which braces my nerves and fills me with delight. . . . Inspirited by this wind of promise, my daydreams become more fervent and vivid" (Shelley, Frankenstein 15). But even here we see the suggestion of the threat that is to come. The cold wind reminds the writer of the "icy climes" where he is bound, far from the security of the city, and his "fervent and vivid . . . daydreams" foreshadow the clash between nature and human longing for power which will follow.

Before long, the natural setting closes in on the characters, giving the reader a sense of claustrophobia and a hint of dread: "we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all

. . .
hort a time before, was bleak, damp, and unwholesome" (Shelley, Frankenstein 110). The promise of spring is brief, however. Finally, the portrait of nature is meant to reflect the mad state of man when he seeks to elevate himself into the realm of the gods: As the night advanced, a fierce wind arose from the woods . . .; the blast tore along like a mighty avalanche and produced a kind of insanity in my spirits that burst all bounds of reason and reflection (Shelley, Frankenstein 132). Of course, the man-created monster is the symbol of the results of man's effort to take over the reins of creation from God. The monster in this context is a natural setting unto himself. If there is any doubt about which is more powerful---nature or man---the monster himself dispels that doubt as he addresses the doctor. His words might as well be the words of nature itself in its rage against a man who aspired to control nature: Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey! (Shelley, Frankenstein 160). Percy Sh
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Approximate Word count = 1283
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)