Effect of Natural Settings

This study will analyze the effect of the natural settings in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein and Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Alastor; Or the Spirit of Solitude." The study will argue that the effect of natural setting of Mary Shelley's novel is the establishment of nature as a mysterious and powerful force which human beings attempt to control and shape for their own purposes. On the other hand, the effect of the natural setting in Percy Shelley's poem is the establishment of nature as a kindred spirit to the human being who is imprisoned by solitude.

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

Related Essays

Nature in a Novel & a Poem This study will analyze the effect of the natural settings in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein and Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Alastor; Or the Spirit of .... (1283 5 )

17th Century Baroque Paintings .... The other effect comes from his basically dividing the work into two .... areas of culture were represented through such depictions of natural settings that were a .... (1579 6 )

Poor Hand Hygiene in Hospital Settings Poor ha .... commonly used for hand washing in healthcare settings. .... on artificial, polished, or natural fingernails of .... Effect of hand cleansing with antimicrobial soap or .... (1421 6 )

Relationship Between Absenteeism & Graduation .... with low-ability pupils being more sensitive to this effect than high .... collecting and reviewing of information that already exists in natural settings such as .... (2513 10 )

Settings in Eudora Welty .... Drake discusses her settings in the same vein as he .... syndrome) "bride." There is a double effect of setting .... The natural setting as adventure is the setting of .... (2387 10 )

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

Category: Literature - E