In Chapter 10, to what extent is nature a key point?

Nature holds a key part in this chapter, as Victor once again seeks comfort from it and relieves his grief and calamities by being at one with the natural surroundings of Mount Blanc. The romantic theme of this chapter demonstrates the popular movement existing in the 18^th and 19^th century, when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Romanticism celebrated nature rather than civilisation and focused on the effects of nature, this is relevant particularly in this chapter as Victor seeks solace by climbing the ‘tremendous’ Mount Blanc. ‘It had then filled me with a sublime ecstasy that gave wings to the soul’. As we have seen throughout the novel so far Victor temporarily forgets his sorrows when surrounded by nature and presents this feeling of overwhelm and awe at the beauty and grand scale of nature. His love for nature and the relief that comes with it is emphasised the positive language Victor uses in relation to nature, 'tremendous' 'awful and magnificent'. Mary Shelley’s emphasis on the romantic elements of nature comes as little surprise, as she was acquainted with some of the greatest romantic poets of her time, for example Wordsworth. Moreover within the novel nature is perceived as the highest immutable power, above that of mankind and the struggles in society. In chapter 10, both Frankenstein and the monster seek the power of nature to forget the erratic humane troubles that they are faced with, highlighting the romantic within Mary Shelley and more subtly her criticisms of society.

Frankenstein, Chapter 1.

Themes in chapter 1:

- family/companionship/love – love between parents ‘he strove to shelter her’ love for Elizabeth, relationship with family, ‘one train of enjoyment for me’

- Elizabeth: Victor shows genuine affection for her – positive description ‘’cherub creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks’ – yet serves as a protector *last paragraph* ‘I shared it, my pride and my delight’, selfish intentions behind his love?

- happiness of childhood/parents: respect shown for parents, refers to them as ‘benevolent’ constantly, God described as ‘benevolent’, other religious references: mother a ‘guardian angel to the afflicted’.

- Women (oppression of?): Female characters in this chapter portrayed as the weaker sex, Victor’s mother- rescued from poverty ‘he came like a protecting spirit to the poor girl’. Elizabeth a possession (trophy) – ‘mine to protect, love and cherish’ – reflects society in the time it was written – women held a more passive role in society, under the power and protection of men.

- Question of victor’s obsession (source of?): Where does his obsession with the quest of knowledge come from? Such a stable upbringing, plenty of love and affection. Stability: lessons of ‘patience, of charity and of self control’. (is his future obsession class rebellion?) -NATURE VS NURTURE debate – must come from nature? Nurture (upbringing completely stable)

- Possession? Elizabeth like a possession he can display and claim to be his ‘Till death she was to be mine only’

- Inevitability of Victor’s tragedy: Indications of Victor’s doom. Speaking in past tense ‘I was so guided…’ – implies he lost that guidance

- Locations: Childhood in Geneva (influence of Lake Geneva from Shelley’s life)

- Prolepsis: Elizabeth’s death ‘til death she was to be mine only’ (not the monsters)

*imagery: ‘bloomed…fairer than a garden rose among dark leaved brambles’

- idea of Elizabeth as a bright, beautiful influence on the dark, on Victor’s inherent darkness, when he leaves for Ingolstadt, the darkness is in complete control. Elizabeth: light (good) contrast to darkness of novel.