This video helps us better understand the novel in that it is one of the setting. Victor’s story initially starts here and he describes it as an idyllic childhood. This is later contrasted by the fact that every time he returns a tragedy befalls him which is different from the fondness, nostalgia, and join it should of brought.
The tundra setting of the story is important in that it presents us with the outcomes of journeys of the characters. The tundra being white represents nothing and can be further analyze as you get nothing from doing and nothing from not doing it no matter what you do. Let’s take for example of Victor’s journey there to pursue the monster and his death from unwillingness to leave. In addition throughout the novel Victor’s and his monster’s attempt to get even are fruitless as none actually gain joy from the success. In addition Walden leaving the tundra which he started at beginning implies his survival. In contrast Victor’s journey to the tundra signals his death.
This song represents a theme in Frankenstein. The theme being that the thirst of knowledge can bring about one’s downfall because of the consequences that knowledge can bring. Mary Shelley shows this by the fact that Frankenstein’s curiosity and desire for knowledge brought about his obsession to kill the monster and his actions. In addition Walden’s desire to reach the pole despite the dangers and no matter what is an example too. It’s how you use the knowledge that determines how dangerous it can be and the consequences that comes with it. This is also shown in the song with the lines “Knowledge is a deadly friend when no sets the rules. The fate of all mankind I see is in the hand of fools.”
Light/Fire is a reoccurring symbol in Frankenstein in that it represents knowledge. Furthermore it can be said that without light there is only despair or not knowing. Thus Victor’s actions was guided by his curiosity in finding what is there. Knowledge can be bad though such as when monster learns of the pain he gets from touching fire. This can be compare as that knowledge is harmful when pursuit of it is uncontrollable, but good when it moderated such as leaving the fire alone. What you do with the knowledge matters. In addition the title of Frankenstein being called the Modern Prometheus is a allusion to the fact that Prometheus was the one who gave knowledge to man. Specifically the knowledge of how to create fire. He was punished and thus shows the consequences knowledge could bring.
Victor spends months in pursuit with the monster taunting him at every turn. The trip soon ends with Victor and the monster in the ice of the North. This is where the story links up to the letters in the beginning of the novel. The rest of chapter details Frankenstein pleading Walden to continue his revenge on the monster and ironically Victor shows the same obsessiveness and inhumanity he accuses the monster of. Victor finally expires as the ship prepares to head back to England with Walden deciding to take on the initial advice Victor gave him about not being consumed by his curiosity and desires before his obsession in death for the monster. The monster visits one more time afterwards and tells Walden that he is ready to die now and cannot find a way to get over his own despair due to his hand in the misery and outcome of his creator Victor. The novel ends with the monster leaping into the darkness and the fact that Walden decides to go back to England implies that he has learn from Victor.
Elizabeth ends up being killed by the monster due to Victor’s misunderstanding of the monster’s warning. Victor returns to Geneva and his father too soon dies afterwards from grief. Victor finally consumed by his guilt and now revenge confesses his secret to a magistrate in hope that it would be in their power to aid him. The magistrate half believes him which enrages Victor. From then on Victor swore to dedicate his life to the destruction of the monster.
As Victor home to Geneva with his father a letter from Elizabeth reminds him of the inevitable encounter with the monster. As the wedding day approaches Victor resolves to telling Elizabeth of his dark secret after they are married. The chapter ends with Victor declaring that the moment he got married to Elizabeth was the last moments of his happiness. It can be assumed thus that what Victor presumed from the monster’s state of “I will be there with you on your wedding night” was misinterpreted.
Victor is shown the body of the murder only to horrified at the fact that it is Clerval. Victor falls ill afterward and months pass. The judge is now more sympathetic and Victor is visited by his father who testifies for him in court. Victor is released.
Victor finally succumbs to the paranoia of the consequences and destroys the “mates.” The monster is infuriated and departs after declaring that he will make every moment of Victor’s life in despair and suffering specifically his wedding night. Victor in turn said he will not give up without a fight. The next day Victor disposes the remains of the second creature and is unable to return to sea until later. When he arrives though he is placed under suspicious of a murder.
Victor is constantly pondering over his promise and thus is unable to enjoy the trip with Henry. The trip is later extended when an acquaintance asks if Victor would come visit him in a Scottish area. They both agree, but Victor departs for a remote island in the Orkneys to begin his project. Victor is troubled by the consequences and works for hours on end.
Victor ponders over the consequences of creating another monster and realizes he needs to regain the knowledge he lost. England being his only option. Alphonse noticing that Victor is actually looking happier yet still melancholy asks the reason. Alphonse falsely believes it is his Victor’s marriage to Elizabeth. Victor denies this and asks permission to go to London. His father consents and Victor and Clerval set out to England.
The monster declares his promise to leave Europe forever and any place inhabited by man in exchange for a woman. Victor refuses at first but then realizes his responsibility as the creator and worries over the safety of his family and thus accepts. The monster cries and leaves stating that he will be watching Victor’s progress.
The monster states that the family at the cottage decides to leave and thus his only hope in the human world vanished. The monster decided that the next thing he would do was exact his revenge on his creator and through subtle clues he makes his way to Geneva. On the way there he saves a lady from drowning only to get shot. Later on he encounter a young boy who he hopes innocence would allow the boy to consider him a companion. This is given up though when the boy declares he is related to Frankenstein and the monster is consumed in rage and kills the boy. In addition the monster takes the locket the boy had and places in Justine’s pocket to frame her. The chapter concludes with the monster demanding Frankenstein to create a companion for him.
