In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a scientist named Victor Frankenstein creates a monster and journeys to capture his creation to destroy it. He relays his expedition with Captain Walton, who is also on a quest. The absence of feminine nurturing leads to an imbalance in nature. Inequality in nature equals disastrous events. Captain Walton is sailing towards the North Pole, searching for answers with a crew of men. Captain Walton observes “we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog” (9). The “dangerous” weather represents the danger of inequality. In most cultures,
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Walton’s crew is made up entirely of men, with the ship as the only feminine object. The ship is “surrounded by ice,” which “closed” it in. The vulnerability shown in the ship equates to a female being surrounded by males, an obvious imbalance. Victor Frankenstein leaves Elizabeth, his caretaker and loved one, and journeys throughout nature. As he travels over mountains, he notes “the path, as you ascend higher, is intersected by ravines of snow, down which stones continually roll from above; one of them is particularly dangerous, as the slightest sound, such as even speaking in a loud voice, produces a concussion of air sufficient to draw destruction upon the head of the speaker” (84). The atmosphere of the scene is portrayed as life threatening. Victor’s reliance on Elizabeth’s care is vital to his health. The “slightest sound” could be detrimental, revealing the fragility of Dr. Frankenstein. With Elizabeth he is safe, as the world is balanced, whereas on his own, Victor is most likely to die. Cold weather, previously mentioned in the first quote, returns with “ravines of snow.” Snow …show more content…
The monster, rejected from a group of cottagers, wanders in anguish. Being cast from society the monster, “wished to tear up the trees, spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin” (124). The lack of feminine nurturing in the monster’s formulation creates a lethal desire that takes control of him. The monster lacks a sense of nurturing, wishing to “spread havoc and destruction” wherever he goes. Masculinity is defined as “having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength and boldness” by dictionary.com. Masculinity is superior in the monster to all other qualities. His natural instinct from being turned down is to prove his worth by utilizing the power he possesses. Lack of feminine qualities led to the careless attitude with which he regards nature and human life. The monster, relaying his journey with Dr. Frankenstein, describes the cottagers and their reactions to his unusual appearance. The creature declared he could “with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted [himself] with their shrieks and misery” (124). The act of receiving “pleasure” from destroying a human is malicious; the monster also reveals his thoughts to his creator openly, signifying he feels no anguish. The monster’s inability to nurture is evident through his judgements of the cottagers. Instead of trying to show them compassion he wants to ruin them for
Walton’s crew is made up entirely of men, with the ship as the only feminine object. The ship is “surrounded by ice,” which “closed” it in. The vulnerability shown in the ship equates to a female being surrounded by males, an obvious imbalance. Victor Frankenstein leaves Elizabeth, his caretaker and loved one, and journeys throughout nature. As he travels over mountains, he notes “the path, as you ascend higher, is intersected by ravines of snow, down which stones continually roll from above; one of them is particularly dangerous, as the slightest sound, such as even speaking in a loud voice, produces a concussion of air sufficient to draw destruction upon the head of the speaker” (84). The atmosphere of the scene is portrayed as life threatening. Victor’s reliance on Elizabeth’s care is vital to his health. The “slightest sound” could be detrimental, revealing the fragility of Dr. Frankenstein. With Elizabeth he is safe, as the world is balanced, whereas on his own, Victor is most likely to die. Cold weather, previously mentioned in the first quote, returns with “ravines of snow.” Snow …show more content…
The monster, rejected from a group of cottagers, wanders in anguish. Being cast from society the monster, “wished to tear up the trees, spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin” (124). The lack of feminine nurturing in the monster’s formulation creates a lethal desire that takes control of him. The monster lacks a sense of nurturing, wishing to “spread havoc and destruction” wherever he goes. Masculinity is defined as “having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength and boldness” by dictionary.com. Masculinity is superior in the monster to all other qualities. His natural instinct from being turned down is to prove his worth by utilizing the power he possesses. Lack of feminine qualities led to the careless attitude with which he regards nature and human life. The monster, relaying his journey with Dr. Frankenstein, describes the cottagers and their reactions to his unusual appearance. The creature declared he could “with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted [himself] with their shrieks and misery” (124). The act of receiving “pleasure” from destroying a human is malicious; the monster also reveals his thoughts to his creator openly, signifying he feels no anguish. The monster’s inability to nurture is evident through his judgements of the cottagers. Instead of trying to show them compassion he wants to ruin them for