How Does Mary Shelley Use Figurative Language In Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a magnificent peace of literature written by Mary Shelley. Mary’s style of romanticism and gothic writings shed light on society and its effect on human nature. Her use of symbols and figurative language help the reader grow accustomed to the fact that society can ultimately change someone for the worse or for the best. The story consists of a being that was created by man who strives for acceptance and kindness from those around him. During this process the creature soon runs into certain conflicts, which could have been avoided if only society hadn’t shunned him.    The creature born from limbs of others and created by man was doomed when he first took breath. Children who are often nurtured by loving and responsible parents grow up to be kind and welcoming to others, but those with parents of a different nature, ones who neglect their own children can only help lead to their child’s ultimate defeat of not being accepted by society. Born as a child with no idea who or what he

was, the creature turned to his creator, Victor Frankenstein. Mary shows how a parent’s nature can leave an impression on a child through Victor‘s reaction to his new living creation. “…I had selected this creature as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath…his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun-white sockets in which they were set…Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room…”(43 Shelley). Mary’s use of descriptive words allows the reader to foresee societies reaction to the creature’s appearance and how they too will refuse to accept him. After Victor laid eyes on the creature he no longer referred to him as his creation throughout the story, but as a “monster, wretch, or demon.” Words such as these are significant, for they show societies reaction to the creature’s monstrous appearance.
When the monster was still a child, not yet shunned by society, he contained a positive outlook on life. He enjoyed helping others and the feelings that certain parts of nature gave him. Overall his human nature was that of a child who was willing to learn and receive teachings from others. “Spring advanced rapidly; the weather became fine and the skies cloudless. My senses were gratified and refreshed by a thousand scents of delight and a thousand sights of beauty.” (104 Shelley). Shelley’s use of romanticism, which is importance of nature in art, allows the reader to observe the creature’s true nature. He finds bliss in simple things, such as a change in weather, such as, the transition from winter into spring. Spring brings pleasure and happiness to the monster even when things become tough. The creature also finds joy in observing a family of cottagers. They influence him greatly with their act of kindness that they portray to one another. The creature’s only wish is to live amongst them, appreciated and loved. While observing the family the monster decides to help them by doing their chores. He also refuses to hurt the cottagers. “I had been accustomed, during the night, to steal a part of their store for my own consumption, but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained…” (99 Shelley). Even with the kindness enacted from the creature, society seemed to have trouble opening its arms.
The monster had a vast amount of hope that he might be able to befriend the cottagers through first befriending the blind grandfather. While trying to befriend the grandfather the other cottagers walked in and due to the creature’s monstrous appearance was attacked and cast out. Upon observing the monster the cottagers decided to never return. In response to the abandonment of the cottagers the monster became vengeful towards man and Victor. The reader can observe the creature’s reaction through an allusion written by Shelley. “The cottage was quickly enveloped by the flames, which clung to it, and licked it with their forked and destroying tongues” (123 Shelley). This was the end of the creature’s hope for he no longer had faith in man or his creator who left him to fend for himself in a cruel world.
The monster wasn’t always evil and obsessed with revenge.

He was a kind creature who longed for acceptance and love from others. Sadly, society only saw him as a wretched being who should be cast aside. The monster, in order to implement his revenge on Victor, kills those closes to him, his brother, friends, and wife. These deaths could have been prevented if only society could have accepted the creature. “…I am miserable, and they shall share my wretchedness. Yet it is in your power to recompense me, and deliver them from an evil which it only remains for you to make so great, that not only you or your family, but thousands of others, shall be swallowed up in the whirlwinds of its rage” (87 Shelley). This quote shows the true nurture, which he received, from society. His own creator wishes to never see him again and to listen to him, so the monster blatantly mentions that if Victor does not listen then the rage he feels towards man and Victor will cause death to befall

all.
The main theme addressed in this book is nature versus nurture. Throughout the entire story of Frankenstein the reader can observe clues, through direct quotes from characters or the use of Shelley’s style and literary devices, that society can cause someone’s human nature to change. Society plays a big role on human nature. If someone is shunned by society they are left only two options, to take revenge or die. This is evident throughout the creature’s strive for affection and acceptance. The monster wasn’t naturally evil; he had no rage to live by until society cast him aside and left him to fend for himself in a world so cruel.