Frankenstein by
Mary Shelley
Metaphor
On the way to Scotland, Henry and Victor sail through
beautiful landscapes and magnificent scenes. For a brief moment, Victor enjoys
the scene; however, his enjoyment ceases with Victor’s constant memory of the
past and worry for the future. Shelley employs a metaphor that describes the source
deep pain and torment Victor feels in his heart. “But I am a blasted tree; the
bolt has entered my soul; and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what
I shall soon cease to be—a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, pitiable to
others and intolerable to myself,” (Shelley, 116-117). The bolt and the tree
used in the metaphor references the lightning bolt that shredded the tree in
the beginning of the novel. The shredded tree inspired Victor’s imagination to
create the creature. The lightning bolt that struck the tree, struck into his
soul, which conveys the burden that Victor bears with his creation. He has been
shredded with misery and regret. His life is intolerable to himself. Multiple
times Victor has contemplated committing suicide. His loved ones look down on
him with pity and sadness trying to do whatever they can to help him. No matter
what they do, their comfort and support will not ease Victor’s pain and worry
from the creature.
No comments:
Post a Comment