The Role of Weather in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, often seen as the first science fiction novel, dives into big ideas like creation, ambition, and what it means to be human. But there's this sneaky but strong element Shelley uses throughout the story: the weather. It's not just a background thing; it's like a symbol that shows us how characters feel and think. It hints at what's coming next and ties into the novel's bigger themes. This essay looks at how weather plays all these roles in Frankenstein, showing how important it is for understanding the story and its deeper meanings.

The Role of Weather in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

One big way Shelley uses weather is to reflect how her characters feel inside, especially Victor Frankenstein and his Creature. When the weather's wild and unpredictable, it's like looking into Victor's mind full of turmoil and guilt. Remember when he brings the Creature to life? He's immediately horrified and regretful. The storm outside with its thunder and lightning matches his chaotic mental state, hinting at the tragic stuff that's about to happen. This use of weather builds a sense of doom and underscores what happens when Victor goes against natural laws.

Plus, weather in Frankenstein often foreshadows events, giving clues about what's going to happen and the bad things awaiting the characters. Like when dark clouds and storms are mentioned often—they signal tragic outcomes from Victor's experiments and the unavoidable showdown between creator and creature. The relentless chase through icy Arctic landscapes emphasizes their inescapable fate. The harsh weather here symbolizes what happens when ambition runs wild and knowledge is chased without limits.

Shelley also uses weather to touch on larger themes, like nature’s power. The Romantic idea of the sublime—feeling awe (and a bit of fear) before nature’s grandeur—appears throughout Frankenstein. Those grand Swiss Alps with their towering peaks stand starkly against Victor’s attempts to dominate nature. The weather in these scenes reminds us that nature is powerful beyond human control or understanding. Victor’s encounters with these landscapes act as humbling reminders of our limitations.

The changing seasons in Frankenstein symbolize life's cycle—life, death, renewal. Scenes mix creation with destruction alongside shifting weather patterns. The Creature's creation on a stormy night points to Victor’s chaotic experiment. In contrast, moments of calm like Victor's time in Switzerland align with pleasant weather, underscoring life's fleeting nature while exploring themes like playing God.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, weather in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein acts as this rich literary device that deepens emotional, psychological, and thematic layers of the book. Through it, Shelley mirrors inner states of her characters, foreshadows key happenings, and reflects broader themes like nature’s power. By weaving weather into her narrative so skillfully, she doesn’t just create an immersive atmosphere but invites readers to ponder human ambition's implications, scientific exploration limits, and humanity-nature relationships intricately woven together. So yeah—weather becomes crucial for grasping this timeless masterpiece fully.

References

• Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.
• Baldick, C. (1987). In Frankenstein's Shadow: Myth, Monstrosity, and Nineteenth-Century Writing.
• Knoepflmacher, U.C., & Morrison R.D., Eds. (2003). The Endurance of Frankenstein: Essays on Mary Shelley's Novel.
• Mellor A.K., (1988). Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters.
• SparkNotes Editors. (2003). SparkNote on Frankenstein.
• Todorov T., (1970). "The Fantastic: A Structural Approach to a Literary Genre."