Geometric Beauty

In discussing natural selection, Charles Darwin describes "a power incessantly ready for action, and...as immeasurably superior to man's feeble efforts, as the works of Nature are to those of Art" (40). This definition indicates that he views creation as an “outside force” intrinsic to the universe and unreachable to humans. Regardless of whether or not he ascribes this pattern to divine causes, he sees it as strictly non-human. People may craft “Art,” but such endeavors are “feeble” compared to what nature has to offer (40).

By frequently repeating the word “geometric,” Darwin indicates that the workings of the universe are fundamentally mathematical, objective, and separate from the emotional sphere of humanity (42). However, he also sees them as “beautiful,” perhaps because of these reasons (39). Without human intervention, systems of nature seem to interlock flawlessly. Keeping in time with the flux of nature, “varieties…[continually] become converted into new and distinct species,” and “complex relationships of…animals and plants” flourish (38,39).  

Tessellating all of these universally inherent patterns, natural selection propels everything towards “perfection” (39). In this way, it does not evoke a cold or chaotic world, but one of systematic harmony—one that makes more sense than “a special act of creation” (36). It does not degrade creation into something lowly and utilitarian; it actually elevates it into something pure, something unadulterated by arbitrary whim.

Thus, Darwin indicates that singular, divine acts of creation are not necessary in order for nature to be beautiful or pristine. Nor must one necessarily associate his theory of natural selection with atheism. In the system’s pure non-humanness, there is room for both the nonreligious and the religious—something that his critics fail to discern.

On Consuming Curiosity

While Robert Walton frames Victor's narrative in his letters to his sister, I believe he more effectively serves as a foil for Victor relentless passions. Victor's pursuit of knowledge within the field of natural philosophy was rooted in his inadvertent discovery of a volume of Cornelius' Agrippa's works (68). Once removed from such aged models, instead of abandoning his passions, Victor's dedicates himself to the mastery of modern science. Where such masters "penetrate into the recesses of nature, and shew how she works in her hiding places" (75).  Similarly, Robert has a passion for the unknown and enterprises to sail north in hopes of finding uncharted "phaenomena...in those undiscovered solitudes" (51). Robert's role as Victor's foil plays out in his ability to move past his dream, when his passion is tempered at the behest of his crew "they desired...that if the vessel should be freed, I would instantly direct my course southward" (213).  Ultimately despite Victor's speech, Robert cannot rationalize a continuation of the mission with an uninspired crew.  Of the many opportunities presented, Victor clearly fulfilled his passion and is plagued by it for the remainder of the story.  He recognizes in hindsight that he was consumed by "the wild fancies of these writers" in reference to the dated writings of Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus (69).  Robert's own narration holds Victor's story and personage in awe, recognizing "what a glorious creature he must have been in his days of prosperity" (210).  If the same holds true to Robert, being Victor's foil, the mission north is in the midst of his "prosperity" as Victor's was in his pursuit of the secret of life.  But Robert himself is held back by his weak-willed crew.  I see Robert as feeling a similar responsibility to protecting his crew as Victor did to protecting his family.  When the two are put in conflict, especially in the face of severe adversity, Robert folds where Victor went on in ignorance of his family for two years while he dedicated himself to his studies.  I would like to hypothesize that this was due to his isolation from his family, "out of sight out of mind", and raise the question would Robert follow the same path if he wasn't reliant upon his crew to which he has a responsibility to protect?

Frankenstein's last words

      Frankenstein's last words are, "That he should live to be an instrument of mischief disturbs me ; in other respects this hour, when I momentarily expect my release, is the only happy one which I have enjoyed for several years. The forms of the beloved dead flit before me, and I hasten to their arms. Farewell Walton! Seek happiness in tranquility, and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries. Yet why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed" 216.

     Is Victor's name significant in this story at all? Upon his death bed, he does not appear to be victorious in his fight against the monster because the monster is still out there. However, throughout the novel, he seems to have been fighting with himself to find lasting happiness, and in his final moments before death, he has. "The time at length arrives, when grief is rather an indulgence than a necessity" 72. This time has now passed. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein has been constantly preoccupied with fear of his creation, but now in his dying words, he speaks to Walton, not about killing the monster, but about what Walton should do with the rest of his life. The monster no longer defines how he feels.

On the other side of this, what does Walton think of this? Will he follow his dreams further or will he heed Frankenstein's advice and avoid ambition? Has his trip north been for nothing?
In the beginning of the novel, signs his first four letters differently - R. Walton, R.W., and finally Robert Walton - this last letter was after the all the events in the book, as it is told as a story within the story. Maybe Walton while on his trip to find a northern passage, instead found himself *Cliche. It's hard to know what Walton will do, or if it matters at all, but at least he will return home with a good story. Because Frankenstein is the friend that Walton has been looking for, and has finally found, I think that he will heed Frankenstein's advice by reintegrating himself fully into society, and that his trip has not been a waste.

Religious Monstrosity

I believe that Frankenstein’s sudden spiritual transformation is a key part of his wider metamorphosis into a creature similar to the one he created.  The Creature is the first character to appeal directly to nature when, after Frankenstein agrees to make him a companion, he swears, “by the sun, and by the blue sky of heaven, that is you grant my prayer, while you exist you shall never behold me again” (159).  Shortly after this, Frankenstein appeals to forces greater than himself, exclaiming, “Oh! stars, and clouds, and winds, ye are all about to mock me: if ye really pity me, crush sensation and memory” (159).  This appeal is simply for a merciful death, rather than direct intervention on his behalf to achieve a goal beyond his power.  It is far different once Elizabeth is murdered and his father passes away.  After his grief gives way to anger, he “knelt on the grass, and kissed the earth” (203).  This body language suggests that he is submitting himself to nature, and recognizing it as a higher power.  He then swears vengeance against the creature, “by the sacred earth on which I kneel, by the shades that wander near me, by the deep and eternal grief that I feel, I swear; and by thee, O Night, and by the spirits that preside over thee” (203).  Frankenstein appeals not only to nature, but also to the Night, which, as the domain of darkness, is the natural opposite of the lightening and fire which Frankenstein used to bestow life and was previously fascinated by.  I think it is valid to note that the Night, and by extension darkness, is associated with antagonistic powers.  Frankenstein’s transition to darkness makes him more similar to the monster, which prefers the travel and act at night (152).  After his initial conversion to worshiping nature and the Night, Frankenstein goes so far as to bestow spiritual value on the Creature itself, mistaking it for a good spirit.  While Frankenstein knows that the monster regularly leaves him supplies to draw out his miserable existence, when there are not explicit signs that the food was left by the monster Frankenstein chooses to believe that “it was set there by the spirits that I had invoked to aid me” (204).  Frankenstein’s sudden worship of nature and the Night, along with his confused belief in spirits, is part of his larger transformation into an isolated and vengeful man similar to his Creature.

Dangerous Knowledge

As the creature’s penchant for knowledge and information grows, I find that he has striking similarities to his creator. While he is radically different than Frankenstein in many ways, both approach the subject of learning from an unconventional standpoint, and by doing so, both use this knowledge in a variety of ways. Like Frankenstein, the creature acquires information on his own, forming opinions without the input of others. Additionally, both Frankenstein and the creature apply their wisdom erroneously on multiple accounts; this develops the theme that knowledge, if used incorrectly can be very dangerous. Frankenstein’s incorrect application of this knowledge is made tangible by the presence of the creature he heedlessly created, however the creature’s mistakes come in a far less visible form. As he learns through the watching the De Lacey family, and reading the books he finds in the portmanteau, the creature interprets the works, specifically, “Paradise Lost [which] excited different and far deeper emotions…as a true history” (Shelley 143). The creature begins to see himself first as a parallel to Adam, a man generated at the hands of a creator, but also empathizes with the spurned Satan. He does not realize that this work of literature is not necessarily the truth he seeks, however it helps him form his opinions on his creator. The creature’s ability to gain, process, and utilize knowledge is very intriguing. In a short span of time, he is able to go from an infantile mentality to a fully functioning adult who knows of literature, language, and human interaction. While this transformation is impressive, it is also dangerous. Because the creature is given no guidance or direction, his application of this knowledge is often in a haphazard fashion. The parallels between the creator and the creation are found within their erroneous application of the knowledge they have acquired.

The Creature's Role in the De Lacey Family

One thing I found significant in today’s reading was De Lacey’s blindness and how it influenced the Creature’s relationship to the family. The Creature pays close attention to blindness because he realizes “that the unnatural hideousness of [his] person was the chief object of horror with those who had formerly beheld [him]” (146).

I believe the main reason the Creature becomes so enamored with the De Laceys is that they are literally blind to what he sees as his one deformity. He admits “no father had watched [his] infant days, no mother had blessed [him] with smiles and caresses” (137). The De Laceys become a surrogate family to the Creature without their realizing it. I believe the Creature wants the one thing he can never have—a father or family. The Creature sees De Lacey as the father Victor never was, even describing the family as “patriarchal” (143). He does the chores Felix is responsible not only because it makes the De Lacey’s happy, but because he sees them as a filial duty and expects that if he does them he will be part of the family.

What he does not realize is his own blindness and naiveté. Objectively, he seems to realize that he is not really part of the family as he is “shut out from intercourse with them, except through means which [he] obtained by stealth, when [he] was unseen and unknown,” but he still refers to them as his “fellows” (136).

When the day comes for him to introduce himself, the Creature realizes what I saw all along—the De Lacey family can only see him as a stalker-like mutant creature.

However, what is incredibly interesting to me is the murderous rage the Creature feels after his “family” deserts him. I think he forgives the other humans who reject him because they do not know and understand him, just as he does not know and understand them. However, because he feels like he is part of the De Lacey family, he seems to believe that they should see around his faults, just as they are able to see past each other’s faults. When Felix’s actions get De Lacey and Agatha thrown into prison, they forgive him, but the same is not true for the Creature’s liabilities.  

De Lacey’s blindness lured the Creature into a false sense of family. He seems to realize that he does not belong in the human world, shown when he asks for a mate of his own type and promises that they will live far away from civilization (158).

The education of the creature really struck my interest in this reading. Something that I have thought about was how as humans we learn and develop and mature in a variety of stages from birth through the years until death. Something I noticed that the creature lacks, are those beginning stages of childhood. The creature is obviously still learning and developing into the being that he is or will become, but he is taking it all in at once, rather than having the benefit of years to accumulate the knowledge and level of understanding that other people would have by his age, whatever that should be. In some ways, the creature is still in the developmental phase of a child, evidenced by his education of speech and reading. On the other hand, the creature seems to be very bright and able to comprehend a good deal more than what a child might. One point that stood out to me especially in the reading was the section on which the creature refers to the nature of knowledge.

"Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it has once seized on it, like a linchen on the rock. I wished sometimes to shake off all thought and feeling." (136)

The creature is assimilating many concepts new to him, especially the realizations of the differences between humans and himself. Some say ignorance is bliss, and in my opinion after understanding these differences it would be hard for the creature not to want to forget the knowledge that he is different from the rest of society, especially when all he wants are friends and relations that would accept him. It is interesting to me that the creature is still very interested in learning new things, even when almost everything he learns causes him to realize some pain or sadness.