- “When I was about fifteen years old we had retired to our house … violent and terrible thunderstorm … mountains of Jura … I beheld a stream of fire … dazzling light vanished … I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed.” (p. 36)
Light and fire are reoccurring symbols throughout
Frankenstein. Victor’s inspiration to create the monster first comes from this particular lightning storm he witnesses. Shelley carries these two symbols throughout the story as they are associated with the monster and his presence. Often when there is a terrible storm, the monster is in the vicinity. For instance on page 68, “Another storm enlightened Jura with faint flashes.” (Also notice the location, the mountains of Jura, is the same as the first lightning storm) In this scene, the monster is around the general area - the two elements, light and fire, tend to accompany his existence.
(Photo Credit)
Photograph.
Lifeboat.com. Web. 13 Sept. 2009. http://lifeboat.com/images/frankenstein.jpg.
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