Frankenstein Nature As Medicine - 1119 Words

Jaz Schultz Mr. Berens Great Books Hour 6 1 November 2017 Nature As Medicine In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the self-reliance, spirituality and individuality that Victor Frankenstein finds in nature shows the relation of nature and the human feeling; when one finds himself in nature, he is restored mentally, physically and spiritually. In the beginning of Victor’s life he is described with naturalistic metaphors and other analogies in order to give the reader a better understanding of the connection Victor has with the environment. When Victor is mourning his friends and family, he frequently avoids humanity and attempts to find health and relaxation in nature. Victor takes sustenance from nature, and it becomes his coping†¦show more content†¦He compares his life to the course or current of the river, and as the river flows into sharp rocks, his life flows into misfortune. This metaphor of the mountain river shows the relation of nature and human feeling. The metaphor used to relate Victor’s feelings and experience is a nat ural setting rather than intellectual description or by dialogue with other characters. This displays the romanticism and attractive image of a swelling mountain stream. The most important uses of nature are found after William and Justine are killed by Victor’s creation. His brother, William’s death really strongly disturbs Victor and he falls into a profound gloom. His depressed state prohibits him from finding help or comfort from Henry, his close friend. Victor travels through nature to Geneva to find his family in hope of relief and restfulness, but it is the nature he encounters along the way that rebuilds him: â€Å"I remained two days at Lausanne, in this painful state of mind. I contemplated the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm, and the snowy mountains, the palaces of nature, were not changed. By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored me, and I continued my journey towards Geneva. ...Dear mountains! My own beautiful lake!...Your summits are clear; the sky and lake are blue and placid. (Shelley, 47). Victor’s attitude toward the earth and nature that is visible throughout the story shows how only n ature can heal and strengthen Victor’s health.Show MoreRelatedThe Debate Of Science And Medicine1423 Words   |  6 Pagesinformation about. Simply observing and explaining nature failed to bring seekers of knowledge satisfaction. It was not enough to have knowledge, people desired to apply that knowledge, using it to create an advantage over nature. The eagerness to control nature sparked one of humankind’s largest debates. Pre and post enlightenment thinkers alike questioned the role of science and whether or not it should continue on the path of being master to nature. 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