The natural world plays a significant role in the novel Frankenstein and serves as a backdrop for several important themes and events:
Foil to Human Ambition: Nature in the novel often serves as a foil to human ambition and scientific pursuits. The beauty and harmony of the natural world contrast with the destructive and unnatural consequences of Victor Frankenstein's ambition to create life. Nature is depicted as a symbol of balance and order, emphasizing the chaos and disruption caused by Victor's reckless actions.
Reflecting Characters' Emotions: Throughout the novel, the natural world mirrors the emotional states of the characters. Victor often seeks solace and relief in the beauty of nature when he is troubled or overwhelmed by guilt and despair. The natural world becomes a place of contemplation and refuge for him.
The Arctic Setting: The Arctic setting at the beginning and end of the novel represents the isolation and emotional coldness experienced by both Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. It symbolizes their ambitious pursuits and the consequences of their isolation from society.
Sublime and Gothic Elements: The novel's portrayal of nature often incorporates elements of the sublime and the gothic. The sublime, with its sense of awe and terror in the face of vast and overwhelming forces of nature, contributes to the novel's eerie and atmospheric tone. The gothic elements emphasize the dark and mysterious aspects of the natural world, reflecting the novel's themes of horror and the unknown.
Relationship with the Creature: The Creature, too, finds solace and refuge in the natural world. It is drawn to the beauty of nature and seeks to understand its place within it. The Creature's interactions with nature demonstrate its capacity for gentleness and appreciation for the world, in contrast to the cruelty it experiences from humans.
Moral Implications: The natural world raises moral questions in the novel, particularly in relation to the responsibility of humans toward the environment and other living beings. Victor's disregard for the ethical implications of his scientific pursuits reflects humanity's tendency to manipulate and exploit nature for personal gain, without considering the consequences.