Allusions In Frankenstein

Joshua Chen

In “It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow”, Thomas Foster explains that rain is more than just a “part of the setting”, instead it changes the characters, morphing them into a different version of themselves (Foster 70). In chapter three of Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s recollection of his experience of a thunderstorm is a powerful example of how on the outside, the thunderstorm just seemed like a normal occurrence, but it changed the course of Victor’s studies. This natural event sparked Frankenstein’s interest in the supernatural and is one of the catalysts in starting Victor’s journey of studying the laws of electricity, a crucial part of life. Without this study of electricity, it may be possible that Victor would not have

There are many examples of biblical allusions in Mary Shelley’s book, Frankenstein. For instance, during his conversation with Victor, his creator, the monster mentions his journey in reading books and details his emotions during his reading of Paradise Lost. He mentions his “feelings of wonder and awe” that there is an “omnipotent God warring with his creatures” and how similar his own situation was (Shelley 92). He then further explains this by comparing himself to Adam, both were the first of their kind and came forth from their creator, however, the monster was “wretched, helpless, and alone” (Shelley 92). This comparison is a clear allusion to the book of Genesis in the Bible, specifically the story of creation. Through this comparison, the monster also laments that, unlike Adam, he has been abandoned by his creator and uses this to justify his anger towards Frankenstein and all of humanity. The monster then concludes this allusion by stating that Satan is the best figure to represent his