Penn Foster's Use Of Symbols In Frankenstein

In Foster’s chapter “Is That a Symbol?” he describes how symbols can have a number of meanings and “can’t be reduc[ed] to a single statement” (Foster, 98). Frankenstein incorporates different symbols to portray the reoccurring theme of knowledge; one symbol that is frequently repeated is light. Walton and Victor both pursue supreme knowledge in their journeys. In the first letter to his sister, Walton asks, “What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?” exhibiting a belief and positivity about science (Shelley, 1). A different form of light inspired Frankenstein to want to learn more, about science, about life, about the world. During his childhood, Frankenstein had seen a thunderstorm and from the lightning came a “stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak, so soon the dazzling light vanished. I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed” (Shelley, 22). This marked the beginning of Frankenstein’s love of knowledge. It also foreshadowed that ultimately he would be destroyed when the “light” left him.
The monster also experienced instances with light and knowledge. When he discovered that Victor had destroyed his potential female companion he rages, “You can blast my other passions; but revenge remains- dearer

Before his monster came to life, he believed that he would “pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation” (Shelley, 28). Victor is motivated by his craving of knowledge to venture into the unknown and make progress beyond the confines of what had been instituted before him. However, he soon realizes trying to understand the mechanisms of life will end up only destroying himself. Frankenstein reaches the end of his quest when he gains self-knowledge about the dangerous consequences of misused knowledge. He then tries to spend the last of his efforts relaying to Walton what he really should be on a quest