Religion Quotes In Frankenstein

There are very few pieces of literature with more mystery surrounding them than Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. One of the aspects of the book that is still controversial is the topic of religion, and how religion comes into play in the book. Although multiple interpretations can be made into what was intended by Mary, since the title of the work includes “A Modern Prometheus” Greek mythology is inarguably present in her work. Similar to Prometheus Victor exceeds what the gods allow, and as a result of this is punished.

Although the people of Greece were polytheistic, the god they gave their highest respect to was Zeus. Zeus was the ruler of mount Olympus, where all the other gods reside. Zeus is in charge of maintaining peace and order, and as

Immediately after Clerval informs Victor that his brother William passes away, which is later revealed to be the work of the monster, A storm begins to brew. Victor states that “the thunder burst with a terrific crash over my head... vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire” (Shelley, 84). Lightning flashes before Victor’s eyes as a reminder from Zeus of his wrong doings. Shelley uses a simile comparing the lake the lake to fire, which draws a connection to the story of Prometheus the man that went too far giving fire to man. Similarly a single paragraph after Justine’s death is revealed to Victor by Elizabeth through letter, there is a lightning storm. “For a short space of time I remained at the window watching the pallid lightnings that played above Mont Blanc and listening to the rushing of the Arve, which pursued its noisy way beneath” (Shelley, 108). Here the lightning is even portrayed as dancing, using personification Mary hints that there are more to the lightning than just a natural occurrence. Finally once his beloved Elizabeth dies on his wedding night he states “I rushed towards the window, and drawing a pistol from my bosom, fired; but he eluded me, leaped from his station, and running with the swiftness of lightning, plunged into the lake.” Victor compares his nemesis to lightning using a metaphor.