"Death snatches away many blooming children, the only hopes of their doating parents: how many brides and youthful lovers have been made one day in the bloom of health and hope, and the next a prey for worms and the decay of the tomb!" (Shelley, 130).
In the above passage, Shelley effectively personifies death. This personification serves two purposes: to emphasize the strength of death and the erratic and unpredictable path that it follows. Arguably, death may be seen as a motif in Frankenstein to some, and its recurrence greatly supports this claim. By attributing human abilities to death, Shelley magnifies how powerful and destructive the death of an individual can be for others. Furthermore, the connotation of "snatch" implies rapidity, alluding to the unpredictable nature of death, as is seen in the tragic deaths of William and Justine. One theme of Frankenstein centers around the relationship of parent and child (or creator and creature), and this quote serves to reference this theme. The innocence of children (and the monster in correspondence) is referenced throughout the novel, and Frankenstein's contempt for his creation betrays the stereotypical, nurturing disposition of an individual in such a role.
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Good use of personification. (I wanted to type personificacion for a second there. Linhart has me brainwashed) The deaths of children and young brides are especially painful, so I agree that the personification serves to emphasize how powerful and destrucive death is on those closest to the individual, in this case Victor.
ReplyDeleteThe parent/child relation here is seen with Frankenstein and the Creature, and how he hates him and basically aborts the creature to where there is decay and no hope - the innocent creation was not nurtured by its creator. Also, the quote mentions brides turned to decay, which could include the idea of such a neglected creation causing the death of the creator's own bride and stealing the innocence of the marriage and their bliss.
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