Question

A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Focusing on one symbol in Frankenstein, write an essay analyzing how that complex symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole.

Answer 1

The chosen symbol is Fire.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mary Shelley referred to Frankenstein as a modern Prometheus, reinforcing the symbolism associated with fire since the title of the work.

As we know, Prometheus is a character present in Greek mythology and described as responsible for creating the human race and for giving knowledge to fire for humanity, which allowed an evolution in the human race. In her book, Shelley puts Frankenstein as an allusion to Prometheus, causing him to create human life.

In this story, fire represents knowledge and once Frankenstein's creature had access to knowledge, Frankenstein's life and family was completely destroyed by his creature, who, like fire, consumed everything that Frankenstein held. In this case, fire also represents suffering and destruction.

"Frankenstein" is a work full of symbolisms and meanings, which deal directly with the human emotional and its capacity to create and destroy.