When Mary Shelley published her famous Frankenstein-novel in 1818, she hinted at a theme in the subtitle “The Modern Prometheus” that would run like a thread through all of her later novels. While much has been written about the Promethean element in Frankenstein – Dougherty focuses on the moral issues (Dougherty 111), Franklin reads the novel as a critique of the concepts of democracy in Prometheus and Frankenstein (Franklin 42), and Cantor focuses on identifying the Promethean figure – very little has been written on the element of fire in the novel.
This lack of interest in the fire imagery in research is interesting, because fire plays a rather dominant role in both the Promethean Myth and the novel itself. After all, it is fire in the form of a “spark of being” that gives life to the monster. Although Watson rightly states that “‘the Modern Prometheus’ concerns two legends of Prometheus – that he stole fire from heaven, and that he made a man from clay and used fire to give it life” (Watson 247), only Franklin grants the issue of fire more than just a few words. She then also fails to go into more detail after declaring that the monster is not given fire, but finds it himself (Franklin 42). Interestingly, unlike research, the film industry has spotted the importance of the fire imagery. It plays a dominant role in many adaptations of the novel – recall James Whale’s 1931 film version, where the villagers try to burn the monster in the windmill, or Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 movie, where Frankenstein creates two monsters and the former Elizabeth commits suicide by setting herself on fire.
The impact of the fire imagery in Shelley’s work becomes even more apparent in looking at her other novels. The symbolic use of fire is not restricted to Frankenstein and the Promethean theme, but is a general stylistic feature distinct of Shelley’s writing. In addition to Frankenstein, two other of Shelley’s novels will be examined in order to prove this point. Dougherty argues that fire mainly serves the purpose of providing heat and light (Dougherty 18). The notion ‘fire’ will thus not be restricted to the literal sense, but will also comprise light and warmth. The symbolism of the opposite forces – darkness, cold, and water – will also be considered.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Frankenstein
- 2.1 Light and Warmth as Positive Forces
- 2.2 The Monster and Images of Light and Warmth
- 2.3 Symbolisms of Coldness and Darkness
- 2.4 Frankenstein and the Monster: Clashes of Fire and Water
- 2.5 The Two Opposing Sides of Fire
- 3. The Last Man
- 3.1 Fire, Light, Warmth and Love
- 3.2 Cold, Darkness, Misery, and Isolation
- 3.3 The Sun Reversed: The Symbolism of Shelley's "Black Orb"
- 3.4 Light and Darkness Combined: The Symbolism of Stars
- 3.5 Raymond, Fire, and Destruction
- 3.6 "The Checked Waters of Misery" (TLM 176): Perdita's Suicide
- 4. Falkner
- 4.1 "A Soft, but Penetrating Fire” (F:215): The Symbolism of Warmth and Light
- 4.2 Warmth and Light as Female Attributes
- 4.3 Fire and Love in Falkner
- 4.4 Falkner, Fire, and Destruction
- 4.5 Darkness as a Means to Conceal the Truth
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to examine the recurring symbolism of fire, light, warmth, and their opposites in Mary Shelley's novels, particularly in Frankenstein, The Last Man, and Falkner. It challenges the existing scholarly neglect of fire imagery in Shelley's work and argues for its significance as a consistent stylistic feature.
- The symbolic use of fire, light, and warmth in Shelley's novels.
- The contrasting imagery of darkness, cold, and water, and their interaction with positive images.
- The paradoxical nature of fire, capable of both creation and destruction.
- The evolution of fire symbolism across Shelley's different novels.
- The connection between fire imagery and character development and plot.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central argument of the essay: that fire imagery, beyond its literal representation, plays a crucial symbolic role across Mary Shelley's novels, particularly Frankenstein, The Last Man, and Falkner. It highlights the surprising lack of scholarly attention given to this significant element and contrasts it with its prominent portrayal in film adaptations. The introduction lays the groundwork for a comprehensive analysis of fire symbolism, encompassing both its positive connotations (light, warmth) and its negative counterparts (darkness, cold, water), and sets the stage for a comparative study across Shelley's oeuvre.
2. Frankenstein: This chapter delves into the multifaceted role of fire imagery in Shelley's Frankenstein. It analyzes how light and warmth are presented as positive forces, contrasting this with the monster's association with darkness and cold. The chapter explores the conflict between fire and water as symbolic representations of the opposing forces at play in the novel and examines the paradoxical nature of fire, capable of both creation ("spark of being") and destruction, thereby influencing the characters' emotions and actions, ranging from enthusiasm to hatred. The analysis considers both the human characters' experiences and those of the monster, establishing a framework for later comparative chapters.
3. The Last Man: This chapter shifts focus to The Last Man, exploring parallels and differences in the use of fire imagery compared to Frankenstein. It examines how fire, light, and warmth represent positive elements, such as love, while their opposites symbolize misery and isolation, mirroring the protagonist's lonely journey. The chapter meticulously analyzes the symbolic significance of Shelley's "black sun," a powerful image that blends light and darkness, reflecting the complex emotional landscape of the novel. Furthermore, it explores the destructive link between fire and the character Raymond, and examines the symbolism surrounding Perdita's suicide, further enriching the understanding of fire's complex symbolism in Shelley's work.
4. Falkner: This chapter analyzes the use of fire imagery in Shelley's final novel, Falkner. In contrast to the desolate endings of her previous works, Falkner concludes with domestic harmony and love. The chapter investigates whether this change in narrative affects Shelley's consistent use of fire symbolism and assesses how warmth and light are employed here, particularly in relation to female characters. The chapter also examines the presence (or absence) of destructive fire imagery, offering a complete picture of the evolution of Shelley's use of this potent symbol across her novels and its significance in relation to thematic shifts.
Keywords
Mary Shelley, fire symbolism, light and darkness, warmth and cold, Frankenstein, The Last Man, Falkner, Promethean myth, literary symbolism, comparative literature, Gothic literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fire Symbolism in Mary Shelley's Novels
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay examines the recurring symbolism of fire, light, and warmth (and their opposites) in Mary Shelley's novels, specifically Frankenstein, The Last Man, and Falkner. It argues for the significance of fire imagery as a consistent stylistic feature, challenging the scholarly neglect of this aspect in Shelley's work.
What novels are analyzed in this essay?
The essay focuses on three of Mary Shelley's novels: Frankenstein, The Last Man, and Falkner. Each novel is analyzed separately, comparing and contrasting the use of fire symbolism across them.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the symbolic use of fire, light, and warmth; the contrasting imagery of darkness, cold, and water; the paradoxical nature of fire as both creator and destroyer; the evolution of fire symbolism across Shelley's novels; and the connection between fire imagery and character development/plot.
How is fire symbolism presented in Frankenstein?
In Frankenstein, light and warmth are presented as positive forces, contrasting with the monster's association with darkness and cold. The essay explores the conflict between fire and water as symbolic representations of opposing forces and the paradoxical nature of fire in both creation and destruction.
How does fire symbolism appear in The Last Man?
The Last Man explores parallels and differences in fire imagery compared to Frankenstein. Fire, light, and warmth represent positive elements like love, while their opposites symbolize misery and isolation. The essay analyzes the symbolic "black sun," the destructive link between fire and the character Raymond, and the symbolism of Perdita's suicide.
How is fire symbolism used in Falkner?
The essay analyzes fire imagery in Shelley's Falkner, contrasting it with the desolate endings of her previous works. It investigates how warmth and light are used, particularly in relation to female characters, and examines the presence (or absence) of destructive fire imagery, showing the evolution of Shelley's use of this symbol and its thematic significance.
What is the overall argument of the essay?
The essay's central argument is that fire imagery, beyond its literal representation, plays a crucial symbolic role in Mary Shelley's novels. It highlights the surprising lack of scholarly attention to this significant element and contrasts this with its prominent portrayal in film adaptations.
What are some keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include Mary Shelley, fire symbolism, light and darkness, warmth and cold, Frankenstein, The Last Man, Falkner, Promethean myth, literary symbolism, comparative literature, and Gothic literature.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay includes an introduction, chapters dedicated to each novel (Frankenstein, The Last Man, and Falkner), and a conclusion summarizing the findings. Each chapter provides a detailed analysis of the fire symbolism within the respective novel.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the key arguments and analyses presented in each section of the essay, allowing the reader to quickly grasp the main points of each chapter before delving into the detailed analysis.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Müller (Author), 2015, Images of Fire, Warmth and Light in Mary Shelley’s Novels, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/345642
