In my paper “Beyond Archangel” I take a semiotic and thematic approach to the theme of Archangel in the novel. In the novel the term “Archangel” shows up over and over again and many references are made to other themes relating to heaven and hell, such as Dante’s Inferno.
Geographically, the novel begins in a place beyond the city Archangel. It is an actual city in the Artic named after the archangel Michael. It is the Christian archangel Michael, but a whole tradition; Judaic, Greek… surrounds him. Therefore, in the text the word Archangel takes on multiple meanings as it refers to the physical place but also the spiritual place the three main characters are in. Victor, Walton and the Creature, all three of them are beyond Archangel, that means beyond the state of being in God’s grace. They are closer to hell than to heaven. Victor, one of the characters has already fallen and there is no help for him. The Creature and Walton seem to be beyond all hope for salvation as well, but one of them will ultimately be saved. It is the Creature who takes on another archangel persona and through this selfless act manages to save Walton from his fast track to damnation. Through the Creature Walton manages to shake off Victor’s spell over him, and return to the save haven of Archangel. Here again, the city takes on a meaning of being a place of God. The Creature never physically returns to Archangel, but he is redeemed through his actions. The three main characters therefore represent the three different spiritual states: Fallen, redeemed and saved by grace.
I will look at religion and what the meaning of an archangel is. Mary Shelley herself was acquainted with different religions and her knowledge influenced her novel, of course. I want to be present the different religious traditions that are found in the text and explore what it means for Frankenstein.
Table of Contents
1. Archangel and Archangels
2. Victor Frankenstein
3. The Creature
4. Robert Walton
5. Fall and Salvation
6. Conclusions
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the symbolic and theological significance of the term "Archangel" within Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, analyzing how the physical location of Archangel reflects the spiritual states and moral trajectories of the novel's three primary characters: Victor Frankenstein, the Creature, and Robert Walton.
- The duality of Archangel as a physical Russian seaport and a religious archetype.
- The mapping of Miltonic and Christian archangelic roles onto the novel's characters.
- Victor Frankenstein's identification with the fallen Lucifer and his descent into ruin.
- The Creature's moral evolution from perceived monster to a figure of redemptive compassion.
- Robert Walton's pivotal choice between destructive ambition and salvific reason.
Excerpt from the Book
Fall and Salvation
All three main characters have sinned, and all three characters find themselves in a place beyond Archangel. They are ice locked, with no place to go. Their common destinies beyond Archangel make them appear remarkably similar. When it comes to ambition and thirst for glory, Walton and Victor are alike. Walton and the Creature share a longing for companionship. The Creature and Victor have a very special relationship. They are at the point where they cannot live without one another, yet they are sworn enemies. Furthermore, Victor animated the Creature from the dead, and it is Walton who reanimates Victor. Neither the Creature nor Victor should be alive. The Creature should have never been created, and Victor should have dead in the inhuman conditions of the North Pole. Together in the ice now, they are at a point of no return and the decisions they make now will determine whether they will be saved like Michael or fall like the Archangel Lucifer, into an eternal hell.
Victor’s decision brings upon him Lucifer’s fate. His health is in such a terrible condition that it is clear he will die on Walton’s ship. While he is physically and emotionally beyond Archangel, Victor still has the opportunity to reflect on his life and repent, but does not. Victor has no remorse for his transgression. He does not seem to understand his blasphemy. He regrets that he created this particular fiend and wants to destroy him, but does not regret the fact that he created. One of his dying wishes is that another scientist will be able to finish his task and create a better version of his creation (152). During his pursuit of the Creature he calls on heaven to support him (143). In contrast to the Creature, Victor bemoans his fate and how he lost his entire family. Once in a while he calls himself a murderer and makes it his mission to find and kill the Creature, but he never shows remorse for his desire to be God. Furthermore, he is incapable of showing any compassion for the wretched fate of anyone involved except that of he and his loved ones, especially Clerval. He is very egoistical and attributes the wrath and suffering he unleashed on the world to an act of free will, the Creature’s free will, rather than accepting responsibility. Walton learns from Victor’s story, but Victor himself dies unrepentant and unredeemed, because he refuses to learn.
Summary of Chapters
Archangel and Archangels: This chapter provides the historical and theological context of the city Archangel and the concept of archangels in various religious traditions to establish a framework for analyzing the novel.
Victor Frankenstein: The author explores Victor's self-identification with Lucifer, tracing his fall from grace caused by his unchecked ambition and desire to play God.
The Creature: This section details the Creature's internal struggle, characterizing him as a figure who moves from an initial state of peaceful humanity to a tragic identification with fallen angels, yet ultimately achieves redemption.
Robert Walton: This chapter analyzes Walton’s character as an adventurer whose proximity to Victor’s destructive path poses a moral dilemma, eventually resolved through his encounter with the Creature.
Fall and Salvation: The author synthesizes the characters' shared plight beyond Archangel, contrasting Victor's refusal to repent with the Creature’s redemptive choice and Walton’s potential for salvation.
Conclusions: The final chapter summarizes the thematic argument, positioning the Creature as a mirror for human redemption and ultimately identifying Victor, rather than the Creature, as the true monster.
Keywords
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Archangel, Lucifer, Michael, Redemption, Ambition, Theology, Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, The Creature, Fall, Salvation, Romanticism, Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
This work explores the semiotic and theological significance of the "Archangel" motif in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, investigating how the city of Archangel serves as a physical and spiritual turning point for the main characters.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The study centers on the intersection of Romantic theology, religious symbolism (specifically the archangels Michael and Lucifer), and the psychological development of the novel's main characters regarding ambition and morality.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that the three main characters—Victor, Walton, and the Creature—represent different spiritual states of "fallenness," "redemption," and "salvation" through their individual responses to destiny and choice.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author utilizes a semiotic and thematic literary analysis approach to interpret the text, cross-referencing the novel’s imagery with historical, geographical, and theological traditions.
What aspects are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the historical background of the port of Archangel, the religious definitions of archangels, Victor’s trajectory as a modern Lucifer, the Creature’s search for identity, and Walton’s ultimate moral resolution.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Frankenstein, Archangel, Lucifer, Michael, Redemption, Ambition, and Romanticism.
How does the author define the role of the Creature in the novel?
The author argues that the Creature is not a simple monster, but a being that ultimately achieves humanity and redemption through selfless compassion, serving as a warning to both Victor and Walton.
What is the significance of the "point of no return" in the Arctic?
The Arctic location, specifically being "beyond Archangel," represents both a literal geographic extremity and a metaphorical state where the characters are forced to decide between their personal ambitions and their spiritual salvation.
How does the paper differentiate between Victor and the Creature regarding repentance?
The author highlights that Victor remains unrepentant and obsessed with his ambition until his death, whereas the Creature acknowledges his wrongdoings, expresses remorse, and chooses to release humanity from his existence.
- Quote paper
- Melanie Kirkham (Author), 2005, Beyond Archangel - The Archangel Theme in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/78252
