Frankenstein - Symbols

"I lighted the dry branch of a tree and danced with fury around the devoted cottage, my eyes still fixed on the western horizon, the edge of which the moon nearly touched." p. 132

Light and fire are two prominent symbols throughout the novel that essentially represent knowledge. Even as far back as Walton's first few letters to his sister, light has represented knowledge attained through the scientific process: "What may not be expected in a country of light?" p. 15. The flash of lightning that splits a tree stump serves as an impetus for Lil Victor to pursue science as a profession p. 40. However, though knowledge can oftentimes be used for good and the betterment of the human species, other times, it can be misused and abused to bring harm to the world. Well, hey, that's where the fire comes in.

You see, children, fire and light are connected, and in the knowledge symbolism sandwich, they are essentially two sides of the same coin. One can illuminate a room by either flipping a light switch or tossing in a molotov cocktail. Either way works, really, but the latter is a bit more destructive, really. Thus, light and fire both represent knowledge, but whenever fire is used, it represents the more destructive and dangerous things that come along with the attainment of knowledge. This is first hinted at when Mario discovers fire p. 100 and how the light and warmth are both pleasing to him. However, when he gets tooooo clooooose, that same light suddenly is not quite so pleasant. Knowledge hurts, don't it, Mario? This fire symbolism ultimately cultivates in Mario's realization of the knowledge that the whole world hates him forever, so he resolves to burn the whole place down, starting with that cottage over there. It's a good start, big fella, but you've got a lot more knowledge to gain before you'll ever be happy :D fwoooosh.

(he'll never be happy)

That Time of Year

I do declare, this is a Shakespearean Sonnet, which is a fancy term for a poem consisting of the quatrains which present an example with a final couplet as a conclusion, following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. In this poem, each quatrain presents a different metaphorical way of saying essentially the same thing. The first refers to the trees during autumn. They once were green and full of life, but now they are fading, and have only yellow leaves, or none at all. In the second quatrain, twilight is mentioned, the time when day finally gives way to night, light finally giving in to darkness. Lastly, there is the image of a dying fire, which has burned up all it fuel and is just smoldering, about to die. All three of these images pertain to the end of something, whether it's the end of a season as summer gives way to fall, or the end of a day as light gives way to darkness, or the end of a fire, as it begins to finally burn out. The speaker is ultimately saying that all things come to an end. This is taken deeper in that last couplet, of course. The speaker states that like all things, love too must end. However, he also states that this end does not detract from the love itself, but rather makes it stronger. He states that it is far more powerful to love something that one must soon lose. The very fleeting nature of life and love is what makes it so precious.

I always do really irresponsible things whenever I am around bonfires.
Taking unnecessary risks also makes life precious.