A symbol in literature is a word, image, object, event, or person that has greater meaning than its literal definition. Authors use symbols to convey ideas in a subtle way. One symbol used in the novel Frankenstein is fire. When the creature first encounters fire, he says,“'How strange, 'I thought, 'that the same cause should produce such opposite effects!'” What does fire represent throughout the novel?
Fire in Frankenstein symbolizes both destruction and creation. At times, fire represents the destructive power of nature, as seen in the creature's anger and violence towards Victor Frankenstein and humanity. However, fire also symbolizes the creature's desire for warmth, knowledge, and companionship. It is a symbol of the creature's longing for connection and understanding, as well as a reminder of the dual nature of power, which can be both destructive and transformative. Ultimately, fire in Frankenstein represents the complex and ambiguous nature of power and its consequences.
