Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Something that struck me while reading was how Frankenstein his passions. First, when Walton was describing him in his letters, he articulated that Frankenstein seemed to "despise himself for being the slave of passion" (Shelley, 12). Again, after the creation of the monster, Frankenstein himself admitted that he had been "attacked by the fatal passion" (Shelley, 39). Usually, the word passion seems to have a rather positive connotation. One would say they are passionate, and that is something to be admired and celebrated. In this novel, however, passion has been described as a ruthless, fatal, controlling force that drives people mad. Frankenstein's best friend, Clerval certainly seemed to notice, and when he told Elizabeth of his state, she responded, "You have been ill, very ill" (Shelley, 40). Obviously his passion has been driving him to the point that he seems ill!
I also find it interesting that Frankenstein sees in Walton what he knows about himself. His warnings to Walton of the dangers of passion and of knowledge and wisdom are very clear, in that he hopes that Walton doesn't get "stung". "You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I arrdently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been" (Shelley, 13).
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