How Does Mary Shelley Use Nature As A Theme In Frankenstein

The novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley is told in the perspective of Robert Walton, who tells the story of Victor Frankenstein. The main protagonist of Frankenstein was Frankenstein and his creation, the monster. These characters experience guilt, sorrow, stress, worry, and despair throughout the novel, and they turn towards nature to calm down and relax. Thus, nature is a huge aspect in the lives of Frankenstein and the monster as nature it self is a condolence for them. Mary Shelley portrays Frankenstein as a character who, although struck by despair, is able to cope up and smile looking at the beauty of nature surrounding him. For example, "Even [when] broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he
does the beauties of nature." (12) Although Frankenstein is broken from within, and he lacks emotion, he still feels deeply about the beauty of nature. This is significant because we can see how attached he is to nature, as even though he doesn't feel anything else, he still sees the beauty if nature and feels deeply attached to them. Frankenstein's ability to cope up and smile looking at the beauty of nature, even when grieved is further emphasized when he connects that, "The stormy sky, the sea, ... seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth." (12) Frankenstein's connection of the sky and the sea to his soul on earth, illuminates that although his worries pulled him down to the earth, the stormy sky seems to be able to lift his soul and spirit up. This is significant as it shows the correlation of his emotions to nature (in this case, the sky) and, how seeing the same emotions, in a way eases him and convinces him that his worries will end. Furthermore, Frankenstein's deep emotions for nature and it's connection with his life's struggles illustrate that nature is a condolence for him.
The character Frankenstein isn't just struck by despair, but he is also struck by guilt, and he resorts to the beauty and calmness of nature for condolence. For example, after the death of William and Justine, he would "often, after the rest of his family had retired for the night, I [he] took the boat and passed many hours upon the water." (Ch.9, 62) Frankenstein felt the guilt of two deaths, and instead of fearing and running away, or accepting it out of guilt, he chose to seclude himself from everyone else, even his family. This is significant because we can see that he had other options to free himself from the guilt of two deaths, but he chose to seclude himself in the midst of nature and just be calmed down and consoled, through the calm and beautiful nature. Frankenstein's resort to nature as a way to console his guilt is further illuminated when he asserts that "I [he] approached the shore -- often, I say, I was tempted to plunge into the silent lakes that the waters might close over me and my calamities forever." (Ch.9, 62) He sometimes felt so suffocated with this guilt that he felt only nature can take him away from his guilt and it would give him peace forever. This is also significant as it emphasizes his thoughts on how nature is the solution to his problems, and if not put him to peace by allowing him to isolate himself in the midst of it, then at least by drowning him in the peace of it. Therefore, not only is nature a condolence for him during times of despair, but it's also a resort to lessen his guilt and convince him that he didn't do anything.
Mary Shelley doesn’t just portray Frankenstein as the only character who is deeply affected by nature and uses it as a condolence from despair and guilt, but she also portrays Frankenstein’s creation; the monster as a character with high spirits, when in nature.