In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," chapters 15 and 16 mark a significant shift in the creature’s relationship with nature and his own emotions. The creature, who has been living in the forest, learns about human society by observing the De Lacey family and reading books that he found. He identifies with the outcast, misunderstood figures in the books he reads, which stirs up feelings of anger and vengeance in him. He has tried to be good, kind, and helpful, but his efforts have only been met with fear and violence due to his hideous appearance.
The creature's rage and nature are paralleled in the imagery Shelley uses. For instance, after the De Lacey family reacts in horror to his presence and abandons their home, the creature's anger is mirrored by a powerful storm. He feels a "hell within me" that "burned with rage and extreme toil." He releases his fury by burning down the De Lacey’s vacant cottage, an act that is described with fiery and destructive imagery.
His future course of action is determined by his anger and desire for revenge against his creator, Victor Frankenstein. He vows to "declare everlasting war against the species," and more specifically against Frankenstein himself. He decides to travel to Geneva with the aim of finding and confronting his creator.
The changes in nature affect the creature's mood and decisions. The creature is initially at peace with nature, appreciating its beauty and finding solace in it. However, as he becomes more enraged and vengeful, he views nature as a mirror of his own turbulent emotions. The peaceful forest that once provided him comfort now seems to echo his feelings of rage and despair. In Shelley's narrative, the creature's emotional journey is intertwined with the natural world around him, highlighting the Romantic era's emphasis on the connection between nature and human emotions.
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In chapters 15 and 16 of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," the natural world parallels the creature's emotions and actions. The creature is filled with rage and despair due to the rejection and mistreatment he has faced from society and his creator, Victor Frankenstein. This emotional turmoil within him is mirrored by the weather and the natural world, which becomes increasingly tumultuous.
The creature's anger and isolation are vividly reflected in the description of the natural elements. Storms and dark, oppressive weather mirror his inner turmoil. He says, "The raging darkness was a comfort to me, for in it I could conceal my sufferings."
As the creature's anger and despair intensify, he takes more extreme actions. Ultimately, he avenges Victor for creating him and then abandoning him. He also seeks to...
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destroy Victor's happiness by murdering those close to him, particularly his loved ones. This leads to tragic events and a final confrontation between the creature and Victor.
The imagery associated with the creature's actions is often violent and destructive. He leaves a path of death and destruction in his wake, symbolizing the chaos and havoc he has wrought upon Victor's life. This reflects the havoc the creature believes Victor has wreaked upon his existence.
His anger and desire for revenge drive the creature's action. He is deeply affected by the changes in nature because he views them as a reflection of his inner turmoil and suffering. The tumultuous weather, storms, and dark landscape serve as a backdrop to his emotional state. As he becomes more enraged and desperate, the natural world around him becomes more chaotic and turbulent.
In these chapters, the parallel between the creature's emotions and the natural world highlights the theme of the destructive power of unchecked human ambition and the consequences of abandoning one's creation. The novel explores the idea that the mistreatment of the creature and the neglect of his emotional needs have led to his destructive actions, and the natural world reflects the consequences of this mistreatment.