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What does ice symbolize in Frankenstein?
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In Frankenstein, ice symbolizes unexplored territory, both geographically and morally. Initially introduced in Robert Walton's letters about his Arctic expedition, ice represents the unknown realms Victor Frankenstein explores through his scientific endeavors. As Victor grapples with the consequences of creating life, ice reflects the cold, isolated, and perilous nature of his actions and the moral dilemmas he faces. It underscores the dangers of pushing beyond known boundaries in science and ethics.
We first see ice in the letters of Robert Walton, who introduces the frame narrative through letters that he writes to his sister. Walton is on a journey to the North Pole in an effort to find a passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic. In this setting, we see ice emerging as a symbol of unexplored territory.
The primary plot follows, with VictorFrankenstein pushing scientific knowledge and boundaries to create a humanlike being via his own, independent work. Frankenstein explores realms of science that have never been touched and lives to regret doing so. He spends most of the book in conflict with the being he's created and offers no guidance or support to the creature. Completely isolated and desperate for companionship, the creature finally returns to his creator to argue that Frankenstein should create a companion for him. Note Frankenstein's inner dialogue:
A creature who...
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could exist in theice caves of the glaciers and hide himself from pursuit among the ridges of inaccessible precipices was a being possessing faculties it would be vain to cope with. After a long pause of reflection I concluded that the justice due both to him and my fellow creatures demanded of me that I should comply with his request. (Chapter 17)
As Frankenstein weighs this decision of returning to unexplored moral territory—What if the new creature is evil? What if he cannot control her? Is he making the situation better or worse?—the symbolism of ice reemerges.
Ultimately, Frankenstein begins this project and then destroys the creature's intended female companion right before the creature's eyes. Devastated, the creature vows to be with Frankenstein on his wedding night. Keeping his word, he kills Elizabeth and then disappears. Frankenstein searches for him, conveying the danger of the wandering creature to the local magistrate, who questions Frankenstein:
Who can follow an animal which can traverse the sea of ice and inhabit caves and dens where no man would venture to intrude? (Chapter 23)
The story Frankenstein tells is fantastical, and the magistrate must cross unexplored mental territory to determine whether these are the words of a rational or insane man—and how to best handle the situation if the words bear truth. He is presented with an almost impossible challenge of bringing to justice a creature which Frankenstein has portrayed as superhuman in strength and incredible in intellect. Therefore, an even more pressing concern is whether the evil which Frankenstein has unleashed on the world can possibly be stopped.
Through various plot developments, ice is used as a symbol to show the unexplored realms of human thought and science, which in turn contribute to the cold and nearly hopeless tone throughout much of Frankenstein's conflict.