McKenzie Dunson

2-24-15
Frankenstein Page 107
Chapter 11

Oppression of Creating
The modern Jupiter

One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by
some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced
from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again
with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce such
opposite effects! I examined the materials of the fire, and to my joy found it to be
composed of wood. I quickly collected some branches; but they were wet, and would not
burn. I was pained at this, and sat still watching the operation of the fire. The wet wood
which I had placed near the heat dried, and itself became inflamed. I reflected on this;
and, by touching the various branches, I discovered the cause, and busied myself in
collecting a great quantity of wood, that I might dry it, and have a plentiful supply of fire.
When night came on, and brought sleep with it, I was in the greatest fear lest my fire
should be extinguished. I covered it carefully with dry wood and leaves, and placed wet
branches upon it; and then, spreading my cloak, I lay on the ground, and sunk into sleep.
Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, is a novel of many underlying
meanings and details. This passage portrays the pain caused by the creature and victor,
the likeness of the doppelgangers, and the story of Prometheus. The passage also
foreshadows the effects of Victors creation and ultimately the death of the creator and
creation.

One day, when I was oppressed by cold. By using the word oppressed, Mary
Shelley hints at the creatures emotions. Being oppressed means to be put down, suppress,
or put an end to. The demon, using this word, shows that he views the cold as death, or
another deadly situation, and when he finds the fire, he views the warmth as life. This
interaction with fire shows the newness of the creature and how he is learning for
himself. Fire, from the beginning has been associated with life. In order to survive,
people must have a source of heat and that warmth is the center of their living. The story
of Prometheus is greatly referenced in this passage. Unlike Victor, the creator, providing
his creation with fire, the creation discovers fire himself foreshadowing that the demon

may be more humanlike than his creator himself. Perhaps, Victor is not Prometheus, but
Jupiter, taking away fire from his creation and inflicting pain on them.
In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again
with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce such
opposite effects! This section of the passage references the theme of cause and affect
throughout the novel. Specifically, Victor creating the demon, cause, and letting everyone
else suffer for his actions, affect. The problem of creator, creation responsibility starts as
soon as the creature comes alive, when victor immediately runs from the demon because
he is the most hideous creature Victor has ever laid eyes on, and progressively becomes
worse as the book goes on. When the creature kills William, Justine takes the fall and
Victor is too scared to own up to the fact that his demon killed his own brother, therefore
he lets Justine die for something that she did not do. Victor is constantly causing pain for
the people he loves and all he seems to focus on is his own pain. When the demon says
that he will be there on his wedding night he only thinks of the demon killing him, not
Elizabeth. Victors whole family must die before he sees that the real problem is himself
and even in the end he dies by his own creations hand because he does not take
responsibility for his actions.
Looking at the aspect of Joy also causing pain, both Victor and the demon have
experienced this. Victor may not marry Elizabeth, the love of his life, because if he does
the demon will kill her. Elizabeth has been the source of Victors joy since their
childhood. When they are to be married and the demon threatens her life, Victor knows
he cannot risk her life and that is his biggest downfall. The demon finds a person that he
thinks accepts him for who he is. The old man, Mr. DeLacey, talks to him and they

become friends, or so the demon thinks. When Felix confronts the demon and beats him
with the cane, DeLacey does nothing and the demon loses his only friend and all hope of
being loved. By showing the interaction with the demon and fire, this line ultimately
foreshadows the death of the demon. Fire is used to show how the demon learns and how
he dies. Fire causes joy and pain in the end, as it caused joy and pain in the beginning of
his life.
I discovered the cause, and busied myself in collecting a great quantity of wood,
that I might dry it, and have a plentiful supply of fire. This passage can be loosely
related to how Victor continuously fuels the fire of pain to the ones he loves. The demon
is one of Victors doppelgangers and while the demon is fueling the fire for life, Victor
fuels the fire of pain. No matter how many opportunities Victor has to fix his problem and
own up to his creation, he runs away, leaving destruction in his path.
This passage has many important details and foreshadowing. As readers look at
the similarities of doppelgangers and the issue of cause and affect this passage
particularly comes into discussion. These ideas are crucial in looking at the rest of the
book and deciphering Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus.