Symbolism is an influential mechanism used to illustrate fundamental themes in literature. In the novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley creates a fictitious world full of recurring symbols, such as light and fire. These images help the reader understand the novel 's essential ideas. In Shelly's fabricated world, light symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment while fire illustrates the drawbacks of the 'light' or knowledge; the more the characters learn and accomplish, the more they understand the positive and negative effects of light.
             Initially in the novel, knowledge, light, is only viewed positively. Walton begins the novel with an optimistic statement: "What could not be expected in the country of eternal light?"(pg 1). Walton views the 'light', or knowledge, as merely positive. Victor also describes the light eloquently. When describing the light shining on the lake he says it is "the most beautiful figures" (pg 62). This perception is seemingly accurate until his ignorance is broken. Before Victor created the monster he only saw the world as means to pursue his study of knowledge. He enjoyed nature and science. He dedicated all of his time to scientifically discovering the means to produce life. Victor's ambition to create life culminated in his realization that acquiring the understanding to perform anything is not necessarily beneficial. The monster 's existence allows Victor to understand the drawbacks of knowledge. Just as the fire shatters Victor's perfect image of nature, his grotesque creation shatters his flawless image of science. Victor begins to see that there are two sides to light; it can illuminate or it can burn. Science can help the pursuit of knowledge or it can create unwanted, dangerous creatures.
             Both the monster and Victor notice the dual possibilities of light. Victor describes the light as wondrous and brillia...