fire (frankenstein)

Question 1

fire is the double edged sword of light. expand

Answer 1

•it can sustain life by getting food, providing warmth and ensuring protection from wild animals
•but fire also causes pain, death and destruction, as shown when the Monster uses fire to destroy the DeLacey’s cottage

Question 2

The Monster discovers the double nature of fire when he says:

Answer 2

“When night came again, I found, with pleasure, that fire gave light as well as heat; and that the discovery of this element was useful to me in my food.”

Question 3

overcome with pleasure about the discovery of fire, what does the monster do

Answer 3

he thrusts his hand into the fire “but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.”

Question 4

what does the Monster also intend to use the destructive power of fire for

Answer 4

•to destroy himself, eliminating any memory of him from the world
•as with scientific knowledge, fire can both help & harm. the fire symbol also reveals the Prometheus myth, as he brought fire to humans