Friday, June 22, 2012

What are the allusions to "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" in Frakenstein?

There are two main allusions that I can detect. The first
comes in the initial framing narrative of Walton as he writes to his sister and is used
to describe his feelings about his impending expedition. Note what he says and how he
alludes to Coleridge's famous poem:


readability="10">

I am going to unexplored regions, to "the land
of mist and snow"; but I shall kill no albatross, therefore do not be alarmed for my
safety, or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the "Ancient
Mariner."



Here Walton
describes his voyage into uncharted waters with the same sense of wonder and mystery ("a
belief in the marvelous") as is depicted in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." However,
he assures his sister, he will kill no albatross and thus avenge a Polar Spirit.
However, it is ironic that this allusion comes just before he meets Frankenstein, for
Frankenstein, much like the Mariner, tells his story to an audience who is forever
changed by the knowledge.


The second reference comes in
Chapter Five as Frankenstein flees his creation and walks away, but as one in fear.
Frankenstein quotes the poem himself to describe his sense of loneliness and
oppression:


readability="21">

Like one who, on a lonely
road,


Doth walk in fear and
dread,


And, having once turned round, walks
on,


And turns no more his
head;


Because he knows a frightful
fiend


Doth close behind him
tread.



Note how this allusion
captures the way that Frankenstein is literally haunted by his creation and how the
monster dogs his steps from this point on in the novel, either physically or
psychologically. Frankenstein is never able to walk freely from this point on--the
knowledge of what he has done changes him utterly.

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