The Alps

The Alps are a constant backdrop for the story and setting of Frankenstein. Seeing as Victor has spent most of his life in isolation with only his family and his studies to occupy himself, the mountains aren’t something uncommon to Victor. However, as the story progresses the mountain’s isolating nature becomes more and more apparent.

Swiss Alps in the Background, Grassy Plain and tiny village in the foreground
The Swiss Alps “Alps” by John-Morgan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Initially the Swiss Alps are a point of comfort for Victor, as he grew up in Switzerland and is familiar with being surrounded by mountains. When Victor moves to boarding school to continue his studies, the areas he tends to find himself are near and around mountains. When Henry and Victor are traveling around England, Victor finds comfort in comparing the scenery of green fields to his home in Switzerland, “The country in the neighborhood of this village resembled, to a greater degree, the scenery of Switzerland; but everything is on a lower scale, and the green hills want the crown of distant white Alps.” (Volume 3, Chapter 2)  Victor’s comparison of the scenery to his home demonstrates his longing for the comfort and beauty of the mountains. 

The Arctic Ocean

Throughout the story the characterization of the mountains and Victor’s attitude towards them continues to shift. Eventually Victor finds himself near the so far north in the icy Arctic Ocean, surrounded by mountainous glaciers, and finds himself alone, after spending the past few years chasing after the monster.

Boats driving through the icy Arctic Ocean
Boats on the Arctic Ocean. “Canadian Ship Louis S. St-Laurent and Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean” by DVIDSHUB is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The scenery that once brought Victor comfort in his solace, now emphasizes how truly alone he is after creating the monster that took everything from him. The setting of the Arctic Ocean gives perspective to how alone Victor is after losing everyone he loves at the hands of the monster. The imagery of a blistering white backdrop of glaciers and snow, and imagining Walton and his crew finding Victor on his own reveals and illustrates how lost he is. He has no tether to reality after creating the Monster that has destroyed everything he loves. The parallels of the isolation Victor used to find so much comfort in ultimately making him crazy, once he become isolated because he has no one else and nowhere else to go.