Created by Elli Batt on Tue, 04/26/2022 - 13:34
Description:
Mont Blanc plays a very large role in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It's a mountain in the alps and is a vital aspect of Shelley's monster story. It is a mountain resting on the borders of France and Italy. Mont blanc is the highest peak in the alps and is the tallest mountain in western europe. The peak was first sumitted by a human being in the 18th century by Horace Benedicte de Saussere. There are many depictions of the momentous peak, and one of the most iconic pictures is of Victor Frankenstein peering out into the wilderness and admiring the views. The mountain is aimed towards the sky and it is covered in trees and bright, freshly fallen snow. Rolls of mist flow over the mountainside and Victor's back is to the viewer with a hand on his hip as he contemplates his situation. This image is on the cover of the Dover Thrift edition of Shelley's Frankenstein. Victor himself has a lot of feelings towards this mountain. This is where he ponders over the murder of his brother and despairs. "I discovered more distinctly the black sides of Jura, and the bright summit of Mont Blanc. I wept like a child" (Shelley). This particular peak reminds him of his home and family and he is away from both at the moment. I think it is no coincidence that an image of Victor looking at Mont Blanc is on the cover of Frankenstein. The novel itself is a very emotional and thought provoking one. This image is emotional and thought provoking as well. The mountain is grand and is a symbol of Victor's home and recent misfortunes. This is just a preview of what the story itself contains and what the reader will experience. It also serves as foreshadowing for the story and significance the mountain has. Just a few decades later after Frankenstien was written, Mont Blanc was actually photographed in 1861 by Auguste-Rosalie Bisson. It was not an easy feat but it was finally accomplished despite the wet and windy weather. This provided Frankesntien fans an even clearer picture to set the dramatic and intellectual story. There are numerous versions of mont blanc but the cover of the Dover Thrift version of Frankenstein is by far the most dramatic and thought provoking.
sources:
Metmuseum.org, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/283137.
“Mont Blanc.” Mary Shelley Wiki, https://mary-shelley.fandom.com/wiki/Mont_Blanc.