Greenwich, England
Greenwich, England was pertinent to the story of Frankenstein because of its rich history and contribution to high society. Greenwich is located by the River Thames and is recognized for the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Hospital, and Greenwich Park. All of these locations would have made it very popular during the time that Frankenstein was written and may be why Shelley added it to her novel. Likewise, in the early 19th century, Greenwich was associated with the Navy, science, and empire. Thus, it became a staple of power and beauty.
In Frankenstein, Shelley includes Victor traveling to Greenwich, along with Oxford and London. During this time, the Royal Observatory was a pinnacle for many people in society and held a deeper meaning that adds to this text. The name, “Greenwich,” stands for time and order and during Shelley’s time, the Royal Observatory wanted to gain more scientific data and learn how to manipulate the natural world. Shelley may have included this in order to parallel Victor’s drive become Godlike and control the natural order of the world. This juxtaposition of Romanticism—as she ties Victor into a more urban, scientific landmark—makes the story more realistic because the Royal Observatory was a cultural landmark; anyone would have stopped to admire it.
The addition of Victor stopping to see Greenwich is also interesting because unlike Cumberland, Greenwich was not directly associated with any war or violent crimes on inside of itself. However, readers should question if this was a comparison to imperial violence abroad. Greenwich was known for adding to Britain’s naval power, which enabled colonial expansion. Through the 18th and 19th centuries (and even before) Britain used its power to oppression and subjugate many cultures. Hundreds of years of cultural erasure, genocide, and enslavement rook place at the hands of people who were associated with the Atlantic Slave Trade which was also associated with Greenwich. Mary Shelley was openly opposed to slavery and was a large supporter of the abolitionist movement. Readers can question here whether Shelley added Victor stopped into Greenwich as an allegory for the selfish wants of man or if there was something more.
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/history-transatlantic-slave-trade
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Coordinates
Longitude: 0.009821400000