Key Themes and Symbols in Mary Shelley's Work

natural philosophy

the study of nature and the physical universe, precursor to modern science

enounce

to proclaim or declare formally

charnel house

a building or vault where corpses or bones are stored

anatomize

to dissect in order to examine structure

emaciate

to make abnormally thin or weak, usually due to illness or lack of food

imbue

to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality

prognosticate

to predict or foretell a future event

procure

to obtain something, especially with effort

alchemist

a person who practices alchemy, often trying to transform metals or find the elixir of life

elixir

a magical or medicinal potion

rankle

to cause persistent annoyance or resentment

dogmatism

tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence

recapitulation

a summary or restatement of main points

multifarious

having great variety or diversity

repine

to express discontent or long for something

indefatigable

incapable of being tired out; untiring

reprobate

morally unprincipled person

abstruse

difficult to understand; obscure

panegyric

a public speech or text in praise of someone or something

immutable

unchanging over time or unable to be changed

incipient

beginning to exist or appear

repugnance

intense disgust

deference

respectful submission or yielding to the judgment or opinion of another

infuse

to fill or pervade with a quality or emotion

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy

vacillating

wavering between different opinions or actions; indecisive

accede

to agree or give consent, often after persuasion

ignominious

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

diffident

lacking confidence; shy or modest

perceptible

able to be seen or noticed

sacrilege

violation or misuse of something sacred

odious

extremely unpleasant or repulsive

pandemonium

wild and noisy disorder or confusion

enigmatic

mysterious or difficult to understand

arbiter

one who settles disputes or has ultimate authority in a matter

cadence

a rhythmic flow of sound or movement

enrapture

to fill with delight or intense joy

abject

extremely bad, degrading, or hopeless

emulation

effort to match or surpass a person, typically by imitation

abhorrent

inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant

omnipotent

having unlimited power; all-powerful

sagacity

the quality of being wise or showing good judgment

irresolute

uncertain; indecisive

vestige

a trace or remnant of something that is disappearing or no longer exists

epithet

a descriptive phrase expressing a quality of the person or thing mentioned

precipitate

to cause suddenly or prematurely

eradicate

to destroy or remove completely

dilatory

slow to act; intended to delay

acquiesce

to accept something reluctantly but without protest

indolence

avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness

epoch

a significant period in history or a person's life

penury

extreme poverty

condescension

an attitude of patronizing superiority

augury

a sign or omen of what will happen in the future

replete

filled or well-supplied with something

precarious

not securely held; dangerously uncertain

dissipate

to scatter or fade away, often referring to emotions or energy

vexation

the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried

paroxysm

a sudden attack or outburst of emotion or activity

ominous

suggesting something bad is going to happen

Mary Shelley

An author known for her novel that explores themes of isolation, science, and the human condition.

Frame story

A narrative structure where one storyline is embedded within another, allowing multiple perspectives.

Light

Symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment.

Darkness

Symbolizes ignorance, danger, and the unknown.

Fire

Symbolizes both progress and destruction, representing knowledge given to humanity at a cost.

Adam

The creature sees himself as Adam, symbolizing innocence and a desire for connection.

Satan

The creature compares himself to Satan, symbolizing alienation and rebellion.

The Bible

Contains themes of creation, fall, sin, and judgment, with Victor as God or Adam's creator.

Exploration

Symbolizes human ambition and hubris, as seen in Walton's Arctic voyage mirroring Victor's quest.

Dormer

A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.

Mercurial

Unpredictable in mood or behavior; temperamental.

Enthralled

Fascinated; completely captivated or charmed.

Pompous

Self-important and arrogant.

Approbation

Approval or praise.

Incipient

Beginning to appear or develop.

Anemic

Lacking vitality or energy; also, having a deficiency of red blood cells.

Laconic

Using few words; concise, often to the point of seeming rude.

Audacity

Boldness or daring, sometimes disrespectful.

Remiss

Negligent in performing one's duty or responsibilities.

Solidify

To make or become strong, stable, or definite.

Saccharine

Overly sweet or sentimental.

Carte blanche

Full freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best.

Raucous

Loud and harsh; disorderly.

Befuddled

Confused or unable to think clearly.

Sensuous

Appealing to the senses, especially in a pleasing or sexual way.

Ominously

In a way that suggests something bad is going to happen.

Implacable

Unable to be calmed or satisfied.

Contemptuous

Showing scorn or deep dislike.

Idyllic

Extremely peaceful, happy, or picturesque.

Elegiac

Expressing sorrow or mourning, often for something past.

Biff

An outcast character in 'Death of a Salesman'.

Ben

A creature of nightmare in 'Death of a Salesman'.

Willy

The common man; the stereotypical salesman in 'Death of a Salesman'.

Linda

Protector; enabler in 'Death of a Salesman'.

Rubber Hose

Symbol of Willy's suicidal intent, representing desperation and failure.

Stockings

Symbol of betrayal and guilt, representing Willy's failure to provide for his family.

Seeds

Symbol of Willy's desire to leave a legacy, representing his futility.

Flute

Symbolizes lost opportunity and nostalgia, recalling Willy's father.

Diamonds

Symbol of tangible wealth and success, representing what Willy never achieves.

Death of a Salesman

A play by Arthur Miller about a man's tragic pursuit of happiness and success.