Introduction
The work’s setting often becomes an integral part of the discourse, bearing the work’s main ideological and semantic load. Moreover, the location of the action can be inextricably linked with both the characters and the plot. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations are two renowned novels that utilize setting to convey profound symbolic meaning. These works are products of different literary periods, and the setting of each novel is inextricably linked to the thematic issues of the respective eras.
Historical Context
English literature of the early 19th century is characterized by significant genre and style variability, as well as a historically determined transition period in the development of European civilization. There was the turn of the 18th–19th centuries: the bourgeois revolution in France, the Napoleonic wars (v2 3). For a man of the Enlightenment, the word “Gothic” was synonymous with barbarian (v2 13). However, for English authors of the second half of the 18th century, Gothic meant not only the Middle Ages, superstition, and fear, but also imagination and fantasy, which enlighteners persistently attributed to the mind, excluding the irrational in creativity.
The Enlightenment, whose aesthetic views were formed under the influence of humanism, did not recognize human helplessness in the face of inexplicable forces. For them, man was the creator, the center of the Universe, and the world’s rightful ruler (2080). On the contrary, the authors of Gothic novels of the pre-romantic era recognized the fragility of the human soul, which some Enlightenment thinkers denied, as well as the experiences, fears, and despair (Greenblatt & Noggle, 2018, p. 2532). As a result, ghosts, demons, and magic appear in the novels, symbolizing humanity’s disappointment in its own omnipotence and its perceived right to dominate the world.
A new era was approaching – the time of the bourgeoisie’s heyday and the decline of the nobility. Hence, representatives of the latter sought solace in the memory of antiquity. In the 19th century, for the first time in human history, a global economic system was established, encompassing the most diverse layers of reality within the sphere of social production (2068). Accordingly, the subject of art expands: social processes (sociological analysis), the subtlest nuances of human psychology (psychological analysis), nature (landscape), and the world of things (still life) are drawn into it, acquiring aesthetic value (v2 997). The main subject of art has also undergone profound changes – man, whose social connections are acquiring a universal, genuinely global character. All these changes gave rise to a new artistic concept of the world, embodied in realism, which emerged as a movement in the 19th century.
At the same time, another direction in literature is actively developing; namely, the Romantic era is emerging. Fantasy, banished by the Enlightenment, returns to romantic literature, and the fantastic among the romantics embodies the idea of the fundamental unknowability of the world. It is essential to note the romantics’ critical attitude to the Enlightenment’s rationalism and optimism, as well as their close attention to the spiritual life of man, to one’s internal struggle, not determined by simple material factors (v2 15). In addition, the authors focus on depicting the heroes’ spiritual and psychological lives, and contradictions characterize the inner world of the romantic hero.
Setting in Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a classic novel that explores themes of individualism, the pursuit of knowledge, and the consequences of scientific hubris. Setting plays a crucial role in conveying the novel’s themes and is closely related to the Romantic era’s fascination with the sublime and natural world. The story is set against spectacular natural landscapes, especially the Swiss Alps, where Victor Frankenstein first conceived his monstrous creation (Shelley, 2017). For example, “The valley of Chamounix, and our journey over the Simplon, had given me additional food for reflection. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend” (Shelley, 2017, p. 75). This quote reflects the awe-inspiring natural setting of the Swiss Alps, where Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts turn to the pursuit of knowledge and the potential for both good and evil.
That contrasts with the Arctic atmosphere, where Victor subsequently pursues his creature. The Arctic is a harsh, desolate, and unforgiving environment, reflecting the emotional and moral isolation Victor experiences while pursuing his creation (Shelley, 2017). This setting acts as a symbolic representation of the consequences of unbridled ambition. The icy landscape serves as a metaphor for the emotional and ethical coldness that results from the relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge without regard for ethical considerations, highlighting the potential dangers of romantic individualism.
However, one of the most symbolic settings of the novel is the isolated laboratory in Ingolstadt, where the scientist brings his creature to life. The reader can understand Victor’s attitude towards his tools: “It was on a dreary night of November that I achieved the goal of my toils. With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet” (Shelley, 2017, p. 41). This setting reflects a romantic fascination with the power of human ingenuity and experimentation. The laboratory embodies the idea that humanity can challenge and manipulate the forces of nature to push beyond the boundaries of what is traditionally considered possible. These ambitions are consistent with the emphasis on individual genius and imagination, as well as the desire to explore the unknown, the main drivers of the Romantic era.
Great Expectations and Its Setting
In contrast to the natural and sublime setting of Frankenstein, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is a quintessential work of Victorian literature. The novel explores social class, identity, and ambition against a rapidly industrializing and stratified society. The setting in which the author places his characters helps to understand the social complexities of the Victorian period. The marshes of Kent, where the novel begins, serve as a symbolic representation of Pip, the protagonist’s humble origins, and the social hierarchy of England at the time. The marshes are desolate and misty, reflecting the uncertainty and obscurity of Pip’s early life (Dickens, 2015). His meeting with the escaped convict Magwitch in this setting foreshadows the intertwining of their destinies. Additionally, it introduces timely themes such as crime, guilt, and social class that will shape the novel’s narrative.
An essential place for the hero is occupied by Satis House, a majestic, dilapidated mansion where Pip meets Estella and Miss Havisham. Additionally, this house serves as a symbolic representation of Victorian grandeur and decadence. It represents the decaying aristocracy of the Victorian era, trapped in Miss Havisham’s frozen existence (Dickens, 2015). The grandeur of Satis House contrasts with its internal decay, which serves as a commentary on the emptiness of Victorian society.
However, the action of the work does not stop in a forgotten town; the reader is also introduced to London, where Pip goes to fulfill his ‘great hopes.’ Primarily for a man from a small settlement, London became the heart of Victorian ambition and industrialization. The bustling city represents Pip’s desire for career advancement and social progress. However, it also embodies the moral and ethical issues associated with this endeavor, as Pip becomes entangled in the corrupt world of wealth and social ascension. “I was sent for life. It’s death to come back. There’s been overmuch coming back of late years, and I should of a certainty be hanged if I took” (Dickens, 2015, p. 217). As a result, noisy and industrialized London opens the hero’s eyes to the harsh reality and moral problems of city life.
Comparative Analysis
The settings of Frankenstein and Great Expectations differ significantly in their representation of their respective literary periods and themes. Frankenstein embodies the Romantic era’s emphasis on the sublime natural world and humanity’s desire for knowledge and creativity, set against a Gothic backdrop of fear of the monster. The natural landscapes and laboratory highlight a belief in the power of human innovation and the sublime beauty of nature. At the same time, the Arctic setting symbolizes the potential consequences of unchecked ambition, consistent with romantic concerns about the limits of human endeavor.
On the other hand, Great Expectations reflects the social and industrial complexities of the Victorian era, showing its reality. The Marshes, Satis House, and London symbolize the class divisions, the decline of the aristocracy, and the relentless pursuit of social and economic progress that characterizes this period. The setting of this novel highlights the tension between individual aspirations and the limitations imposed by social structures.
Conclusion
Despite their notable differences, both novels use their background settings to convey the deeper thematic concerns of the eras in which they were set. Frankenstein allows the reader to explore the sublimity and potential dangers of individualism, while Great Expectations primarily focuses on social divisions and the impact of social and economic mobility. However, both novels serve as examples of how the setting can be a powerful symbol, illustrating the central ideas and issues of their respective literary periods.
References
Dickens, C. (2015). Great expectations. Chapman & Hall.
Greenblatt, S., & Noggle, J. (2018). The Norton anthology of English literature (10th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
Shelley, M. W. (2017). Frankenstein. Charles E. Robinson.