Nature and Man Entwined

     In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, nature is once again a prevalent factor. At the beginning of the reading, Frankenstein is recovering from the shock of his horrifying creation. As he continues in his recovery, Frankenstein and his friend Clerval take a tour of the countryside in the early spring. Frankenstein feels he has "gained additional strength from the salubrious air I breathed." He also expresses that "a serene sky and verdant fields filled me with ecstasy." Within the embrace of nature, Frankenstein was "undisturbed by thoughts" of the turmoils of his previous year. (page 45) This is an important aspect of Shelley's romantic novel, as nature is one of the main emphasis of romantic literature. Frankenstein again retreats into nature when he returns to Geneva after learning of the death of his youngest brother. This time, instead of experiencing peaceful vistas, Frankenstein is caught in a storm with bursting thunder and "vivid flashes of lightning" that dazzled the eyes, "illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire" (page 49). Frankenstein also describes the storm as "appeared at once in various parts of the heavens" (page 50). These instances describe the relationship between man and nature. In the case of Frankenstein, nature is imitating his inner reflections. When Frankenstein is recovered in health, nature greets him warmly, comfortingly. Then, as Frankenstein is struck with the death of his brother, nature whirls around him, almost as though it sympathizes with the injustice of humanity. I think Frankenstein takes these retreats into nature because he realizes the act he performed of creating life is really no miracle at all. Frankenstein recognizes that only nature can create life. And yet, man has taken the life of his brother. Together, Frankenstein and nature are commiserating over the crime that Frankenstein has committed against nature, and the crime that has been committed against them both through the death of his brother. This relationship between Frankenstein and nature brings Frankenstein solace, which he sorely needs. I believe that this relationship will become even more essential to Frankenstein as his story continues.
Do Frankenstein's professors know of Frankenstein's creation? Why does Justine confess if she is innocent?