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Simile
Explanation and Analysis—Saintly Soul:
In Chapter 2, Victor uses a simile of a lamp at a saint's shrine to describe his wife Elizabeth’s nature:
The saintly soul of Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home.
Elizabeth isn’t only just described as saintly, but as a source of light, a presence that shines. This emotionally-driven language emphasizes her innocence and beauty. In the 19th century, especially into the Victorian period, the home was sometimes characterized as a sacred "shrine," a shelter against the world's corrupting influences, and a wife was the purifying heart of the home—so it's appropriate that Elizabeth is described as having a saintly, shining soul that sanctifies their home. Also note the alliteration—the repeated s's make the simile stand out and convey the soothing grace Elizabeth gives to those around her. These saintly qualities make her death at the hands of the Monster all the more horrific, and that horror is what drives Victor to seek revenge against the Monster.
Like William’s death, Elizabeth’s death represents the corruption of innocence. Victor, too, experiences a loss of innocence. He begins his studies at the University of Ingholt with lofty dreams, believing he can discover the mysteries of nature and enlighten humanity with his discoveries. However, these dreams quickly crash around him, and Victor ends up embittered and cruel.
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