The Summer of Our Discontent--part 1

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"One day...at the warmth."93-94

In this scene Frankenstein's creation finds fire. This is probably a reference to man discovering fire. In this case the fire is already there but fire is one of the basics of survival. The fire was "left by some wandering beggars." This part of the quote indicates that he is lower than mere beggars because he must use the remnants of their fire for himself. The thoughts that he had about fire are similar to the thoughts that man first had about fire, which shows his human side. The joy that he first held at the discovery swayed him to thrust his hand into the flames only to withdraw it for the heat. The fire represents curiosity and knowledge.