Inspired by the Classics: Frankenstein and The Power of Simplicity

 The more classic books that I read, the more I am convinced that we should be looking to them for guidance and direction on how to proceed if we are keen to embark on a simple living journey. I have spoken of this before, but feel that I have more to add on the subject - this time using Mary Shelley's classic text Frankenstein as inspiration. 

Without giving away too much of the plot, Victor Frankenstein is consumed with the idea of creating life. Through his studies at the university of Ingolstadt he is able to do this, but as soon as he does he is wracked with grief and regret. Much of the first volume of the novel is based around his process and subsequent emotional torment. In dealing with this, what does Frankenstein do? Does he flee to the city to be around people, shops, things, stuff? Does he seek the company of like-minded scientists or rush back to his family to promote or brag about his accomplishments? No to both of these. 

Initially, Frankenstein sought solace in the quiet company of his closest friend, Clerval. 

    We passed a fortnight in these perambulations: my health and spirits had long been restored, and they gained additional strength from the salubrious air I breathed, the natural incidents of our progress, and the conversation of my friend (p76).

Further into the novel, as his emotional distress and affliction continues to grow, Frankenstein leaves behind all human company to assuage his guilt and find some modicum of relief. In this instance, he turns to the mountains and valleys of his youth in Geneva. He seeks true solace in nature. How many of us can claim to do this today? How many suffer emotional distress - anxiety, depression, social isolation and more - and look to the familiar curves of hills and mountains, or favourite coastlines and beaches? The panacea that is nature is unlimited and timeless.

When online shopping, alcohol, endless scrolling no longer help us to overcome any negative or destructive feelings that may overwhelm us, turning to nature is the simplest thing we can do. 

Frankenstein reflects on these powerful feelings as he flees to the mountains:

    The immense mountains and precipices that overhung me on every side - the sound of the river raging among the rocks, and the dashing of the waterfalls around, spoke of a power mighty as Omnipotence - and I ceased to fear, or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements (p110).

Frankenstein is well aware of the influence his surroundings have on him, and he claims, "These sublime and elegant scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving" (p113).

Here in the South-east of Australia, last Christmas we were limited in our contact with nature due to the destructive bushfires that raged all around us. We suffered because of this - locked indoors. This year nature is open to us but many roads are not. I think getting out into even the smallest amount of nature - the local bikepath, walks along a river or a quiet stretch of beach, through the bush in its powerful, regenerative state is more healing than we can possibly imagine. We can be in nature and keep our distance from others. In fact, Frankenstein even suggests that being alone in nature can increase our peace and heighten our state of relaxation. Just make sure it is done safely, and let others know before you head out.

In the second part of the novel, we are privy to the thoughts and experiences of the creature that Frankenstein created. I was overcome with emotion as I read through the earliest experiences of this creature, and the simple things that he longs for. After many days enduring the harsh nature of the Swiss countryside, the creature finds a hut which offers him refuge from the elements and rest safely. "Here then I retreated, and lay down happy to have found a shelter, however miserable, from the inclemency of the season, and still more from the barbarity of man" (p126).

In this early days of the creature's existence, his needs are very basic: shelter, warmth, food and water, clothing and companionship. When I was at university more than fifteen years ago we were taught about Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs. I was reminded of this pyramid of needs as I read the creature's account. Clearly he was still at the very basic of needs to be met. His strongest desires were the simplest. So many people in our world today are still struggling to have these needs met, and by not having shelter, safety and deep relationships with others we are unable to move onto to other needs. The creature finds shelter and a small source of food and then is able to realise his next great need, or longing - companionship. As he observes the simple yet beautiful routines of an old cottager and his two children, the creature longs for relationships even more. He admires their simple yet meaningful routines, the little ways in which they showed the affection and respect they held for each other and wished he could join them. "I lay on my straw, but I could not sleep. I thought of the occurrences of the day. What chiefly struck me was the gentle manners of these people; and I longed to join them, but dared not."

Unencumbered by deeper emotions or knowledge of the world the creature is able to reflect on the passing of the seasons, in a mindful way that many of us seem to have forgotten these days. 

    The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the aspect of the earth. Men, who before this change seemed to have been hid in caves, dispersed themselves and were employed in various arts of cultivation. The birds sang in more cheerful notes, and the leaves began to bud forth on the trees. Happy, happy earth! fit habitation of gods, which, so short a time before, was bleak, damp and unwholesome. My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, and the future gilded by bright rays of hope, and anticipations of joy (p138).

The themes discussed here from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are not lost to us today in 2020, though perhaps sometimes we think they are. There is nothing stopping us from actively encountering peace and comfort in nature, wherever and whatever that may look like. For some it is the vast, wildness of the ocean (especially here in Australia where so many of our cities are on the coast). For others it is the mountains or bushwalking through the unmistakable eucalyptus bush that surround our cities. Every city has a botanic gardens, with a myriad of beautiful nature on display, open to a public who requires rest and restoration. Nature is complex and diverse, yet seeking reprieve from the busy-ness of our modern lives within nature doesn't have to be. It can be one of the simplest things we can do today, right now.

Finding and encountering comfort in simple actions of love and affection with loved ones is another way to improve our quality of life. Especially at this time of year, which naturally encourages giving and companionship. I hope you can find a way to escape the consumerism and desire-driven mentality that fuels our society and find true peace in nature and in relationships. Look to the books of the past and take heart and hope from them. The past is not lost to us - it is there, waiting for us to grab hold and use it in our modern lives to find peace and a better way of life. 

Sift out the bits that best suit you and your life and go from there. Don't try and copy them completely (the thought of traipsing for days through the mountains is too much for me!) but use them as a guide. Sit in nature and think about what you truly need. You may be surprised with what you come up with.