Allusion to
“The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner”
In Frankenstein
Allusion
a passing or casual reference
an incidental mention of something, either
directly or by implication
“Cool Whip” – I’m alluding to ___________
“Whatever, Fat Jesus.” alludes to _______
Summary of
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Summary
- Old Sailor interrupts
wedding
- Tells his story of
horror
- He shoots an albatross
(giant bird) that comes to
his boat while its stuck in
the ice
The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner Summary
 The Mariner shoots the
albatross.
 At first the crew
condemns him, but when
a favorable breeze
appears, they justify his
action.
 Then the air stops
moving, the ship is
stagnant (unmoving).
The crew makes Mariner
wear albatross on neck
The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner
 The Mariner’s Tale: Their
ship is driven south, by a
storm, to a place of “mist and
snow.”
 Frankenstein: Letter II
Robert Walton, "I am going to
unexplored regions, to "the
land of mist and snow." but I
shall kill no albatross;
therefore do not be alarmed
for my safety or if I should
come back to you as worn
and woeful as the ‘Ancient
Mariner.’"
The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner
Chapter 4, pg 58
"Like one who, on a lonely road,
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And, having once turned round, walks on,
And turns no more his head;
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.“
- VF quotes the poem after leaving the creature, he
knows the creature is out there somewhere…
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
In Frankenstein
 Vol 3 Chpt 2
"Could I enter into a
festival with this
deadly weight yet
hanging round my
neck and bowing me
to the ground?“
VF ponders whether he
can celebrate now
after all these deaths..
The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner
A ghost ship
approaches with
a SpecterWoman and her
Death-Mate as
crew.
 Focuses on the
paranormal, much
like Frankenstein
The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner
Compare to the
Creature giving
Victor opportunity
to be a father
Reminds me of the
fates: if VF had
chosen differently,
his family may still
live
Similarities to The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner
Everyone
around the
ancient mariner
dies and its HIS
fault
Much like
everyone Victor
loves dies…
Allusions to The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner
 In Vol3 Victor chases
of the creature, alone
across Europe

reminds me of the
lines in Mariner:
 “Alone, alone, all, all
alone, alone on a wide
wide sea! And never a
saint took pity on my
soul in agony.”
Allusions to The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner
 The Mariner
must tell his tale
to warn others
(redemption).
 Frankenstein’s
tells his story to
Robert Walton,
as a warning to
not become
obsessed.
Allusions to The Rime of
the Ancient Mariner
How is Victor’s
story like that
of the Mariner?
-Bad choice(s)
-People around them pay for it
-They feel the weight around
their neck
-Paranormal events
-Gothic themes/settings
Allusions to The Rime of
the Ancient Mariner
 Why reference
this poem?
 What images
does the poem
bring to mind?
 How does this
allusion make you
feel?