Lunar/Solar Mother

Throughout the book, Victor makes reference to the skies and the moon as a point of reflection. He seeks these nonliving, "greater" objects for guidance in his turmoil when no other being or object can console him.

At the beginning of Chapter 23, " The moon had reached her summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend; the clouds swept across it swifter than the flight of the vulture and dimmed her rays, while the lake relfected the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves that were beginning to rise. Suddenly, a heavy storm of rain descended."

Not only does Victor again refer to the moon and nature in a mystical and idolistic manner here but also as a woman ("her"). This is Victor's desire to have a mother figure and, seeing the beauty and gentleness in the moon, he believes this object to be the answer. Yet a heavy storm erupts, possibly suggesting Victor has misplaced his hopes of help in a struggle he alone must resolve.