Mutability, meaning change, is the one thing most people fear. Whether it be changing a job, removing a friend, or something as simple as being afraid of failure. In Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem “Mutability”(766) she shows the struggle of human change, and how it affects themselves, in the comparison with Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” and her views of “immutable laws”(37)

To begin with, in Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” Mary Shelley states that “it was a strong effort of the spirit of good; but it was ineffectual. Destiny was too potent and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and terrible destruction.” This is considering the fact that Frankeinstein had given up on this science studies, but “destiny was too potent” therefore making it to where there was no sense of peace in this mind after giving up his chemistry and scientific fascination. The quote from this chapter’s “immutable laws” shows that he couldn’t change his fascination with the things he loves even if he tried to. 

In comparison with this, Percy Shelley’s “Mutability” poem states “we rest.-A dream has power to poison sleep; we rise.-One wandering thought pollutes the day;” showing that human thoughts, human “energy” is extremely powerful in the way it affects our moods and our life. The term “poison sleep” shows how crucial dreams could potentially be in the way it affects our daily tasks. Simply because all day we will be thinking about that particular dream. 

The comparison in these two novels/poems is the fact that both are “poisoned” they both have the sharing factor of giving up on what you love. Just like Victor did with his science passion. “Poisoned” could always mean a fear of change, or a “poison” state of mind in the subject you are in, making you willing to change or in the need to change. I have decided to make the word “poison” a huge part of this analysis simply because this one simple, small word could mean so many things being put into context. 

Another quote of “Mutability” I would like to focus on is “We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon.” Frankenstein was walking around at night when he decided to give up on his chemistry and science fascination. 

In conclusion, the novel “Frankenstein” and the poem “Mutability” have similar aspects in the way that they come together to understand “Mutability”.