Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
MOTIF: a recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation used throughout a work (or in several works by one author), unifying the current situation to previous ones, or new ideas to a theme
One of the recurring motifs in this book is the idea of the slave and master and the reversal of roles that connect with that. I think the main reversal of roles that occurred in the book happened when Victor destroyed the other monster he was working on and the creature confronts him about it. The monster refers to Victor as a "slave" and says, "I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master;-- obey!" (Shelley 122). All throughout the book the terms "master" and "slave" are used. I link this relationship of changing roles and master vs. slave to any sort of minority group that is persecuted for a certain reason. They are put down so they eventually rise up and take over their master. The creature was tired of everyone else being happy so he rose up and reversed the situation he was in and demanded that Victor obey him. Victor never did obey him. Both Victor and the creature were slaves to their obsessions. Victor was obsessed with being the creator and making this monster. At the very end of the book, the creature admits that he was the slave, not the master, of an impulse, which he detested yet could not disobey (Shelley 164). He admits that he didn't want to kill all those people, but was merely a slave to his own hatred and misery.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Frankenstein Blog Post #9
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
The foreshadowing in this story is insane. The way the author set it up is so suspenseful. At the end of every chapter you cant help but continue to read on and see what happened. The fact that the whole book is a frame story adds to the foreshadowing too. There are about three different stories inside of the one whole story. Walton tells a story to his sister which involves the story of Victor Frankenstein and in his story is yet another story of the creature. It is literally the longest letter I think I have ever read. I don't know how Walton's sister continued to read the whole thing. Right when you would get to a good part, the plot would change and you would get the whole life story of some other character that helps form the main story. A specific time when foreshadowing occurred that I liked was when the creature said, "I shall be with you on your wedding-night" (Shelley 123). This sentence is so creepy and you can just tell something terrible is going to happen on his wedding night. Victor thinks that it will be his death that the creature is causing, but little does he know, he is in for a much bigger treat. His wife is murdered which in turn causes his father to slowly die off and Victor is left with virtually no family or friends. What a delightful little story.
FORESHADOWING: the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
The foreshadowing in this story is insane. The way the author set it up is so suspenseful. At the end of every chapter you cant help but continue to read on and see what happened. The fact that the whole book is a frame story adds to the foreshadowing too. There are about three different stories inside of the one whole story. Walton tells a story to his sister which involves the story of Victor Frankenstein and in his story is yet another story of the creature. It is literally the longest letter I think I have ever read. I don't know how Walton's sister continued to read the whole thing. Right when you would get to a good part, the plot would change and you would get the whole life story of some other character that helps form the main story. A specific time when foreshadowing occurred that I liked was when the creature said, "I shall be with you on your wedding-night" (Shelley 123). This sentence is so creepy and you can just tell something terrible is going to happen on his wedding night. Victor thinks that it will be his death that the creature is causing, but little does he know, he is in for a much bigger treat. His wife is murdered which in turn causes his father to slowly die off and Victor is left with virtually no family or friends. What a delightful little story.
Frankenstein Blog Post #8
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The creature's request, to me, came out of no where. Never would I have thought for him to demand of such a thing from Victor. At first he just wanted Victor to listen to him and care about his problems, but when Victor said no, the creature showed his inability to control his anger and demanded that Victor make another monster as his companion so he would no longer be alone. His reasoning seemed plausible, especially to Victor who agreed, but I didn't believe the creature one bit. He said that the deprivation of love that he felt led him to do all the terrible things he did, but I believe it was simply because he was out of control and a truly evil thing. He said to Victor, "If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again" (Shelley 105). I felt no sympathy for the monster. He murdered out of hatred and vengeance. He should have been able to control himself. He certainly was smart enough and if he wanted to be treated like everyone else, he can't go around strangling little children and people's friends and family.
The creature's request, to me, came out of no where. Never would I have thought for him to demand of such a thing from Victor. At first he just wanted Victor to listen to him and care about his problems, but when Victor said no, the creature showed his inability to control his anger and demanded that Victor make another monster as his companion so he would no longer be alone. His reasoning seemed plausible, especially to Victor who agreed, but I didn't believe the creature one bit. He said that the deprivation of love that he felt led him to do all the terrible things he did, but I believe it was simply because he was out of control and a truly evil thing. He said to Victor, "If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again" (Shelley 105). I felt no sympathy for the monster. He murdered out of hatred and vengeance. He should have been able to control himself. He certainly was smart enough and if he wanted to be treated like everyone else, he can't go around strangling little children and people's friends and family.
Frankenstein Blog Post #7
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The correlation between the thirst for knowledge and what the creature learns is interesting to me. When he is still very young, the creature begins to read and learn about the world he was brought into. He first reads Volney's Ruins of Empires which was all about language, history, religion and manners. In this book he learns about the Native Americans rejection and sympathizes with them because he himself is rejected based on his appearance. He actually shows emotion and cries for the Native Americans. Next he reads Paradise Lost which evokes deep emotions and relates to his personal journey. Then he looks into a volume of Pultarch's Lives which is the history of the first founders of the world. Where he gets his first concept of death and suicide is in Sorrows of Werter. In this book he felt sympathy towards Werter dying and does not really understand the concept of suicide. Finally, he finds Victor's journal where he learns all about how he was created. I do not know why the creature doesn't just use these writings to make his own companion. He is certainly smart enough. The more that the creature learns, the more he wonders why he is nothing like these people. He continually is trying to figure out who he is. He says, "I had never yet seen a being resembling me, or who claimed any intercourse with me. What was I? The question again recurred, to be answered only with groans" (Shelley 86). The creature wants to learn but feels agony and pain at the realization that he is completely alone.
Frankenstein Blog Post #6
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
PARALLELISM: the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
Safie's character is very multi-dimensional. She came into the picture during the time when the creature was observing the DeLacey's. Much like the creature, she was a complete foreigner and knew nothing about the culture or the language of the family. The creature used what the family was teaching Safie as a tool that he could learn the same things. He even learned quicker than Safie did. They both had a deep love for the family and are similar in many different ways. I believe that Safie was a manifestation of what he wanted to be. Safie's presence "diffused gladness through the cottage" (Shelley 82). I believe the creature had an extreme need to want to be like her and spread as much happiness as possible, but because of his appearance, he could not do so. Safie was beautiful and exotic--the creature was ugly and made everyone scream and run in the opposite direction upon seeing him. She was the creature's only hope of finding out whether or not the family might be accepting of him. The DeLacey's accepted every poor person and when they were open to Safie, the creature thought he had a chance. His hopes were shattered though, when he entered the home and was run out and beaten. This is where his downward spiral into madness and terror began.
PARALLELISM: the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures
Safie's character is very multi-dimensional. She came into the picture during the time when the creature was observing the DeLacey's. Much like the creature, she was a complete foreigner and knew nothing about the culture or the language of the family. The creature used what the family was teaching Safie as a tool that he could learn the same things. He even learned quicker than Safie did. They both had a deep love for the family and are similar in many different ways. I believe that Safie was a manifestation of what he wanted to be. Safie's presence "diffused gladness through the cottage" (Shelley 82). I believe the creature had an extreme need to want to be like her and spread as much happiness as possible, but because of his appearance, he could not do so. Safie was beautiful and exotic--the creature was ugly and made everyone scream and run in the opposite direction upon seeing him. She was the creature's only hope of finding out whether or not the family might be accepting of him. The DeLacey's accepted every poor person and when they were open to Safie, the creature thought he had a chance. His hopes were shattered though, when he entered the home and was run out and beaten. This is where his downward spiral into madness and terror began.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Frankenstein Blog Post #5
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I found it very interesting how the creature would learn. His learning process was fascinating to me and it was like he started out as a baby in adult form, but had to develop through his own experiences. It had to learn by trial and error. He begins his story by saying he "...saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time; and it was, indeed, a long time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my various senses" (Shelley 70-71). I can't imagine having all my senses at one time and having to learn how to do everything all at the same time. The first thing he figures out is sight and the different saturations of light that he encounters in different times of the day. He learns by doing. The creature figures out what he needs by what brings him pleasure. It is all very interesting to me. I believe that this is very important and also connects him in a way to Victor and Walton. All three of them wish to be able to do certain things, the creature maybe not something as fantastic as Walton and Victor, but he still has the urge to learn and do better. He pushes himself to learn and do better so he can impress the family that have now become what he thinks are "friends".
I found it very interesting how the creature would learn. His learning process was fascinating to me and it was like he started out as a baby in adult form, but had to develop through his own experiences. It had to learn by trial and error. He begins his story by saying he "...saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time; and it was, indeed, a long time before I learned to distinguish between the operations of my various senses" (Shelley 70-71). I can't imagine having all my senses at one time and having to learn how to do everything all at the same time. The first thing he figures out is sight and the different saturations of light that he encounters in different times of the day. He learns by doing. The creature figures out what he needs by what brings him pleasure. It is all very interesting to me. I believe that this is very important and also connects him in a way to Victor and Walton. All three of them wish to be able to do certain things, the creature maybe not something as fantastic as Walton and Victor, but he still has the urge to learn and do better. He pushes himself to learn and do better so he can impress the family that have now become what he thinks are "friends".
Frankenstein Blog Post #4
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
After Victor wakes up from being ill after he gave life to the creature, William finds out that his little brother was murdered. Later he finds out that a family friend who lived with him for a while that was convicted, confessed and was killed for the crime. Victor thinks it is the monster he created who did it, but I believe it wasn't the creature. He seems too kind and compassionate to have murdered a little boy. Victor, though, is dead set on it being him who murdered William. He says, "Nothing in human shape could have destroyed that fair child. He was the murderer" (Shelley 50). Victor goes in to a downward spiral when Justine is killed for the murder of William. He then goes on a long journey full of agony and pain through the wintery woods. I found it strange though that he would go up and down with emotions. He would be happy at one point with the scenery and everything that was beautiful, but then the next morning he would wake up and would be depressed again. To me, Victor has had some very traumatic experiences and should spend a little time alone to recover before he continues on any more adventures.
After Victor wakes up from being ill after he gave life to the creature, William finds out that his little brother was murdered. Later he finds out that a family friend who lived with him for a while that was convicted, confessed and was killed for the crime. Victor thinks it is the monster he created who did it, but I believe it wasn't the creature. He seems too kind and compassionate to have murdered a little boy. Victor, though, is dead set on it being him who murdered William. He says, "Nothing in human shape could have destroyed that fair child. He was the murderer" (Shelley 50). Victor goes in to a downward spiral when Justine is killed for the murder of William. He then goes on a long journey full of agony and pain through the wintery woods. I found it strange though that he would go up and down with emotions. He would be happy at one point with the scenery and everything that was beautiful, but then the next morning he would wake up and would be depressed again. To me, Victor has had some very traumatic experiences and should spend a little time alone to recover before he continues on any more adventures.
Frankenstein Blog Post #3
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
FOIL CHARACTER: acts as a contrast to another character; often through their personality, actions, or values
Krempe and Waldman are good examples of foil characters. They are the two professors that Victor has when he is at the university of Ingolstadt. Krempe is the professor of natural philosophy. He is a little, squat and uncouth man. Krempe speaks with a gruff voice and has a repulsive countenance. This professor criticizes Victor for having read Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Magnus. Krempe says that Victor has burdened his memory with "exploded systems and useless names" (Shelley 26). He definitely does not hold back any of his criticisms toward Victor. On the exact opposite hand is Waldman. He is the chemistry professor who is short but erect and about fifty years old. He speaks with a sweet voice and Victor found a true friend in him. These two professors serve as motivators for Victor. While Krempe ridiculed him for his ancient studies, Waldman put interest and time into Victor's studies. Waldman is the reason Victor wanted to learn chemistry and gave him the advice that it is better to have knowledge in both philosophy and chemistry. These two men encouraged Victor to succeed in very different ways, but still encouraged him nonetheless.
FOIL CHARACTER: acts as a contrast to another character; often through their personality, actions, or values
Krempe and Waldman are good examples of foil characters. They are the two professors that Victor has when he is at the university of Ingolstadt. Krempe is the professor of natural philosophy. He is a little, squat and uncouth man. Krempe speaks with a gruff voice and has a repulsive countenance. This professor criticizes Victor for having read Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Magnus. Krempe says that Victor has burdened his memory with "exploded systems and useless names" (Shelley 26). He definitely does not hold back any of his criticisms toward Victor. On the exact opposite hand is Waldman. He is the chemistry professor who is short but erect and about fifty years old. He speaks with a sweet voice and Victor found a true friend in him. These two professors serve as motivators for Victor. While Krempe ridiculed him for his ancient studies, Waldman put interest and time into Victor's studies. Waldman is the reason Victor wanted to learn chemistry and gave him the advice that it is better to have knowledge in both philosophy and chemistry. These two men encouraged Victor to succeed in very different ways, but still encouraged him nonetheless.
Frankenstein Blog Post #2
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I have a hunch about why Walton and the stranger, who we know is named Victor, bonded so quickly. I believe they might be related, maybe even brothers. First off, Walton saved him so that is reason to believe they would be nice to each other. That can't be all though. I believe Walton may have empathy towards Victor because both of their spirits had been broken before by misery. Walton was just writing his sister about how he was in need of a friend. It is almost like she sent Victor on an ice sheet up to the North Pole to be with him. Also, they both have this strange love for their sisters that is almost creepy. There are just too many similarities between the two for them to not be related. Both Walton and Victor have this vision that they are going to do something great for humanity and go somewhere that no other person had gone. Walton says, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man" (Shelley 1). He wants to go somewhere like the North Pole and try to figure out magnets and the needle that always points north on a compass. When telling Walton his story, Victor says, "So much has been done...more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation" (Shelley 28). I believe that Walton may have been put up for adoption or something because both of these men are just too similar to me to not be related in some way.
I have a hunch about why Walton and the stranger, who we know is named Victor, bonded so quickly. I believe they might be related, maybe even brothers. First off, Walton saved him so that is reason to believe they would be nice to each other. That can't be all though. I believe Walton may have empathy towards Victor because both of their spirits had been broken before by misery. Walton was just writing his sister about how he was in need of a friend. It is almost like she sent Victor on an ice sheet up to the North Pole to be with him. Also, they both have this strange love for their sisters that is almost creepy. There are just too many similarities between the two for them to not be related. Both Walton and Victor have this vision that they are going to do something great for humanity and go somewhere that no other person had gone. Walton says, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man" (Shelley 1). He wants to go somewhere like the North Pole and try to figure out magnets and the needle that always points north on a compass. When telling Walton his story, Victor says, "So much has been done...more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation" (Shelley 28). I believe that Walton may have been put up for adoption or something because both of these men are just too similar to me to not be related in some way.
Frankenstein Blog Post #1
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The "strange accident" that occurs in Letter IV is the first glimpse of the monster. Only eight pages in! If I wasn't reading carefully and if Mr. Costello hadn't pointed it out too, I would have never noticed. The boat is enclosed in ice pretty much all the way around to the point where the boat cannot go anywhere. Also, there is a thick fog and nothing can be seen outside of the boat. When the fog clears, the men see what is described as, "...a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs...a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature..." (Shelley 8). Upon further reading, another sledge similar to the first one is sighted only this one seems to be a lot worse off than the first. This one is on a floating piece of ice with only one dog left and a man who is nearly frozen and severely emaciated. The monster seems intelligent because he is moving much faster and isn't in as bad of shape as the stranger. I also believe this could be the monster because the author says it appeared like a man, not that it was a man. It appeared gigantic and to be fleeing from something or someone.
The "strange accident" that occurs in Letter IV is the first glimpse of the monster. Only eight pages in! If I wasn't reading carefully and if Mr. Costello hadn't pointed it out too, I would have never noticed. The boat is enclosed in ice pretty much all the way around to the point where the boat cannot go anywhere. Also, there is a thick fog and nothing can be seen outside of the boat. When the fog clears, the men see what is described as, "...a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs...a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature..." (Shelley 8). Upon further reading, another sledge similar to the first one is sighted only this one seems to be a lot worse off than the first. This one is on a floating piece of ice with only one dog left and a man who is nearly frozen and severely emaciated. The monster seems intelligent because he is moving much faster and isn't in as bad of shape as the stranger. I also believe this could be the monster because the author says it appeared like a man, not that it was a man. It appeared gigantic and to be fleeing from something or someone.
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