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.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
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.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Alienation Blog Post #5
APO 96225 by Larry Rottmann
SITUATIONAL IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen
Wow, blunt much? I believe that the poem has situational irony because it is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what really does happen. The mother kept thinking that there was something wrong and wanted her son to tell her everything. He would continue to put it off because he wanted to keep his mother from knowing the pain of what he was actually doing. Finally he is like, "Today I killed a man. Yesterday, I helped drop napalm on women and children" (Rottmann 846). I can only imagine the mother's expression when she read that: priceless. It is no joking matter though. War is not easy for anyone and I think this story ties in with the American people's feelings about Vietnam because I think they only wanted to know everything that was going on until it made them feel uncomfortable. Deep down they wanted to know, but on the surface level, I believe it was better off to keep some things a little more secret.
SITUATIONAL IRONY: takes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen
Wow, blunt much? I believe that the poem has situational irony because it is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what really does happen. The mother kept thinking that there was something wrong and wanted her son to tell her everything. He would continue to put it off because he wanted to keep his mother from knowing the pain of what he was actually doing. Finally he is like, "Today I killed a man. Yesterday, I helped drop napalm on women and children" (Rottmann 846). I can only imagine the mother's expression when she read that: priceless. It is no joking matter though. War is not easy for anyone and I think this story ties in with the American people's feelings about Vietnam because I think they only wanted to know everything that was going on until it made them feel uncomfortable. Deep down they wanted to know, but on the surface level, I believe it was better off to keep some things a little more secret.
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