"You have read this strange and terrific story now, Margaret; and do you not feel your blood congeal with horror, like that which even now curdles mine?" page 155
This is the first time since page 14 that Walton is the narrator. We're finally out of all of the frames in the story and back to where we started. Poor Walton's head is probably spinning after hearing all of that, and I bet his hand hurts after writing it all down. Personally, I kind of liked the frames. Especially with William's death, it was cool to see it from both Victor's point of view and his creation's. That's something that few stories provide. Having multiple points of view made me feel like I knew the story better. I felt slightly less judgmental toward all of the characters involved since I could see them in different ways. I still don't really see how the story is so horrific. I mean, Victor's creation kills everyone and then himself (maybe), but I just don't see the horror in it. It's scary, but "blood-curdling" might be going a bit far.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Frankenstein-Page 164
"And now it is ended; there is my last victim." page 164
I was definitely surprised to see Victor's creation show up when he died. First of all, how the heck did he know Victor had died? Was there some sort of creator-creation telepathy that I totally missed? While it's creepy that he seems just to know when Victor has died, it's...I don't want to use the word "sweet," but I can't think of a better word...that he came to pay his respects. This is the real resolution of the story. Finally, creator and creation can be at peace with one another. This would definitely be a good choice for the AP prompt from sometime in the '80s about stories having a clear ending in which all the loose ends are addressed. Did the creature die when he leapt from the boat, though? I couldn't really tell if he killed himself or not.
I was definitely surprised to see Victor's creation show up when he died. First of all, how the heck did he know Victor had died? Was there some sort of creator-creation telepathy that I totally missed? While it's creepy that he seems just to know when Victor has died, it's...I don't want to use the word "sweet," but I can't think of a better word...that he came to pay his respects. This is the real resolution of the story. Finally, creator and creation can be at peace with one another. This would definitely be a good choice for the AP prompt from sometime in the '80s about stories having a clear ending in which all the loose ends are addressed. Did the creature die when he leapt from the boat, though? I couldn't really tell if he killed himself or not.
Frankenstein-Dramatic Irony
"She left me, and I continued some time walking up and down the passages of the house, and inspecting every corner that might afford a retreat to my adversary. But I discovered no trace of him, and was beginning to conjecture that some fortunate chance had intervened to prevent the dreadful execution of his menaces; when suddenly I heard a shrill and dreadful scream." page 144
This scene is the classic (and probably original) "don't open the closet door" scene. It is dramatically ironic because the reader can fully expect that the creature would go after Elizabeth instead of Victor, and it seems obvious that when she retires, he has the perfect opportunity to get to her. Instead of protecting her, as has been his concern all along, Victor tries to protect himself which results in Elizabeth's death. The poor guy can't catch a break, but he almost brings it upon himself. I agree with his decision to get rid of the female's body and stop that project, but it wasn't smart to go about it the way he did. He could easily have found another way and saved the lives of both Henry and Elizabeth. I loved the suspense, though. I could picture a character in a movie relaxing slightly, slumping his shoulders a bit because he thinks he has nothing to worry about, and then hearing the scream and knowing exactly what's going on. I hate horror movies, but I liked this part. It's funny how obvious this one was.
This scene is the classic (and probably original) "don't open the closet door" scene. It is dramatically ironic because the reader can fully expect that the creature would go after Elizabeth instead of Victor, and it seems obvious that when she retires, he has the perfect opportunity to get to her. Instead of protecting her, as has been his concern all along, Victor tries to protect himself which results in Elizabeth's death. The poor guy can't catch a break, but he almost brings it upon himself. I agree with his decision to get rid of the female's body and stop that project, but it wasn't smart to go about it the way he did. He could easily have found another way and saved the lives of both Henry and Elizabeth. I loved the suspense, though. I could picture a character in a movie relaxing slightly, slumping his shoulders a bit because he thinks he has nothing to worry about, and then hearing the scream and knowing exactly what's going on. I hate horror movies, but I liked this part. It's funny how obvious this one was.
Frankenstein-Foreshadowing
"Alas! to me the idea of an immediate union with my Elizabeth was one of horror and dismay. I was bound by a solemn promise, which I had not yet fulfilled, and dared not to break; or, if I did, what manifold miseries might not impend over me and my devoted family!" page 110
This piece of Frankenstein's thoughts foreshadows Elizabeth's death. He basically says that he can't marry her because he's afraid that his creation will kill her and take away the strongest love he has. I find that to be incredibly ironic as well. If Frankenstein had given his creation love in the first place, he wouldn't have lost Elizabeth. All he had to do was accept his creation and love it, and he couldn't do something so small as that. His desire to protect Elizabeth is exactly what leads to her death. At this point, the monster wishes to destroy every ounce of love that Frankenstein has, and Victor's love for Elizabeth and desire to save her make her the easiest target. I don't understand how he could be so stupid as to think that he was the target when his creation went after only the people he loved before then. It seems obvious to me that Elizabeth would be the logical choice.
This piece of Frankenstein's thoughts foreshadows Elizabeth's death. He basically says that he can't marry her because he's afraid that his creation will kill her and take away the strongest love he has. I find that to be incredibly ironic as well. If Frankenstein had given his creation love in the first place, he wouldn't have lost Elizabeth. All he had to do was accept his creation and love it, and he couldn't do something so small as that. His desire to protect Elizabeth is exactly what leads to her death. At this point, the monster wishes to destroy every ounce of love that Frankenstein has, and Victor's love for Elizabeth and desire to save her make her the easiest target. I don't understand how he could be so stupid as to think that he was the target when his creation went after only the people he loved before then. It seems obvious to me that Elizabeth would be the logical choice.
Frankenstein-Climax
"For the first time, feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to control them; but, allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I bent my mind toward injury and death." page 99
This is the first time during the creature's life that he admits to and accepts evil feelings. All of his previous rejection is like the rising action leading up to this climax in the story. Before this point, the creature seems entirely good, and it is difficult to understand why he has a terrible reputation. Once he admits this, though, it is easy to understand why he is depicted as a terrible monster because that's what he's become. Honestly, I think I would've lost it before he did. After being rejected by the man who created him and a family he thought could possibly accept him, he just can't take it anymore, and I understand that. That's a human reaction. People like to have companions. We've already seen that with both Walton and Frankenstein. The creature is no different. He's entitled to some love, and, like a human, he needs it.
This is the first time during the creature's life that he admits to and accepts evil feelings. All of his previous rejection is like the rising action leading up to this climax in the story. Before this point, the creature seems entirely good, and it is difficult to understand why he has a terrible reputation. Once he admits this, though, it is easy to understand why he is depicted as a terrible monster because that's what he's become. Honestly, I think I would've lost it before he did. After being rejected by the man who created him and a family he thought could possibly accept him, he just can't take it anymore, and I understand that. That's a human reaction. People like to have companions. We've already seen that with both Walton and Frankenstein. The creature is no different. He's entitled to some love, and, like a human, he needs it.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Frankenstein-Page 69
"'Listen to me, Frankenstein. You accuse me of murder, and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature. Oh, praise the eternal justice of man! Yet I ask you not to spare me: listen to me; and then, if you can, and if you will, destroy the work of your hands." page 69
In this scene, Frankenstein is basically called a hypocrite by the monster he created. Firstly, I think it's hilarious that his own creation would say such a thing. It also gives the reader a new perspective, though. The monster clearly has feelings and is intelligent. No unintelligent creature could possibly recognize hypocrisy. And the monster seems to be reasoning with Frankenstein, another sign of intelligence. This passage portrays the monster almost as endearing. The reader really can sympathize with the monster when viewing events from its perspective.
In this scene, Frankenstein is basically called a hypocrite by the monster he created. Firstly, I think it's hilarious that his own creation would say such a thing. It also gives the reader a new perspective, though. The monster clearly has feelings and is intelligent. No unintelligent creature could possibly recognize hypocrisy. And the monster seems to be reasoning with Frankenstein, another sign of intelligence. This passage portrays the monster almost as endearing. The reader really can sympathize with the monster when viewing events from its perspective.
Frankenstein-Page 24
"'My children,' she said, 'my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of you union. This expectation will now be the consolation of your father.'" page 24
This passage has to be the strangest thing I've ever heard. it's one thing to walk into a home and ask a woman if her child could be adopted. That's already insane and unrealistic. But it's entirely different to adopt that little girl for the sole purpose of having a wife for her adoptive brother. I don't understand why parents would do that or take pride in it as Frankenstein's mother clearly does. Was that accepted at some point in time or something? I feel like that would be acknowledging a fault or flaw in her son that would prevent him from getting married otherwise. And I don't understand how Frankenstein and Elizabeth don't think of each other as brother and sister. As young as they were, I wouldn't expect them to recognize a different kind of love than the traditional family love.
This passage has to be the strangest thing I've ever heard. it's one thing to walk into a home and ask a woman if her child could be adopted. That's already insane and unrealistic. But it's entirely different to adopt that little girl for the sole purpose of having a wife for her adoptive brother. I don't understand why parents would do that or take pride in it as Frankenstein's mother clearly does. Was that accepted at some point in time or something? I feel like that would be acknowledging a fault or flaw in her son that would prevent him from getting married otherwise. And I don't understand how Frankenstein and Elizabeth don't think of each other as brother and sister. As young as they were, I wouldn't expect them to recognize a different kind of love than the traditional family love.
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