"'But soon,' he cried, with sad and solemn enthusiasm, 'I shall die, and what I now feel be no longer felt. Soon these burning miseries will be extinct. I shall ascend my funeral pile triumphantly, and exult in the agony of the torturing flames. The light of that conflagration will fade away; my ashes will be swept into the sea by the winds. My spirit will sleep in peace; or it it thinks, it will not surely think thus. Farewell'" (page 166).
I found to be somewhat surprising and somewhat expected. I expected for Victor Frankenstein to die in the end, and I figured the monster would see him again. However, I did not expect the reaction from the monster to be how it was. The monster was sad and regretful of how he treated his creator. I was expecting the monster to be glad that he had finally achieved what he had set out to do. He wanted revenge on his creator. He wanted him to suffer all the feelings of abandonment, isolation, and grief that he had experienced. The monster killed those close to him who he loved, and he finally killed Frankenstein. I was expecting the monster to find satisfaction at his success and revenge. However, he is grieving over the death of Victor Frankenstein instead. The ending shows the varied thoughts and feelings of the creature/monster throughout the book; he appears to be one way, but in reality he is often the opposite.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Frankenstein ~ creature...monster
"Man! you may hate; but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness forever. Are you to be happy, while I grovel in the intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions; but revenge remains - revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery" (page 123).
This was about the point that I decided to start referring to him as a monster instead of a creature. Originally, I believed him to be just a misunderstood creation. He was judged as a monster without ever knowing him; therefore, I thought he should hardly be called a "monster" since he really was not a bad creature. However, the actions and motivations of the creature change, and I now believe him to be a monster. His motivations are now based on revenge and a hatred of humankind rather than just the initial frustration at being rejected. He seems to completely turn evil after Frankenstein refuses his demand for creating a mate. His change in motivation leads to the change in his "name." He speaks and acts now out of hatred and vengeance; thus, I believe he should now be called a monster instead of being given the title of "creature" out of courtesy.
This was about the point that I decided to start referring to him as a monster instead of a creature. Originally, I believed him to be just a misunderstood creation. He was judged as a monster without ever knowing him; therefore, I thought he should hardly be called a "monster" since he really was not a bad creature. However, the actions and motivations of the creature change, and I now believe him to be a monster. His motivations are now based on revenge and a hatred of humankind rather than just the initial frustration at being rejected. He seems to completely turn evil after Frankenstein refuses his demand for creating a mate. His change in motivation leads to the change in his "name." He speaks and acts now out of hatred and vengeance; thus, I believe he should now be called a monster instead of being given the title of "creature" out of courtesy.
Frankenstein ~ dramatic irony
"...I passed an hour in this state of mind, when suddenly I reflected how fearful the combat which I momentarily expected would be to my wife, and I earnestly intreated her to retire, resolving not to join her until I had obtained some knowledge as to the situation of my enemy" (page 144).
When I first read this, I could not understand how the thought did not even cross Victor Frankenstein's mind that the monster might go after Elizabeth. As soon as the monster originally said "I will be with you on your wedding night," I immediately assumed and feared he was going to kill Elizabeth after their wedding. He was going to take the love of Frankenstein's life away from him just like Frankenstein refused to create a mate for the monster. The scene seemed obvious in my mind; however, Frankenstein assumed he would come after himself. Clearly the reader had information Frankenstein did not, or else the reader was just more capable of piecing together the clues. It seemed to occur like the typical dramatic situation: the creature waits upstairs in the dark room, the monster is always in the basement, the character is never really alone when they think they are, if they feel like they are being watched then they really are it is not just a feeling, the shadow in the distance or the corner is indeed after you, if the creature has red eyes it is evil just trust me...etc. It was one of those scenes where the reader only wishes they could tip the character about what is really waiting upstairs. Unfortunately, it was too late by the time this dramatic situation unfolded and the monster successfully murdered Elizabeth. ='(
When I first read this, I could not understand how the thought did not even cross Victor Frankenstein's mind that the monster might go after Elizabeth. As soon as the monster originally said "I will be with you on your wedding night," I immediately assumed and feared he was going to kill Elizabeth after their wedding. He was going to take the love of Frankenstein's life away from him just like Frankenstein refused to create a mate for the monster. The scene seemed obvious in my mind; however, Frankenstein assumed he would come after himself. Clearly the reader had information Frankenstein did not, or else the reader was just more capable of piecing together the clues. It seemed to occur like the typical dramatic situation: the creature waits upstairs in the dark room, the monster is always in the basement, the character is never really alone when they think they are, if they feel like they are being watched then they really are it is not just a feeling, the shadow in the distance or the corner is indeed after you, if the creature has red eyes it is evil just trust me...etc. It was one of those scenes where the reader only wishes they could tip the character about what is really waiting upstairs. Unfortunately, it was too late by the time this dramatic situation unfolded and the monster successfully murdered Elizabeth. ='(
Frankenstein ~ theme ~ justice
"You must create a female for me, with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do; and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede" (page 104).
In this passage, the creature tries to reason with Victor Frankenstein and justify a way for him to make up for what he has done. He believes Frankenstein is to blame for how the creature turned out. Any evil actions the creature has done are a result of how Frankenstein created him; therefore, the monster believes Frankenstein needs to make up for creating him. He created him in a way that all man kind rejects and refuses to accept. The creature tries to achieve justice for this inadequate creation by stating that it is Frankenstein must make him a mate similar to himself. He believes it is only fair that he too be given a companion in the world. Frankenstein is the only person capable of granting him this request, and he is responsible for creating him in a way destined for rejection. Therefore, the creature tries to achieve justice with Frankenstein by demanding that he creates a mate for him.
In this passage, the creature tries to reason with Victor Frankenstein and justify a way for him to make up for what he has done. He believes Frankenstein is to blame for how the creature turned out. Any evil actions the creature has done are a result of how Frankenstein created him; therefore, the monster believes Frankenstein needs to make up for creating him. He created him in a way that all man kind rejects and refuses to accept. The creature tries to achieve justice for this inadequate creation by stating that it is Frankenstein must make him a mate similar to himself. He believes it is only fair that he too be given a companion in the world. Frankenstein is the only person capable of granting him this request, and he is responsible for creating him in a way destined for rejection. Therefore, the creature tries to achieve justice with Frankenstein by demanding that he creates a mate for him.
Frankenstein ~ theme ~ education/knowledge
"They did not appear rich, but they were contented and happy; their feelings were serene and peaceful, while mine became every day more tumultuous. Increase in knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was. I cherished hope, it is true; but it vanished when I beheld my person reflected in water, or my shadow in the moonshine, even as that frail image and that inconstant shade" (page 93).
This passage displays how gaining knowledge only makes the creature feel like more of an outcast. He watches the De Lacey family for almost a year in order to learn their language and culture. He reasons that by learning their language he will be able to approach them and ease their fear. However, as he watches the family to learn how they interact with one another, he also learns the emotions that go along with humanity. He learns of sadness, happiness, and love. He watches how the family all cares for one another and accepts everyone; they take in those that stop by their house for dinner and feed them. Unfortunately, this knowledge and realization that he is different from them only makes him feel more alone in the world. There is no one like him, and no one is even willing to look at him without fear. He has never known love or happiness to be shown toward him, and he learns that he will never be able to. This knowledge emphasizes his feelings of solitude and alienation which drive him into becoming an angry and revengeful fiend.
This passage displays how gaining knowledge only makes the creature feel like more of an outcast. He watches the De Lacey family for almost a year in order to learn their language and culture. He reasons that by learning their language he will be able to approach them and ease their fear. However, as he watches the family to learn how they interact with one another, he also learns the emotions that go along with humanity. He learns of sadness, happiness, and love. He watches how the family all cares for one another and accepts everyone; they take in those that stop by their house for dinner and feed them. Unfortunately, this knowledge and realization that he is different from them only makes him feel more alone in the world. There is no one like him, and no one is even willing to look at him without fear. He has never known love or happiness to be shown toward him, and he learns that he will never be able to. This knowledge emphasizes his feelings of solitude and alienation which drive him into becoming an angry and revengeful fiend.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Frankenstein ~ reunited
"Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous" (page 69).
Once again creature and creator are reunited...aww...well...not exactly... Victor Frankenstein believes he has created a monster and murderer. He fears for his life as the creature approaches, and he threatens and supposes the idea of killing his creation. However, we soon discover that maybe the creature is not as evil as he appears. One thing I found very surprising was that the creature can talk, not just mumble sounds. He approaches Frankenstein and starts speaking in eloquently spoken dialect...definitely not what I was expecting. He also begs Frankenstein to listen to his side of the story; he wants to explain to him that he is not an evil creature. When Frankenstein first spotted him in the mountains, my first thought was that he was going to hurt or to kill him. To my surprise, he spoke and tried to reason and to prove his innocence. This made me wonder how the creature is able to speak so fluently. I have a theory...it's probably wrong...but I cannot help but wonder if maybe part of the creature's brain is recovering from his past life. Frankenstein formed him from the bodies of the dead. The creature describes how his sense at first did not work, but over time they developed. Could this also work with his brain? Is it possible he is remembering parts of his past life from who ever he was before? ...or maybe I'm just not supposed to think this far into it all...
Once again creature and creator are reunited...aww...well...not exactly... Victor Frankenstein believes he has created a monster and murderer. He fears for his life as the creature approaches, and he threatens and supposes the idea of killing his creation. However, we soon discover that maybe the creature is not as evil as he appears. One thing I found very surprising was that the creature can talk, not just mumble sounds. He approaches Frankenstein and starts speaking in eloquently spoken dialect...definitely not what I was expecting. He also begs Frankenstein to listen to his side of the story; he wants to explain to him that he is not an evil creature. When Frankenstein first spotted him in the mountains, my first thought was that he was going to hurt or to kill him. To my surprise, he spoke and tried to reason and to prove his innocence. This made me wonder how the creature is able to speak so fluently. I have a theory...it's probably wrong...but I cannot help but wonder if maybe part of the creature's brain is recovering from his past life. Frankenstein formed him from the bodies of the dead. The creature describes how his sense at first did not work, but over time they developed. Could this also work with his brain? Is it possible he is remembering parts of his past life from who ever he was before? ...or maybe I'm just not supposed to think this far into it all...
Frankenstein ~ theme ~ alienation/solitude
"Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labours; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves - sights which before always yielded me supreme delight - so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation...Every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to a most painful degree; the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime" (page 34).
Throughout the book, there are various examples of alienation or characters seeking solitude. In the beginning, Robert Walton feels alone on the ship. He has been traveling for a while and no one on board seems to be friend-worthy of him; he writes letters to his sister showing his loneliness and longing for a friend. After he meets Victor Frankenstein, we also learn of Frankenstein's alienation. He isolates himself from the rest of the world as he works on his creation. Frankenstein also frequently seeks to be alone after his creature is loose. He takes his time when traveling home, and he leaves his home often to go enjoy the open mountains. In addition, while Frankenstein is away studying, his family relationship has been somewhat ruined by his absence. This passage displays Frankenstein's obsession with scientific studies to the point where he goes slightly insane from isolation and fear.
Throughout the book, there are various examples of alienation or characters seeking solitude. In the beginning, Robert Walton feels alone on the ship. He has been traveling for a while and no one on board seems to be friend-worthy of him; he writes letters to his sister showing his loneliness and longing for a friend. After he meets Victor Frankenstein, we also learn of Frankenstein's alienation. He isolates himself from the rest of the world as he works on his creation. Frankenstein also frequently seeks to be alone after his creature is loose. He takes his time when traveling home, and he leaves his home often to go enjoy the open mountains. In addition, while Frankenstein is away studying, his family relationship has been somewhat ruined by his absence. This passage displays Frankenstein's obsession with scientific studies to the point where he goes slightly insane from isolation and fear.
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