Frankenstein ~ THE END

"'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.

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.

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. ='(

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.

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.

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...

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.

Frankenstein ~ frame story

"But I consented to listen, and seating myself by the fire which my odious companion had lighted, he thus began his tale" (page 70).

The story begins in the form of a letter; the entire plot takes place while Robert Walton is writing to his sister. He writes down Victor Frankenstein's story within the letter. Then, within Frankenstein's story...within the letter...the creature tells his own story to Frankenstein. It's a frame story within a frame story. These frame stories are all telling the story of one of the characters. The creature tells about what he has been doing since he was created and abandoned by Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein tell about how he ended up in the middle of the frozen water and why he is traumatized. All of this is being written down in a letter by Robert Walton. This could all be very confusing if it's not kept straight. However, the frame stories are ways to reveal details about each of the characters and their own unique experiences.

Frankenstein ~ situational irony

"I had worked for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heard. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep" (page 35).

Well...I pictured this scene going differently in my head...I had always thought of the moment Frankenstein created his creature as being the stereotypical mad scientist scene. I pictured him giving an evil laugh as this long awaited moment of his monster's creation took place. After spending two years working on the single task of creating life, he had finally achieved his goal. However, he was not proud of his work as I expected him to be. He was disgusted, ashamed, and scared. Immediately, he regretted what he had done and ran away. He could not even face the being that he himself had given life to. I found this moment to be completely ironic. He had devoted his whole childhood and education toward furthering his education of science. Finally, he had achieved the very thing he had worked so hard to do, yet right away he realized his wrong doing. IT'S ALIVE...though he immediately wishes it never had been.

Frankenstein ~ exposition

"To Mrs. Saville, England. St. Petersburgh, Dec. 11th, 17--..." (page 1).

The book begins with a series of letters from Robert Walton to his sister Mrs. Saville. Immediately, these letters make the reader aware of the date and location of the writer. Walton tells of his quest to the north pole, his loneliness, and a peculiar even that occurs. Walton comes across a man on the frozen water, takes him aboard, cares for him, and befriends him. This is how the story begins. All of the letters at the beginning of the book are to create the exposition and to prepare the reader for the coming story. It introduces the setting and how Walton stumbled upon Victor Frankenstein - the man who's story this really is. The letters allow for an indirect description of the setting and characters; it describes the situation in the form of a letter rather than directly stating specific details and description of the characters and setting.

The Kite Runner ~ redemption

"It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods, shaking in the wake of a startled bird's flight. But I'll take it. With open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting" (page 371).

This ending passage of the book presents a sense of hope. Hope is something that has often been missing throughout the story. It shows a moment of redemption when Amir finally seems to have achieved inner peace again. He has spent the whole book trying to redeem himself after letting down Hassan all those years ago. Just a simple smile from Sohrab has given Amir new hope for a happy future. The obvious theme of the book is redemption. Being able to care for and to make Hassan's son happy is Amir's way of making up for his lack of loyalty to Hassan in their childhood. The ending of the book is not necessarily happy, but it is redeeming. A book filled with so much sadness is finally brought to a close with new hope.

The Kite Runner ~ epanalepsis

"And so it was that, about a week later, we crossed a strip of warm, black tarmac and I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty" (page 356).

This sentence repeats turmoil making the beginning and ending of the phrase opposites. In Afghanistan, Sohrab lived a life of turmoil and chaos. By remaining in that life, he was sure to continue living in chaos. America presented the opportunity for a new life that was free of all the problems of Afghanistan. Sohrab would be freed from the Taliban and the land where his parents were killed. However, his life in America was uncertain. There was no way of knowing what lied ahead there or what path his life would take. He would be leaving the certainty of turmoil and entering a turmoil of uncertainty. At first, this sentence seems contradicting, but it is simply reversed in meaning. This reversal emphasizes the difference between Afghanistan and America. The two places are significantly different and present two diverse lifestyles.

The Kite Runner ~ theme

"What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace...I hadn't been happy and I hadn't felt better, not at all. But I did now. My body was broken - just how badly I wouldn't find out until later - but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed" (page 289).

This passage shows the moment when Amir finally begins to feel at peace. A major theme of this book is redemption, and this passage displays the beginning of it. Amir feels responsible for what Assef did to Hassan many years ago. He regrets not doing anything to help him and carries that guilt with him throughout his life. After fighting with Assef many years later and standing up to his childhood fears, he feels relieved that he has been able to defend Hassan's son, Sohrab. This moment is a bit ironic too because at the time Amir is physically broken, but he feels mentally strong now and at peace. At the time in his life when his body is so broken, he feels healed. This passage displays an ironic and vital theme of the book. Redemption is the theme that drives the plot to continue.

The Kite Runner ~ plot

"And what Rahim Khan revealed to me changed things. Made me see how my entire life, long before the winter of 1975, dating back to when that singing Hazara woman was still nursing me, had been a cycle of lies, betrayals, and secrets. There is a way to be good again, he'd said. A way to end the cycle. With a little boy. An orphan. Hassan's son. Somewhere in Kabul" (page 227).

The structure throughout the entire book is a continuous cycle. The plot follows a repeating series of rises and falls. It seems to cycle between potentially happy or peaceful moments and depressing or action-filled moments. Amir and Hassan win the kite fight, and Hassan catches the fallen blue kite. However, he is then tragically beaten and raped while Amir does not attempt to help. Later, Amir and Baba travel to America and Amir marries Soraya; however, Baba dies of cancer. Amir and Soraya then try to have a baby, but for some unknown reason they are unable to. Amir travels back to Pakistan to see Hassan and finds out they are in fact brothers; he also learns Sohrab is his half-nephew. Then, he hears news that Hassan and his wife were shot and killed by the Taliban. Amir finds Sohrab only to learn that he has to fight Assef. He then decides to adopt Sohrab, finds out he is unable to, and Sohrab tries to commit suicide. The story is on a perpetual happy-sad roller coaster. The plot is a series of conflicts and a continuing cycle of "lies, betrayals, and secrets." The benefit of this type of plot is that it keeps the reader constantly interested in finding out what will happen next. The unexpected twists in this story make it fascinating and mysterious.

The Kite Runner ~ diction

"And again, something in his bottomless black eyes hinted at an unspoken secret between us. Except now I knew he knew. My suspicions had been right all those years. He knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. He had always known. Come. There is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in passing, almost as an afterthought. A way to be good again" (page 192).

This passage presents a great example of diction. Rahim Khan's word choice while on the phone was very simple, yet Amir knew it held a deeper meaning. The short phrase "A way to be good again" said just before hanging up led Amir to the conclusion that Rahim Khan knew all about Hassan and his childhood. He chose to say those few words to inspire Amir to travel to Pakistan in search of redemption. This diction sparked Amir's curiosity. Ever since the tragic incident in his childhood with Hassan, he had been searching for a source of redemption. Rahim Khan's hint toward redemption causes the rest of the story to occur; Amir travels to Pakistan and eventually overcomes his fear of Assef in order to find peace of mind. He was able to overcome his great childhood fear of Assef which initially led to the need for redemption. The diction in this short passage is vital to the progression of the plot; it puts Amir in the right mindset to carry him through the rest of the plot.