Choose a line/passage, quote it, and then either ask a question and thoroughly answer your own question OR discuss why you chose that particular quotation, explaining why it stood out to you. Look carefully at language/devices and try to connect your observations to a big idea from the novel (justice, what it means to be human, how people become "monsters," impact of nature, society's notion of normal, loneliness/abandonment, etc) to deepen your analysis.
Possible questions to consider: What strikes you about the creature's perspective? What strikes you about Frankenstein's emotional state/his interaction with the creature?
Do not repeat a classmate's quotation. If that line intrigues you, just respond to their comment and choose your own, new passage to comment on.
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ReplyDelete"All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us" (104).
ReplyDeleteI think this quote is important because the creature illuminates more about the relationship between himself and the creator and the parallels that exist between the two characters. Although the creature is automatically assumed to be the "monster" because he embodies the physical aspects of a supernatural creature, I think Shelley wants us to examine the unclear distinction of who the "monster" is and how the creator himself could be considered the monster. The creature is completely codependent on the creator and all of his actions could be seen as a reflection of the creator. Everything existing within the creature could not exist without the emotions and psychological state of the creator. But even with that, I don't think a true "monster" exists because although on an outer level, Frankenstein creates the creature out of his own selfishness and desire to dominate, on a deeper level, it is because of his own sadness, loneliness, and self-image/perception. Frankenstein didn't make the creature out of evil intention but out of his own insecurity and need to feel useful and loved
I completely agree with you, and I think that the selfishness does have a big role in why Frankenstein created the creature as well. He did create it out of sadness and loneliness, but he did it to get rid of those feelings, ultimately so that he could benefit from it. Also, I think that's why he couldn't handle dealing with the creature after it was 'born'. Because he had done it for himself, when the plan actually worked, and he had to take care of someone else, he got scared and couldn't handle it.
DeleteI totally agree with what you are saying about how maybe Victor is actually the "monster". In this reading Victor says something about how him and elizabeth's lives are intertwined and how their lives are dependent on each other. Thinking about what Elizabeth would be like without Victor, is the same as how life is for the "creature". The one person in their life who is supposed to love them no matter what, because they are "his", ran away from the creature and so he had no one to teach him what is right or wrong which. Victor acts like the "creature" did this unjustifiable deed of killing William out of sheer meanness, but really Victor was the one who ran away from him and left this just born ugly, gigantic, unacceptable to society man to try and figure life out for himself.
DeleteI understand where you are coming from, and I pose a question to your post: you view insecurity and loneliness as qualities that do not typically belong to monsters. Why is that? Why would Victor Frankenstein be any less of a monster if he created the Creature to satiate his need for a friend, or to augment his own self image? Can somebody who posses insecurity and loneliness not be a monster?
Delete"I, not in deed, but in effect, was the true murderer"(96).
ReplyDeleteThis quote is very important because Victor takes the blame for the death of his brother. If the creature he created did kill his brother then he should be blamed because he just left his creation alone and did not teach him what he should know about life. He basically created a human but this human had no one to tell him what is right and what is wrong. He looks like an adult but his mind is like the mind of a baby who is beginning to understand how life works. Anything that this human does is not really his fault but the fault of Victor because instead of guiding this human he ran away because he was scared of what he created. Victor was like the father of this human but since he left his human creation/son he had to try to understand life and while trying to understand life he even put his hand in the fire since he did not know how things work. Because victor did not accept his creation the way it came out I think that his creation will lead him to many sad and dark moments in life. I also think that if Victors creation did kill his brother he did this because he wants Victor to suffer since he did not help him out in understanding how life works and just left him to his luck.
I think that this dynamic between Frankenstien and the creature being like father and son will be very interesting as the book goes on. This raises many social questions that are relevant to us, even though we aren't a mad scientist and a creature. If a parent fails to raise a child, is it the parent's fault for neglecting the child, or the child's fault for not knowing right from wrong? On another (unrelated) tangent, this idea reminds me a bit of the debait between abortions in this country. Should a person be brought into the world if the person who should he raising them doesn't want them? I suppose this is a bit different because Frankenstien actually wanted to bring this creature into the world, but didn't understand the conveniences of his decision until it was too late, just a thought.
DeleteI partially agree with you and disagree. I agree when you said that if the creature did end up killing William that it would be his fault. Like in today's society kids with abandonment issues act out as a coping mechanism and a way to take out their anger on something else. However I disagree with when you said that he has the mind of a baby because while speaking to Frankenstein about the night he was "born" persay, he said "I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch"(106). This shows that he automatically was thinking with an adult mind(hence the adult brain) because a baby would not be thinking about how miserable they are the day they were born.
DeleteI agree with your idea on how Frankenstein feels guilty for the death of his brother because it was indeed his fault that the creature reacted in the way he did. If Frankenstein wouldn't have abandoned him as soon as he saw him and instead, actually tried to get to know what he created, they would've had a stronger relationship. If they had a strong relationship, the creature wouldn't have had any reason for vengeance against Frankenstein.
DeleteI was thinking the same exact thing as you while I was reading. Frakenstein doesn't realize that what he does and says to the creature or towards the creature, is taken into thought and that the creature has actual feelings. He thinks that by avoiding the creature, he will fly by without the creature thinking towards it because it has no one else to look up to. Everyone else it has come face to face with has probably been horrified, and he thought since Frankenstein was considered his father, he should help him and walk him through everything in life.
DeleteI agree with you as well Jennifer, If only Frankenstein had given the Creature a chance after it's creation, then maybe the death of William might have been evaded. With stronger communication in between the creator and creation or possibly parent and child, as some might consider, the two parties could have very well gotten things done, instead of wanting to destroy his creation, Frankenstein might in turn have wanted to protect his creation/child, as any parent/creator would.
Delete"Ruined castles hanging in the precipices of piny mountains; the impetuous Arve, and cottages every here and there peeping forth among the trees, formed a scene of singular beauty" (97)
ReplyDeleteI think that is quote was a very clear example of romanticism in Frankenstein. From the way that this view is depicted, we can assume that this scene that we discussed in class, the image showing doctor Frankenstein looking over a great valley with his back pointed towards us. What I think this romanticised passage is try to convey is how being with nature can relive the stresses of the world, two paragraphs before this one, Frankenstein was falling into despair because of the murders that he holds himself accountable for. However, this part of the book seems much more calm, and serine than the other parts, at least, certainly the parts that we have just read. I think that even though the message is smaller now, and that the main focus of the book is on Frankenstein's internal turmoil, that later on in the book, this idea of connecting with nature to relief stress will come up again later.
I also agree, and I think that this follows one of the more main ideas of Frankenstein - that after man is done nature takes its place, and that the ruined castles will soon fade to the glory of the peaks. This could also go along with how Frankenstein "desecrates" nature in a sense, as he not only does the deplorable by violating graves and creating this creature, but he ruins a part of nature; of how the cycle of life runs its course and the creature just breaks it in general.
Delete"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" (103)
ReplyDeleteThe creature here is disappointed in the lack of pride that Victor feels for him. The creature compares Frankenstein to God, and at the least, Frankenstein should be playing the role of a father figure. The creature then compares himself to a fallen angel, who is deprived of happiness for no valid reason. He is trying to show Frankenstein that he is utterly alone, and that he has no chance of being happy because of the way he was made. It is Frankenstein's fault that the creature killed William, but not simply because he created the creature. It is because Frankenstein left the creature alone to suffer in the real world without any guidance or support, and faith in mankind. In the past months, Frankenstein has been dealing with the conflict of man vs. himself. This has made him selfish, and has made him drift away from his family into darkness. He tries to make himself feel better by claiming that he has some sympathy left and will not kill himself because his family would not bear it. Also, Frankenstein had created this creature because he was overly confident in his discoveries and he wanted to play the role of God. If he had not been so selfish, he would not have been in this situation. If he had been thinking about the emotions of others, especially that of the creature, he would not have been in this situation.
I agree. The creature does not understand the reason for Frankenstein's hatred towards him. The creature state he could have been Adam and disobeyed his creature but instead he is a "fallen angel", someone good but cause or led to evil. Frankenstein abandoning the creature based on his ugliness, which he did not bring upon himself, caused him to be deprived of any happiness. I also agree that Frankenstein is selfish which result in him fighting with himself. He does not take responsibility for his creation leading to it becoming a monster and also portraying him to be a monster.
DeleteI agree. I think that Frankenstein continues to emphasize how he is disappointed with Frankenstein when really he is trying to express how he is unhappy with himself. Frankenstein invested so much time and effort into making this creature during a time when he felt sadness and isolation so it's shocks me that he thought this creature was going to be more than just a scary destructive being. Also I don't understand why Victor looks down upon the monster as inferior to him because the creature is a reflection of himself. He is an 8 ft tall being made from dead body parts, did he truly believe that this creature was just going to be loved by everyone?
Delete"...often I say, I was tempted to plunge into the silent lake, that the waters might close over me and my calamities forever" (94).
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stood out to me because it portrays how Victor regrets his decision on creating the creature and letting Justine Moritz die for what he believes, the creature did. After Justine died, he is overwhelmed with grief and sorrow because he was a coward and did not openly admit that he believed his creation was the one that killed his brother, William. However, the aspect of guilt is taking control of his life and he wants to escape from this life. I believe that Victor regrets creating this monster and he is unable to handle the fact that Justine is now deceased partially because of him. The amount of grief and pressure he is being put through to outwardly tell the truth is difficult for him. All Frankenstein craved for was success and praise which he thought he could gain from creating this creature. Yet when he was able to create a human, or more of a monster, from items found in a grave yard, he is disappointed. The only reason he is disheartened by this is because the creature did not reach his standard of beauty. The idea of suicide is also coming into play here. He would rather die than fix his problems. Plus, the only thing keeping him from committing suicide is his family; Elizabeth and his father. Even though Frankenstein believes that it is his fault for killing Justine, we must also think of how he let his new creation loose into the world without his creator helping him. Mary Shelley often uses this idea of life and death to show that life can be taken away very easily, especially by Victor who was ready to leave his creation into the open and not take responsibility for it.
I agree that this quote shows that Frankenstein regrets his decision, but to me it also shows how Frankenstein still seems to have a lack of recognition for how his actions will affect the world as a whole. If Frankenstein simply lets the waters "close over" him, then no one will ever find out the truth about who murdered William, and Justine will still be blamed for it even in death. Furthermore, the creature would still be running around, maybe wishing to have more revenge or cause even more death, and everyone would be clueless without Frankenstein's help. I also think that Mary Shelley is using this as a way to show that science and Rationalists as a whole didn't (or maybe still don't) think about how their findings and creations can affect the whole world and not themselves. I think that this was her way of pointing out (what she thought was) their selfishness and lack of regard for the longer term effects.
DeleteI agree with both of your responses especially about the significance of Frankenstein's creature being made from the graveyard. Previous to creating the monster, Frankenstein's close interest in the studies of physical science and life and death are what inspired him to bring a human back to life. He had such high ambition and must have had a lot of close encounters with death in the graveyard as well as while assembling all of these body parts to make the actual creature. Since he had such high hopes that this creature would be a positive in his life, death must not have been associated as a bad thing in his mind. However, with the death of Justine and William, and the guilt he felt as well as the sorrow for his loss, death brought negative and dark thoughts into his mind. Frankenstein took this to such a personal extreme that he considered ending his own life. All the guilt and heavy emotions that have come into his life since the creature came into existence have sparked the idea of suicide in his mind, which in reality would only add to existing troubles, by continuing the chain of deaths.
Delete‘“Have I not suffered enough, that you seek to increase my misery?...Remember, thou hast made me more powerful than thyself; my height is superior to thine, my joints more supple. But I will not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee. I am thy creature... Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably. I was benevolent and good; misery made me fiend. Make me happy, and I shall be virtuous”’ (102-103).
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stood out to me because the reader learns how the creature became the monster. It also explores the idea that people are born good and their experience caused them to became evil. For the creature, he truly believed that he was human until he was seen as a “fiend” by others, causing him to become lonely. As a result, he internalized being a monster and took part in hateful actions like killing. This quote also stood out me because the creature still desires affection from Frankenstein even though he is the source of his misery. His creator, who should have protected and taken responsibility for him, abandoned him leaving him exposed to hatred from the world. The creature is also aware that he is able to kill Frankenstein but he knows that will not put an end of his misery. He wants the happiness that he is surrounded by and believe that the first to happiness and becoming good again is to receive love from his creature, Frankenstein. The creature also seems to take part in hateful actions to get attention from Frankenstein. I believe that the creature is a lost child who is lonely and seeks guidance and love.
I completely agree with you and I think the reason why the creature decides not to hurt Frankenstein is because he believes that Frankenstein is the only one capable of taking care of him and loving him since Frankenstein is the creator and all other humans are scared of him. That's also interesting because it shows more about how Frankenstein and the creature are similar and how they both have a deep need for love and acceptance.
DeleteI agree with both you (Sali) and Siri ,Victor is the only one who can see him for something more than a creature and more the a monster when he looks at the creature ,I also find it really interesting how instead of the monster being a stereotypical “monster” and being mean, ruthless and an-understanding(not sure if that is a word) he is calm and nice and sweet but victor on the other hand is mean and ruthless in terms of understanding the monster position. I am wondering why Mary Shelley made that contrasts.
DeleteI completely agree with you guys because the creature is definitely seeking love and acceptance. Not only does the creature want to be accepted by Frankenstein, but by the rest of society as well. The creature states, "You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures" (103). Nonetheless, the creature feels that without his acceptance, he will remain perceived as a monster. I agree with the fact that in reality, the creature is a lost child, seeking love.
DeleteI also agree and I think that since Victor does not accept the creature the way it is he wants to get Victors attention but I think the reason the creature does not kill Victor is to first make him suffer. I think that the creature wants to get Victors attention but at the same time he wants Victor to suffer since he did not help the creature in his life. The creature is lost in life and needed help from Victor to guide him in life but since he did not help him the creature has a lot of hate toward Victor and will continue destroy him slowly by killing people. Until Victor does not tell his family and people that he created this horrible creature he will have to suffer.
Delete"...should I by my base desertion leave them exposed and unprotected to the malice of the fiend whom I had let loose among them?" (96).
ReplyDeleteThis quote stands out to me because after Frankenstein contemplates suicide, he refrains from it by thinking about the effects it would have on those who he cares for. He also tends to run away from his troubles, often. For example, when he first created the creature, Frankenstein "escaped and rushed downstairs" because he was frightened by the beast that was in front of him (59). After Justine's conviction, Frankenstein felt guilty and wanted to take his own life away. By doing this, he would also be running from his problems (95). Frankenstein tends to flee from his problems, however this quote shows us that he decided to stay and deal with the problems his creation will cause.
"'One day...I found a fire...and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce such opposite effects!'" (107)
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it really illustrated the similarities between Frankenstein and his creature. In this instance, the creature is a symbol of Frankenstein and the fire is a symbol of Frankenstein's original idea of the creature (and then the reality that occurred afterwards). Both Frankenstein and his creature are amazed by the beauty and warmth of something. For the creature, it is a fire, something that keeps him warm and alive at night. However, for Frankenstein it is the beauty that he sees in Elizabeth (a being he was told was "his") and the love that she provides for him. Both Frankenstein and his creature want a way to be able to further this joy and wonder they have at such beautiful and amazing things, so they both try to grasp or control it to use it to their advantage. This causes them to be burned. The creature actually gets burned and experiences the pain from that, while Frankenstein is shocked and pained by the "horror" that he thinks he has created in this "monster" that was supposed to be beautiful and aid him. Frankenstein and the creature are both shocked that something they thought was beautiful could so easily be turned evil or painful when they try to control it.
I really agree with you. I think you could connect the fact that the creature was amazed by the initial creation of the fire, but then ended up being burned, to Frankenstein's initial focus and interest in creation a human life, but then ending up wanting to 'distinguish the flame.' I think that Mary Shelley purposefully made lots of parallels from Frankenstein to the creature. For example, The creature was fascinated by the blonde woman who lives in the hut, and Frankenstein loves Elizabeth. The blonde woman and Elizabeth are described in similar ways, showing that Frankenstein and the creature have similar interests, and have more in common that Frankenstein dares to admit. I guess it is human nature to detach yourself from something seemingly inhumane, and yet Mary shelley is saying that at the core, they are actually pretty similar.
DeleteI definitely agree, this quote stood out to me a lot. However, my take on it was of a far more fundamental nature. I read it as the creature discovering the function of life and nature, and by result death. That life is the irrevocable cause of all, and with that life the affect may be again more life, but always death. In such a simple example as the benefits and detriments of fire, it's easy to see how Frankenstein is playing with these fundamental rules of cause and affect. He's playing with the innate function of nature. The relationship between man and nature, life and death, is a reckoning, a fragile balance. I think this anecdote is one of many, wherein Shelly is portraying this balance, and how it may be understood but not upset.
Delete"Why do you call to my remembrance," I rejoined, "circumstances, of which I shudder to reflect, that I have been the miserable origin and author? Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in which you first saw light! Cursed (although I curse myself) be the hands that formed you! You have made me wretched beyond expression. You have left me no power to consider whether I am just to you or not. Begone! relieve me from the sight of your detested form."(pg90 in my book)
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because for the first time we see (as the readers) see the true feeling of victor towards the creature “Cursed be the day, abhorred devil, in which you first saw light” he hates him with a burning passion. I mean we we see the hatred before hand when he admits to himself that creature kill William and in turn killed Justine but , this wasn't the type of hatred that is shown here in this part of the novel.Victor show hatred, fear and most of all self blame “Cursed (although I curse myself) be the hands that formed you!” which is great (well not great) he is finally starts looking at himself for the reason of the culture being the cause of the death of William and Justine , but sadly then he blames the creature for the way that he is feeling towards him which in all actuality it is his fault which totally defeats the purpose of ever blaming himself .
-Nayah Ferris
""...I read in books or heard from others as tales of ancient days or imaginary evils; at least they were remote and more familiar to reason than to the imagination; but now misery has come home, and men appear to me as monsters thirsting for each other's blood." (95)
ReplyDeleteI find this interesting because we can see that Victor continues to express hatred towards the creature but it makes me question, is he quick to judge his creation because of the isolated, dark position he has been in for quite some time and his negative view towards humanity or because he is just disappointed in him? He says in this quote that he views all men as greedy beings who desire destroying one another. I don't think he really dislikes the creature because he is scary and possibly dangerous but rather because he no longer views the world as a place full of discovery and possibility after the death of Justine. The creature is a reflection of himself so why would he question the creatures choices if it's really himself. I believe Victor is not upset with what the creature turned out to be but rather humanity, and because of this he is using the creature as someone he can blame for this. Victor is pointing this hatred towards the creature because he knows that it's easier to blame a scary monster rather than himself.
I agree and I believe that the creature is a reflection of Frankenstein and how it is simpler to blame the monster than himself. I think that Frankenstein doesn't want to be blamed for everything that came after his creation because he cannot come to terms with it yet either. At the same time, despite the number of times he tries to convince himself that the creature is to blame, he knows that it is all ultimately "his" fault and if there is anyone to blame, it would be him. But, by making the creature seem "evil" and calling him the devil, it makes the creature believe that he is unworthy and won't be able to receive the affection he desires of any sort from anyone. It's sad because given Frankenstein inability to fully accept the creature, the creature remains to him as an unfamiliar evil and it disrupts any potential in creating a meaningful relationship/understanding one another.
Delete"You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me" (103).
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it demonstrates how lonely and unloved the creature feels. He feels despised by his own creator, which causes him to believe that everyone else will also hate him and perceive him as a monster. The creature simply wants to become a part of society but is constantly reminded that his own creator does not even want him alive. Not only does he seek for a place in society, but also acceptance among his creator. How will others accept him if his own creator doesn't? The creature continues to prove to Frankenstein that he is humane by telling his story, however it will be difficult for Frankenstein's perception on the creature to be altered because he has embedded into his mind that the creature has killed his brother and is a monster.
I completely agree with your response here. I also believe that the creature tries to fit into society however he is always rejected. For example, when the creature attempts to find shelter in several houses, the people living there are afraid and terrified of him and they run away. If we were in the creature's shoes, I'm sure we would all be disheartened. The creature is given life by this man, yet the creator himself is expressing his disgust for him instead of guiding and solacing him with kind words. I definitely agree with you on the part about how perhaps Frankenstein abhors his creation because he killed his dear brother and due to the creature, he is having to suffer with the guilt he feels for being a fatal cause of Justin Moritz's death. In my opinion, however, I see that the only reason people in the society dislike the creature is because of his appearance and how he is perceived in the standards of beauty. The creature is described to be eight foot tall and ugly so perhaps the people are not used to seeing these types of "monsters" in their everyday lives.
Delete"I had been the author of unalterable evils, and I lived in daily fear lest the monster whom I had created should perpetrate some new wickedness." (Page 95)
ReplyDeleteThis quote stands out to me because it shows that he is some what taking responsibility for his actions. At first he kind of refused to accept what a mistake he's made and tried to find every way out of telling the truth so he could (maybe) save Justine. Also, he thought one of the only ways of getting out of this situation was to drown himself in the lake "often, I say, I was tempted to plunge into the silent lake, that the waters might close over me and my calamities forever." (94) Victor thinks that his terrible mistake of creating the creature and causing extra chaos for everyone around him will never go away and he will be left with this feeling forever, but his escape is to just fall into the water and have it engulf him so he is away from his problems. Again this leads back to when he was just avoiding his duties of doing the right thing, he would juggle between the good and the bad. After thinking it through, though, he soon realizes that jumping into the lake would not benefit his friends and family around him from the creature he created. They would never know the truth nor be able to protect themselves from what's to come.
I disagree with you because I think that he is not stepping up he is really running away from this and trying to put it behind him. But as you have stated he chooses not to kill himself because he is thinking of his family. But as we have stated in class Frankenstein tries to rationalize he chooses and makes up reasons why he should no kill himself, and that is because he is a coward and cannot finish what he has started. I think that he feels more sorry for himself then the people that the monster is going after. That he thinks of his self as a higher power then the people. For example when he lets Justine die because of sounding like a fool and also his self image. That is what he was more concerned with then her life.
Delete"Often, I say, I was tempted to plunge into the silent lake, that the waters might close over me and my calamities forever. But I was restrained, when I thought of the heroic and suffering Elizabeth, whom I tenderly loved, and whose existence was bound up in mine. I thought also of my father and surviving brother: Should I by my base desertion leave them exposed and unprotected to the malice of the fiend whom I had let loose among them?"(94).
ReplyDeleteThis quote was very interesting to me because in this passage Frankenstein considers committing suicide, but then ends up piling a bunch of excuses for why he should not, at all, commit suicide. This in turn, relates to the execution of Justine, In which Frankenstein believes that the fault of both the deaths of his brother William as well as hers, was all because of the monster he had brought to life. He tends to stop himself from admitting full responsible of the deaths overall since he constantly uses excuses as well as reasons to sop him from doing so. This quote is overall interesting because of the fact that a person, who had a wonderful childhood, could very easily end up in shambles with death and sorrow.
I agree I am also confused why Frankenstein is so dark and sorrow when he and a very joyful childhood and was cared for. I also agree with the fact that he seems to make up excuses for things that are his fault. An example would be the execution of Justine, he knows that the creature did it but does not speak up because he is afraid of the public opinion of him. This just shows how Frankenstein is full of excuses for things that are of his fault.
Delete"We rest; a dream has power to poison sleep" (101)
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stood out to me because I feel like this has an exact correlation to what happened to Victor because he followed his dream. He worked so hard to fulfill this dream that he had of making a big impact in science but when he did, it didn't make him happy or bring light into his life, it destroyed him. When it says "the power to poison", I think this means that fulfilling something you want doesn't always go the way you hoped. Like how the creature killed William and lead to the death of Justine and now Victor is unable to sleep because he can't stop thinking that it is his fault. So literally, Victor's dream poisoned his sleep. Also the part when Victor says that knowing such powerful knowledge isn't good, this is sort of similar. It's similar in the way that even though you think having these goals or dreams in life are a great thing, and they are, but some of them are just too powerful to fulfill. This quote also symbolizes how things don't always go the way you seem, like how Victor created the creature thinking it would be beautiful, but when it finally was done, it wasn't beautiful but it was ugly.
I really liked how you connected this poem quote to Victor's experiences and I really agree with you that Victor's dream has poisoned his sleep. I also wanted to point out how the bias of romanticism is noticeable in the part of the novel. Mary Shelley is clearly warning against the power of knowledge because it can "poison one's sleep". Perhaps we are allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the romanticist bias of Mary Shelley, sometimes the power of knowledge can be liberating and can be the only way one can sleep in peace.
Delete"These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving. They elevated me from all littleness of feeling; and although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquilized it." (99)
ReplyDeleteThis quote represents a Romantics point of view by exploring the strong influence of nature. The deaths of William and Justine has taken such a strong mental toll on Frankenstein's conscience that nature is his only escape from the stress and guilt inside his own head. Romantics believed in the importance of nature on a person's soul and the spiritual healing this can provide, which is exactly represented in this quote. Frankenstein had hoped, while creating this monster, that it might be the scientific breakthrough that would make his family proud. But the consequences of abandoning this creature for two years have led to the deaths of two very dear people in his life, as well as the guilt that goes along with those deaths. The science of his creation is the view of the Rationalist side to Frankenstein, however the relief brought by nature proves that he is actually more of a Romantic. Although his concerns are only temporarily relieved, this small period of time allows Victor to straighten his thoughts and put his mind at ease, like the times before the creation came to life. Frankenstein is acting as a true Romantic by allowing his mind to return to a state of calm and to embrace the natural aspects of the world, even if that means side stepping real world problems for a night.
"One day, when i was oppressed by the cold, i found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with the delight at the warmth I experienced from it"
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stood out to me because the creature is reacting to love in a strange way to due him never having any. The creature is confused by the warmth of the fire and puts his hand into it. He does not now how it feels to get some sort of help so does not know how to react, he is also tampering with nature in a sense. This foreshadows the story of Frankenstein who tampers with nature, creates a creatures which will come back to hurt him, do to the lack of attention and love he has giving to it. The creature has a conscience of a little boy which was probably tampered with after being left alone all of its like by its creator, and by being considered a monster to the people. He also has no support in anyway so he believes all that he is told, of him being a monster, him being ugly and more
"Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?" (105)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is significant because it shows the creature as a person, and gives you compassion. Up until now, we have only heard about the creature from Frankenstein's view, and he made the creature seem like a horrible monster, and yet now we see that the creature is not inherently evil as we have been lead to believe. The creature did not choose to be scary looking, and he does not have the mind of a monster, but rather, the mind of a regular person. He must have internalized the effect that he has on people. When he tried to enter a cottage, he was met with horrified screams. People chased him and violently attacked him, and we must expect that when he is treated as a monster, he may begin to act like a monster. After seeing people's reactions to him, he quickly learned to avoid coming into contact with people. This is one short term example of the creature beginning to personify the snap judgements of him as a monster. When people in society are treated as if they are dangerous, or as if they are lesser than other people, they begin to embody these traits. The benevolence has been taken out of him because he has been treated as though he was simply a dangerous monster. Frankenstein was alone while he was creating the creature, and borne out of this is a creature destined to live in solitude and be shunned by people. The creature's basic deprival of human contact has tuned him into a killer.
I agree and it must be devastating to the creature to be treated this way because as we have learned he is no different then any other human in every way but appearance. He also may not just embody the persona because people treat him that way, but the constant disapproval expressed towards him may lead him to want to act in morally unjust ways because he feels the way he is treated is morally unjust.
DeleteI agree. I know for a fact that anyone that has been abandoned by someone who thought, even for a second, loved them, become a bit depressed. And the fact that he not only doesn't like him but makes rude remarks about his own creation, doesn't help. He is so new tot he world that he doesn't even know how to control his feelings. It is like a new born baby. They are always so nice and joyful and full of life no matter what the conditions, but once they start to grow up, even within the first year or two, they become depressed. No wonder kids have to go to therapy at such a young age. Its human nature.
Delete“I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so thoughtlessly bestowed” Pg. (56)
ReplyDeleteI picked this quote because I thought it was interesting that Frankenstein had created this life and then when it was finished he thought of it as a mistake and something that was ugly. But then again in this quote you can see that he regrets creating this monster. And that he thinks that he created this life without really thinking and you can see this where he saids “I had so thoughtlessly” that shows that he was not thinking. That he thinks of the monster not very highly, because he saids “extinguish” like his is a fire or something that does not really have meaning. That he does not want it to exist in the world anymore even though he created it and brought it to life as if a child.
I completely agree with you here, and just to branch out from that, I think that this is why Frankenstein feels so guilty when they blame the creature for the death of William. Frankenstein knows that he was the one who made the creature and if he hadn't, none of this would have happened and his brother would have still been alive. I also agree with you when you talk about how he thought bringing everything beautiful was going to make something extremely beautiful, but instead made things worse. I think that is meant to show the comparison between individually beautiful things and composed ugly things, meaning that some things can be beautiful on their own, but when you put them all together, they don't seem that way. This could also show the Romantic aspect of this by being an example of how when individuals are put together in a society, everyone becomes corrupt and the society diminishes.
DeleteI completely agree Eleanor. Frankenstein when creating this creature had a vision of perfection. He had imagined that this creature would be what any man would dream of being, strong, tall, and intimidating. Once he had realized that the appearance of this monster was not appealing to the human eye, he automatically wanted to end it's life. Now, he regrets creating this monster because of disappointment of it's look and even fear of how harmful it can be to him.I even recall Frankenstein running away from the creature when it stood. This proves that making the creature may have been a mistake for Frankenstein.
Delete"I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept."
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because it perfectly represents the innocence of the creature when he is first given life. He could not distinguish between his five senses, and the only feeling he could decipher was pain. When this creature was first given life, and blindly stumbled into the woods near Ingolstadt, he was not "good" or "evil". He did not know from right or wrong, but the only feeling he did know was abandonment. He was left alone to learn right from wrong by himself. When Frankenstein's creature was alone in those woods, he was not a monster; he was a being in his untouched "state of nature". It was only when Frankenstein's creature saw how other beings reacted to the sight of himself that he became a "monster". This is when he began to decipher between good and bad. He could infer from the reactions that his being generated, that somehow he was "bad". Frankenstein's creature was born with a blank state, a being that was easily influenced by the doings of other beings; thus he is not to blame entirely for the monstrosity of his actions, as he had no other choice but to be the "monster" that he became.
"all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude was my only consolation - deep, dark, deathlike solitude."(93)
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stood out to me because it shows how Frankenstein won't even try to be happy, he rather just be by himself, showing his melancholic side that we have seen a lot lately. Another thing that is interesting is that he feels this way all because he assumed that the creature killed William and he feels guilty for it(even though if it was the creature it would be Victor's fault). I understand that he is still greiving because his brother died however I think the main reason for him feeling this way is the creature. What I mean by this is that I think he knows that he was wrong to abandon something he created, knowing what it is capable of and knowing that if it were to be exposed to the wrong people or environment, who knows what it will do? Finally, it catches my attention that Frankenstein is feeling this way because later we get to see the creatures point of view and he is feeling depressed also, which is where I see a connection between them.
"Sleep fled from my eyes; I wandered like an evil spirit, for I had committed deeds of mischief beyond description horrible, and more, much more(I persuaded myself) was yet behind. Yet my heart overflowed with kindness, and the love of virtue."(92)
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me as it made me ask the question, "With creation comes kindness, an unwillingness, and how would it plague us? Is Frankenstein the human god, and is that what Frankenstein is witnessing in with in himself?
Only after reading this passage did I understand the true meaning behind the subtitle, "The Modern Prometheus", as it shows how both god or Prometheus could be imperfect, just as Frankenstein is imperfect in the book. This itself can lead one to the conclusion that explains away all the horrors of the world - that just as Dr.Frankenstein is imperfect - shunning the creature he made for his ugliness , for how it is different than what he desired. Maybe god, the creator of us all, made us off a whim, some romantic desire, but we came out differently? Although I am an agnostic, while reading this book I must ask myself the meaning behind this - that perhaps humanity is just a flawed creation run amuck.
I strongly agree with some of your points and i love the questions you are asking about the novel Sasha. Maybe we are put into this society to learn how to live with our flaws. Frankenstein does not seem to agree with this idea since he beats himself up over every mistake. I guess it is safe to say that humans want to strive for perfection, and this idea of perfection is what destroys us. Maybe God created us to push us to the best of our abilities and to create something of ourselves. Frankenstein has exceeded the expectations and created a human (taking the place of god) and is being punished for his actions. I do believe that humanity is just flawed in many ways and we need each other to figure out the flaws. This is the same with Frankenstein and the creature.
Delete" Nothing is more painful to the human mind than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows and deprives the soul as both hope and fear." (93)
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because i loved the way numbness was being described. Frankenstein explains how easy it is to fall into a deep sadness from a matter of events and how melancholy can go into numbness. The numbness deprives him of hope and fear. Victor is walking around the world in ignorance and is using his suppression of feelings to cope with reality.Victor claims he is unafraid because his whole life revolves around fear. It began with his mother’s death gradually, he grew afraid of what he became when he creates the creature. Victor is egotistic and eventually translates this fear of self into a fear of being found out. Loved ones are dying around him, but Victor cannot defend them without shaming himself. I want to connect this to the creature he created. The creature was alone for a while but found curiosity in everything and anything. It tried to feel a sensation of happiness and fought for it. On the other hand, Victor who has experienced life, does not make an effort to find a happiness that his won father tried to explain. This is very important because it shows the parallels between the two characters and how they cross each other. The creature is the projection of Frankenstein's alter ego. I feel as though the creature is like Frankenstein but a more improved and appreciated creature.
I completely agree with what you're saying! I feel that in a way Frankenstein is a selfish human being. He is constantly talking about how numb he is and how miserable his life is, yet he does not think about the other people around him. For example, when Justine was put in jail and sentenced to death, he still thought that his life was worse than hers! (pun intended- life// get it?) Also, I can't seem to shake the idea that he thought his life was bad and bound for failure after the creature came out ugly in appearance, yet he never took a moment to think about how the creature may have been coping in the unknown world by himself.
Delete“Before I had quitted your apartment on a sensation of cold, I had covered with some clothes, but these were insufficient to secure me from the dews of the night”(109).
ReplyDeleteThis quote intrigued me for multiple reasons. One was the immediate intelligence of the creature after he was first created he had the intuition to take clothes to prevent himself from being cold. This also shows how he has basic human feeling, for example; being able to feel “cold” and having a similar reaction to what any human would do when exposed to cold. I was also interested by the current state of the creature’s intelligence. Assuming that Frankenstein’s recounting is verbatim, the creature, in just two years, has amassed a strong vernacular and has a strong grasp of the English language. Besides its looks the creature is human and I even have trouble referring to it as a “creature”.
I agree, this is what I wrote about in my blog post. People tend to forget how intelligent the creature really is. But being labeled a creature causes any normal person to think harshly of him, and believe that he will only commit foul and cruel acts against people. It's wrong of people, and you can't help but feel bad for the creature, when he is intelligent and generally wants to conserve his life and be more kind.
Delete"But I will not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee. I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king if thou owest me. Oh, Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other an trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency and affection,is most due." (105)
ReplyDeleteThis passage really stood out to me and actually made me slightly emotional. As I read these words, I asked myself, how is it possible for the being that is seen as a monster and inhumane have more feelings than the human himself? Through these words the creature actually shows that he has respect for Frankenstein and in a way love as well. He is telling him that he is willing to make himself smaller although he is physically larger than Frankenstein, just to please him and respect him. He shows how thankful he is to Frankenstein by constantly saying that he is is creator and that he will never turn violence or bad actions towards him because he was the reason why is alive and he owes him for that. It makes me very sad that the creature has had to experience being beaten and chased out of town just because of is appearance because I could only imagine the affect that must have had on him especially wen he was in the unknown and just starting to learn. I feel tat the creature should be equally, if not more respected in society such as Frankenstein is.
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ReplyDelete"It was a lovely sight, even to me, poor wretch who had never beheld aught beautiful before... He raised her and smiled with such kindness and affection that I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature; they were a mixture of pain and pleasure, such as I had never before experienced..." (114)
ReplyDeleteI found that this quote demonstrated the creature's longing to feel. He talks about how he “returns” back to light only knowing light, darkness, hunger, thirst and the cold. Having to get around such feelings of hunger or the coldness on his own is a reminder of his loneliness. However, when he tries to make interactions with others, he is feared. The creature talks about how he soon expected the fear and disgusted reception from people, including his creator Frankenstein and therefore chose to find refuge hidden from humans. This demonstrates the shame and embarrassment he feels towards himself and the isolation and loneliness he is forced to feel. In the quote he talks about seeing a beautiful sight that he still found lovely despite not experiencing such feeling of beauty himself. It’s really sad because beauty brings both pain and pleasure to the creature because despite seeing the beauty in the world, he cannot find it in himself and he desires to do so. Witnessing kindness and affection pushes him to realize that he wants to experience that himself. The creature remembers a time when he was benevolent and in a sense, capable of receiving such affection. Perhaps he blames Frankenstein for creating him, a fallen angel, and stripping him of the opportunity to feel such affection again. And, perhaps part of him thanks Frankenstein for giving him the opportunity to witness such beauty in the world.
My original post deleted itself so that is why this one is late, sorry.
ReplyDelete"He easily eluded me, and said -
Be calm! I intreat you to hear me, before you give vent to your hatred on my devoted head. Have I not suffered enough, that you seek to increase my misery? Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it." (102) This quote stood out to me because it reminds the reader of the 'good' essence of the creature. People, and Frankenstein too, tend to forget that just because it is labeled 'creature' does not mean it is a foul monster who only commits sinful acts upon people. After all, the creature has a mind too, and can speak eloquently, and only wants to enjoy his life. This quote makes us remember that the creature used to be a good 'person' and generally means no harm. But its label of being called a creature makes people more prone to act as if it is cruel to all mankind. In the quote the creature explains how he only wants to live his life and wants to preserve it. Unfortunately, Frankenstein only lashes out at him, thinking he will commit some cruel act, again, because of his label of being a 'creature'. It is unfortunate for him in the story., to have a title that makes any person think wrong of him.
"As I said this I suddenly beheld the figure of a man, at some distance, advancing towards me with superhuman speed. He bonded over the cervices in the ice, among which I had walked with caution; his stature, also, as he approached, seemed to exceed that of a man"(104).
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me because it shows how even though Victor seems himself as a human, he compares himself to this "monster" several times showing the Romantic theme of loneliness. Victor has been constantly feeling melancholic and seeing this creature makes him start to finally see "a creature" as a human being. This whole time he has referred to everyone as "creatures" and "monsters" and for the first time he says that this monster looks like "a man" and seems to have "superhuman speed". All this shows that Victor could possibly not feel as melancholic and lonely as we perceive him to be. Even though, afterwards he yells at this creature to get away from him, his first impression is that this monster is stronger than him. This could possibly mean that Victor has a hidden perspective on how people really are. His subconscious knows that he is not doing the right thing by putting labels on people, but he does it anyway. Overall, this passage helped to reveal the inner way of thinking that Victor could possibly have.
" Be calm! I entreat you to hear me out before you give vent to your hatred on my devoted head. Have I not suffered enough, that you seek to increase my misery? Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it" (105).
ReplyDeleteThis quote stands out to me because it demonstrates that the creature is much different from an expected monster. For instance, when the creature was first created, he could only mumble noises and barely make out words. Now he can state a rich use of vocabulary that presents himself as sophisticated. Also, in this quote, the creature asks Frankenstein to listen to his story before he accuses him of murder. A "monster" is expected to make harmful actions without having to explain their reason for doing so. Instead, the creature wants Frankenstein to hear him out and present his argument first. In addition, he says that Frankenstein wants to increase his suffering and misery by killing him. This proves that the creature has went through some human-like emotions so far since humans face misery. Moreover, he says that he will defend his life. This implies that the creature actually values life and would not consider dying even though he has been through so much during the times he was lonely. The fear of death is an emotion all humans go through. The creature is beginning to change and going through things only humans do. Possibly, the creature is more human than Frankenstein intended on him being.
"Alas! Victor, when falsehood can look so like the truth, who can assure themselves of certain happiness?" (P.96)
ReplyDeleteI chose this passage because it speaks to me about honesty. It's basically challenging that if something isn't honest, or truthful, then it the feeling derived from it real, or just a false comfort? Are feelings of comfort and happiness only legitimate when there is truth behind them? Can no one be happy living a lie? How is Frankenstein living a lie? In a way, he's living with the guilt of Justine's death, knowing he could've prevented it had he not created the creature. I also ask myself, how, then, can Frankenstein achieve true happiness and comfort? Justine is already dead, the damage is already done. Is the truth itself a redeeming enough factor? I mean, if someone knows deep down, in their heart of hearts that what they are doing is right, even if it the opposite is apparent to others, is that person truly comfortable and happy?
"It was nearly noon by the time I arrived at the top of the ascent. For some time I sat upon the rock that overlooks the sea of ice. A mist that covered both the surrounding mountains." (103)
ReplyDeleteThis passage stood out to me because of the Romantic idea of nature and how nature is something far superior to civilization. The creature is feeling depressed in this section because of the fact that his nature, HUMAN NATURE, is not working, specifically, his 5 senses. Yet, he can go and find his place in nature, at the top of a mountain, and feel literally and figuratively, on top of the world. While, he does not actually say that it relieves him, one could assume so. It is just that his depression of being a monster and not near human, and his melancholic nature shrouds what he wants to say.
"I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature; they were a mixture of pain and pleasure, such as I had never before experienced, either from hunger or cold, warmth or food: and I withdrew from the window, unable to bear these emotions." (96)
ReplyDeleteThis was a thought the creature had after watching the father play "devine" music, then comfort his weeping daughter. It is a very important step for the creature, the first clear instance of compassion it feels, connection to "another" human being. It was yet to understand any sensation that was not a direct result of a benefit or detriment to oneself, it I was the first emotion that was not in his own self interest. In a way, it was the first confirmation of his inner humanity. Yet he was unable to bear them, without any guidance, there is only the instinct for self preservation, and feelings of compassion are foreign and confusing. Here we see that the creature has the capability of humanity, but no one to guide it out, and it is clear that the true monster is in the banishment of human being, forcing them to act only on their own needs, a manufactured reprobate. (vocabulkary)