"Scoffing devil! Again do I vow vengeance; again do I devote thee, miserable fiend, to torture and death." pg 152
If I had read this quote in an earlier chapter, I probably would have assumed it was the words of the monster. Although Victor has desperately wanted to undo his creation and all the consequences that came with it, I don't think there was ever a point in the story that he has been filled with such hatred as he is in the final chapter of the novel. I think after the deaths of his family, best friend, and wife Victor has had enough. But this time he doesn't turn delirious, he simply seeks revenge. The way in which he follows the monster's every move reminded me of the way the monster followed Victor around. It is almost like their roles reversed by the end of the story. Victor, as well as Monty, begin the story as such kind beings. However, the evil natures of humans such as jealousy, shallowness, and revenge overtake them both. For once, I actually really liked a story I read in class because I think this story has a lot of meaning behind it. Although it was clearly not realistic in any way, it revealed the characteristics of humans and how easy it is to succumb to them. One thing I didn't quite understand though is why the monster is so upset at seeing Victor's dead body. Monty spent most of his existence making Victor hate life so much that he would have preferred death. But at the end of the story Monty sort of feels sorry for him. I don't really get it.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Frankenstein: The Nature of the Monster
"I asked, it is true, for greater treasures than a little food or rest; I required kindness and sympathy; but I did not believe myself unworthy of it." Pg 94
Alright, so this wasn't as sad as Mr. Costello believed, but it was a little depressing. So, the whole time I am reading Frankenstein I have the image of the Halloween, creepy, zombie-like figure that everyone has seen. Therefore when reading this story I envisioned the monster.. or Monty.. to be an evil being. He obviously does not start out this was as we learned in the previous chapters. However, it isn't until chapter 15 where things really start to go bad. Monty explains that all he has really wanted is some companionship which he is constantly being denied. On of the worst scenes of the novel is the one in which Felix begins to beat Monty because he believes that he is evil. It is somewhat sad that simply because of his appearance he is feared not only by his creator, but by complete strangers as well. All he really wanted was a friend! But, since he was denied that (on multiple occasions) he becomes a creepy, obsessive, stalking murderer.
Alright, so this wasn't as sad as Mr. Costello believed, but it was a little depressing. So, the whole time I am reading Frankenstein I have the image of the Halloween, creepy, zombie-like figure that everyone has seen. Therefore when reading this story I envisioned the monster.. or Monty.. to be an evil being. He obviously does not start out this was as we learned in the previous chapters. However, it isn't until chapter 15 where things really start to go bad. Monty explains that all he has really wanted is some companionship which he is constantly being denied. On of the worst scenes of the novel is the one in which Felix begins to beat Monty because he believes that he is evil. It is somewhat sad that simply because of his appearance he is feared not only by his creator, but by complete strangers as well. All he really wanted was a friend! But, since he was denied that (on multiple occasions) he becomes a creepy, obsessive, stalking murderer.
Frankenstein: Parallelism
"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." pg 104
Early on in the novel the reader feels a sense of sympathy for Robert as well as Victor. Robert, while writing letters to his beloved sister, mentions that he so desperately desires a friend in which he can confide in and share stories with. All he wants is a BFF. Victor, when introduced to the story, describes his entire life as one of depression which is filled with long periods of loneliness and isolation from society. From early on in the story, the reader recognized the need of people to be around others and to communicate with others. I think that is why when Monty voices his sadness on being so alone, the reader is easily swayed to feel sympathetic towards him. I think that there is a lot of parallelism in these different situations. However, Robert and Victor have both brought this loneliness upon themselves. Monty however, has no control over his isolation from society. Even when he does his best to learn the De Lacey's language, they reject him. The author does a good job of making Monty in the likeness of a human. I think this is especially seen in the fact that after he tries to befriend people and realizes the shallow nature of them, he becomes extremely jealous of his creator. It is very natural for a person to feel jealous- and obviously Monty did when he realized Victor ripped up his only chance at having a lady friend and yet Victor was going to be married.
Early on in the novel the reader feels a sense of sympathy for Robert as well as Victor. Robert, while writing letters to his beloved sister, mentions that he so desperately desires a friend in which he can confide in and share stories with. All he wants is a BFF. Victor, when introduced to the story, describes his entire life as one of depression which is filled with long periods of loneliness and isolation from society. From early on in the story, the reader recognized the need of people to be around others and to communicate with others. I think that is why when Monty voices his sadness on being so alone, the reader is easily swayed to feel sympathetic towards him. I think that there is a lot of parallelism in these different situations. However, Robert and Victor have both brought this loneliness upon themselves. Monty however, has no control over his isolation from society. Even when he does his best to learn the De Lacey's language, they reject him. The author does a good job of making Monty in the likeness of a human. I think this is especially seen in the fact that after he tries to befriend people and realizes the shallow nature of them, he becomes extremely jealous of his creator. It is very natural for a person to feel jealous- and obviously Monty did when he realized Victor ripped up his only chance at having a lady friend and yet Victor was going to be married.
Frankenstein: Elizabeth
"I will be with you on your wedding night." pg 139
Thus far, Victor has expressed the immense amount of regret and stress that the monster has put upon him. The monster demands that Victor create a female creature so that he may also have someone to love and care for- just as humans do. Victor at first complies with this request. However, after awhile he begins to reconsider. The only concern Victor has is that of his dear cousin Elizabeth. Victor knows that she is likely to be the monster's next victim. However, he is not sure whether or not prolonging their marriage will change her fate. By now I believe that the monster will kill Elizabeth before the conclusion of the story. In her letter to Victor, Elizabeth expresses her sincere love for him. However, she informs Victor that if he does not feel the same way she does not want him to feel obligated to marry her because their arrangements had been made by their parents years before. I really did not think this story was scary at all. However, the scene in which the monster creeps up on Victor in his hut was pretty freaky. I think the scariest component of this whole story is the fear and uncertainty that Victor lives in. It would be agonizing to be unsure of the condition of someone you love especially to think that their life was in danger because of you.
Thus far, Victor has expressed the immense amount of regret and stress that the monster has put upon him. The monster demands that Victor create a female creature so that he may also have someone to love and care for- just as humans do. Victor at first complies with this request. However, after awhile he begins to reconsider. The only concern Victor has is that of his dear cousin Elizabeth. Victor knows that she is likely to be the monster's next victim. However, he is not sure whether or not prolonging their marriage will change her fate. By now I believe that the monster will kill Elizabeth before the conclusion of the story. In her letter to Victor, Elizabeth expresses her sincere love for him. However, she informs Victor that if he does not feel the same way she does not want him to feel obligated to marry her because their arrangements had been made by their parents years before. I really did not think this story was scary at all. However, the scene in which the monster creeps up on Victor in his hut was pretty freaky. I think the scariest component of this whole story is the fear and uncertainty that Victor lives in. It would be agonizing to be unsure of the condition of someone you love especially to think that their life was in danger because of you.
Frankenstein: Agonizing Fear and Guilt
"Why did I not die? More miserable than man ever was before, why did I not sink into forgetfulness and reest? Death snatches away many blooming children, the only hopes of their doating parents: how many brides and youthful lovers have been one day in the bloom of health and hope, and the next a pray for worms and the decay of the tomb! Of what materials was I made, that I could thus resist so many shocks, which, like the turning of the wheel, continually renewed the torture?" pg 130
Victor says this directly following the scene in which he finds he dearest friend, Henry Clerval, dead. Although Victor did not physically kill Clerval himself (as falsely accused by the native people), he feels yet again completely responsible for his death. Victor knew by the way that Clerval was murdered that it was by the monster. This, being the monster's third mrder, sends Victor into shock. He becomes so incoherent that the people living in the town declare him mad. He spends months locked up in prision where he has crazy dreams and outbursts of insanity. I believe one of the major messages of this story is the consequences of one's actions. Clearly the creation of the monster has not only affected Victor, but also the people he loves. In the above quote, Victor not only displays the regret he has from creating the monster, but also the physical, mental, and emotional stress it causes him. He is constantly living in fear and regret not knowing who will be next to die or when his next encounter with the creature will be. He goes as far to compare it to chinese water tourture (i think that's what it's called anyways).
Victor says this directly following the scene in which he finds he dearest friend, Henry Clerval, dead. Although Victor did not physically kill Clerval himself (as falsely accused by the native people), he feels yet again completely responsible for his death. Victor knew by the way that Clerval was murdered that it was by the monster. This, being the monster's third mrder, sends Victor into shock. He becomes so incoherent that the people living in the town declare him mad. He spends months locked up in prision where he has crazy dreams and outbursts of insanity. I believe one of the major messages of this story is the consequences of one's actions. Clearly the creation of the monster has not only affected Victor, but also the people he loves. In the above quote, Victor not only displays the regret he has from creating the monster, but also the physical, mental, and emotional stress it causes him. He is constantly living in fear and regret not knowing who will be next to die or when his next encounter with the creature will be. He goes as far to compare it to chinese water tourture (i think that's what it's called anyways).
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Frankenstein: The Monster's tale
"Listen to me Frankenstein. You accuse me of murder, and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature. Oh, praise the eternal justice of man! Yet I ask you not to spare me: listen to me; and then, if you can, and if you will, destroy the work of your hands." pg 69
So, in these last couple of chapters the tables sort of turn. Now, rather than feeling guilty for creating the monster, I think Victor starts to feel guilty for fearing him so. The next couple chapters are told from the monster's point of view (Gosh, I really wish it had a name so I didn't have to keep saying "the monster".. but whatever). The monster has become increasingly intelligent (which I find really hard to believe.. but okay). He has spent his days observing other people and trying to determine his place in society. He says, "By degrees I made a discovery of still greater moment. I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds". So, the monster, by watching this family learned to speak. The monster did not want to reveal himself until he had decided that he completely mastered their language. I did not really like the last couple chapters as much, when Frankenstein finds the monster because I feel like they are not that believable. Although interesting, they sort of took away from the "scary Frankenstein" that we have come to know from Halloween. However, it is pretty interesting that this monster, living on his own, has been able to learn so quickly. It reminded me of the cavemen the way he talked about his discovery of fire. Because the monster did not have anyone to teach him how to live, he had to learn everything on his own or by secretly observing others since he was too afraid to reveal himself to humans.
So, in these last couple of chapters the tables sort of turn. Now, rather than feeling guilty for creating the monster, I think Victor starts to feel guilty for fearing him so. The next couple chapters are told from the monster's point of view (Gosh, I really wish it had a name so I didn't have to keep saying "the monster".. but whatever). The monster has become increasingly intelligent (which I find really hard to believe.. but okay). He has spent his days observing other people and trying to determine his place in society. He says, "By degrees I made a discovery of still greater moment. I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds". So, the monster, by watching this family learned to speak. The monster did not want to reveal himself until he had decided that he completely mastered their language. I did not really like the last couple chapters as much, when Frankenstein finds the monster because I feel like they are not that believable. Although interesting, they sort of took away from the "scary Frankenstein" that we have come to know from Halloween. However, it is pretty interesting that this monster, living on his own, has been able to learn so quickly. It reminded me of the cavemen the way he talked about his discovery of fire. Because the monster did not have anyone to teach him how to live, he had to learn everything on his own or by secretly observing others since he was too afraid to reveal himself to humans.
Frankenstein: Fear of the Monster
"Two years had now nearly elapsed since the night on which he first received life, and was this his first crime?" pg 50.
This is when I really started to feel bad for Victor. At first when he describes the monster he has created I thought that maybe if he had actually taken the time to learn about and study it he might have discovered that he wasn't such a scary creature after all (he shoulda known!). I think what is the most frightening thing about him at first is the uncertainty and not knowing just what he is capable of. This quote really struck me because I had not thought about the possibility before. Victor allowed this eight foot monster to roam freely. It's obvious that Victor felt extreme remorse for what he had caused (especially since it was his own brother who died). However, what is the worst part of the whole incident is that he felt that it was his fault but he had no way of proving Justine's innocence. If he were to explain what he thought to be true, people would consider him crazy. However, I still do not understand why Justine is so nonchalant about the whole thing. She is described as appearing calm and collected in court even though the evidence against her seemed overwhelming. I felt like Elizabeth and Victor cared more about her innocence than she did. Regardless, it is terrible, especially for Victor, to believe that the monster is still lurking out there- able to kill again. Another quote I really liked that manifested Victor's fear and regret for what he had done was, "Alas! I had turned loose into the world a depraved wretch, whose delight was in carnage and misery; had he not murdered my brother?"
This is when I really started to feel bad for Victor. At first when he describes the monster he has created I thought that maybe if he had actually taken the time to learn about and study it he might have discovered that he wasn't such a scary creature after all (he shoulda known!). I think what is the most frightening thing about him at first is the uncertainty and not knowing just what he is capable of. This quote really struck me because I had not thought about the possibility before. Victor allowed this eight foot monster to roam freely. It's obvious that Victor felt extreme remorse for what he had caused (especially since it was his own brother who died). However, what is the worst part of the whole incident is that he felt that it was his fault but he had no way of proving Justine's innocence. If he were to explain what he thought to be true, people would consider him crazy. However, I still do not understand why Justine is so nonchalant about the whole thing. She is described as appearing calm and collected in court even though the evidence against her seemed overwhelming. I felt like Elizabeth and Victor cared more about her innocence than she did. Regardless, it is terrible, especially for Victor, to believe that the monster is still lurking out there- able to kill again. Another quote I really liked that manifested Victor's fear and regret for what he had done was, "Alas! I had turned loose into the world a depraved wretch, whose delight was in carnage and misery; had he not murdered my brother?"
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