Frankenstein (2nd half)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Victor’s Trial

After disposing of the female creature’s body parts, Victor falls asleep in a boat that drifts to Ireland. Upon his arrival, he is treated poorly and is not welcome by the inhabitants of the area in which he arrived. Victor has no idea why he is being treated like this. Everyone in the area believes that Victor is a murderer, and Victor is imprisoned and a trial is planned for him. Victor’s only advocate, Mr. Kirwin is going to help him with his case based on Victor’s reaction to the murder victim, his dearest friend Henry Clerval. “I gasped for breath’ and, throwing myself on the body, I exclaimed, ‘Have my murderous machinations deprived you also, my dearest Henry, of life?’ ”(Shelley, 129). Mr. Kirwin plays a vital role at this point in the novel because he was the only one to show Victor kindness. Without, Mr. Kirwin, Victor would have no chance of winning his trial. Victor was emotionally unstable and mentally unstable from the creature’s threat and the murder of his best friend. Moreover, Victor had been truly considering committing suicide to end his suffering. Victor was done with life and would not have the strength to make a case for himself in his trial without Mr. Kirwin.  

Frankenstein (2nd half)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The creature’s threat

After Victor decided to destroy the creation of the creature’s companion, the creature threatens Victor. “ ‘It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding night,’ ”(Shelley, 123). Victor believes that the creature plans to kill him on his wedding night. This threat is continually repeated after this point in the novel to convey how often Victor thinks about it. At first, Victor is fine with dying because it will put an end to his misery. In his thought process, however, Victor realizes that his death will cause Elizabeth, his future wife, misery. Victor concludes that his plan is to not go down without a fight for his life with the creature so that Elizabeth has a chance to be happy. Despite Victor’s carefully thought out plan, the creature does not intend to kill Victor. The creature plans to kill Elizabeth. The creature desires revenge and misery for Victor. Because the creature is completely alone, he wants to make Victor completely alone as well. The creature wants to impose the same misery he as felt with his loneliness and rejection upon Victor. Since Victor destroyed the creatures “bride,” the creature will destroy Victor’s bride.

Frankenstein (2nd half)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Theme

In the second half of Frankenstein, a subtle theme emerges from the interactions between Victor and the creature. Victor, the creator, starts his work with passion and verve. However, he becomes to immersed into his ideas and work, and it becomes unhealthy. Being the creator, one would think that Victor would have power and control over his work. On the contrary, his work changes from being something he loved into something that possessed him. In the second half of the novel, the roles are reversed, and the creature has power and control of the creator. Shelley expresses the theme of one’s job taking control of their life and wellbeing through diction referring to slavery. For example, “For an instant I dared to shake off my chains, and look around me with a free and lofty spirit; but the iron had eaten into my flesh, and I sank again, trembling and hopeless, into my miserable self,” (Shelley, 116). The creature or Victor’s work enslaves Victor with the threat of hurting his loved ones. Today, being immersed in one’s work can hurt his or her family and damage their relationship with them. Moreover, it can cause one to become separated and distant from his or her loved ones.

Frankenstein (2nd half)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Metaphor

On the way to Scotland, Henry and Victor sail through beautiful landscapes and magnificent scenes. For a brief moment, Victor enjoys the scene; however, his enjoyment ceases with Victor’s constant memory of the past and worry for the future. Shelley employs a metaphor that describes the source deep pain and torment Victor feels in his heart. “But I am a blasted tree; the bolt has entered my soul; and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what I shall soon cease to be—a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, pitiable to others and intolerable to myself,” (Shelley, 116-117). The bolt and the tree used in the metaphor references the lightning bolt that shredded the tree in the beginning of the novel. The shredded tree inspired Victor’s imagination to create the creature. The lightning bolt that struck the tree, struck into his soul, which conveys the burden that Victor bears with his creation. He has been shredded with misery and regret. His life is intolerable to himself. Multiple times Victor has contemplated committing suicide. His loved ones look down on him with pity and sadness trying to do whatever they can to help him. No matter what they do, their comfort and support will not ease Victor’s pain and worry from the creature.

Frankentstein (2nd half)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

While the creature inhabited the hovel, he learned to read. Through his new knowledge, he educated himself and was introduced to Adam and Eve. From then on, the creature recognized he had a creator who abandoned him. Shelly makes comparisons throughout the novel between the creation story and the creature. For example, “No Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone. I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator. But where was mine? He had abandoned me, and in the bitterness of my heart I cursed him,” (Shelley, 93-94). This passage in the novel reveals the creatures desire for a companion in his lonely state.  Moreover, it reveals the reason for some of the hate and vengeance the creature has towards Victor. How could the creature possibly live in happiness if his own creator abandoned him at the sight of his appearance? The comparison to Adam and Eve addresses Victor “playing God” by creating life. Shelley’s comparison also conveys the relationship the creature wants to have with his creator.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Foreshadowing

Multiple examples of foreshadowing exist in this novel. One example is through Victor’s inner thoughts and feelings towards his actions. “Thus spoke my prophetic soul, as, torn by remorse, horror, and despair, I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts,” (Shelley, 60). The quote saying “the first hapless victims” foreshadows that there will be more victims from Victor’s arts. Arts imply his creation, but it can also mean Victor himself. Victor is also capable of hurting others through his own actions or arts. The creature is not the only one to blame.

                Another example of foreshadowing is the recurring image of thunderstorms or weather related disasters. Every time there is a storm, the creature appears afterward. For example, the first thunderstorm inspired Victor to create the monster. There was a thunderstorm when Victor saw the creature in the spot where his brother was murdered. In addition, there was an avalanche disaster before he saw the creature in the Alps. Whenever there is a storm, we should expect Victor to encounter the creature.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Victor’s feelings toward the creature change as events begin to unfold with the murder of his brother. Before this event, Victor never imagined that the creature would hurt anyone. Moreover, he had a tremendous fear of it. In addition, Victor felt horrors and misery through his creation. When he did not see the creature in his room, he was relieved because he did not want to see the creature again. However, when his brother was murdered and he assumed the creature was the culprit, his mood towards his creation shifted. For example, “I wished to see him again, that I might wreak the utmost extent of abhorrence on his head, and avenge the deaths of William and Justine,” (Shelley, 62). Victor went from never wanting to see the creature again to wanting to encounter and confront the creature. Moreover, his feelings of regret and misery changed to feelings of anger and vengeance. Victor had a strong desire to destroy his own creation without even knowing its development and experiences in the world.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Theme

Victor finally encounters the creature he created in the Alps. Moreover, he lets the creature share his story and his encounters. During the tale, the creature shares a timeless theme that is applicable in today’s world. For example, “Yet why were these gentle beings unhappy? They possessed a delightful house (for such it was in my eyes) and every luxury; they had a fire to warm them when chill, and delicious viands when hungry; they were dressed in excellent clothes,” (Shelley, 77). The theme implied through this quote the creature shares is that how can we be unhappy with so many blessings and gifts around us. There are other people who have much less than we do, and yet, we still complain about what we do not have. The creature lives in a hovel and feels great joy and compassion from watching the family in their cottage. It is so thankful for the opportunity just to watch a family. The message is that we should be thankful for all the blessings and opportunities that have been bestowed upon us because there are many people who could only dream to have what we have.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
(1st half of the novel)
Aphorism

Victor Frankenstein offers a wise observation about how to know when a study is unhealthy for the human mind. For example, “If the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken you affections, and to destroy your taste for those simple pleasures in which no alloy can possibly mix, then that study is certainly unlawful, that is to say not befitting the human mind,” (Shelley, 34). This lesson applies to today’s world, and Mary Shelley even includes historical and literary examples of where this can be applied. She uses the examples of the too rapid discovery of the Americas and the destruction of the empires of Mexico. This aphorism applies to individuals as well in the modern world and especially Victor Frankenstein. He became so obsessed with his desire to create life from nonliving body parts that he lost his sanity and appreciation for the world around him. An example of this desire weakening his affections is Victor never writing to his family despite their wishes to hear from him. This caused Victor to become increasingly distant from the people he loved. The question to this aphorism lies within human nature. Does man have the power to turn away from their desires even if they are terribly close to reaching their dream even if doing this will inflict harm?

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
(1st half of novel)
Characterization

In the beginning of the novel, Mary Shelley uses characterization to convey the workings of the two central characters within this frame story. Because characterization is often employed in the first part of the novel, knowing the interworking’s of the characters mind and their personality is essential in understanding the novel. The characterization of Victor Frankenstein starts before his background is revealed while he is on the ship with Walton. “ ‘Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also the intoxicating draught? Hear me, —let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!’ ”(Shelley, 12). Although this quote does not explicitly define any characteristics of either Walton or Victor, this quote reveals that they have a similarity. Before this excerpt, Walton talks to Victor about his thirst for knowledge. “How gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise,” (Shelley, 11). Walton has a desire to discover something no man has come upon and to gain glory through his discovery. In the previous excerpt, Victor expresses relation to Walton’s desire for discovery. Through this early characterization, we see that Victor and Walton have key characteristics that are similar to each other. The tale that Victor will tell Walton will serve as a warning to prevent Walton from becoming too drunk with the desire to discover, gain knowledge, and attain glory.

"APO 96225"

“APO 96225” by Larry Rottmann

Question #2

                The American public did not know what was going on in the Vietnam War. People longed to find the truth. “ ‘We’re quite concerned. Tell us what it’s really like,’ ”(Rottmann). The young man’s mother reflects the attitude of the American people because they wanted to know what it was really like. American’s were not supportive of the war. When Americans heard negative things, their support for the war declined. Because of the poor support, government authorities felt the need not to reveal the truth of what was happening in Vietnam. When the young man finally writes the truth to his mother, she becomes upset. This reflects that attitude of  Americans because they only want to receive positive news about the war despite wanting to know the truth. The attitude of the American public was ironic because they wanted to know the truth, but they had high expectations. When they heard something negative about the war, they decided that they did not want to hear it.

"Much Madness is divinest Sense"

“Much Madness is divinest Sense” by Emily Dickinson

                This poem presents a paradox of insanity is good sense and that good sense is insane. Dickinson mentions a majority, which takes what is insane and sane into a narrower perspective. “Tis the Majority in this , as All prevail—assent—and you are sane—demur—you’re straightway dangerous,” (Dickinson). This excerpt describes how someone is perceived as sane or insane. If one disagrees with the majority because they are sticking to their beliefs, the public will see them as insane. This aligns with the paradox that insanity is good sense. One may be considered insane by the majority, but they know their beliefs and are not willing to surrender those beliefs just because the majority disagrees with those beliefs. If one agrees with the majority, they have good sense and are sane. This message correlates with the paradox that good sense is insane. Just because the majority thinks something is right or good, does not mean it is. By agreeing with the majority, one is insane because they are submerging themselves to the rules of the majority and not their own beliefs.

"I felt a Funeral, in my Brain"

“I felt a Funeral, in my Brain” by Emily Dickinson

                Imagery is a primary literary technique in this poem by Emily Dickinson. Even in the title, the use of the word felt projects that this poem contains imagery. Dickinson uses imagery to describe how her mind is feeling and to describe a funeral service. “Kept beating—beating—till I thought my mind was going numb,” (Dickinson). This excerpt from the poem is an example of Dickinson using imagery to describe her brain and not the funeral. Many times when we are in deep thought our brain will seem those same Boots of Lead,” (Dickinson). In this excerpt, Dickinson employs imagery to describe the funeral and not her brain. The imagery describes the sounds of lifting the box and marching it out of the service. The point of view is from what the person inside the coffin would hear because the speaker mentions heavens and things being solitary. For example, “And I dropped down, and down,” (Dickinson). This line could describe the body being buried down into the earth.

"Miss Brill"

“Miss Brill” by Katherine Mansfield

                In “Miss Brill,” Mansfield utilizes simile’s throughout the story. The simile that captured my attention was when Miss Brill compared the scene that she went to every Sunday to a play. “How she loved sitting here, watching it all! It was like a play. It was exactly like a play,” (Mansfield, 184). Miss Brill’s thoughts continued on from this simile to the point she believed she was an actress. This comparison made Miss Brill even more excited to sit on a bench and watch people every Sunday. She compares the young couple she sees to a hero and heroine. Moreover, Miss Brill comes every Sunday at the same time to “perform” on time. Her devoted interest to her “play” could be from longing to be a part of something. Because she is alienated, Miss Brill feels a longing to be involved in some way. Her only friend is her piece of fur.

"Bartelby, the Scrivner"

“Bartelby, the Scrivner” by Herman Melville

                Bartelby’s behavior is unusual and bizarre. I wish I could tell my superiors “I would prefer not to!” like Bartelby did. The reasons for Bartelby’s behavior are not certain; however, there are segments in the short story that provide clues to why he behaves the way he does. One possibility could be that Bartelby is autistic. He challenges to connect on a social level. For example, he does not react when his coworkers are mocking and threatening him. He also never initiates a conversation. Another possibility for his behavior could be what he did at his previous job. “What I saw that morning persuaded me that the scrivener was the victim of innate and incurable disorder. I might give alms to his body, but his body did not pain him; it was his soul that suffered, and his soul I could not reach,” (Melville, 658). Working at the Dead Letter Office could have caused his soul to suffer. An example of Bartelby having a bland and blank soul is him just staring at a wall outside the window. His boss finds him doing this in many instances. Bartelby’s soul could be hurt and suffering and it cannot be fixed.