...Examine some of the ways Gothic horror is presented in Frankenstein showing how your understanding of Mary Shelley’s techniques has been illuminated by your reading of Poe’s short stories Firstly, Shelley uses the setting of her novel in order to create an unsettling atmosphere in various chapters. Factors such as time, weather and architecture all play an important role in bringing horror to life in both Frankenstein and Poe’s short stories. Mary Shelley aligns Victor with the Romantic Movement, which emphasised a turn to nature for experiences like hope and happiness. The natural world has notable effects on Victor’s mood. He is moved and happy in the presence of the scenic beauty of Switzerland. In return this also reminds Victor of his guilt, shame and regret. “The rain depressed me; my old feelings recurred, and I was miserable”. This enables the weather to foreshadow Victor’s emotions throughout the novel. The theme of nature also reappears in the monster’s narrative. Whereas Victor seeks the high cold hard world of the Alps for comfort, as if to freeze his guilt, the monster finds solace in the soft colours of a spring time forest. This symbolises his desire to reveal himself to the world and interact with others. The architecture of the early nineteenth century was typically gothic and of a medieval revival style. It is this gloomy and frightening scenery, which sets the scene for what the audience should expect. Likewise, Poe uses the setting to convey...
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...theme in the novel Frankenstein. This theme is most evident in the main character Victor Frankenstein. He suffers because of his pursuit of knowledge and his creation ultimately destroys his life. As the novel progresses the creature begins to change as he gains knowledge. The creature at the start is innocent and means no harm. As he gains knowledge, however, he begins to learn that he does not fit in and becomes angry. We will take a closer look at how knowledge hurts these characters throughout the novel. The knowledge that Victor is pursuing and the knowledge the creature is pursuing have fundamental differences. Victor is working to try to figure out how to cheat death. This knowledge pushes the limit of what is accepted by society. This project is an unknown realm of science and the possible consequences of success are a mystery. Victor becomes so involved with the idea, however, that he fails to consider possible consequences. Creating a menace to society had not crossed his mind. His creature is at a different intellectual level. The creature does not understand the language of humans or how human society is structured. He observes and studies human behaviors and interactions. He learns the language and more about how humans work. He is surprised about what he learns and is angered by it. The creature is not accepted in human society, and his knowledge of this changes his personality into an angry outcast seeking revenge. Mary Shelly writes Victor’s story from the point...
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...Introduction: Frankenstein or (the Modern Prometheus) known as the first science-fiction novel written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, at the age of 21, the widely famous novel was published in 1818. Although serving as the basis for the Western horror story and the inspiration for numerous movies in the 20th century, the book Frankenstein is much more than pop fiction. The story explores philosophical themes and challenges Romantic ideals about the beauty and goodness of nature. But what’s the difference between Frankenstein the story and the film? About the novel (Frankenstein): This novel functions on symbolic many levels such as Frankenstein’s monster symbolize the coming of industrialization to Europe also the destruction and the death...
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...Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Key facts full title · Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus author · Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley type of work · Novel genre · Gothic science fiction language · English time and place written · Switzerland, 1816, and London, 1816–1817 date of first publication · January 1, 1818 publisher · Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones narrator · The primary narrator is Robert Walton, who, in his letters, quotes Victor Frankenstein’s first-person narrative at length; Victor, in turn, quotes the monster’s first-person narrative; in addition, the lesser characters Elizabeth Lavenza and Alphonse Frankenstein narrate parts of the story through their letters to Victor. climax · The murder of Elizabeth Lavenza on the night of her wedding to Victor Frankenstein in Chapter 23 protagonist · Victor Frankenstein antagonist · Frankenstein’s monster setting (time) · Eighteenth century setting (place) · Geneva; the Swiss Alps; Ingolstadt; England and Scotland; the northern ice point of view · The point of view shifts with the narration, from Robert Walton to Victor Frankenstein to Frankenstein’s monster, then back to Walton, with a few digressions in the form of letters from Elizabeth Lavenza and Alphonse Frankenstein. falling action · After the murder of Elizabeth Lavenza, when Victor Frankenstein chases the monster to the northern ice, is rescued by Robert Walton, narrates his story, and dies tense · Past foreshadowing · Ubiquitous—throughout...
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...The True Monster of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein The True Monster of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Science reaches its long tangles tentacles into our everyday life and existence, area’s that reach into such studies as the universe, the environment, animals, insects, and even the prehistoric dinosaurs. Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, who unwittingly creates a “monster” that counteracts with man and god’s view and control over the human condition. Victor’s monster becomes a constant threat to his way of life, the woman and family he so dearly treasures. Created as an experiment, only to be thrown into the human world like a day old sandwich is discarded into the trash. Never being taught the difference between right and wrong; the same as a mother snake would lay and keep an egg warm, only to leave it once it has hatched. The question is can the “monster” that is never given a name really be held accountable for his actions, or should the blame fall to his creator. It seems that Shelly is trying to display through her writings that when science is followed merely on the bases of discovery without thought to the affect that the experimentation can have we risk endangering everything that we hold dear. Frankenstein becomes totally enveloped by a sinister passion that fuels his intense desire to create life; an innocent curiosity that leads him to discover what he feels is his life’s purpose. He is so over taken by his quest that...
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...children, providing care, protection, companionship, socialization, and learning opportunities to their sons or daughters. Good fathers produce good kids who grow up to be productive members of society. On the other hand, children who are abandoned by their fathers often have low self-esteem, have issues establishing attachments with others, display deviant behaviors, and suffer from mental illness ("Father"). Mary Shelley's groundbreaking novel, Frankenstein, exemplifies how fathers abandoning their child, whether emotionally or physically, can affect their children in negative ways. Victor Frankenstein, the main character of the book who later creates the legendary monster, traces...
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...Frankenstein Notes ------------------------------------------------- Some Interesting Points * There is a chilling logic in the creature's arguments. Why should he not respond in kind to the way that he has been treated by both his maker, who should have cared for him and looked after him, and by mankind as a whole? If the creature is inhuman, it is only because he is imitating the inhumanity of the human species. Therefore, I think that the novel presents Victor as being more inhuman. * Victor is alien in his society in the way that he removes himself from others, for example when he goes about creating the daemon/creation. Victor is very secretive and seems to like it that way... he doesn't really try to understand people like the creation does. The creation tries again and again to belong in the community, its his greatest desire. With Victor, on the other hand, there seems to be a gulf between him and the rest of society. * Justine’s trial testifies to the inhumanity of man. What is important to note is the way this links in to a vital theme of the novel, which is the presentation of the creature himself. He starts off innocent and wanting a relationship with his maker. It is the way that he is shunned by his maker and by humanity and treated cruelly that forces him into cruelty, but this cruelty is only paralleled by the monstrous nature of humanity as displayed in incidents such as the trial of Justine. We cannot expect the creature to be good when...
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...FRANKENSTEIN Study Guide Homework: Please write your answers on separate paper. Letters 1-4 1. Who is writing Letter 1 (and all the letters)? Robert Walton 2. To whom is he writing? What is their relationship? Mrs. Saville, his sister 3. Where is Robert Walton when he writes Letter 1? Why is he there? What are his plans? St. Petersburg, Russia. He is hiring a crew for his ship. He intends to sail to the North Pole and discover magnetism. 4. What does Robert Walton tell us about himself? He is passionately committed to discovery and adventure. He wishes he had a friend with the same sensibilities and he says he is self-taught. 5. Where is Walton now? What do you think of Walton's question "What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man"? Walton is out to sea, sailing north. The quotation establishes the Romantic idea of the power of emotion over reason. 6. How much time has elapsed between Letter 3 and Letter 4? What "strange accident" has happened to the sailors? One month has lapsed. The accident is the ship is trapped in ice and fog. 7. Why does the man picked up by the ship say he is there? What shape is he in? The man says he is “seek[ing] one who fled from me” (11) and he asks which direction the ship is sailing. He is near death, weak and emaciated. 8. What sort of person does he seem to be? How does Walton respond to this man? The man remains silent and this creates a sense of mystery around him. Walton finds...
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...FRANKENSTEIN Study Guide Homework: Please write your answers on separate paper. Letters 1-4 1. Who is writing Letter 1 (and all the letters)? Robert Walton 2. To whom is he writing? What is their relationship? Mrs. Saville, his sister 3. Where is Robert Walton when he writes Letter 1? Why is he there? What are his plans? St. Petersburg, Russia. He is hiring a crew for his ship. He intends to sail to the North Pole and discover magnetism. 4. What does Robert Walton tell us about himself? He is passionately committed to discovery and adventure. He wishes he had a friend with the same sensibilities and he says he is self-taught. 5. Where is Walton now? What do you think of Walton's question "What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man"? Walton is out to sea, sailing north. The quotation establishes the Romantic idea of the power of emotion over reason. 6. How much time has elapsed between Letter 3 and Letter 4? What "strange accident" has happened to the sailors? One month has lapsed. The accident is the ship is trapped in ice and fog. 7. Why does the man picked up by the ship say he is there? What shape is he in? The man says he is “seek[ing] one who fled from me” (11) and he asks which direction the ship is sailing. He is near death, weak and emaciated. 8. What sort of person does he seem to be? How does Walton respond to this man? The man remains silent and this creates a sense of mystery around him. Walton finds...
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...FRANKENSTEIN Study Guide Homework: Please write your answers on separate paper. Letters 1-4 1. Who is writing Letter 1 (and all the letters)? Robert Walton 2. To whom is he writing? What is their relationship? Mrs. Saville, his sister 3. Where is Robert Walton when he writes Letter 1? Why is he there? What are his plans? St. Petersburg, Russia. He is hiring a crew for his ship. He intends to sail to the North Pole and discover magnetism. 4. What does Robert Walton tell us about himself? He is passionately committed to discovery and adventure. He wishes he had a friend with the same sensibilities and he says he is self-taught. 5. Where is Walton now? What do you think of Walton's question "What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man"? Walton is out to sea, sailing north. The quotation establishes the Romantic idea of the power of emotion over reason. 6. How much time has elapsed between Letter 3 and Letter 4? What "strange accident" has happened to the sailors? One month has lapsed. The accident is the ship is trapped in ice and fog. 7. Why does the man picked up by the ship say he is there? What shape is he in? The man says he is “seek[ing] one who fled from me” (11) and he asks which direction the ship is sailing. He is near death, weak and emaciated. 8. What sort of person does he seem to be? How does Walton respond to this man? The man remains silent and this creates a sense of mystery around him. Walton finds...
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...Victor Frankenstein decides to study that topic and devote his life and studies to creating artificial life. Actual artificial human beings were they can talk, breathe, eat, and everything else a regular human can do. So he travels to many graveyards looking for the perfect body pieces and internal organs. He finally pieces them together after sleepless nights... And it turns out to be horrifying monster. I am Frank Padron, this is Frank's Talk show and let's get into this topic. The first out of two main issues In this book are Victor versus Himself. Throughout the novel we witness many sides of Victor's behavior. This shows that the man is not stable in the first place. When Victor wants something, he obsesses about it without thinking...
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...In this novel Victor Frankenstein created a monster that he had grown to become afraid of. After the monster was created Victor left him, but when Frankenstein returned to his house the monster was gone. Victor Frankenstein becomes ill and his best friend Henry Clarval takes care of him. When Frankenstein becomes well again he goes home, but when he gets there he receives a letter that said that Elizabeth had got Scarlet Fever and Caroline Beafort took care of her, but as Elizabeth was getting better Caroline Beafort caught it and she died. After two years Frankenstein runs into the monster. The monster tells him everything that has happened in his life, but the monster wonted a female companion. Frankenstein said he was not going to do it. The monster tells him that if he didn’t do it he was going to kill others in his family. So Victor started to create the female, but he could not go thought with it. So he runs, but the monster eventually finds him and tell him that he was going to see him on his wedding night. Frankenstein is afraid to marry Elizabeth because the monster might kill her and he does. Frankenstein is so angry at this point that he wants to kill the monster, but the monster is so fast and so strong that he just plays with Frankenstein’s mind. The monster played with him so much that he lead Frankenstein all the way to the Artic where he eventually dies because he wasn’t eating right. In the Artic the monster also kills himself because he has no one to tease are...
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...In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein dedicates two years of his complete time and studies to a passion he has found; creating life. Victor thinks if he puts different body parts together he can form a human being and make life out of it. He imagines the creation is going to be some beautiful thing, but when his hard work and dedication finally come to life he learns it is not what he thought it was going to be. Victor, instead of being overwhelmed at the finishing and coming to life, is frightened and runs away at the sight of life in his creation. The ugliness in his creation causes him to run away, abandoning the new form of life. All throughout the story within a story, Victor is guilty of abandoning the creature causing emotional and physical distress on the creature, further causing other problems to Victor and the people around him....
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...If one gets neglected, then there is a chance that that person can become full of resentment and hate. That hate could infect the heart by causing it to darken to transform that person into a villain. Villains preform evil deeds full of strong hateful emotions that stemmed from a dramatic event that has happened to them. The last scene in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley illuminates the novel as a whole because it proves that villainous acts are formed from neglect. In the last scene, Victor is finishing up his life story to Walton. While Victor was telling his story, the creature was leering in the distance listing to everything that he said. Walton walked in on the creature after Victor died of illness and sees him hung over Victor’s body....
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...can a baby be considered a monster? Many might argue how an innocent newborn can be compared to something as gruesome as a monster. In the novel Frankenstein, author Mary Shelley, writes about a monster and its creator. The creator who was Victor Frankenstein, just like any person went to college and studied, natural philosophy, chemistry, and alchemy. Later on during his studies, he tries to figure out how to bring alive a body, that is cut from a dead persons’ corpse. After his creation, he becomes very overwhelmed and scared of such a horrid creature. After the creation, the monster brings nothing but sadness, sickness, and destruction into the life of Victor Frankenstein. Now, how can a child be considered a monster? And what led the monster to go bad. The monster had characteristics that were opposites of a child. The monster is said to be unlike a child because of its appearance and creation, lack of parental guidance and abandonment, and it became dangerous because of his rejection by his creator. The birth of a child in today’s society is perceived as a very memorable moment. The beauty of the child, the joy of the parent is what makes that moment more memorable. However, in Frankenstein, the birth of the monster is not what one would expect, to be a way a child is born. The monster that was created by Frankenstein took body parts from dead corpses and put it together to create the monster. This is totally the complete opposite of how a child is brought into...
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