...“To what extent do we feel sympathy for the creature when we first meet him?” The novel ‘Frankenstein’ is based upon a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who unnaturally brings life to the resemblance of a man (used up dead corpses) which ends unfavourably for Victor himself, and the town. Shelley wrote this novel to indirectly warn society/the reader of the seriosity of over ambition and not know where to stop at their own limits. The novel was Written by Mary Shelley, in the 1800’s. The story was originally developed from a nightmare she had whilst being in a group competeing to see who could concoct the best horror story, this invoved her husband (Percy Shelley) and friends. In Volume 2, Chapter 3, the reader eventually gis able to see how the Creature itself views life and what has occurred since the abandonment by it’s creator (Frankenstein). Sympathy is created by alliteration and/or sibilance: ‘senses saluted me’ This portrays how how everything is overwhelming to him, in a sense he is vulnerable; due to the fact it has just been ‘born’ and has now been abandoned, left to survive companionless, and detached from society. The repetition of the letter ‘s’ sounds rather dire and calamitous as he does not assimilate everything. This is an unknown environment for the Creature where, for him, anything can occur, by himself, or to him. This creates sympathy for the Creature as the reader knows it does not have the typical human attributes, and cannot look after himself, therefore...
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...How does Shelley present the creation of the creature in chapter 5 of Frankenstein? Shelley presents the creation of the creature in chapter 5 through the use of setting. There is a lack of light in chapter 5 ‘my candle was nearly burnt out’ this is important as light comes with the connotations of good and darkness comes with the association of something bad or sinister. The fact that Frankenstein is bringing the creature to life in darkness suggests that Frankenstein has transgressed against nature. His attempts to become a creator are against natural laws and therefore the setting is dark foreshadowing perhaps the darkness to come. Also words such as ‘extinguished’ suggest light going out perhaps in the sense of a lack of life or a hint at death. Shelley in chapter 5 uses contrasts to present the creation of the creature. Initially Frankenstein is seen crafting carefully the body parts of the creature his vision was of beauty ‘selected his features as beautiful’ which is why he specifically selected ‘ lustrous black and flowing’ ‘ teeth of a pearly whiteness,’. But the reality is a stark contrast to his vision ‘ugly … such a thing that even Dante couldn’t have conceived,”. The shocking contrast of Frankenstein’s vision and dreams opposed to reality show the reader this disappointment that he is feeling and the disheartening situation that he is in having put so much time and effort into it. ‘The beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart’...
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...Victor Frankenstein also proves that he is to blame for the Creature’s evil actions because, in the creation process, he never considers the thoughts and feelings of the Creature. The epigraph of Frankenstein which is from John Milton's work Paradise Lost perfectly describes the Creature’s feelings, stating that Did I request thee Maker from my clay, To mold me, Man, did I solicit thee, From the darkness to promote me (Shelley). John Milton’s Adam quote shows that Frankenstein never considers how the Monster will feel about being created so ugly, that he, in a sense, transforms the Creature into an evil monster. Just as Rousseau’s state of Nature Theory claims that as man gains power, he becomes corrupt. Victor gained the power to create another lifeform, that he forgot about consequences, thus leading to his downfall towards the end of the book. Along with this topic, Victor also never considers the fact that the Creature is partially human and therefore has human characteristics. The Creature demonstrates these characteristics when he asks Victor to make him a female companion because each character wants to have a partner to eliminate loneliness and misery. The Creature also displays several other human characteristics such as his sense of want towards the Delacey family when he explains his hopes that the family...
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...novel can be characterized in many different ways. The term doppelgänger is defined as a double to a living person and was first introduced in 1796. Since then has been further examined as a literary technique. Doppelgangers can show how a person wants to be or not to be, but sometimes a person is not able to rid themself of their worst self. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, (Topic) Victor has two doppelgängers, one being Clerval and the other being his creation (Argument) because the monster is an embodiment of his worse self who doesn't take responsibility and Clerval is his better self who lives without guilt, which is reflected in their relationship to nature, and view of self. (Reason) Victor Frankenstein...
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...In the novel Frankenstein, Victor infuses life within a motionless body with God’s power, not knowing that just as life was given, it can surely be taken away. Since a young child, Victor was fascinated by science, and highly influenced by alchemy nd the old science. “The raising of ghosts and devils was a promise liberally accorded by favorite authors, the fulfillment of which I must eagerly sought”.This was proof that Victor’s focus was on making the dead live again. His interest was sparked when Victor saw an oak tree get struck by lightning. Along with a visit from a natural philosopher, who influenced Victor to take upon the study of electricity and galvanism. From here, he started studying at the University of Ingolstadt as a student of chemistry. With the knowledge he received, Victor went on to pursue the secret of life. His obsession with the project turns Victor from a healthy, happily family...
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...In Chapter 24 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein decides to leave Geneva and its painful memories after his entire family is destroyed. After searching for the monster for months, Victor eventually runs into Robert Walton and tells him his story. At this point of the novel, Walton regains control of the narrative and continues to send letters to his sister, Margaret. He begins to tell his sister that he asked Frankenstein how to create a monster and bring it to life. To that, Victor replied “are you mad, my friend . . . or whither does your senseless curiosity lead you? Would you also create for yourself and the world a demoniacal enemy? Peace, peace! Learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own.” Victor’s outburst raises the question of whether or not knowledge is dangerous. Knowledge is in fact dangerous when it is either broad, or far beyond our need in life. “Such words, you may imagine, strongly excited my curiosity; but...
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...Nine English AEP Frankenstein/Science Fiction Essay (Reading and Writing Task) Topic: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is the Science Fiction text that allowed all other examples of the sub-genre to follow. Discuss this proposition with specific reference to the Drama Script and Film versions of the novel, along with any other relevant Science Fiction texts you have read or viewed. * Your essay should especially consider Shelley’s context and that of other writers you refer to, as well as your own context as a reader. * You should make specific reference to the texts you are discussing via both direct (quotations) and indirect (explanations) evidence. * Be sure to plan your response so that each paragraph has its own unified idea. A sample paragraph structure might look like the following: 1. Introduction – Thesis: e.g.: “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is the first text which uses scientific experimentation as the basis of its plot. In doing this, it paved the way for all Science Fiction which followed…” 2. Body P1 – Author context + sub-genre features – what changes have occurred over time as a result of context? Consider Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury 3. Body P2 – Discussion of Frankenstein 4. Body P3 – Discussion of other text e.g.: War of the Worlds (make some reference to Frankenstein as well) 5. Body P4 - Discussion of other text e.g.: There Will Come Soft Rains (make some reference to Frankenstein as well) 6. Body...
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...In Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, Shelley alludes to many other pieces of work such as Rime of the Ancient Mariner and biblical stories such as Paradise Lost constantly throughout the book. All of these allusions carry a compelling meaning between Frankenstein and the other literary work. Shelley’s reasoning for using various pieces of literature in her novel was to compare the characters in her novel to the other characters in the other works. The main characters in Shelley’s novel all portray other characters form the literary works in a way due to their actions and thinking. Frankenstein alludes to the literary works of Prometheus, Paradise Lost, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner to emphasize the certain actions that occur in the novel and how they are similar to the alluded works. All of these allusions provide insight to the actions of the characters and the characters in general. Many of the literary pieces alluded to in the novel are referenced by the protagonists in the story. In fact, the monster is taught how to speak by reading Paradise Lost, after stealing it and through this; he learns the concept of good and evil. The characters are aware of these works and realize that their actions are similar to those of the characters in the other literary works. All of the literary works deal with great tragedy but the protagonists in Frankenstein don’t seem to realize that even though they are acting a lot like the other characters in the literary...
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...Different, Yet so Alike In Marry Shelly’s novel Frankenstein she develops two different characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature also know as Dr. Frankenstein’s creation. Even though these two characters are not related nor do they look alike in any way, they have very distinct characteristics that make them so similar. Looking at just the surface it’s hard to see how it would be even possible to call them alike. However, after digging a little deeper it becomes easier to draw distinct parallels between the two characters. As these similarities connect them in a few ways the Creature begins to seem less like the actual monster. They are similar because of; their desire to learn, a love for nature, and a longing for revenge against their enemies; all these begin to blur the lines on who the actual Monster is, as Dr. Frankenstein begins to seem more evil. From the very start, both Dr. Frankenstein and his creation had a similar desire to learn. When Dr. Frankenstein was a young child he had an abnormal desire to learn. Surely, what ultimately led to his downfall. Beginning as just a child he was obsessed with reading books on alchemy, astrology, and pseudo-sciences. He came across a volume of Cornelius Agrippa’s books, which is what completely shaped his thinking of the world around him and his love for natural philosophy. This thirst for knowledge inspired him to go to a university to study science. During his studies he gained a lot of knowledge from his mentors and...
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...Shelley's Frankenstein as one of the most impressive and imaginative Gothic horror novels of all times. In the novel, Shelley managed to create one of the most phenomenal creatures in literary history: Frankenstein monster. The epistolary style that the author employs allows the reader to view the circumstances from varied viewpoints and draw conclusions from the plot and the characters. The book The plot has a variety of story-lines rolled into one. The main however is about a Doctor Victor Frankenstein who though born to a well-to-do and loving family, is over- ambitious and thirsts to prove himself. After achieving excelling academically, he designs a technique of creating life from a fusion of inanimate objects, dead bodies an animal parts. The doctor is not satisfied with achieving conventional feats but is determined to create a living being. It is this ambition that leads to the creation after years of painstaking work. It is this creation that leads to Victor's downfall. The creation is 8 feat tall and due to the use of human parts that do not march his massive size, is hideous. He is described as having watery yellow eyes, a withered, yellowish, translucent skin which barely conceals his muscular system and blood vessels. The only good aspects of his appearance are his perfect, white teeth, long black hair and his black lips. The doctor, who had hoped to create a beautiful being is shocked by his creation and flees the room immediately after realising how his creation...
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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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...Frankenstein exhibits the negative effects of what isolation can do to a person or character. There is three characters who contribute to Frankenstein’s overall theme of depression and isolation. More specifically, the three characters who appear as narrator's experience the greatest distress and isolation. Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and Frankenstein’s creation. Each of the three characters experience their heartache in different ways and for differing reasons, but they can all relate because of the problems they go through in the novel. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, three of the main characters experience isolation, which causes them emotional instability and depression that leads to their awful and distressful lives. Frankenstein’s...
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...The novel “Frankenstein,” written by Mary Shelly, is a horror story that depicts what happens when one man's desire for scientific discovery and immortality goes horribly wrong, and ultimately what happens to society's outcasts. The novel is essentially responsible for the genre of science fiction, has seared a collective cultural imagination, and is now considered a legendary classic. While evaluating the novel, the reader will notice that the idea of gender is an underlying theme throughout the story. There is a broad structural duplication in the novel that correlates to this idea of gender which reaffirms this strong theme and how it affects the story’s outcomes. For example, according to Shelly, the time it took to complete the novel consisted of nine months, Walton’s journey lasts nine months, and Victor takes nine months (winter, spring, summer) to create the Creature. This, all of course equal to the time it takes to create human life; the length a woman is pregnant with a child. Although it may not appear to be important to the novel, Shelly makes sure that reproduction by implication becomes a central motif of the text, as we will discuss later. As the narrative is written from the perspective of three men, the women follow more of a romanticized, idealized figure as compared to the male characters present throughout the story. Shelly characterizes each woman as passive, disposable and serving a utilitarian function, while the men are portrayed at the ultimate being...
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...Reading Between the Lines: An analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus, using Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto as an example of male discourse about women Louise Othello Knudsen English Almen, 10th semester Master’s Thesis 31-07-2012 Tabel of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Historical Context .............................................................................................................................. 10 The View on Women and Their Expected Roles in the late 18th and 19th Century ....................... 11 - Mary Shelley disowns herself .................................................................................................. 11 - Mary Shelley’s Background .................................................................................................... 12 Women’s Role in Frankenstein ..................................................................................................... 13 Men’s Role in Frankenstein ........................................................................................................... 13 - Women in Society and Women as Writers .........................................................
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...“Gender: Male //Hair Color: Brown //Eye Color: Blue //Skin Tone: Fair //Name: Jon // Create?” Life simulation or role playing gamers are probably familiar to these prompts. These customizations allow players to choose certain traits and create their ideal character with a desired physical appearance. But in few generations, this could happen in a fertility clinic, where young couples, future parents, are given the choice to tailor their babies from physical attributes to intelligence or athletic ability. A new genetic modification method enables researchers and doctors to modify DNA in order to change certain traits of the embryo; without doubts, there are many controversies over the ethnic of such technology, thus creating the term “designer...
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