"The task of destruction was mine, but I have failed." (pg. 162)
Who deserves the blame for all that has happened? The answer to whether Victor blames himself is complicated. He knows he's responsible for the creation, which leads him to chasing it. Frankenstein knew that he failed the creature in many ways but especially when he was first created. He left the creature to care for himself and teach himself how to do everything. In some aspect, he blames himself right then. Then, he says that he knew he was right in not creating a second creature for the monster to be mates with. In this regard, he somewhat shifts the blame and guilt to others because he did the right thing. He could blame the monster for all the chaos he has caused, but by creating the monster, he is at fault again.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein - Duty
"In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational creature, and was bound towards him, to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness and well-being. This was my duty; but there was another still paramount to that." (pg. 161)
Throughout this novel, Frankenstein has struggled with his amount of responsibility that he has for the monster. In the quote, he claims that he has a duty to end this creature's life. As soon as life was given to it, Frankenstein realized he had made a huge mistake. He has a duty to take care of this creature he created, but ironically, he doesn't care for it. After the creature starts killing others, Victor now has the duty to kill it before it hurts more people. When he starts to die, Victor tries to convince Walton to continue his duty of killing the monster if he ever sees him again. Walton agrees, but when the time comes, he refuses to do it. Right after Victor dies, the monster shows up but Walton doesn't kill him. Instead, he just listens to what he has to say.
Throughout this novel, Frankenstein has struggled with his amount of responsibility that he has for the monster. In the quote, he claims that he has a duty to end this creature's life. As soon as life was given to it, Frankenstein realized he had made a huge mistake. He has a duty to take care of this creature he created, but ironically, he doesn't care for it. After the creature starts killing others, Victor now has the duty to kill it before it hurts more people. When he starts to die, Victor tries to convince Walton to continue his duty of killing the monster if he ever sees him again. Walton agrees, but when the time comes, he refuses to do it. Right after Victor dies, the monster shows up but Walton doesn't kill him. Instead, he just listens to what he has to say.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Frankenstein - Frame Story
"It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half frightened, as it were, instinctively, finding myself so desolate." (pg. 71)
This novel, I think, is a retelling of something that has happened to another individual. In some parts of the book, there are stories within the main story. One specific point in the novel where this happens is when the monster is telling his story to Victor. Victor is actually the narrator, but the monster takes over a couple chapters by telling Victor, as well as the audience, what he has been up to. Although I can see why others may not like them, I, personally, enjoy frame stories. They give the reader a break from the main topic to point your attention to something less important. Frame stories are like the dreaming in Inception, but this time it is in a book. Stories within stories may create some confusion at first but can add immensely to the work as a whole.
This novel, I think, is a retelling of something that has happened to another individual. In some parts of the book, there are stories within the main story. One specific point in the novel where this happens is when the monster is telling his story to Victor. Victor is actually the narrator, but the monster takes over a couple chapters by telling Victor, as well as the audience, what he has been up to. Although I can see why others may not like them, I, personally, enjoy frame stories. They give the reader a break from the main topic to point your attention to something less important. Frame stories are like the dreaming in Inception, but this time it is in a book. Stories within stories may create some confusion at first but can add immensely to the work as a whole.
Frankenstein - Are You Smarter Than a Monster?
"I was a poor, helpless wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing." (pg. 71)
I want to know how smart the monster that Victor created really is. He has to have some higher level of intelligence if he is able to communicate and interact with his creator. When he was first created, the creature somewhat acted like a baby with its arms outstretched towards its creator and mumbling gibberish. Now, the reader can see that he has learning capabilities as he learned how to talk and act like humans by watching a family go about their life. I never knew that the monster became smarter. I thought he remained like a baby. Also, I am really impressed by how much the monster picked up from watching the family of three live their life. In just a time period of two years, he was able to pick up what would take normal humans around four years or longer to pick up. If he is able to do all of this, and he knows who Victor's friends are, is he capable of being a possible suspect for the murder of William?
I want to know how smart the monster that Victor created really is. He has to have some higher level of intelligence if he is able to communicate and interact with his creator. When he was first created, the creature somewhat acted like a baby with its arms outstretched towards its creator and mumbling gibberish. Now, the reader can see that he has learning capabilities as he learned how to talk and act like humans by watching a family go about their life. I never knew that the monster became smarter. I thought he remained like a baby. Also, I am really impressed by how much the monster picked up from watching the family of three live their life. In just a time period of two years, he was able to pick up what would take normal humans around four years or longer to pick up. If he is able to do all of this, and he knows who Victor's friends are, is he capable of being a possible suspect for the murder of William?
Frankenstein - Theme of Guilt
"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)
This far in the novel, we have seen this theme of guilt being placed on Victor multiple times. The quoted section comes from the time where the monster approaches Victor on top of the mountain. He is placing the blame on Victor of creating him and how he has to face the decision of destroying the monster. Victor is forced to feel guilt for creating the monster. He also feels guilty when he first creates the monster as he has no idea of its capabilities. I'm sure he must of felt guilt when the monster was telling Victor of his upbringing too. Victor left him to fend for himself and learn everything by himself. The creature had to learn the language in order to even attempt to interact with normal human beings.
This far in the novel, we have seen this theme of guilt being placed on Victor multiple times. The quoted section comes from the time where the monster approaches Victor on top of the mountain. He is placing the blame on Victor of creating him and how he has to face the decision of destroying the monster. Victor is forced to feel guilt for creating the monster. He also feels guilty when he first creates the monster as he has no idea of its capabilities. I'm sure he must of felt guilt when the monster was telling Victor of his upbringing too. Victor left him to fend for himself and learn everything by himself. The creature had to learn the language in order to even attempt to interact with normal human beings.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Frankenstein - Who's guilty?
"I did confess; but I confessed a lie. I confessed, that I might obtain absolution; but now that falsehood lies heavier at my heart than all my other sins." (pg. 58)
At this point in Chapter 8, Justine has just admitted to killing William, but why would she do that if she didn't kill him? A locket was found in her pocket that was last seen in William's possession, but she has no idea how it got there. The evidence points towards Justine and how she killed William. Yet, Victor still believes that the monster which he created was of fault. There is no evidence to prove the creature's guilt, but he did happen to be at the murder spot. Through this mess, Justine remains calm, which normally wouldn't be the case if the person being charged knew that they were guilty. What I don't understand is why Justine is convicted and killed if she bluntly told them that she was lying in her confession. Also, why would she want to be convicted? Did Justine think that they would go easy on her and let her go? I hope these answers come soon as we figure out what the monster has been up to.
At this point in Chapter 8, Justine has just admitted to killing William, but why would she do that if she didn't kill him? A locket was found in her pocket that was last seen in William's possession, but she has no idea how it got there. The evidence points towards Justine and how she killed William. Yet, Victor still believes that the monster which he created was of fault. There is no evidence to prove the creature's guilt, but he did happen to be at the murder spot. Through this mess, Justine remains calm, which normally wouldn't be the case if the person being charged knew that they were guilty. What I don't understand is why Justine is convicted and killed if she bluntly told them that she was lying in her confession. Also, why would she want to be convicted? Did Justine think that they would go easy on her and let her go? I hope these answers come soon as we figure out what the monster has been up to.
Frankenstein - Theme of Alienation
"Solitude was my only consolation - deep, dark, deathlike solitude." (pg. 61)
Through the first twelve chapters, we have seen a common theme of alienation. The monster is alienated mostly because of his appearance. He scares people out of their house and even an entire town. The monster is extremely disappointed and confused as to why no one wants to be with him. He is then forced to live by himself, but he finds a family to live nearby. Finally, the monster grows tired of his loneliness and decides to try to learn the people's language in order to one day communicate with them. The monster catches on and hatches a plan to make the family enjoy his presence. He is soon discouraged though as he learns what he actually looks like. I am wondering how long he will remain alienated from people in society or if he will be accepted by the family. Hopefully, he will be accepted because of all the help he has provided them with.
Through the first twelve chapters, we have seen a common theme of alienation. The monster is alienated mostly because of his appearance. He scares people out of their house and even an entire town. The monster is extremely disappointed and confused as to why no one wants to be with him. He is then forced to live by himself, but he finds a family to live nearby. Finally, the monster grows tired of his loneliness and decides to try to learn the people's language in order to one day communicate with them. The monster catches on and hatches a plan to make the family enjoy his presence. He is soon discouraged though as he learns what he actually looks like. I am wondering how long he will remain alienated from people in society or if he will be accepted by the family. Hopefully, he will be accepted because of all the help he has provided them with.
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