Frankenstein review

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Mary Shelley’s

Frankenstein

The Modern

Prometheus

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Why is it a Classic?

It It

speaks speaks

truths truths

It It reveal reveal

s s huma huma

n n fears fears

It warns us of

human’s relentless

search for power

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Ideas to Consider as We

Read…..

1.Parents should not necessarily be held responsible for their children’s actions. 2.Everyone is capable of having a dark side. 3.Some secrets are meant to be kept.

4.Technology and science can solve all of our problems.

5.Companionship is as basic a need as food or shelter.

6.If a person or animal is treated with cruelty,

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Ideas to Consider as We

Read…..

7. Loneliness is the main cause of sorrow in life. 8. People make judgments based on physical

appearance all the time.

9. Nature has restorative effects.

10. The most basic human need uniting us all is the need to feel like we actually matter.

11. It is more important to make a mark on the world than to preserve the feelings of others. It is difficult to do both simultaneously.

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Frankenstein: An Author’s

Introduction, xxiii-xxviii

1.What did “the publishers” want her to do for them? Why do you think was the case?

2.What does her childhood/personal background have to do with what she wrote?

3.What happened at Lord Byron’s house?

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Mary Shelley’s

Frankenstein

Her “publishers” thought it would be useful/interesting for her to explain to her

readers how her story came about.

This is somewhat reasonable given her identity as a

female and the fact that

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Her Family’s Influence

Her father, William

Godwin,was a

political thinker and writer.

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Mary Shelley’s

Frankenstein

In the summer of 1816, 19 year old Mary

Wollstonecraft Godwin and her husband, the poet Percy Shelley,

visited the Lord Byron at his villa beside Lake

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The Motivation

• Stormy weather frequently forced them indoors, where they and Byron's other guests sometimes read from a volume of ghost stories. One evening,

Byron challenged his guests to each write one themselves. Mary's story, inspired by a dream, became Frankenstein.

• Her social circles

and her marriage to a well-respected Romantic poet would have raised her interest in writing

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What was Science Up to at this

Point?

During Mary’s time, scientists and physicians were fascinated by the elusive boundary between life and death.

They experimented with lower organisms, performed human

anatomical studies, attempted to resuscitate drowning victims, and even performed experiments using electricity to restore life to the

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Where is this all

going?...



Influenced by the Romantic

Period, the scientific inquiry of

her time, and her own life,

Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel,

Frankenstein

, presents a clear

_{, presents a clear}

message on the irony and

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Social Context: Gothicism and

Romanticism

SettingSetting: late 18: late 18thth century, across various parts of _{century, across various parts of}

Europe, esp Switzerland, Germany, and the far

reaches of the Arctic

Published in 1818 at the height of the Romantic Published in 1818 at the height of the Romantic

movement (1798-1832)- movement in art and

literature that stressed such concepts as

optimism, importance of the individual,

imagination, the value of nature, and the

expression of thought

Romantic heroes are often rebels, outcasts, pariahs- Romantic heroes are often rebels, outcasts, pariahs-

a motif we will see developed throughout this Gothic a motif we will see developed throughout this Gothic text….

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Social Context: Gothicism and Romanticism

Frankenstein- Frankenstein- quintessential example of a quintessential example of a gothic novel

gothic novel, , which was very popular btwn 1760 and 1820.

It can be considered a blend of both Romanticism and Gothicism.

Gothic: harsh or cruel (Gothic tribes of The Middle Ages); also mean

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 Freedom of thought and expression, Freedom of thought and expression,

idealization of nature, emphasis on

heightened emotion over sound reason

 Mysterious disappearances, supernatural Mysterious disappearances, supernatural

occurrences, suspense, terror, decay,

horrible ruin

 Protagonist- usually a solitary, egocentric Protagonist- usually a solitary, egocentric

character who ultimately suffers great

turmoil

 Sinister settings: nature used frequently to Sinister settings: nature used frequently to

create atmosphere, almost can function as

a character of sorts…..Gothic architecture

 Dark side of human nature is emphasizedDark side of human nature is emphasized

 Passive female, women in great distress and Passive female, women in great distress and

tragedy

Elements of a Gothic

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 Mary’s husband Percy Shelley, a celebrated Mary’s husband Percy Shelley, a celebrated Romantic poet wrote it. It explains the origins

Romantic poet wrote it. It explains the origins

of the book.

 ““Marlow” refers to a place near London from Marlow” refers to a place near London from where Percy was writing.

where Percy was writing.

 Frankenstein Frankenstein was first published was first published

anonymously, most likely b/c she was female.

(Anonymous authorship- not uncommon for

many female writers through the 19

many female writers through the 19thth

century). In fact, the reviewers of her day

simply assumed a male wrote the book.

 Later, republished editions included Mary’s Later, republished editions included Mary’s Author’s Introduction.

Author’s Introduction.

A Few Words on the

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

Exposition

begins with these letters and

contains all events up through (roughly)

the end of Chapter 3…..



“

R.W.”, or Robert Walton- writing to his

sister Margaret Saville, who is back in

London.



R.W.- dreamy explorer, interested in

making some sort of mark on the world, in

the magnetic forces near the Arctic Poles,

in discovering new travel routes



His

quest for knowledge

echoes that of

the “stranger…” and

foreshadows

_foreshadows

the

_the

development of this

theme

.

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

Walton expresses great need for a very

specific type of

companionship- motif

developed throughout the text. (What

might this foreshadow?) “I have no friend

Margaret…”



Note the

Romantic allusion

-

Rime of the

Ancient Mariner-

famous Romantic poem

about a mournful sailor who ends up

wretched….RW, though, believes

“success shall crown my endeavors.”



Letter 4: RW and his “comrades” come

upon 2 figures on the ice- 1

stst

: “man…of

_{: “man…of}

gigantic stature…”



Later, RW pulls “the stranger” on board….

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

Mysterious “wretched” stranger-

travelling “to seek one who has fled

me..”- the aforementioned “man…of

gigantic stature..”



Notice how badly this “stranger” wants

to find the “demon” he is seeking….



RW begins to love him as a “brother.”

They have a great affinity for each

other, can relate to each other’s

ambitious nature. “You seek for

knowledge and wisdom as I once did…”



The “stranger” tells RW his story as a

cautionary tale of sorts….

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

Significance of the end of Letter 4

:

RW tells his sister that he plans to

record the tale of the stranger, “as

nearly as possible in his own words…”



Frankenstein

’s narrative structure-

frame story/narrative

.



Chapter 1 begins the first person

narration of the “stranger” as told

directly to and

filtered

_filtered

through RW.

_{through RW.}

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 Interesting fusion of 2 literary genres: Interesting fusion of 2 literary genres:

- 1. Epistolary novel-1. Epistolary novel- work containing series of work containing series of

documents, namely letters, journal entries,

etc). It is traditionally considered a more

‘female’ genre.

- Intended purpose: reveals inner psychological Intended purpose: reveals inner psychological

struggles

Shelley

Shelley subvertssubverts this genre through the use of this genre through the use of a male narrator. How?

a male narrator. How?

Subvert

Subvert- to undermine the power and - to undermine the power and authority of (typically in a clever or even

authority of (typically in a clever or even

insidious manner)

Male narrator/s here experience/s little to no

growth!

Narrative Structure in

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-

2. Explorers’ journal-

traditionally a

more ‘masculine’ genre.

-

Shelley also

subverts

the traditional

purposes of this genre. How?

-

The male narrator experiences little

growth which was not typical of this

genre. Victor ultimately collapses

mentally; Walton’s quest for knowledge

is largely a failure.

Narrative Structure in

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

“

Stranger”- “Genevese”- (Swiss), from a

very distinguished family; his father is a

renowned businessman of sorts.



This “stranger” speaks highly of his

father’s character, providing the

example of how he stands by his

merchant friend, Beaufort, when he falls

into great bankruptcy and subsequent

depression.



Caroline is the daughter of

Beaufort.

She goes on to marry the

elder Mr. Frankenstein, becoming

Victor’s mother….

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 Caroline Caroline , too, is portrayed as being of , too, is portrayed as being of

exceptional character- “great tenderness…a

mind of uncommon mold.”

 Passive female is all over this chapterPassive female is all over this chapter: : Caroline is left an orphan and a beggar when

Caroline is left an orphan and a beggar when

Beaufort dies. Also, notice the description of

her as much younger than her husband:

“soft and benevolent mind.”

 Elizabeth Lavenza, tooElizabeth Lavenza, too- - adoptive Italian adoptive Italian

sister of the “stranger.” His parents took pity

on her during an excursion….He speaks of

her as his “cousin,…sister” and what else?

She is in Victor’s “possession.”

 Finally, the stranger’s name is revealed to be Finally, the stranger’s name is revealed to be Victor!

Victor!

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

Notice the revelation of the

stranger’s name as Victor….Why

might Shelley have presented in

this way? And why is he constantly

referred to as “the stranger”?



This builds suspense and

consistently emphasizes Victor as

‘a man apart’, a pariah- all in

keeping with conventions of the

gothic novel

Chapter 1-

closing

_closing

thoughts…

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 ““Harmony was the soul of our Harmony was the soul of our

companionship..”- Victor and Elizabeth have

a wonderful relationship!

 They are wonderful foils, or complements, for They are wonderful foils, or complements, for one another. An ‘opposites attract’ type

one another. An ‘opposites attract’ type

situation….

 We get a preview of Victor’s “thirst for We get a preview of Victor’s “thirst for knowledge..”

knowledge..”

 Victor had a wonderful childhood. “No one Victor had a wonderful childhood. “No one could have had a more wonderful childhood

could have had a more wonderful childhood

than myself.”

 Notice the way male friendships play a role in Notice the way male friendships play a role in the novel….(RW &Victor, Beaufort & Mr.

the novel….(RW &Victor, Beaufort & Mr.

Frankenstein, and Victor and his beloved

Henry Clerval).

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 Victor has wonderful relationships; still, he Victor has wonderful relationships; still, he recognizes he is different from those he is

recognizes he is different from those he is

closest to in life. He is “self-taught”, has

different interests from Elizabeth & Henry.

 Victor is a reader and a scholar who embarks Victor is a reader and a scholar who embarks on a search for “the elixir of life.” (Does his

on a search for “the elixir of life.” (Does his

father foster Victor’s interest in learning?

How does this impact Victor? What is

suggested about the nature of parents? )

 Gothic elements abound- the thunderstorm Gothic elements abound- the thunderstorm sparks some sort of fire in Victor, an even

sparks some sort of fire in Victor, an even

increased interest in the reaches of

science….

 Why might the term destruction be used at Why might the term destruction be used at the end of this chapter?...

the end of this chapter?...

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

Caroline dies as a result of having

nursed Elizabeth back to health from

her bout w/ scarlet fever- Victor’s first

massive emotional setback.



What should we be noticing about the

portrayal of the female characters?



Is Elizabeth a strong or weak character?

How so?



Victor-off to university at 17- Ingolstadt

in Bavaria, a region of modern-day

Germany (sort of like a modern-day MIT)



What similarities are there between

Henry and Victor?

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 Victor- certainly conflicted about leaving home…Victor- certainly conflicted about leaving home…  Note the Note the personification and kenningpersonification and kenning in

“

“Chance… evil influence, Angel of Chance… evil influence, Angel of Destruction-

Destruction- surrounding Victor’s meeting w/ surrounding Victor’s meeting w/ one of his new professors, Krempe.

one of his new professors, Krempe.

 Krempe dismisses Victor’s interest in alchemy. Krempe dismisses Victor’s interest in alchemy.

This reflects the scientific trends of Shelley’s day.

 Alchemy- medieval science whose principal aim Alchemy- medieval science whose principal aim

was attempting to change base metals into gold.

However, alchemists also had interests in trying

to cure disease and prolong human life….

 Victor- intimidated by Krempe, finds his Victor- intimidated by Krempe, finds his

personality abrasive….



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1. What exactly does Markram hope to

achieve?

2. How do you feel about his project?

3. What sentences reveal just how ambitious

he [Markram] really is?

4. What sentence best addresses the

potential problems associated with this ‘Blue

Brain’ project?

5. How does the author, Michael Hanlon, feel

about Prf. Markram’s project? How do you

know? What makes you feel this way?

(Provide textual evidence).

6. Find 5 ‘elevated’ vocabulary words in the

text and define.

“

The Real Frankenstein

_{The Real Frankenstein}

Experiment”

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 Victor- certainly conflicted about leaving home…Victor- certainly conflicted about leaving home…  Note the Note the personification and kenningpersonification and kenning in

“

“Chance… evil influence, Angel of Chance… evil influence, Angel of Destruction-

Destruction- surrounding Victor’s meeting w/ surrounding Victor’s meeting w/ one of his new professors, Krempe.

one of his new professors, Krempe.

 Krempe dismisses Victor’s interest in alchemy. Krempe dismisses Victor’s interest in alchemy.

This reflects the scientific trends of Shelley’s day.

 Alchemy- medieval science whose principal aim Alchemy- medieval science whose principal aim

was attempting to change base metals into gold.

However, alchemists also had interests in trying

to cure disease and prolong human life….

 Victor- intimidated by Krempe, finds his Victor- intimidated by Krempe, finds his

personality abrasive….



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

Waldman- almost the antithesis of Krempe



Victor’s interaction w/ Waldman has a

profound impact upon him; it is the impetus

that propels Victor toward exploring the far

reaches and possibilities of science….



(Refers to him as a “true friend” in next

chapter)



“

Thus ended a memorable day for me; it

decided my future destiny.”- Groundwork is

laid here for the

exciting force/inciting

incident:

Victor’s decision to attempt to push the

boundaries of science and create life.

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 Rising action/complication begins.Rising action/complication begins.

 Narrative structure in compromised when Narrative structure in compromised when

Victor’s narration is interrupted- reminds RW

of the dangers of the pursuit of knowledge….

 Victor: “Whence, I often asked myself, did the Victor: “Whence, I often asked myself, did the nature of life proceed?” – increasingly

nature of life proceed?” – increasingly

obsessed, hasn’t been home in approx. 2 yrs.

 Gothic elements v strong in his description of Gothic elements v strong in his description of his experiences with corpses and in various

his experiences with corpses and in various

“vaults”, etc…..

 His father was rather dismissive of Victor’s His father was rather dismissive of Victor’s

interests, never seemed to be too supportive

of them- perhaps for good reason.

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 Victor- uncovers the secret to creating lifeVictor- uncovers the secret to creating life  Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition: the placement of two the placement of two

disparate (contrasting) elements, ideas,

people, etc alongside one another for

dramatic effect and heightened tension.

 JuxtapositionJuxtaposition of gothic and Romantic of gothic and Romantic elements- 1. The gothic: Victor uses

elements- 1. The gothic: Victor uses

pieces of discarded corpses to make his own

creature, etc….

2. The Romantic- Victor is so caught

up in his pursuits he doesn’t notice the

beauty of the passing seasons….

 ““But I forget….”- reminder to the reader of But I forget….”- reminder to the reader of the narrative structure, reinforces RW’s

the narrative structure, reinforces RW’s

role….

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 Characterize Mr. Frankenstein’s views on Characterize Mr. Frankenstein’s views on Victor’s education. Why do you think Mr.

Victor’s education. Why do you think Mr.

Frankenstein feel this way?

 Last class, we briefly discussed the Last class, we briefly discussed the juxtaposition

juxtaposition of of bothboth gothic and Romantic gothic and Romantic elements in the text. What does

elements in the text. What does

juxtaposition actually mean?

 In what way/s is Victor similar to Macbeth? In what way/s is Victor similar to Macbeth?  Why did Victor tell no one about his efforts? Why did Victor tell no one about his efforts?  What seems to be the predominate literary What seems to be the predominate literary

device thus far? How so?

 What predictions can you make about any What predictions can you make about any character? Why do you feel this way?

character? Why do you feel this way?

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 Dark, dreary setting Dark, dreary setting establishes a sense of establishes a sense of foreboding as the monster, Victor’s “creation”

foreboding as the monster, Victor’s “creation”

is about to be revealed…

 He reacts with horror and absolute disgust at He reacts with horror and absolute disgust at what he had created due to his unchecked

what he had created due to his unchecked

ambition.

 What might this monster now symbolize?...What might this monster now symbolize?...  Romantic allusion to previous poem- Romantic allusion to previous poem-

reinforces Victor’s internal dread and

turmoil…

 Clerval rescues Henry, nurses him back to Clerval rescues Henry, nurses him back to health. (What prior plot point is this

health. (What prior plot point is this

reminiscent of?)

 Notice the pattern/functioning of male Notice the pattern/functioning of male friendships in the text-

friendships in the text- motif. motif.

(36)



Narration opens w/ letter from Elizabeth-

Shelley’s subversion of the epistolary form

gives the narration a more layered feel….



She writes of

Ernest and William

Frankenstein

, their ‘brothers’



Justine Moritz

, a poor servant girl with a

strange and highly changeable mother, is

introduced. Caroline has chosen that she

join the Frankenstein family as a servant.

Justine is treated well, but she hasn’t had

an easy life….



Why is Justine’s mother so tormented?

How would you explain her?...

(37)



Romantic influence-

notice the

rejuvenating effect of nature on Victor

as he recovers from his nervous

breakdown….



Victor’s happiness and heightened

emotions function to dramatize, to

complicate, the events that will soon

unfold…..

(38)



Who is really the only unsympathetic

female character we have encountered

thus far?



Describe Mrs. Moritz.



Where have we seen the influence of the

Catholic Church?



How does the monster develop into

something of a sympathetic character?

(textual examples)



What is revealed about the nature of

knowledge, learning, and parenting in the

text? (Think in terms of the monster’s

experience).



How are Safie and the monster similar?

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 Victor’s father conveys the “woeful news” Victor’s father conveys the “woeful news”

that William is dead, presumably having been

strangled in the woods.

 Henry Clerval accompanies Victor back to Henry Clerval accompanies Victor back to Geneva.

Geneva.

 Victor sees the monster in the woods and is Victor sees the monster in the woods and is resolute that he killed his brother William.

resolute that he killed his brother William.

 Two years have gone by since he created the Two years have gone by since he created the monster.

monster.

 Justine is charged with William’s murder. She Justine is charged with William’s murder. She was found with a picture of Caroline that

was found with a picture of Caroline that

William possessed….

 Victor knows she is innocent. The rest of his Victor knows she is innocent. The rest of his family seems to believe strongly in her

family seems to believe strongly in her

innocence, too.

(40)

 On the surface, Justine appears guilty; much of On the surface, Justine appears guilty; much of

the evidence does implicate her as William’s

murderer. She had been out wandering, she

appears frightful and nervous…

 Victor: “I believed in her innocence; I knew it.”Victor: “I believed in her innocence; I knew it.”  Elizabeth offers powerful character testimony Elizabeth offers powerful character testimony

in court in defense of Justine.

 Justine confesses but only because she was Justine confesses but only because she was

under great duress, threatened with

excommunication.

 She is executed for her supposed role in the She is executed for her supposed role in the

murder of young William.

 Victor- torn by “remorse, horror, and despair”- Victor- torn by “remorse, horror, and despair”-

refers to William and Justine as “victims” of his

“unhallowed arts”

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 Victor lives in a self-described “a hell of Victor lives in a self-described “a hell of intense tortures…” His acceptance of

intense tortures…” His acceptance of

responsibility- and his feelings regarding the

monster- are warped. He refers to himself as

“the true murderer.” Still, Victor hates and

fears the monster. Revenge is foremost in his

thoughts….

 Elizabeth- the quintessence of virtue and Elizabeth- the quintessence of virtue and

goodness

goodness- maintains Justine’s innocence….- maintains Justine’s innocence….  What does Victor fear will happen? What does Victor fear will happen?

 The chapter ends w/ Victor seeking retreat in The chapter ends w/ Victor seeking retreat in the valley for some relief from his turmoil

the valley for some relief from his turmoil

(Romanticism…)

“

“I was a wreck but nothing had changed in I was a wreck but nothing had changed in those savage and enduring scenes…”

those savage and enduring scenes…”

(42)



How and where are biblical allusions

present?



How is Safie’s portrayal in keeping with

the other females we have encountered

thus far?



What kind of person is her father? Why?

How so?



What motivates the monster to frame

Justine?



Where is the concept of the sublime

apparent in the text?



Where do we see light and fire in the

text? What could each symbolize?

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 One thing that can soothe, console Victor now. One thing that can soothe, console Victor now.  “ “ The sight of the awful and majestic in nature The sight of the awful and majestic in nature

had indeed always the effect of solemnizing my

mind….”

 Victor’s experience of the Victor’s experience of the sublimesublime- -

literary/philosophical concept that nature

has a dramatic restorative effect

(Romantic)

 Note the Note the allusionallusion to Percy Shelley’s poem, to Percy Shelley’s poem,

Mutability,

Mutability, to capture Victor’s turmoil. to capture Victor’s turmoil.

 Sadness of the theme: The only guarantee in Sadness of the theme: The only guarantee in

life is that nothing stays the same.

 Victor and his monster finally confront one Victor and his monster finally confront one

another. The monster pursues Victor in the

hopes that he will fulfill his ‘duties’ as his

creator.

(44)

 Monster’s lack of a name symbolizes Victor’s Monster’s lack of a name symbolizes Victor’s

total disregard of the monster’s apparent- and

clear- need for nurturing and social

development.

 Monster: “How dare you thus sport with life?”- Monster: “How dare you thus sport with life?”-

recognition of Victor’s

recognition of Victor’s hubrishubris (excessive pride (excessive pride and arrogance in venturing to create life so

and arrogance in venturing to create life so

carelessly)

 In his mind, he has done nothing to deserve In his mind, he has done nothing to deserve

such rejection…..

 Biblical allusions to GenesisBiblical allusions to Genesis: Monster : Monster

describes himself as the rightful Adam, yet he

is scorned as “the fallen angel” or like Lucifer.

He refers to Victor as his creator, longs for a

“companion.” (reminiscent of Adam and Eve)

(45)



Monster’s request

: Listen to my story

and then judge me as you would….



Significance

: Reader is exposed to a

more human, merciful side of the

monster AND Victor finally seems to

realize- albeit very begrudgingly- that

he may have some responsibility toward

his creation….

(46)

 Narration changes to include- verbatim- the Narration changes to include- verbatim- the

monster’s first person account of his life thus

far. Reader is able to relate to the monster

and hear a fresh perspective.

 Walton----Victor---Monster…..Walton----Victor---Monster…..

 Notice the monster’s fondness for the villagers Notice the monster’s fondness for the villagers

and his great yearning for companionship.

(Where had we seen this need echoed before?

What does this signify?)

 The monster is articulate. Why is this The monster is articulate. Why is this

noteworthy?

 He is self-educated, which shows his need for He is self-educated, which shows his need for

nurturing.

 He has taught himself language and learned He has taught himself language and learned

as much as he is able the gift of empathy.

(47)



Monster takes refuge in the woods and is

enamored of the family. He is able to

glean they are sad due to poverty.



The cottagers: the father, or “old man”,

girl Agatha, boy Felix.



He helps them out at a distance: He wants

to be welcomed by them; he anonymously

helps them with their chores….He called

them his “protectors”…



The monster wants to learn to speak:

Why?



Also, is his general reaction to nature

similar or dissimilar to that of Victor?

(48)

 ““Arabian” Safie- introduced under mysterious Arabian” Safie- introduced under mysterious

circumstances.

 Felix appears to be in love with her; his family is Felix appears to be in love with her; his family is

very kind to her. Felix does eventually marry

her.

 As they educate her, the monster, too, becomes As they educate her, the monster, too, becomes

more educated and

more educated and disillusioned disillusioned with humanity. with humanity. Notice his reaction to the lessons of history:

Notice his reaction to the lessons of history:

“

“Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and

virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and

base?...Oh what a strange nature is knowledge!”

The monster’s epiphany

The monster’s epiphany: He sees that his : He sees that his education is both a blessing and a curse. He

education is both a blessing and a curse. He

wants a family; he recognizes that he is a

pariah, an outcast with no love…p. 108

(49)

 Monster provides reader w/ details about Monster provides reader w/ details about DeLacey family: Mr. DeLacey, Felix, and

DeLacey family: Mr. DeLacey, Felix, and

Agatha are French and were once very

wealthy.

 Felix, in love with Safie, once tried to save Felix, in love with Safie, once tried to save Safie’s father- a social agitator?- from

Safie’s father- a social agitator?- from

‘unjust’ imprisonment by the French gov’t.

Her father betrays Felix and his family. He

never cared they were all thrown into prison,

became penniless trying to save him.

 Safie- yet another example of a passive, Safie- yet another example of a passive,

persecuted female. She strives to be free of

her oppressive father. She finds her Muslim

world confining as did her Christian mother,

who was made a slave by the Turks.

(50)



Safie- powerful testament to the tensions

between the Christian and Arab worlds….



Like the monster, she hopes to find her

place in the world by acquiring knowledge

(language) and escaping oppression.



The monster finds Victor’s journals and

vows to find him. Notice his anger at

Victor.



Also, he is desperate for companionship,

so he works up the nerve to present

himself to the Delaceys.



Felix and Agatha are horrified and throw

him out. Mr. Delacey is blind



(51)

 The DeLaceys abandon their cottage out of fear The DeLaceys abandon their cottage out of fear

of the monster, which enrages him. He burns

the cottage to the ground.

 SymbolismSymbolism of light (knowledge/discovery) of light (knowledge/discovery)

and fire (dark force/destruction)- Notice

that lightness and darkness are the first

sensations the monster experiences….

(Genesis)

 The monster encounters William and is The monster encounters William and is

delighted at the thought of a potential

companion. Why did he really murder him,

though?- He is filled w/

though?- He is filled w/ wrathwrath once he begins to once he begins to understand he is related to Victor.

understand he is related to Victor.

 Why does he want to frame Justine by placing Why does he want to frame Justine by placing

the locket on her person? Why has the monster

become so twisted?

(52)

 The monster increasingly views himself as a The monster increasingly views himself as a victim: his creator and all those who

victim: his creator and all those who

encounter him shape his evil motivations and

acts. “

acts. “I am malicious because I am I am malicious because I am

miserable…Am I not shunned and hated by

all mankind?”

 Narration shifts back to Victor….

 P. 135,6:Victor shows some shred of

sympathy for the monster, especially as the monster requests a companion just like

himself. Yet he vacillates …..

 Victor’s mixed reaction to nature and family

is reflective of his inner turmoil.

 Personification of nature: “Stars…yet all

are about to mock me…” (p. 138)

(53)

 Whose death is foreshadowed most strongly Whose death is foreshadowed most strongly in the text?

in the text?

Elizabeth’s:”my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only.”

 Identify literary devices in the following:

“Destiny was too potent, and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and total

destruction.”

 How does RW feel about Victor?

 Are the monster and Victor two sides of the

same coin?

 How is exile, esp, self-imposed exile is a

motif?

 How does Victor feel about his own ambition?

(54)



Victor delays his efforts to create a

female companion.



He wants to marry Elizabeth, as

Alphonse suggests, but he fears that the

monster may do more harm.

(

foreshadowing

). He is reluctant to

become engaged w/out first finishing his

creation.



Clerval’s reaction to the beauties of

nature is the antithesis of Victor’s.



Yet anthr allusion to Romantic poetry…

(nature)

(55)

 Victor: “Victor: “In Clerval I saw the former image of In Clerval I saw the former image of

myself…”

myself…” Victor sees he was once innocently Victor sees he was once innocently inquisitive and joyful as Clerval now is on their

inquisitive and joyful as Clerval now is on their

travels. He refers to himself as Victor’s

“shadow.”

 Doppelganger- Doppelganger- (German)- a character (German)- a character

double; a character that reflects the

dark, or opposing, side of a character.

Think of a character being divided into

two living psychological forces. (alter

ego)- how is this different from a foil?

ego)- how is this different from a foil?  The monster can be interpreted as Victor’s The monster can be interpreted as Victor’s

doppelganger. Each has good

intentions….Also, they are inextricably linked.

One’s fate determines the other’s. (Is Henry

Victor also V’s doppelganger?)

(56)

 Victor destroys his female creation; he fears Victor destroys his female creation; he fears that she will bear offspring. Also, he feels it

that she will bear offspring. Also, he feels it

would be selfish to do so.

 The monster in response to Victor’s broken

promise: “I will be with you on your wedding-night.”

 The monster essentially has framed Victor for

the murder of Henry Clerval.

 Victor, just as in the case of William and

Justine, refers to himself as Henry’s “murderer.”

 Mr. Kirwin- the “magistrate”- like a prosecutor

or judge

 Victor is acquitted; his whereabouts the

night of the murder are confirmed.

(57)



“

If for one instant, I had thought what might

be the hellish intention of my fiendish

adversary

….

The monster had blinded me to

his real intentions.” –

Victor misinterpreted

_{Victor misinterpreted}

the monster’s threat….



Victor had planned to tell Elizabeth his

secret….



CLIMAX: the murder of Elizabeth.



Alphonse dies of heartbreak.



Victor tells the Genevan magistrate his tale,

who regards it with some “incredulity.”



Some irony in Victor’s words: “

Man how

ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!”

p. 191

(58)

 Denouement/falling actionDenouement/falling action: : Victor’s rage Victor’s rage

and heartbreak following the murder of

Elizabeth, his pursuit of the monster into the

Arctic, Victor’s death, Walton’s reclamation of

the narration.

 Victor: Victor: Revenge kept me alive….(Revenge kept me alive….(WrathWrath and and

despair are strongly present, too.)

 How does sleep function as a motif? ….. How does sleep function as a motif? …..

(Victor)

 RW believes Victor’s story and sympathizes RW believes Victor’s story and sympathizes

with him.

 Victor to RW: Victor to RW: “Learn my miseries and do not “Learn my miseries and do not

seek to increase your own.”

seek to increase your own.” Victor does sees Victor does sees the error of his ways; simultaneously, he

the error of his ways; simultaneously, he

believes it is his destiny to destroy the monster.

(59)



Henry: Victor as Victor: Walton



Walton sees a true friend for himself in

Victor- “a glorious spirit”; Victor states

no one can replace the lost Henry for

him. (feelings are not entirely

reciprocated). This shows Victor’s

obsessive determination to destroy the

monster.



Walton-

somewhat of an objective

reporter to filter Victor’s account

(60)

 Resolution: Resolution: Failure of RW’s expedition, Failure of RW’s expedition, death of Victor (report of), appearance of

death of Victor (report of), appearance of

monster to RW, monster wandering off

mournfully

 Situational Irony- Situational Irony- contrast between what contrast between what actually happens and what would be

actually happens and what would be

expected or appropriate:

 Victor’s encouraging RW to continue on w/ Victor’s encouraging RW to continue on w/

his expedition despite the dangers presented

to him- Victor had expressed to RW his

desire that RW learn from his ambition.

 Has Victor changed? How so? How not? Has Victor changed? How so? How not?

 Victor wants RW to destroy the monster on Victor wants RW to destroy the monster on his behalf.

his behalf.

(61)

 Evidence of Evidence of doppelgangerdoppelganger apparent in apparent in

monster’s viewing of Victor’s body:

“

“In his murder my crimes are consummated; the In his murder my crimes are consummated; the miserable series of my being is wound to a

miserable series of my being is wound to a

close

close!”!”

 ““The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.” The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.”

(

(allusion to Lucifer)allusion to Lucifer)

 The monster seems distraught at Victor’s death The monster seems distraught at Victor’s death

and at his own actions. RW finds himself torn.

The monster wanders off to die; he refers to

death as his only consolation from his crimes.

 Self-imposed exile-Self-imposed exile- a strong motif in the text- a strong motif in the text-

seen in both Victor and the monster (the latter

pledges to go into exile if he gets his female

companion)