"'That is also my victim!' he exclaimed; 'in his murder my crimes are consummated; the miserable series of my being is wound to its close! Oh, Frankenstein! generous and self-devoted being! what does it avail that I now ask thee to pardon me? I, who irretrievably destroyed thee by destroying all thou lovedst. Alas! he is cold, he cannot answer me'" (pg 163).
SURPRISE! The monster in which Frankenstein was in search of when he found his place on this ship had found him on that very ship...dead. His reaction to his creator's death was also shocking. He had done everything in his power to make Victor unhappy, killing all of his loved ones. However, when Victor actually died, he felt great sorrow and remourse. He asked for forgiveness. He even wanted to kill himself. I feel like the same thing would happen if Victor found the monster dead, because his only goal in life was to kill the monster, and if the monster were to be already dead, he would no longer have a point to live. No matter how much they despised each other, their lives were basically run by the other. They had so many connections that there was no escaping each other...until DEATH.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
PARALLELISM
"My presesnt situation was one in which all voluntary thought was swalloed up and lost. I was hurried away by fury; revenge alone endowed me with strenth and composure; it moulded my feelings, and allowed me to be calculating and calm, at periods when otherwhise delirium or death would have been my portion" ( pg 149).
This chapter shows the unity of the story. The monster was able to bring his creator to his level. Now he can finally understand the loneliness and solidarity that the monster had to face. When being forced into this situation, both of them react in the same way. They seek revenge. The monster was trying to hurt Victor by hurting the ones dear to him, and Victor wanted to kill the monster because of this. It was quite suspenseful reading when wondering if Victor would ever actually catch him. I think that his desire to kill his creation matches the desire he had to create the monster. He wanted with everything in him to accomplish the goal, but once he found him, was he going to be able to overcome the monster's supernatural strength and kill him? It seems as though Victor is the type to not really think about his actions before he actually does things.
This chapter shows the unity of the story. The monster was able to bring his creator to his level. Now he can finally understand the loneliness and solidarity that the monster had to face. When being forced into this situation, both of them react in the same way. They seek revenge. The monster was trying to hurt Victor by hurting the ones dear to him, and Victor wanted to kill the monster because of this. It was quite suspenseful reading when wondering if Victor would ever actually catch him. I think that his desire to kill his creation matches the desire he had to create the monster. He wanted with everything in him to accomplish the goal, but once he found him, was he going to be able to overcome the monster's supernatural strength and kill him? It seems as though Victor is the type to not really think about his actions before he actually does things.
RACE OF DEVILS
"Even if they were to leave Europe, and inhabit the deserts of the new world, yet one of the first recults of those sympathies for which the daemon thirsted would be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth, who might make the very existence of the species od man a condition precarious and full of terror" (pg 121).
This was my first thought when Victor agreed to creating a female monster. I foreshadowed little (or possibly gigantic) baby monsters running around South America. Who says that these little monsters would listen to their parents and not harm anyone? Nobody. I felt that Victor would be endangering the lives of many South Americans by creating this monster. Then again, who says that the female monster would want to be with the male monster? She would be completely unsophistacated at the time of her "birth." Maybe the male would take her in and teach her and all would be well, but maybe she would reject him as well. What would he do then, if someone of his own race rejected him? I honestly think he would go on a killing spree and end with himself.
This was my first thought when Victor agreed to creating a female monster. I foreshadowed little (or possibly gigantic) baby monsters running around South America. Who says that these little monsters would listen to their parents and not harm anyone? Nobody. I felt that Victor would be endangering the lives of many South Americans by creating this monster. Then again, who says that the female monster would want to be with the male monster? She would be completely unsophistacated at the time of her "birth." Maybe the male would take her in and teach her and all would be well, but maybe she would reject him as well. What would he do then, if someone of his own race rejected him? I honestly think he would go on a killing spree and end with himself.
FAITH
"It moved every feeling of wonder and awe, that the picture of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures was capable of exciting. I often referred the several situations, as their similarity struck me, to my own. Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different than mine in every other respect" (pg 92).
This allusion to God and Adam further highlights the complexity of the creation's intelligence. Not only is he reading "Paradise Lost," but he is relating it to his life. It is a very true analogy as well; Monster is to Adam, as Victor is to God. It is true that both God and Victor created life, but Victor rejected his creation, while God loved and nurtured his. It truly must be miserable for the moster to be rejected by everyone. Being rejected by one person makes me terribly upset, especially if I care for them as deeply as the monster cared for the De Lacey's. That would have to be terribly heart breaking, so I feel for the monster in this respect. I feel that this sort of rejection can cause people (or monsters) to do crazy things that they normally would not do. He is an unstable emotional state, and, honestly, I feel bad for him.
This allusion to God and Adam further highlights the complexity of the creation's intelligence. Not only is he reading "Paradise Lost," but he is relating it to his life. It is a very true analogy as well; Monster is to Adam, as Victor is to God. It is true that both God and Victor created life, but Victor rejected his creation, while God loved and nurtured his. It truly must be miserable for the moster to be rejected by everyone. Being rejected by one person makes me terribly upset, especially if I care for them as deeply as the monster cared for the De Lacey's. That would have to be terribly heart breaking, so I feel for the monster in this respect. I feel that this sort of rejection can cause people (or monsters) to do crazy things that they normally would not do. He is an unstable emotional state, and, honestly, I feel bad for him.
COMPANIONSHIP
"But where are my friends and relations? No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses; or if they had, all my past life was now a blot, a blind vacancy in which distinguised nothing" (pg 86).
Saying that the creation desires companionship is an understatement. He takes it upon himself to help the De Lacey's without their knowledge. This shows the true compassion that he feels towards them. He wants nothing more than their approval and protection. He often refers to them as his "protectors," which I never really understood, because they don't even know he's there so there is no way that they are protecting them. He sets up a plan to get the blind man alone, which I believe to be a quite genius idea. Unfortunately when the younger people come home and see the monster with their father, he is immediately rejected AGAIN! Even after their cruelty he goes back for another chance, but they had moved out, because they feel that their father is in danger. This was the breaking point for the creation, and he blamed VICTOR!
Saying that the creation desires companionship is an understatement. He takes it upon himself to help the De Lacey's without their knowledge. This shows the true compassion that he feels towards them. He wants nothing more than their approval and protection. He often refers to them as his "protectors," which I never really understood, because they don't even know he's there so there is no way that they are protecting them. He sets up a plan to get the blind man alone, which I believe to be a quite genius idea. Unfortunately when the younger people come home and see the monster with their father, he is immediately rejected AGAIN! Even after their cruelty he goes back for another chance, but they had moved out, because they feel that their father is in danger. This was the breaking point for the creation, and he blamed VICTOR!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
MONSTER CAN SHOW AFFECTION?
"I saw no cause for their unhappiness; but I was deeply affected by it. If such lovely creatures were miserable, it was less strange that I, an imperfect solitary being, should be wretched" (pg 77). I was stunned by the maturity and affection that the monster showed. First when he becomes intrigued by this little family and their problems. He is a very considerate creature, because when he realizes that he is part of the cause of their unhappiness by stealing food, he decides to stop and to help them out. I feel like many humans wouldn't even do that. I was also extremely allured by the fact that he wanted to learn, and he acted upon this desire. He paid attention to what they did and how the words correlated to the actions. I think it's hard to learn another language in school; I can't imagine trying to teach myself my first language. Victor may be wrong in his belief that he created such a terrible being. From what the creature told Victor, the creature has a good heart. He cares about people and himself by furthering his own knowledge. However, I do find it kind of creepy that he just watched this family. Kind of stalkerish, but how was he supposed to know it was wrong?
Justine
"Justine shook her head mournfully. 'I do not fear to die,' she saod; 'that pang is past. God raises my weaknesses, and gives me courage to endure the worst. I leave a sad and bitter world; and if you remember me as of one unjustly condemned, I am resigned to the fate awaiting me. Learn from me, dear lady, to submit in patience to the will of heaven'" (pg 59). I think that Justine is a very powerful and amazing woman. To have the courage and faith in God to admit to a false accusation in order to reach heaven is astonishing. I don't think I know anyone like her today on a personal level at least. I don't quite understand why she would admit to something that is not true though, because she still would have gone to heaven if she lived a good life. She didn't have to leave at that time. I wonder if it was God's time for her to go, or if she just thought it was her time. It's almost like a form of mercy killing or euthanasia, because she is basically choosing to die. I don't know if it's because she doesn't want to live with the blame on her and everyone thinking she is a murderer. I guess I wouldn't want to live like that either, but I feel that it is kind of wrong for to take the blame when she is innocent.
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