Colin, David, Kevin, Josh, Colleen
Assignment #1
- Victor Frankenstein is a scientific genius that yearns to push science beyond its limits. He does not care about wealth, he just wants to make a scientific advancement. He becomes obssessed with his work of creating a monster, and after creating him, he realized what a bad decision it was. Some of the words that can be used to describe Victor are: obsessive, scholarly, ground breaking, "ardent and eager" (41) about his work, "temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement" (30), "engaged, heart and soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries" (41), wants to discover the "physical secrets of the world" (30), confident - "I doubted not that I should ultimately succeed." (43)
- Wants to push science farther than it has ever been pushed before, "I was surprised that among so many men of genius...that I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing a secret." (42), Victor's main goal was to bring forth life from death - "I beheld the corruption of death succeed to the blooming cheek of life" (42), feels camraderie towards M. Watson, has a friendship with Clerval - "A selfish puruit had cramped and narrowed me, until your gentleness and affection warmed and opened my senses; I became the same happy creature" (57-58), finally, he feels horror after creating the monster and it made him become ill - "Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment" (48)
- Victor is not capable of observing his obsessiveness, and he deludes himself to believe that it is all in the name of science. He does not realize that what he is doing is unnatural, and goes against nature. "I had worked hard for nearly two years for the soul purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body." (47) "Sometimes I grew alarmed at the wreck I perceived I had become; the energy of my purpose sustained me: my labors would soon end, and I believed that exercise and amusement would then drive way insipient disease; and I promised myself both of these when my creation should be complete" (45)
Assignment #2
- Victor is disgusted by the monster - "I nearly sank to the ground through langor and extreme weakness. Mingled with this horrorfelt the bitterness of disappointment." (48) Victor has all the responsibility belonging to a parent towards his creature because, in a way, the monster is Victor's child. He made the monster, and he needs to nurture and take care of it. It was his selfish wish to create life, and it is not the monster's fault that he is what he is. Victor needs to put aside his pettiness and focus on making sure the monster is fit to function (or at least a sembalance of functioning) in society. "Oh! no mortal could support the horror of that countenance. A mummy agan endured with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch" (48) During the experiment, Victor was excited abut his creation. But, after creating the monster, he realized that it was not a good decision to go through wth the experiment, and he realized the horror (in his eyes) that he created. He was repusled by it. "I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body...the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart." (47) He was so intent on finsihing his experiment that he did not think about the consequences and when he was faced with the monster that he created he could not deal with it, even though he should have.
Lightning Presentation 
Frankenstein powerpoint.pptx
Passages (First Section)
“…I weighed the various arguments that he had used. And determined at least to listen to his tale. I was partly urged by curiosity, and compassion confirmed by resolution. I had hitherto supposed him to be the murderer of my brother, and I eagerly sought confirmation or denial of this opinion. For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, and that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness,” (85)
This quote is incredibly significant as it shows Victor’s maturation. Near the beginning of the book, Victor was selfish and non-sympathetic; everything he did was solely to benefit him. After he succeeded in creating the monster, he ran way instead of guiding, nurturing, and protecting it. The monster did not do anything horrendous or monstrous to Victor; merely by existing did he incur Victor’s scorn. Victor despised the monster simply because it existed, and he seemed ignorant of the fact that it was through his own tinkering that the monster came into being. Victor was so disgusted by the monster that he was able to blame his brother’s death on it, without any actual proof. However, there is hope for Victor as exhibited in the above quote. The monster seems to spark some kind of latent sympathy deep down inside him, and he begins to feel the first faint stirrings of paternal caring towards the monster. Victor “played God” in creating the monster and, because of this, he has a manner of responsibility for it. Though the creature may not be his blood relative, its existence is solely because of him. I think that Victor may have realized this upon meeting the monster, and it enabled him to think rationally concerning the creature. Victor was no longer so confident in his believe that the monster murdered his brother, and he was no longer sure of the monster’s malignity. If Victor can recognize and accept responsibility for the monster, it will allow him to become much happier with his current situation. ~Colin
"Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knoledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."(43)
This rare moment of insight, provided by Frankenstein, opened the door to his new inner feelings derived from his creation, was intelligent and most philosophical, and can perhaps be considered a moral of Frankenstein. Initially, Frankenstein embarked on his journey with utmost confidence and vigor, determined to make the odd sciences he was interested in meaningful, and to make history in them for self-satisfaction, crushing any impediments on his lonely path. However, he naturally began to experience the pain that secretly permeated his subconscious mind in the process of the monster's creation. This quote represents climatic emotions, a profound change in Frankenstein's personality and character. It's also unbelievably intelligent and philosophical, and it can be applied to the novel and the development of life's meaning. Ignorance is sometimes desirable; we aren't resilient enough to know everything. Knoledge is key for survival and advancement, but when will we strut too far; knoledge and value(in Frankenstein, the value of human life specifically) are inversely related. Lastly, the quote is so significant that it could very well be considered a moral to the story, depending upon what you got out of it. The danger of knoledge encompasses the idea of Frankenstein. An arrogant man with child-like fantasies trifles with life, and seemingly with relative ease, forms it, thus stripping it of all substantial meaning. The monster could symbolize knoledge, for, like knoledge, he's grotesque and revealing, and he causes irreparable destruction, specifically to Frankenstein's mentality, and his family. The truth behind both the quote and the story is that some things are better left unknown. - Kevin
"Sleep fled from my eyes; I wandered like an evil spirit, for I had committed deeds of mischief beyond description horrible, and more, much more (I persuaded myself), was yet behind. Yet my heart overflowed with kindness, and the love of virtue. I had begun life with benevolent intentions, and thirsted for the moment when I should put them in practice, and make myself useful to my fellow-beings." (75)
Victor contradicts himself here. He is saying that he has a love of virtue, but it is not very virtuous to create life out of many lifeless body parts. He also says that he wanted to help other people, but the monster he has created has killed people, and only the ones close to him. In the first part of the quote, however, he does not contradict himself. The monser he made was a beyond horrible deed of mischief, and more was to come. At this point, only William and Justine had died. Victor realized that the monster was actually pertty smart and was going to continue to wreak havoc on the Frankenstein family. -Colleen
Passages (Second Section)
"My life, as it passed thus, was hateful to me, and it was during sleep alone that I could taste joy... The spirits that guarded me had provided these moments, or rather hours, of happiness, that I might retain strength to fulfill my pilgrimage... During the day I was sustained and inspirited by the hope of night: for in sleep I saw my friends, my wife, and my beloved country; again I saw the benevolent countenance of my father, heard the silver tones of my Elizabeth's voice, and beheld Clerval enjoying health and youth. Often, when wearied by toilsome march, I persuaded myself that I was dreaming until night should come, and that I should then enjoy reality in the arms of my dearest friends." (173)
This quote shows that Victor is only living to kill the monster. All his friends and family are dead and he can only see them in his dreams. He cannot wait until the day he dies because it will mean one of two things: that the monster is dead or he was killed by the thing he had created that had killed most of his family. It shows that his life is now devoted to killing this beast, because he has nothing else to live for. If he had not promised himself that he would kill his own creation, he would have killed himself already because all he looks forward to is the people he will see in his dreams. -Colleen
"Cursed, Cursed Creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence wich you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants , and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery." (117)
This quote is significant because this is when Frankenstein's monster started feeling anger in his heart against the creator. He was so happy watching the De Lacey family and was satisfied with where he was, but after they rejected him brutally, it was the last straw. He could deal with everyone else that are disgusted by his appearance, but when his "family" is grotesqued by his appearance, he realizes that he is not normal. He blames this on Victor, and wants revenge. This leads to him killing all of Victor's loved ones, which of course is one of the most important things that happens in the novel. This revenge was spurred on by good reason, as well. Victor never should have created the monster, or none of this ever would have happened. It just shows that you should never push science too far, and Victor learned this the hard way from the revenge of the monster. -David
"The wind which had hitherto carried us along with amazing rapidity, sunk at sunset to a light breeze; the soft air just ruffled the water, and caused a pleasant motion among the trees as we approached the shore, from which it wafted the most delightful scent of flowers and hay. The sun sunk beneath the horizon as we landed; and as I touched the shore, I felt those cares and fears revive which soon were to clasp me and cling to me forever."(163)
This quote describes Frankenstein's current emotions through suffering continuous losses from his family, caused by his own creation, and it struck me as important because his emotions were conveyed through weather; after all it is a gothic novel. Before the murders, both the monster, and Frankenstein indirectly, had commited, life seemed to be exceedingly happier, for in the quote it shows how all of the beauty of life was quickly put out of view by the sunset. He's too caught up in everything he's done to enjoy life. The energetic wind, the scent of the flowers, and the beautiful images he viewed became empty of value and meaning with the setting of the sun. The darkness symbolized Frankenstein not being able to sense the beauty of life any longer.-Kevin
“But it is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept, and grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living thing. I have devoted my creator, the select specimen of all that is worthy of love and admiration among men, to misery; I have pursued him even to that irremediable ruin. There he lies, white and cold in death. You hate me; but your abhorrence cannot equal that with which I regard myself.” (185)
This quote shows the complete turnaround of the monster’s thoughts. In the beginning of the book, the monster was furious at his creator, and righteous in his belief that he deserved happiness; in the form of a mate and escape from humanity. The monster did commit many atrocities during his journey, but he always felt justified in them. Now, however, with his creator lying dead at his feet, the monumental weight of the evils he committed comes crashing down upon him. He is so filled with self loathing that he finally understands how grievous his crimes were. However, the abundance of loathing that he places upon himself seems almost too much; after all, it was Victor who abandoned him. Victor, though not maliciously, caused the monster to develop something he never had before, something that only humans, born and raised by humans, can develop; a conscience. The monster was always striving to become more human, and at last he achieved it. Unfortunately, Victor never nurtured this creature whom he created and set upon the world so selfishly and never imparted the secret of guilt; that one can be redeemed. Redemption is available to anyone who seeks it, be it through religion, one’s family, or simply through your own thoughts. The monster is choosing to make up for his sins in one way; atonement. He feels that his suicide will, if not make up for the deaths he has caused, prevent any more. It is debatable whether atoning or being redeemed would have been the best course of action for this creature; however, it was his choice alone to decide his fate, and he did so with the utmost finality. ~Colin
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.