Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Ch. 15-16

“‘Great god!’ exclaimed the old man, ‘who are you’” (Shelly 96).  The old man although he is blind can still tell there is something odd about the creature when he touches him.  The creature hopes to live with the cottagers and have them not judge him for his appearance.  His wish is destroyed with in minutes of him trying to make friends with the cottagers.  The creature’s only hope to make friends is destroyed so he loses hope and turns toward his creator for recompense.  How does one of Victor’s garments fit the creature?  Finding William in the woods brings hope to the creature that he might not be prejudiced towards ugliness but he is.  William voices his opinion like any child would.  This perfectly characterizes the creature ugliness.  The creature seems to be slightly put-off by his action of killing William for a little bit.  The creature is also smart enough to frame another person for the crime.  His hope seems not completely lose yet because he at first seems to admire the woman he frames.

Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Ch. 13-14

Ignorance is bliss.  The creature stated out unknowing in ignorance.  He then slowly becomes more acquainted with humanity.  In his first forest he lived happily.  The creature had very little but he needed very little as well because he was ignorant of anything better.  But as the creature gained more knowledge he became more aware of his circumstances.  “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me: I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge. Oh that I had forever remained in my native wood, nor known nor felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst and heat” (Shelly 85).  The creature does not fully understand everything that happens but is more and more realizing how alone he is in the world.  The creature is like a child slowly learning about the world.  He is however leaning much faster than human children because he was created originally as a monstrous being.  He was force to fend for himself and he only gets to learn by listening to others. 

Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Ch 10-12

“I expected this reception,” said the daemon. “All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things!” (Shelly 68).  The thing can speak!  Who could the thing learn to speak so eloquently in the span of two years?  The monster is portrayed as having very human emotional characteristics.  He knows he is hated.  How does the monster know who created him if when he was first created he could not make sense of all of his senses individually?  I like how Shelly portrays the monsters early days.  He is lost and can’t make since of what his mind is thinking.  It in a way gives a perspective of what a new born baby may think. This is interesting also thought that the monster remembers those early days so vividly. While the monster is observing the family why does no one find him?  It seems odd that they would have never heard him through the wall. 

Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Ch 7-9

“William is dead!—that sweet child, whose smiles delighted and warmed my heart, who was so gentle, yet so gay! Victor, he is murdered!” (Shelly 46).  Another person is dead in the story.  Why do all the stories we read have someone die in them.  They aren’t even bad guys who die but nice people.  This death adds to the weight that is building on top of Frankenstein.  He continually has bad things happen to him. He started out have the best childhood that anyone could have but then his mother dies.  He goes to school and creates a monster then his brother dies.  Then an innocent person is executed for his brother’s murder.  Frankenstein is continually sinking deeper into despair.  Why did he not at least try to explain his creation to someone so that they might be able to help Justine? Justine that is ironic that part of her name is “just” when she dies an unjust death.

Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Ch 4-6

“In my education my father had taken the greatest precautions that my mind should be impressed with no supernatural horrors. I do not ever remember to have trembled at a tale of superstition, or to have feared the apparition of a spirit,” (Shelly 30).  Frankenstein’s father is further to blame for Frankenstein’s demise.  He again affected his child in a way that was detrimental to his life. If Frankenstein had been superstitious of death like most normal people then he may not have made his fatal mistake.  Frankenstein was a smart person but he just had too much gusto and a little to little respect for dead peoples bodies.  How many bodies did he watch decay?  Frankenstein’s whole actions in the university are creepy.  Did no one ask question about why he was collecting body parts at least his maid or house keeper?  It is ironic that he so fervently works to create life but once he finally does he immediately hates it and is scared of his own creation.  He even gets cripplingly sick just by the thought of his creation.

Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Ch 1-3

The first three chapters serve to characterize Frankenstein before his life became hopeless and he met Walton on the frozen ocean.  Frankenstein has a adopted sister which he cares very deeply about.  He had a very happy and privileged childhood which would for most people make them stuck up. Frankenstein is not totally stuck up but is very determined. He has a great interest in learning especially about the reasons for nature’s occurrences.  He has no responsibilities given to him by his parents and he seems to be free to do as he pleases.  In his youth he taught himself a great deal.  “But the cursory glance my father had taken of my volume by no means assured me that he was acquainted with its contents; and I continued to read with the greatest avidity,” (Shelly 21).  Although he had a great childhood he blames his ultimate downfall on his childhood. His father failed to fully explain his opinion about Frankenstein books so Frankenstein further delved into his books in obstinacy to his father’s remark. 

Frankenstein / Mary Shelly / Letters

This is probably the first frame story I have actually thought of as such.  I think I have read one before but I never really realized what had happened.  This frame story characterizes Captain Walton a man who has similar ambitions to Frankenstein.  Walton has a strong relationship with his sister who is really his only relation.  He does not mention any other family which he would talk to.  He does mention an uncle who inspired him to be an explorer because of the books he lent Walton to read. “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been,” (Shelly 13).  Frankenstein and Walton are very similar. They both have grand ideas that they try to attain. The difference if where they are in that journey to attain their goals.  Frankenstein has reached his goal and it turned sourer. Walton has not yet reached his goal and does not know how it will end up.