"She vanished into her rich house, into her rich, full life, leaving Gatsby- nothing." page 149
I think a big theme in this book is societal issues. Social status is very important to many characters. I think the character's actions shows how much society affects people's decisions. Daisy loved Gatsby but he was poor. She felt pressure from society and even her own family to marry someone who was at the same social status as her and could provide for her financially. Daisy didn't even want to marry Tom, she didn't love him but because society told her to, she did. She would rather be miserable and rich than poor and happy. All of these people that attended Gatsby's parties didn't care about Gatsby at all or even the other people at the parties, they just wanted to be cool and fit in with the "popular" people. This showed that they didn't really have minds of their own. They constantly looked at other "influential" people to decide what their next move should be. No one stood up and tried to stop it. Everyone, even Nick, just let it happen. People hid behind their secrets and lies because they were afraid if people knew who they really were, they wouldn't be accepted. That was something that no one's "social status" could afford.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Great Gatsby- East vs. West
"West Egg as a world complete in itself, with its own standards and its own great figures, second to nothing because it had no consciousness of being so." page 105
The setting plays an important part in this story. There is definitely a contrasting element to the East Egg and West Egg. The people interact with each other but they don't really like each other. I think the West Egg people are more of the people who get rich quick like the movie stars and live life in the fast lane. When Daisy goes to Gatsby's party she is appalled by the scene she sees and the way people act. I think the East Egg people are more civilized and either had to work for their money or are born into a rich family. Their attitudes are also contrasting. West Egg people seem to have more feelings and really care about people like Nick and Gatsby. The East Egg people seem to be more shallow and put money above everything like Tom and Daisy. There is also a contrast between the Western and Eastern part of the United States. "I see now that this has been a story of the West after all- Tom and Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan and I were all Westerners and perhaps we possessed some deficiency in common which made us subtly unadaptable to Eastern life." (177) The Easterners had a more fast paced way of life and were more consumed with social status and money. I think all of the characters got sucked into that way of life, some more than others. I think Nick left his home to experience that yet always felt like he could be more grounded at home because it was a simpler way of life.
The setting plays an important part in this story. There is definitely a contrasting element to the East Egg and West Egg. The people interact with each other but they don't really like each other. I think the West Egg people are more of the people who get rich quick like the movie stars and live life in the fast lane. When Daisy goes to Gatsby's party she is appalled by the scene she sees and the way people act. I think the East Egg people are more civilized and either had to work for their money or are born into a rich family. Their attitudes are also contrasting. West Egg people seem to have more feelings and really care about people like Nick and Gatsby. The East Egg people seem to be more shallow and put money above everything like Tom and Daisy. There is also a contrast between the Western and Eastern part of the United States. "I see now that this has been a story of the West after all- Tom and Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan and I were all Westerners and perhaps we possessed some deficiency in common which made us subtly unadaptable to Eastern life." (177) The Easterners had a more fast paced way of life and were more consumed with social status and money. I think all of the characters got sucked into that way of life, some more than others. I think Nick left his home to experience that yet always felt like he could be more grounded at home because it was a simpler way of life.
The Great Gatsby- Poor Gatsby
"The minister glanced several times at his watch, so I took him aside and asked him to wait for half an hour. But it wasn't any use. Nobody came." page 175
This book wasn't really sad but this part really made me sad. I kind of sympathized with Gatsby the whole book. There was something about him that was relatable. He threw all these huge parties and was so mysterious about where he got his money but deep down he did everything he did for Daisy. He was so in love with her and he would do anything to get her back. He didn't have a lot of friends but he seemed to be a pretty likable guy to me. The fact that four people came to his funeral is really sad. It's almost kind of funny because you would think there had to be more than four people come to his funeral considering he had parties every week at his house with hundreds of people. I think that showed what kind of society they were living in. Everyone was "friends" but really they just talked to each other because they wanted to be with people who were at the same social level as they were. Every move people made, every person they talked to was just a calculated move that had to do with money or success. Gatsby truly did care about people but no one cared for him in return.
This book wasn't really sad but this part really made me sad. I kind of sympathized with Gatsby the whole book. There was something about him that was relatable. He threw all these huge parties and was so mysterious about where he got his money but deep down he did everything he did for Daisy. He was so in love with her and he would do anything to get her back. He didn't have a lot of friends but he seemed to be a pretty likable guy to me. The fact that four people came to his funeral is really sad. It's almost kind of funny because you would think there had to be more than four people come to his funeral considering he had parties every week at his house with hundreds of people. I think that showed what kind of society they were living in. Everyone was "friends" but really they just talked to each other because they wanted to be with people who were at the same social level as they were. Every move people made, every person they talked to was just a calculated move that had to do with money or success. Gatsby truly did care about people but no one cared for him in return.
The Great Gatsby- Oh Daisy
"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy-they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..." pages 180-181
At first I liked Daisy. I saw potential in her to be a character who rebelled against society. Her husband was cheating on her and I thought there was going to be some big scene where she went up against Tom and left him and decided to make a life with Gatsby. However, she ends up being a shallow, heartless character. She killed Myrtle! I know it was an accident, but she still killed her and then just left. If that isn't bad enough, she let Gatsby take the blame for it. Supposedly she loved Gatsby but letting him take the fall for a crime she committed doesn't sound a lot like love. I think this just showed how immature Daisy was. She didn't want to take ownership for her mistake because it would mean giving up her lavish lifestyle. She was too afraid to leave Tom because Tom meant security and Gatsby meant wild and free and unexpected. I think deep down Daisy did love Gatsby and wanted a life with him but she couldn't part with her money and place in society.
At first I liked Daisy. I saw potential in her to be a character who rebelled against society. Her husband was cheating on her and I thought there was going to be some big scene where she went up against Tom and left him and decided to make a life with Gatsby. However, she ends up being a shallow, heartless character. She killed Myrtle! I know it was an accident, but she still killed her and then just left. If that isn't bad enough, she let Gatsby take the blame for it. Supposedly she loved Gatsby but letting him take the fall for a crime she committed doesn't sound a lot like love. I think this just showed how immature Daisy was. She didn't want to take ownership for her mistake because it would mean giving up her lavish lifestyle. She was too afraid to leave Tom because Tom meant security and Gatsby meant wild and free and unexpected. I think deep down Daisy did love Gatsby and wanted a life with him but she couldn't part with her money and place in society.
The Great Gatsby- The Green Light
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter-tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther..." page 182
I definitely think the green light is a symbol throughout the novel. When I read the first half of the book, I knew that it represented Gatsby's dreams of having a life with Daisy. Every time he saw that green light at the end of her dock, he held on to the hope that his dreams could come true. After reading the whole book, I see that the green light not only represented Gatsby's dreams, but everyone's dreams. It represented the American dream that so many people had. However, along the way I think people lost track of what the American dream really was. It became more about money and success than family and hard work. "He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city" (182). I think Gatsby was so intent that his dream was possible that he lost sight of reality. The truth was, Daisy lived in a different world and she wasn't the same woman he fell in love with years ago. Just like people lost sight of reality when they were in search of the American dream. Everyone became obsessed with money and fame that they gave up their morals and dignity.
I definitely think the green light is a symbol throughout the novel. When I read the first half of the book, I knew that it represented Gatsby's dreams of having a life with Daisy. Every time he saw that green light at the end of her dock, he held on to the hope that his dreams could come true. After reading the whole book, I see that the green light not only represented Gatsby's dreams, but everyone's dreams. It represented the American dream that so many people had. However, along the way I think people lost track of what the American dream really was. It became more about money and success than family and hard work. "He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city" (182). I think Gatsby was so intent that his dream was possible that he lost sight of reality. The truth was, Daisy lived in a different world and she wasn't the same woman he fell in love with years ago. Just like people lost sight of reality when they were in search of the American dream. Everyone became obsessed with money and fame that they gave up their morals and dignity.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Great Gatsby- 5
"It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America." page 4
This story is told in first person from the point of view of Nick Carraway. I like Nick and I think his perspective is interesting because he is the one who Gatsby opens up to and he has connections to Daisy and Tom. However, I kind of wish we could see the perspectives of other characters. I really want to know what Daisy is thinking. She seems like such a strong character, always trying to hold it together. But she kept getting emotional when she was with Gatsby. I really want to know why she is staying with Tom! If she knows he is cheating and making her look like an idiot then why is she still married to him and act like nothing is wrong. There has to be a reason. And I want to know what she thinks about Gatsby, although I guess that could be revealed in time. I would also love to know Gatsby's perspective on things. His real story about what he did to get all of his money. Lots of emotions are revealed through his conversations with Nick, but I still feel like there is more to him.
This story is told in first person from the point of view of Nick Carraway. I like Nick and I think his perspective is interesting because he is the one who Gatsby opens up to and he has connections to Daisy and Tom. However, I kind of wish we could see the perspectives of other characters. I really want to know what Daisy is thinking. She seems like such a strong character, always trying to hold it together. But she kept getting emotional when she was with Gatsby. I really want to know why she is staying with Tom! If she knows he is cheating and making her look like an idiot then why is she still married to him and act like nothing is wrong. There has to be a reason. And I want to know what she thinks about Gatsby, although I guess that could be revealed in time. I would also love to know Gatsby's perspective on things. His real story about what he did to get all of his money. Lots of emotions are revealed through his conversations with Nick, but I still feel like there is more to him.
The Great Gatsby- 4
"Involuntarily I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and faraway, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness." page 22
At first I didn't know if this had any relevance at all but after reading the first half of the book, I definitely think the green light is a symbol. I was confused as to why Gatsby was staring at a dock. This was also when little was known about Gatsby's character so he appeared mysterious and like he was hiding deep secrets. We later find out that the green light was at the end of Daisy's dock and Gatsby is in love with Daisy so he likes to look out and know that he can see her. I think the green light represents Gatsby's hope for the future. As long as he can see that green light, he believes that there is a chance for him to be happy with Daisy. I think it represents everyone's dreams as well. The green light is like that light at the end of the tunnel. If we see even a slight possibility that something can still happen, then we believe it and we hope for it.
The Great Gatsby- 3
"Oh, I'll stay in the East, don't you worry," he said, glancing at Daisy and then back at me, as if he were alert for something more. "I'd be a God damned fool to live anywhere else." page 10
I think the setting and time period of this book plays an important part to the theme and conflict. The book takes place in the early 1920's. It's after the war and people are obsessed with this idea of the American dream. Everyone wants to be rich and successful and be associated with rich and successful people. However, this leads to a lot of people hiding things, like Jordan's lies and Tom cheating on Daisy. The setting is also important. I sense almost a rivalry between people that live in the West and East Egg. More rich people seem to live in the East egg. I think they are more of the people who have become successful through business and are seen as a higher class. The West Egg people aren't poor, but I feel like they are on a lower scale. Gatsby appears to be the only rich and successful person living in the West Egg. I think this setting plays into the fact that people think they are better than others and keep trying to upstage one another, like Tom's comment above hints at the fact that he thinks he is better than West Egg residents.
I think the setting and time period of this book plays an important part to the theme and conflict. The book takes place in the early 1920's. It's after the war and people are obsessed with this idea of the American dream. Everyone wants to be rich and successful and be associated with rich and successful people. However, this leads to a lot of people hiding things, like Jordan's lies and Tom cheating on Daisy. The setting is also important. I sense almost a rivalry between people that live in the West and East Egg. More rich people seem to live in the East egg. I think they are more of the people who have become successful through business and are seen as a higher class. The West Egg people aren't poor, but I feel like they are on a lower scale. Gatsby appears to be the only rich and successful person living in the West Egg. I think this setting plays into the fact that people think they are better than others and keep trying to upstage one another, like Tom's comment above hints at the fact that he thinks he is better than West Egg residents.
The Great Gatsby- 2
"Now he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner. Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward." page 7
I think characterization is achieved a lot by physical descriptions in this book. Every time a new character is introduced, an in depth physical description is given and I can immediately picture exactly what the character looks like and what kind of personality they have. The above quote is describing Tom and I immediately became almost threatened by his character. He seems very overbearing and seems like he always wants to be in charge. All of that comes from Nick's description of him, his "hard mouth" and "learning forward aggressively". Nick also describes Mr. Wolfsheim as a small, flat-nosed Jew...I discovered his tiny eyes in the half-darkness". This gives off the impression that Mr. Wolfsheim is secretive or sneaky. We soon learn that he is a gambler. I think the physical descriptions are an excellent depiction of the characters.
I think characterization is achieved a lot by physical descriptions in this book. Every time a new character is introduced, an in depth physical description is given and I can immediately picture exactly what the character looks like and what kind of personality they have. The above quote is describing Tom and I immediately became almost threatened by his character. He seems very overbearing and seems like he always wants to be in charge. All of that comes from Nick's description of him, his "hard mouth" and "learning forward aggressively". Nick also describes Mr. Wolfsheim as a small, flat-nosed Jew...I discovered his tiny eyes in the half-darkness". This gives off the impression that Mr. Wolfsheim is secretive or sneaky. We soon learn that he is a gambler. I think the physical descriptions are an excellent depiction of the characters.
The Great Gatsby- 1
"At the enchanted metropolitan twilight I felt a haunting loneliness sometimes" page 57
I think Nick and Gatsby are parallel characters. From the outside, they appear quite different because Gatsby is rich and owns a huge mansion and is very successful while Nick doesn't really know many people, doesn't have much money and isn't very successful in the business world. However, I think they actually have a lot in common. They were both in the war which I think affected both of them. Gatsby even says that he wanted to die in the war. I think the thing they most have in common, is their desire for something greater than possessions. I think they both want companionship. Gatsby pines for Daisy and has waited for five years just to see her again. He is rich and successful but deep down he is lonely and only wants Daisy. Nick is also lonely as seen in the above quote. He wants to be happy and is searching for a companion. He thinks he might be in love with Jordan but he has a "situation" back home that he has to figure out.
I think Nick and Gatsby are parallel characters. From the outside, they appear quite different because Gatsby is rich and owns a huge mansion and is very successful while Nick doesn't really know many people, doesn't have much money and isn't very successful in the business world. However, I think they actually have a lot in common. They were both in the war which I think affected both of them. Gatsby even says that he wanted to die in the war. I think the thing they most have in common, is their desire for something greater than possessions. I think they both want companionship. Gatsby pines for Daisy and has waited for five years just to see her again. He is rich and successful but deep down he is lonely and only wants Daisy. Nick is also lonely as seen in the above quote. He wants to be happy and is searching for a companion. He thinks he might be in love with Jordan but he has a "situation" back home that he has to figure out.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Mr. Kirwin
"Mr. Kirwin had shown me extreme kindness"
"His countenance expressed sympathy and compassion"
page 131
This may not be relevant to the plot line but I was really interested by the fact that Mr. Kirwin was so compassionate towards Victor. Everyone in the town thinks Victor killed Henry and keep giving him dirty looks and scorning him. Yet Mr. Kirwin gets him the best room and continuously checks on him. I really wanted to know why! Maybe it was revealed and I just missed it, but it seemed like Mr. Kirwin just genuinely cared about Victor even though they had just met. I think he truly believed the story Victor told about the creature. I kept waiting for him to tell some story about how he understood where Victor was coming from because he had been through something similar. Or a story that he saw the creature. Or he was somehow connected to Henry. Anything! But there was no connection or explanation which means that Mr. Kirwin represented the few characters in the book who just did something out of the kindness of their hearts. There was no motive or incentive or what's in it for me. I like that guy.
"His countenance expressed sympathy and compassion"
page 131
This may not be relevant to the plot line but I was really interested by the fact that Mr. Kirwin was so compassionate towards Victor. Everyone in the town thinks Victor killed Henry and keep giving him dirty looks and scorning him. Yet Mr. Kirwin gets him the best room and continuously checks on him. I really wanted to know why! Maybe it was revealed and I just missed it, but it seemed like Mr. Kirwin just genuinely cared about Victor even though they had just met. I think he truly believed the story Victor told about the creature. I kept waiting for him to tell some story about how he understood where Victor was coming from because he had been through something similar. Or a story that he saw the creature. Or he was somehow connected to Henry. Anything! But there was no connection or explanation which means that Mr. Kirwin represented the few characters in the book who just did something out of the kindness of their hearts. There was no motive or incentive or what's in it for me. I like that guy.
The Bride of Frankenstein
"I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not hesitated to buy it's own peace at the price perhaps of the existence of the whole human race" page 121
I understand where Victor is coming from when he says this. He knows he has already caused so much pain so he doesn't want to risk endangering more people. However, I don't think not creating the female creature was a good idea. Victor knows that by not creating the female creature, he will anger the monster and that anger could result in murder. The monster gave him is word that he would leave and never harm Victor if Victor granted him this wish. I know Victor probably doesn't trust the creature because he killed William but I think Victor owes it to the creature to follow through. Victor hasn't given the monster anything at all and he was the one who created it. I think Victor should have followed through with his plan because it could have potentially made the creature happy. This happiness would have resulted in Victor and Elizabeth being safe and happy. So I'm not sure exactly what Victor was thinking.
I understand where Victor is coming from when he says this. He knows he has already caused so much pain so he doesn't want to risk endangering more people. However, I don't think not creating the female creature was a good idea. Victor knows that by not creating the female creature, he will anger the monster and that anger could result in murder. The monster gave him is word that he would leave and never harm Victor if Victor granted him this wish. I know Victor probably doesn't trust the creature because he killed William but I think Victor owes it to the creature to follow through. Victor hasn't given the monster anything at all and he was the one who created it. I think Victor should have followed through with his plan because it could have potentially made the creature happy. This happiness would have resulted in Victor and Elizabeth being safe and happy. So I'm not sure exactly what Victor was thinking.
Why?
"but I was the slave, not the master, of an impulse, which I detested, yet could not disobey" page 164
This is interesting because the creature kept telling Victor that he was the slave and the creature was the master. Now the creature is calling himself the slave. I think he is saying this because deep down the creature didn't want to hurt people. I don't think the creature was "born" evil because he first reaches out to Victor and he wants to be a part of the De Lacey family. The creature only became bad because of how society treated him. The creature had absolutely no one to turn to. He tried everything he could to get people to accept him but no one would. When Victor doesn't make the female creature, he destroys the creature's last hopes of happiness. Because of this, I think the creature felt like he had to kill Victor. He was fixated on this idea that making Victor's life miserable was his purpose in life because Victor had robbed him of a chance to enjoy his own life. I don't think the creature killed Victor's loved ones out of pure malice. I think he did it because he felt alone and betrayed. He was hurt so deeply that he had to hurt others to attempt at making himself feel better.
This is interesting because the creature kept telling Victor that he was the slave and the creature was the master. Now the creature is calling himself the slave. I think he is saying this because deep down the creature didn't want to hurt people. I don't think the creature was "born" evil because he first reaches out to Victor and he wants to be a part of the De Lacey family. The creature only became bad because of how society treated him. The creature had absolutely no one to turn to. He tried everything he could to get people to accept him but no one would. When Victor doesn't make the female creature, he destroys the creature's last hopes of happiness. Because of this, I think the creature felt like he had to kill Victor. He was fixated on this idea that making Victor's life miserable was his purpose in life because Victor had robbed him of a chance to enjoy his own life. I don't think the creature killed Victor's loved ones out of pure malice. I think he did it because he felt alone and betrayed. He was hurt so deeply that he had to hurt others to attempt at making himself feel better.
The Creature Returns Yet Never Really Left
"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!" page 163
After Victor dies, the creature comes to the place of his body. This scene was contradicting for me too. The creature says, " 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." (page 163) The creature hated Victor because he abandoned him and didn't grant him his only wish yet now he is asking for his forgiveness? It makes met think that the creature is being sarcastic, especially when he calls Victor "generous". But then again, I think the creature does have a good heart, he just felt betrayed by Victor and excluded from society. He killed the people he did because no one would accept him or try to get to know him. I think the creature came to see Victor because he wanted to finish what he started. Once Victor decided not to make a companion for the creature, the creature knew he would never be happy. He had to kill Victor and his loved ones to show Victor how much pain he had caused the creature.
After Victor dies, the creature comes to the place of his body. This scene was contradicting for me too. The creature says, " 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." (page 163) The creature hated Victor because he abandoned him and didn't grant him his only wish yet now he is asking for his forgiveness? It makes met think that the creature is being sarcastic, especially when he calls Victor "generous". But then again, I think the creature does have a good heart, he just felt betrayed by Victor and excluded from society. He killed the people he did because no one would accept him or try to get to know him. I think the creature came to see Victor because he wanted to finish what he started. Once Victor decided not to make a companion for the creature, the creature knew he would never be happy. He had to kill Victor and his loved ones to show Victor how much pain he had caused the creature.
The Blame Game
"During these last days I have been occupied in examining my past conduct; nor do I find it blameable. 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." page 161
Hmm that's weird because it didn't seem like Victor was trying to make the creature happy at all! I feel like Victor is contradicting himself in this statement. He says that he doesn't think he should be blamed for everything that happened because he wasn't intending harm to occur. I do understand that because Victor didn't create the monster with an intent to endanger human kind, especially his family. However, I do think Victor should be held responsible for creating the monster and then running away and leaving the monster to fend for himself. How did Victor expect the creature to act when he completely abandoned him? One reason why I think Victor's statement is contradictory is because earlier in the book, after Henry died, Victor is blaming himself for what happened. "Justine, poor unhappy Justine, was as innocent as I, and she suffered the same charge; she died for it; and I am the cause of this- I murdered her. William, Justine, and Henry- they all died by my hands." (page 136) Here, Victor is blaming himself because he created the monster that killed those characters. I don't think Victor should be blamed for everything that happened because he didn't create the monster maliciously, but he still has to take some of the blame because he did bring the creature into existence and leave it alone to learn from society how to act.
Hmm that's weird because it didn't seem like Victor was trying to make the creature happy at all! I feel like Victor is contradicting himself in this statement. He says that he doesn't think he should be blamed for everything that happened because he wasn't intending harm to occur. I do understand that because Victor didn't create the monster with an intent to endanger human kind, especially his family. However, I do think Victor should be held responsible for creating the monster and then running away and leaving the monster to fend for himself. How did Victor expect the creature to act when he completely abandoned him? One reason why I think Victor's statement is contradictory is because earlier in the book, after Henry died, Victor is blaming himself for what happened. "Justine, poor unhappy Justine, was as innocent as I, and she suffered the same charge; she died for it; and I am the cause of this- I murdered her. William, Justine, and Henry- they all died by my hands." (page 136) Here, Victor is blaming himself because he created the monster that killed those characters. I don't think Victor should be blamed for everything that happened because he didn't create the monster maliciously, but he still has to take some of the blame because he did bring the creature into existence and leave it alone to learn from society how to act.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A Story Within A Story Within A Story
"It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of my being: all the events of that period appear confused and indistinct." page 70
The creature telling his story of what he did the past two years marks another frame story. I almost forgot that Robert Walton was even a character in this book because it's been so long since he was in the story. So Walton is telling his sister a story that Victor told him and know the creature is telling Victor a story. That's pretty confusing if you word it that way. However, I think the idea of multiple frame stories is a good idea. It keeps the reader engaged in the story by offering more and more plots. Also, I like that each story has a different point of view. Up til this point, I have no idea what the creature thinks or feels. This third frame story allows me to see not only what the creature has been up to, but what he was feeling at every step on his journey which I think is really cool.
The creature telling his story of what he did the past two years marks another frame story. I almost forgot that Robert Walton was even a character in this book because it's been so long since he was in the story. So Walton is telling his sister a story that Victor told him and know the creature is telling Victor a story. That's pretty confusing if you word it that way. However, I think the idea of multiple frame stories is a good idea. It keeps the reader engaged in the story by offering more and more plots. Also, I like that each story has a different point of view. Up til this point, I have no idea what the creature thinks or feels. This third frame story allows me to see not only what the creature has been up to, but what he was feeling at every step on his journey which I think is really cool.
Poor Creature
"They spurn and hate me. The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me, and the only one which man does not grudge." page 69
I really feel bad for the creature. I greatly sympathize with him because he is completely on his own. Starting from the very first day he was created, he had to learn to live on his own because his own creator deserted him. He can't go anywhere with people or meet anyone because everyone is petrified of his looks. I can't imagine not being able to walk, talk or know what's going on and being left in the world to fend for myself. It's remarkable that the creature is talking and thinking philosophically and this makes me have a lot of respect for him. The creature's misfortunes makes Victor look like the bad guy. It's definitely the opposite of what I first thought because I envisioned the creature being this horrible being trying to maliciously kill people which isn't true at all.
I really feel bad for the creature. I greatly sympathize with him because he is completely on his own. Starting from the very first day he was created, he had to learn to live on his own because his own creator deserted him. He can't go anywhere with people or meet anyone because everyone is petrified of his looks. I can't imagine not being able to walk, talk or know what's going on and being left in the world to fend for myself. It's remarkable that the creature is talking and thinking philosophically and this makes me have a lot of respect for him. The creature's misfortunes makes Victor look like the bad guy. It's definitely the opposite of what I first thought because I envisioned the creature being this horrible being trying to maliciously kill people which isn't true at all.
The Monster Was Born
"He might have spoken but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed downstairs." page 35-36
I found this scene to be very ironic and puzzling. Victor spends all this time researching and planning how he is going to invent this creature. He puts so much time and effort into making it and sacrifices his social life. When he has finally accomplished what he has been working so hard on, he runs away. I repeat, he runs away. This is irony. Definitely the opposite of what I expected to happen which I feel like may be the reason why the author used the irony. The fact that he ran away really irritated me too. Victor had to have some inclination that the monster would come after him, and he made him to be eight feet tall! But to make the situation even more ironic, the monster wasn't even trying to hurt Victor, he was trying to get Victor's attention, like a child seeking their parent's attention.
I found this scene to be very ironic and puzzling. Victor spends all this time researching and planning how he is going to invent this creature. He puts so much time and effort into making it and sacrifices his social life. When he has finally accomplished what he has been working so hard on, he runs away. I repeat, he runs away. This is irony. Definitely the opposite of what I expected to happen which I feel like may be the reason why the author used the irony. The fact that he ran away really irritated me too. Victor had to have some inclination that the monster would come after him, and he made him to be eight feet tall! But to make the situation even more ironic, the monster wasn't even trying to hurt Victor, he was trying to get Victor's attention, like a child seeking their parent's attention.
Oh Victor
"Dear Sir, you are very kind to visit me; you, I hope, do not believe that I am guilty."
"I could not answer." page 59
I feel like Victor is a protagonist and an antagonist. He is the main character of the story and I do sympathize with him because he feels like he is responsible for William's death because he created the creature. However, if he is so certain that the creature murdered William then why does he sit back and let Justine be convicted of the crime??! In that way I feel that Victor is the antagonist because he is creating more troubles and problems for people. He angers the creature by leaving him and being cruel to him when he sees him which I think could cause the creature to act out which won't be good for anyone. I think Victor has good intentions just like he was really interested in science and wanted to invent something new. But he makes bad decisions sometimes. Letting Justine be killed and running away from the creature literally seconds after creating him were two examples of those bad decisions.
"I could not answer." page 59
I feel like Victor is a protagonist and an antagonist. He is the main character of the story and I do sympathize with him because he feels like he is responsible for William's death because he created the creature. However, if he is so certain that the creature murdered William then why does he sit back and let Justine be convicted of the crime??! In that way I feel that Victor is the antagonist because he is creating more troubles and problems for people. He angers the creature by leaving him and being cruel to him when he sees him which I think could cause the creature to act out which won't be good for anyone. I think Victor has good intentions just like he was really interested in science and wanted to invent something new. But he makes bad decisions sometimes. Letting Justine be killed and running away from the creature literally seconds after creating him were two examples of those bad decisions.
Smart Cookie
"Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed" page 69
When Victor finds the creature, I was expecting the creature to be violent and speak in moans and groans. However, the creature calmly approaches Victor and speaks extremely eloquently and maturely like he has known the language for years. Then he makes an allusion to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. I think the author does this to show how far advanced the creature really is. In order to make that kind of allusion, the creature must have an understanding of the bible, literature and human interactions. That is something not found in a two year old. I think something must have happened to the creature that made him learn these things so quickly. He seems very mature, even more mature than Victor.
When Victor finds the creature, I was expecting the creature to be violent and speak in moans and groans. However, the creature calmly approaches Victor and speaks extremely eloquently and maturely like he has known the language for years. Then he makes an allusion to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. I think the author does this to show how far advanced the creature really is. In order to make that kind of allusion, the creature must have an understanding of the bible, literature and human interactions. That is something not found in a two year old. I think something must have happened to the creature that made him learn these things so quickly. He seems very mature, even more mature than Victor.
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