Ernest is described in terms with positive connotations such as “spirit”, while Frankenstein is described in pejorative terms such as “loathing”. The juxtaposition allows Shelley to critique the Enlightenment and promote Romantic ideals. Humanity * Example: Frankenstein: “I ardently desired the acquisition of knowledge”. * Technique & Effect: Shelley uses the technique of dramatic irony to highlight Frankenstein’s error in the acquisition of knowledge, as the reader is already aware from the start of the novel the failure of
The play revolves around Victor Frankenstein who creates a creature out of body parts, after creating the creature he is horrified by it. Shortly after the creation of his monster Victor receives a letter from his father saying that his brother has been murdered. Victor then hurries home. On his journey he runs across the monster he created and is convinced is his brother killer. Victor then allows a young innocent girl, Justine, to die for this crime.
Another aspect that is interesting is the turn in behavior for the monster. Perhaps the best quote to represent this idea comes from the actualization of the monster to himself in front of Victor’s dead body “My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love...it did not endure the violence of change without torture” showing how evil nature overcomes the good nature in human beings (Shelly, 158). Initially the monster is very amicable, however, due to continuous rejection, he seeks revenge upon all human beings. Is Shelly saying that even though even nature is good, evil eventually overcomes this good nature? Or Is Shelly saying that human nature is bad and full of rejection and isolation?
The story shows that Dr Frankenstein created his monster in order to indulge in his want to be like a god, a bringer of life so “a new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me”[1] this creation of a being who’s natures were owed to man from a feminist perspective can be considered a representation of female intellect and intelligence. Many women at the time of the novels conception, were educated to solely for the purpose of marriage, their minds were formed and educated with the patriarchal expectations of idealised feminine models. These ladies would then marry into lives of general servitude and obedience. Unable to advance themselves further than the four walls of the family home they were expected to ignore this intellect and express themselves through their household and children. They had been given the tools of education but no direction as how to express or use them.
Some might even say Shelley ardently agreed with the position in which they found themselves and the securely fixed roles during the Victorian era. Caroline Frankenstein, for example, from the beginning is the embodiment of the idealised female. She is initially presented as the perfect daughter, nursing her father lovingly till his death, and progresses on to the perfect wife, though one might argue that she never ‘progresses’ at all . She remains pale, lacking the life and vigour the men in the book so often posses, and as a result the reader pushes her to the side as a minor character. But although at first Frankenstein may give the reader the impression that women have very little impact in the novel, Shelley slyly uses them to deconstruct the power and control that men had been enjoying for years .
This shows Victor to be prejudiced through the use of horrific language to describe his own creation. This creates the reader to feel compassion as we all crave love and understanding within our daily lives. The creature is a victim to events that are beyond his control for instance the way that he finds out about his creation which leads him to a murderous pathway. The creature shows distress and grief when he talks about Frankenstein’s journal as he sees that it “bears my cursed origin (…) series of disgusting circumstances” volume chapter seven and feels that the
John Proctor's fatal flaw was his great amount of pride, and that slowly tied a series of unfortunate events which eventually made John Proctor succumb to his death. Unfortunately, Proctor dies for a crime he did not commit. Another necessary part of the tragic hero is that he or she has a complete reversal of fortune brought by the hero's own flaw. Proctor's life completely turned upside down when Abigail accused his loved ones who then were sent to jail, or executed. At the end of every tragic play, the audience must feel pity or remorse for the deceased hero.
The Monster's embedded narrative is central to the novel, generating sympathy for his character as he explains the struggle he has had to withstand without a mother or father figure. Shelley uses the voice of the Monster to convey the despair he feels, 'I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch', the tripling of lexis brings emphasis and desperation to what he communicates. The word 'wretch' is linked with the Monster all throughout the novel by Victor, therefore when the Monster calls himself a 'wretch' the sympathy we feel for him increases as he is beginning to agree with the resentful views of his creator. The monster gains a philosophical outlook on life, as he begins questioning his role on the earth with doubtful thoughts, 'Who was I? What was I?
Katie Grover Mrs. DeLong Honors British Literature and Composition 21 October 2011 Vengeance In the epic Beowulf vengeance consumes all of the characters throughout the work and eventually leads to more than one’s untimely demise. *The theme of vengeance throughout Beowulf is centralized around Grendel. The vicious cycle begins with Grendel and in a way also indirectly ends with Grendel. Grendel is the one who initially gets revenge on another group of people. To begin with, he takes revenge on the Danes for celebrating in Herot.
In what ways does the novel present knowledge as dangerous and destructive? The inhumane pursuit of knowledge shows that it is dangerous, through Victor’s acts of his creation, which in the end results in destruction of his loved ones. Shelley presents knowledge as being destructive and dangerous in many ways, through the actions of Victor’s father, the gothic scene where the creature was created, and how the search for knowledge differs in other characters. The creation of the monster shows Victor’s self centred nature. Frankenstein praises his accomplishments by claiming that even though ‘so much has been done...more, far more, will I achieve’.