Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character’s actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary. I. Introduction: A. In Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein, the reader is tasked with answering the central question of who is the truest evil.
Kyle Lyon Professor Ed Steck AWR 201 F3 14 April 2015 Annotated Bibliography Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Ed. Hunter, Paul J. Norton Critical Edition.
.Following Victor’s description of his creation, he begins to describe the horribleness of the creature and his abhorrent emotions and feelings he must endure. Inevitably, Victor falls ill with some mysterious sickness due to his uncertainty of the creature he previously created. All of his mental suffering occurring in the month of November, the completion of fall. Further on, after William and Justine have been killed, Victor decides to leave, “It was the latter end of September that I again quitted my native country” (Shelley 166).
This is as Shelley frequently looks for beauty and wonder in the sublime throughout her novel, Whereas Ishiguro looks more towards a melancholic setting relying on the British countryside and the bleak gray landscapes. I believe that Shelley uses he sublime setting to mirror the nature of the story, this is Frankenstein is a romantic story about the sublime and the power of nature. An example of this is the power of nature and victor fascination with it from a young age. Therefore it is key that Mary Shelley emphasizes the power of nature with the vast and sublime natural landscapes as a constant reminder to the reader of nature's power and the dangers victor has brought upon himself by opposing the power of nature.
The Bride of Frankenstein directed by James Whale is an incredible film telling the story after what happened in the first movie, Frankenstein. After being visited by Dr. Praetorius, (because he wants to make a wife for “the monster”) Dr. Henry Frankenstein decides to make one last creation. As the film continues you see the monster scaring people but also making a friend on the long run. Later on, Dr. Praetorius meets the monster and tells him about his plan and how he wants to give him a loving wife.
One of the overall motifs in the novel is loneliness. This idea is repeated many times but has a major effect on the creature as it is this loneliness that drives him to commit the crimes that he makes. This idea of loneliness being one of the worst things possible is also seen when the creature does everything possible to make sure that Victor ends up alone and miserable the way that he had for so many years. This idea conveys the impression that the creature is just a child because it shows its vulnerability and expresses the desire that creature has which is to not be alone anymore. When the creature goes and spends some time watching a family he feels less lonely and this makes him feel happy like he says, “Happy, happy earth!
The need and mutual respect for love and companionship is what truly makes one human. In the book Frankenstein it is seen from the first time Victor brings his monster to life that he has no compassion or attachment towards him. In fact, he abandons him out of fear. Throughout the story the monster feels a lack of affection, not only from Victor but from the other people he meets and wants to make friends with, leaving him in misery. Due to persistent abandonment and apathy, the monster sought out revenge and committed treacherous acts of violence.
Frankenstein Literary Criticism Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, is filled with motifs of Nature and companionship. During the Romantic period or movement, when the novel Frankenstein was written, nature was a huge part of romanticism. Nature was perceived as pure, peaceful, and almost motherly. As we read the novel through Victor Frankenstein 's perspective, we the readers can see how romanticized-nature is perceived as by those who find comfort in nature. This novel also contains, in addition to romantic elements, heavy-filled gothic scenes and descriptions.
Love is an unselffish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelly the creature is not shown love which leads to emotions like unhappiness, hatred, and destruction. Emotion is the charactristic of romanticim which contributes to the overall motif of love is a necessity for happiness. Seeing that there was no hope in the goodness of humanity, the creature realizes that he needs an equally ugly female companion to love. He explains to victor “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.”
It includes many Romantic features like nature, overflow of emotions, gothic elements, imagination, and individuality. The theme of nature is obvious in the novel. The Romantics believed that people should be one with nature. They were enthralled with mysterious forces of nature. They believed that nature had a healing power.
Shelley uses hopeful imagery of nature in reference to Henry Clerval, revealing
In Mary Shelley’s iconic gothic novel, Frankenstein, Romantic themes are strongly represented in order to propagandize Romanticism over the elements of knowledge and the Enlightenment. In her novel, Shelley uses gothic nature settings to foreshadow dark events that are about to happen in the novel. She also uses nature to intensify the effect that is brought during significant scenes, a strong example being, when Victor Frankenstein’s monster approaches him after a long period of time. Nature and its use to influence mood is one of the most paramount themes of both Frankenstein and Romanticism.
While parts of the novel take place in areas of continental Europe such as Switzerland and Germany while others take place in the Arctic region. This change of pace provides contrast and clearly separates the different sections of the book. Secondly, the buildings themselves are impactful, places such as Frankenstein’s laboratory …. Science experiments were not known to the average reader; thus this was an added element of mystery and gloom to the setting. The prospect of raising the dead would disgust the typical reader, causing terror and disbelief, Shelley takes full advantage of this to enhance the strange feelings that Frankenstein generates in its readers.
By always describing every single aspect of the surrounding scenery Shelley incorporates a theme of nature into her work. She also examines how this nature affects the characters and how they interact with it. This effect ranges from the harsh unforgiving environment that the monster lives in after his conception, to the nicer gentler environment of Victor’s home. The stark contrast of these two environments shows how the monster could become what he is while also revealing how Victor’s personality developed. Shelley also likes to explore themes of science very realistically.
“The Monsterous Hero” Frankenstein by Mary Shelley shattered the mold of typical horror novels written during the Romantic period and revolutionized the next generation of horror writers. Shelley’s unique use of Romantic elements such as supernatural components, dualism, spontaneous creation, individual thought, and innocence illuminate important aspects that help determine the romantic hero. Specifically, a romantic hero is identified as one that opposes established standards, faces rejection by society, and is the center of his own existence. Although Victor and Walton both have some characteristics of a romantic hero, the monster is the ideal romantic hero.
