Each day you will be given a reading assignment. When you read, note a specific line or lines that stand out to you or impress you in some way. You will be asked to share these in your comment back to me and the class. Occasionally, I will ask you to comment to other students' postings. Below you will find an example of one type of response.
Teacher prompt to the reading:
Careful readers of the novel point out that there is a symbolic element that develops the idea of the two main characters, Frankenstein and his monster as doubles for each other, or two parts of a divided self.
Typical Student comment back:
As I read the letters which are the introduction to the creature and Frankenstein there were several lines that stood out to me. When Walton first saw Frankenstein he referred to him as "not a savage inhabitant" (23) and "a more interesting creature" (24). The word choice leads me to believe that Shelley set up the idea of the divided self even at this early point in the novel. By doing this she also introduced the theme of acceptance. Here Walton finds a stranger who has manners "so conciliating and gentle..." that Walton "begin[s] to love him as a brother" and who is filled "with sympathy and compassion" because of Frankenstein's grief (25). From what I know of the novel, Frankenstein rejects his monster, his creation. Perhaps had Frankenstein been like Walton he would have found acceptance for the monster and himself for creating it.
More assignment information:
Sometimes I will give you a prompt. Other times there will be no prompt; you will lead the discussion with a line that stood out to you.
Today 3/19/07 - comment to the prompt given above from your reading so far. Read Chapters 1 page 31 through Chapter 6 page 68 for tomorrow. Be prepared to discuss your reading and a line or two that stood out to you and why.
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18 comments:
I think that the guy that was found is Dr. Frankenstein. The "framing" idea was produced because his character is brought forth via the letter, and as he says in the end of the last letter, "Prepare to hear of occurrences which are usually deemed marvellous." As the man get's close to the captain he decides he's going to tell his story, hence the beginning of the novel. The two characters are developed by two dog sleds being seen ashore chasing each other, one being Dr. Frankenstein, the other being Monster Frankenstein. After being rescued, the one I think to be Dr. Frankenstein says, "To seek the one who fled from me." This line stands out to me, because it could apply to Dr. Frankenstein and Monster Frankenstein because the Dr. could be searching for the monster because he felt sorry for him and felt bad about leaving him before. Yet, that line could apply to Monster Frankenstein because Dr. fled from him because he was so grotesque.
I did not find that the letters gave me insight to the character of either Frankenstein or the monster. When the second man from the sled, refers to the other as a "demon" it seems to me that it is Frankensteins monster. This second man would then appear to be Dr. Frankenstein, as he chases his monster. Another hint that the first person on the sled might be the monster, is the description: "the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature." From what I know of the novel, Dr. Frankenstein ran away after creating the monster, and now might be trying to attain forgiveness from this monster for bringin him to life.
In the letters the part when the man found on the dog sled referred to the other person as a "demon" and was very curious about his course and his whereabouts was very interesting to me(25). From what I know about the novel, it seems that the man that was brought on to the ship from the dogsled might be Dr. Frankenstein and that the "demon" that had "fled from [Dr. Frankenstein]" might be the monster(24). Also, the description of the first dog sledding man being of "gigantic stature" serves as more evidence that this man may actually be the monster. I was also intruiged by the line about how the monster fled Dr. Frankenstein. From what I have heard about the novel it seems that Dr. Frankenstein was the one who left the monster because of his shame of creating such a hideous beast.
After reading the letters and teacher’s prompts that you gave us I began to believe that the man that was found nearly dead on the ice with only one dog left was the creator of the monster. I felt that the man found on the ice and the man writing the letters were similar in that they both seemed somewhat divided. Early on in the letters R. Walton begins to express his desire and how “greatly [he was] in need of a friend”(19). While he spoke of his need for a friend he also expressed that he knew he wouldn’t find a friend out on the ice. He seemed divided in his desire to meet with people that he could interact with and his desire to sail north. The stranger that is picked up seems to be divided about whether to share his past with his new friend Walton or not. He seems to want to learn more and develop a relationship yet he is still hesitant. I am not sure how to bring in Dr. Frankenstein and his monster because there is nothing said about a “monster” in the letters. The only hint that is given to the reader in the letters that leads the me to believe that the man on the first sled was a monster was, “at the distance of half a mile; a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature”(23). Having some previous knowledge of the story of Frankenstein, this description leads me to believe that the first man on the sled was the monster and the monster is part of the reason the stranger is so divided. The monster would also explain the stranger’s hesitancy towards getting on a ship. The stranger waits to board the ship until he finds out in what direction it is traveling, possibly because he still believes he needs to follow his creation.
While reading the letters by R. Walton, he explains his loneliness. Walton picks up a stranded man whom I assume to be Dr. Frankenstein. It seems as though Walton has found the friend he has been looking for. However, the refugee that Walton picks up seems strange, as he queries "inform me whither you are bound?" This reaction is strange because the man was near death, but appeared only concerned with the direction of the vessel. After Dr. Frankenstein comes to, he seems depressed, exclaiming "I thank you for your sympathy, but it is useless; my fate is nearly fulfilled." It is apparent that this refugee has a story to tell.
The main thing that stood out to me was the distraught of the stranger who was rescued. He seemed so upset and lost. He doesn't even decide to get onto the boat until the crew tells him that they "...were on a voyage of discovery towards the northern pole." (24) After he hears that he seems "satisfied and consent(s) to come on board."(24)It is obvious that the stranger is upset over losing someone. Later, the stranger, or Frankenstein, says the he is one of the "... unfashioned creatures" and "half made up" because he "once had a friend" but now he has "lost everything and cannot begin life anew."(27)Shelly makes it seem as though the stranger is half a person without his soul mate, and she introduces his thoughts of despair while he searches for his only friend whom he pushed away. It says he is "seek(ing) one who fled from..." him.(24) To me this means that this person or "demon" as he calls him, is maybe running from him because he is "pursuing" the other man.(25) Evidently, Shelly is emphasizing a injured bond between the stranger and the one he is chasing. Many of the characters introduced appear to be grieving without someone. Even Walton "testif(ies his) gratitude for all..." his sister's "love and kindness ."(18)He clearly misses her and longs for a friend almost as much as this stranger.
Lisa Papa
Being the careful reader that I am, I believe that some of the symbolic elements that developed during the letters were how Walton's desire for companionship is mirrored in the fact that Frankenstein's monster is looking for the exact same thing. Walton, unlike Frankenstein, is able to accept the differences found in others. After Frankenstein opens up to Walton, he regrettably states: "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." (28) This is also showing how the two men are similar. It seems to me that both Frankenstein and his monster are devoted to finding something. One is driven by the will to succeed, the other, the compassion with which comes with being loved.
After reading the prompt and going back through the letters, I noticed a quote from the stranger that refers to the prompt in every way. Considering that the stranger is obviously Frankenstein, he admits that his creation is his other half. "...[W]e are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves-- such a friend ought to be...I once had a friend, the most noble of human creatures, and am entitled, therefore, to judge respecting friendship."(27) Frankenstein states outright that men are only halves of one whole friendship. Having a friend is having another half, which he claims he once had in his creation. In the same paragraph he then states that he has "lost everything and cannot begin life anew." This is clearly the reason for the grief that Walton shares with his sister. The monster, from what we have discussed in class, is also a grieving soul in that his creator has turned his back on him when all the creature wants is to love. It is possible that Frankenstein feels guilty for his actions and has fled, which is what the monster does as well.
While reading through the letters the symbolism flew right over my head. However, upon reading over the points that I felt stood out to me more, I came to understand that the man that is first sighted and is considered "of gigantic stature" ,and too is "lost among the distant inequalities of the ice" is Frankenstein the monster, who too is lost within himself. Frankenstein the man is represented by the passenger that the crew decides to take in the following day, who is emaciated, starving, and fragile. Which represents the yearning and mental position that Frankenstein the man was in. Walton's attempt to reach out to the stranger and befriend him resembles that of Frankenstein the man, longing to love, and longing to be loved. I also believe that the one live dog represents something as well, maybe the last string attaching both Frankenstein and the man to the rest of the world, the last dwindling flame, the last hope.
From my understanding of the Frankenstein story at the end Frankenstein the monster leaves Dr. Frankenstein, then Dr. Frankenstein sets out to find the monster. The letter's are the introduction of both the Frankenstin's stories as being told by who I believe to be Dr. Frankenstein to Captain Walton. In the last letter Dr. Frankenstein says to the Captain, "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 have been." This line stands out to me because it shows that Dr. Frankenstein's pursuit for knowledge and to not be lonely led to his downfall and the doctor sees this in the Captain and from what I could see is trying to forewarn him of the possible consequiances.
When Walton finds the man on the ice, I believe that this is Dr. Frankenstein, with the first creature sighted being Frankenstein’s monster. Walton seems now to have found a friend who he can relate with. Frankenstein and his monster are both portrayed by Shelley to have a slight resemblance. Yet, Frankenstein’s monster solely because of his beastly appearance repulses people. Since I read the book many years ago, I have noticed that both Frankenstein and the monster seek each other. When Walton asks the man who I know to be doctor Frankenstein why he was out in such a remote area, Frankenstein replied, “To seek the one who fled from me.” (24) Still there reasons for finding each other are slightly different. Frankenstein’s monster seeks his creator out for acceptance, while the creator seeks to destroy his creation. At the end of the letters when Walton states, “Strange and harrowing must be his story” (29) it hints that something bad happened, at least through Frankenstein’s eyes.
In each of the letters Mary Shelley is slowly introducing frankenstein and the monster or creation. On page 23 when the man is brought on board and he already seems to be well liked. I think that the man who was on the led is supposed to be Dr. Frankenstein, and when he is refferred to as a "demon" that is supposed to be the monster. [Dr. Frankenstein] seems to be really interested in the monster. He wants to tell his side of the story and then also figure out where the demon with the dogs, comes into the story. I think he just wants to igure out what is going on in his life and figure out why the monster left him. Walton feels like he has no friends on board and I think that is why he picked up a strange man. He now feels that he has a close friend and his new friend (Dr. Frankenstein) needs a friend as well.
The letters helped to paint a clear picture of Walton and the stranger’s personalities. The stranger seems to be secretive and worried about the other man on the ice. Walton is a very determined and persistent person who embarks on a mission to discover the North Pole. On the mission they become stuck in ice and come into contact with a stranger on the brink of death. This is ironic because Walton recently spoke of the impossibilities of finding a friend under his circumstances. Walton takes this stranger aboard and helps his recovery. The stranger is referred to as “creature” which is a little unnerving. The stranger seemed to have an intense connection to the other form of life, which was spotted the day before. The line “ A being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature” is suspicious to someone who already has an idea of the story. To completely answer the question I need to read farther ahead than the letters. It seems as though the stranger lost a dear friend. From what I know before reading the story I would conclude that Frankenstein and his monster are two parts of a divided self.
All of the postings are very inlightened. Here are a few pointers. some of you have not posted. Please do so in a timely manner. If you are absent you can post from home, but at least when you post state why you are late in posting.
For some of you, remember pge numbers are put in parentheses; changes in quotations are put in brackets.
You can and should spellcheck your comments before posting them.
You are early in the reading and doing quite well with analysis. Be aware of when the reading enables you to shift in your interpretations.
Great Job Everyone!
Evidently, from my last comment, I also need to use spellcheck!
I was absent from 5th period today, and just realized that I had forgetten to post my comment. Anyways, I found it odd when the "stranger" is speaking of the "one who fled" from him (24). It sounds like he is Dr. Frankenstein in pursuit of his creature. This line stood out to me because obviously it sounds like he is searching for his creation. R. Walton also goes on to describe how the traveller is so well mannered and intelligent, which sounds like a scientist/doctor would be. From talking about the novel in class it sounds like R. Walton might become the "brother" that is killed by the monster because he grows so close to the rescued traveller.
Lydia~
(This is late because I was absent from school.)
After reading the letters, I see that the man writing them is a very emotional person. For example, he signs his letters "Your affectionate brother" and he "bitterly feel[s] the want of a friend."(18) He gets very excited when he encounters the other man. This man seems more in check with himself and everything around. He is also a bit sketchy--quite opposite from the other character. The two compliment each other and towards the end of the letters, a little suspense is set up.
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