In these chapters you are introduced to both Frankenstein and his monster along with other characters. There is little description of the Creature's appearance and no detail of how Frankenstein brought him to life. Why do you think Shelley did this? Does the lack of detail add to or take away from the story?
Answer the above question and add the line that stood out to you giving reasons why this line impressed you.
Read chapters 7 - 10 for tomorrow
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21 comments:
The lack of information did not disappointment me that much. I think Shelley does this to leave the reader in suspense of what did happen. The reason I was not that disappointed though, is because I did like the fact that it did not take long to get introduced to Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. I think it kind of makes the book seem to go a little faster, as well. I have to leave for softball, I will finsh later after I get home.
I feel that Shelley refrained from writing too much detail because she is trying to build intrigue in her story. This is just the beginning, and like with the letters she is giving more background. The absence of real detail adds to the story because it is drawing more interest from the reader to continue on. One line that has stood out to me was " A new species would bless me as its creator and source." (52) I found this interesting because it seems that at first Dr. Frankenstein has high expectations for his creation and that he would be there to mold it and nurture his creation but later we know he abandons it because he is scared.
Lydia~
I believe that Shelley did not describe the monster to great extent because it adds to the mystery, suspense and and the terror that is experienced by the reader and Dr. Frankenstein. Personally I feel that this lack of detail adds to story and makes me, as a reader, want to continue on with the story and learn what happens. There is one quote that stood out to me. "Who shall coneive the horrors of my secret toil as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay? My limbs now tremble, and my eyes swim with the rememberance;" This quote stood out because it shows the level Frankenstein had to lower himself to, so that he could create life. Also it demonstrates the effect that doing these deeds had on him.
In the first six chapters, little is revealed about the monster. This lack of detail adds intrigue and suspense causing the reader to want to read on and learn more about the monster and the story. Dr. Frankenstein says "When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it"(52). This line suggests that Frankenstein was worried about the consequences of his actions and was not sure what the outcome of his experiments would be. He definitely does not seem prepared for the responsibility that the monster creates and he shows his irresponsibility when he leaves shortly after the creation of the monster.
I believe that it adds to the story by the fact that it makes you want to know more about those events. I should hope that more would be revealed in the chapters to come in regards to the appearance of the creature, and as the means by which he was brought to life. One line that really stood out to me was "When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it." (52) The whole concept of knowledge is power really is displayed in what Frankenstein was able to do. He excelled in every field of study that interested him, and in turn, was able to surpass his professors and create life. This really has presented me with the theme of when you put your mind to something anything can be accomplished.
I apologize for the long comment, but I have a lot to say. The lack of detail Shelly put in really took away from the story for me. From the get go, Frankenstein's narration of the story is very quick-paced and certain things are never explained very well. I was confused during much of the reading feeling that I was missing something, but found out later it was just the way the story was written. I am not quite sure why Shelly did this, but I am going to throw out a wild guess and say that it is possible that she wanted to put as little detail as possible so the reader would hang on for the explanation later. Many things in the novel stood out to me. In chapter one on page 33, Frankenstein describes what having a child was to his parents. He describes himself as a "helpless creature," and how he was "their idol...bestowed on them by heaven..."(33) It seems to me that the way he describes having a child really shows a desire for one himself, and possibly a reason for creating what he did. Another thing that stood out to me that applies to the same thing, is how possessive he acts over Elizabeth, "...[I] looked upon Elizabeth as mine-mine to protect, love and cherish...my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only." (35) Frankenstein shows the same kind of passion when creating his monster. "Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs."(52) He is so obsessed with bringing to life this creature that he is willing to deprive himself of his own health and puts his family aside who he has shown so much love for in earlier passages. Smaller things stood out to me such as his interest in science at an early age, and then how infatuated he became with the scientists known as outdated. At the end of the reading the biggest thing that stood out was the disappearance of the creation. The monster seems to escape the room and then is not spoken of in the next year when Frankenstein speaks of being taken care of by his dear friend Clerval, and then taking a trip back home, and then back to the college. This lapse of time without mention of where the monster is or what happened to it strikes me very odd.
I feel that Mary Shelly's lack of information in chapters 1-6 is beneficial to the novel. This lack of insight adds suspense and curiosity to the story, furthermore, it better introduces Victor Frankenstein, which makes the reader feel more acquainted with him. Had Shelly told the audience everything in the first two chapters, the novel would have been over by now. A line which impressed me was "Delighted and surprised, I embraced her; but as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they became livid with the hue of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought that I held the corpse of my dead mother in my arms; a shroud enveloped her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling in the folds of the flannel." This was a nightmare that Victor had after he fell asleep trying to forget about the monster he had just created. This line stood out to me because it foreshadows the missery and suffering that Dr. Frankenstein will have to endure.
In my opinion Shelly doesn't really describe the monster is because in the story told by Dr. Frankenstein to Walton he states that he was scared of this monster and ran from it, so therefore why would he want to go into describing that which frightens him. I know if I saw something hideous that really scared me that I wouldn't want to picture it again. To me this does not really take away from the story because it prompts you to read further.
A line that stood out to me was "... the first misfortune of my life occurred-an omen, as it were, of my future misery," this line reminds of the fact that Frankenstein is talking to Walton. Although, what really made this line stand out to me was that it foreshadowed that more horrible things are going to happen in the book as Frankenstein tells his story and what I hope pertains to the monster. Also, it reminds the reader that this is a novel focused around horror and supernatural experiences.
While reading chapters one through six I began to feel that Victor Frankenstein and his family and friends are very superficial. Shelley frequently speaks of the characters appearances and much of the first chapters is spent describing Frankenstein’s childhood life. I think that Shelley focuses more on the beauty of others and less on the horrid appearance of the monster so that you are forced to create your own image. A truly horrible image is different for every reader. It would be nearly impossible to create a description that would be as terrifying to the reader as the author wanted the monster to seam. I think that by using the reader’s imagination instead of strong detail Shelly enhances the story. For me the lack of detail surrounding the monster and the monster’s image was a positive choice, my imagination quickly developed a strange and scary monster.
“I also record those events which led, by insensible steps, to my after tale of misery, for when I would account to myself for the birth of that passion which afterwards ruled my destiny,”(38). This quote stood out to me because it seemed to me that Victor had become scared of desire and passion because he felt that before it had led him astray. He is speaking of his childhood fondly yet blames his father for his interest in the old scientists of Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus. It was his interest in these scientists that originally sparked his choice in science that lead him towards making a monster.
I don't like the lack of detail about the monster. There is so much talk before about all the work that he put into his creation, his "slow fever", his nervousness, his "enthusiasm... checked by [his] anxiety, " the energy of [his] purpose [that] alone sustained [him]."(54) Then all of a sudden there is this tiny little detail about a "...dull yellow eye of the creature open..." and suddenly it is a "catastrophe."(56) The high point of excitement up to this point in the book is supposed to be where he finally brings his creature to life. In the earlier chapters Victor goes on about his college days and his interests in science and knowledge. Finally, he has went throug all of this "turmoil", and then decides that he has created this ugly creature. There is even more detail put into describing his efforts to find these beatutiful parts for his creature. I just don't like how there is no detail about the creature coming to life, and I think it takes away from the excitement and interest of this part of the story. There is so much she could have done with that part. I think Shelly does this maybe to keep the reader going, maybe thinking that there will be a surprise or maybe another section where Victor explains in further detail how exactly he brought the monster to life. The quote that stood out to me was "How can i desribe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had selectted his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God!"(56) This part stands out to me becasue I thought it was so strange how in the same few sentences he could both describe his care and passion and disgust and horror for the same creature. Before he brought it to life he thought the thing would be beautiful becuase of how carefully and thoughtfully he had picked its characteristics, but the minute it is alive it is as though his creature is an ugly monster and all his passions fail with one simple breath of life.
Opps the page number of my quote is 42.
I think Shelley’s introduction without much detail will end up adding to the story. The lack of detail creates trepidation and curiosity and the little description of the monster makes the reader picture something from their own mind's eye. “My heart palpitated in the sickness of fear, and I hurried on with irregular steps, not daring to look about me.” I was a little shocked to see that after Dr. Frankenstein created his monster he was scared of it. Before the creation he describes his need for the success of his experiment. He seems to want a possession and feels a need to sort of play god. To begin the fifth chapter he says, “ It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils. With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet.” These lines stood out because he refers to giving life to a thing and that form of life is an accomplishment of his long laborious work. I think Shelley’s introduction without much detail will end up adding to the story.
Mary Shelley gives limited details of the creation and appearance of the monster, to give the reader room to use imagination. If Shelley had given the reader a fully detailed report of what happened she would have risked the story sounding corny to the reader. The fact that the reader can elaborate on their own gives greater power and horror to the diabolical undertaking. Shelley managed to find balance between the descriptions she gives and what she leaves for the reader to make up. This adds to the story’s dark mood.
A quote that stood out to me was when the Dr. Frankenstein stated, “The teacher, therefore, did not prepossess me in favour of his pursuits.” It was then that Dr. Frankenstein started down a path that would change his outlook permanently and haunt him forever.
One more thing. Something else that stood out to me and struck me odd was the fact that Frankenstein was so obsesses with seeing his creature come to life that he disregarded his health and family, yet he gives up and runs away so quickly. He spent two years trying to reach perfection, and it just seems weird that he drops it so quickly because of the disgust. It makes me wonder if he is pondering the morality of what he has done.
I, too, think that Shelley did this in order to keep the reader interested in the book, clinging to every page. However, I don't think that is the only reason...or even the majority of the reason. Perhaps before revealing the actual monster she wanted to depict its maker as more of a monster. Which, I felt she did very well, illustrating Frankenstein's secretive, and insane ways. Throughout the reading he becomes introverted, crawling so far inside his shell that not even the rays from the sun can reach him. I believe that Shelley is intentionally keeping the limelight on Frankenstein for now, illustrating the man that went from man to monster, and then created the monster. I don't believe that this lack of detail takes away from the story at all, but instead adds to it. By giving more background information on the man that created the monster, and what was going through his head. The quote that stood out to me the most was(found in chapter 3, page 47) "So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation." This line impressed me, I think because of his arrogance, like every other scientist had simply laid down the foundation for him, and his experiments. Over all, I think, a very notable quote.
I just got back from work. the line that stood out to me was when Dr. Frankenstein describes how much time and effort he put into making this creature and now he is just going to leave it. "Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room and continueda long time traversing my bed chamber...." (56). I don't understand why he was so interested in making this creature and when he was finally finished he just abandoned it. I would have thought that he would study it more and figure out the exact detail of it.
I will not be in class today because of a golf tournament and I do not have the Internet at my house so I will call someone tonight to find out what the reading is and will do bothe assignments tomarrow sorry.
Does anyone know what has happened with Jenna? She has not been responding.
"What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world was now within my grasp." (51) This line is powerful to me, because it would be such a wonder to have that knowledge. I can't comprehend how it would feel to be able to have such power, so it's almost understandable how Dr. Frankenstein became so obsessed with making his creation. Having such a superior possession of knowledge would be overpowering. The fact that Shelley lacks detail of the monster's description is was not dissapointing at all. The turmoil Victor experiences during the creation process is well detailed and that leads up well to the highlight; bringing him to life. The reader's imagination is allowed to wander and make up it's own definition of the "miserable monster" (57) because Shelley does not describe him from head to toe with an overflowing amount of adjectives. This adds to the story because she simply tells you it's awful and grotesque and you get to build your own idea of what that is. It also made me believe that later on a there would be a more descriptive appearance and that makes me want to read on.
I was at a track meet all of wednesday that is why i am just posting now...
I didn't like the fact that hardly anything was said about the monster. You pick up a book called Frankenstein and you expect it to be about Frankenstein. However, the monster is only mentioned once our twice in the first six chapters. To me, the beginnings of books are the most important--if they don't draw me in right away, I have no desire to finish the book. Maybe Shelley did this to add suspense or keep the reader interested, but not all readers like that.
The line that stood out to me the most was on page 64 in the letter about Justine. Elizabeth writes, "...her mother, with the exception of her neglected daughter, was left childless." That letter explained how Justine was not liked by her mother, but her other siblings were. When her brothers and sister died, even though Justine was still there, her mother felt like she had lost all her children. Dr. Frankenstein is ashamed of his creature. The monster and Justine are pretty similar. in how they don't get the love they're looking for and see everyone else getting.
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