FRANKENSTEINFRANKENSTEIN

The QUOTES.The QUOTES.

Theme of Male Dominance and Theme of Male Dominance and Possessive Attitude to WomenPossessive Attitude to Women

‘‘I have a pretty present for my Victor’ – Mother expresses Elizabeth as a gift rather I have a pretty present for my Victor’ – Mother expresses Elizabeth as a gift rather than a person. Understandable root for Victor’s dominance and possessiveness of than a person. Understandable root for Victor’s dominance and possessiveness of Elizabeth.Elizabeth.

‘‘My own Elizabeth’ – Victor speaks possessively of her.My own Elizabeth’ – Victor speaks possessively of her.

AsAs MUNTEAUMUNTEAU writes, after completing the first draft of her novel ‘she gave a revised writes, after completing the first draft of her novel ‘she gave a revised edition to her husband, Percy’. Here we see how Shelley herself felt inferior to men, edition to her husband, Percy’. Here we see how Shelley herself felt inferior to men, she needed she calls her husbands ‘more cultivated mind’. This shows her she needed she calls her husbands ‘more cultivated mind’. This shows her compliance with the thought of the period and so the treatment o women in her compliance with the thought of the period and so the treatment o women in her novel. Perhaps a mockery of the female situation? Her mother was a celebrated novel. Perhaps a mockery of the female situation? Her mother was a celebrated writer and feminist, after all – ‘A Vindication on the Rights of Woman’.writer and feminist, after all – ‘A Vindication on the Rights of Woman’.

FROSTFROST writes: ‘Safie…enables the monster to master language’ – continuing the idea writes: ‘Safie…enables the monster to master language’ – continuing the idea that the women seem only to be present to serve the men. Elizabeth as a present for that the women seem only to be present to serve the men. Elizabeth as a present for Victor, Caroline as Alphonse’s ‘fair exotic fruit’. Later states women are ‘Chewed up Victor, Caroline as Alphonse’s ‘fair exotic fruit’. Later states women are ‘Chewed up by the plot…disassembled…dismembers the second brainchild of his imagination.’ – by the plot…disassembled…dismembers the second brainchild of his imagination.’ – Reflection on how women are treated in the novel and society?Reflection on how women are treated in the novel and society?

Theme of How a Quest to Discover Things Beyond Theme of How a Quest to Discover Things Beyond Human Knowledge can Lead to one’s Downfall.Human Knowledge can Lead to one’s Downfall.

‘‘And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose?’ –And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose?’ –Hubris of Victor, paralleled in Walton. Want to be remembered. Walton to Margaret.Hubris of Victor, paralleled in Walton. Want to be remembered. Walton to Margaret.

‘‘If I could banish disease from the human frame’ – Seeks to prolong If I could banish disease from the human frame’ – Seeks to prolong and improve life and improve life PROMETHEUS REFERENCEPROMETHEUS REFERENCE..

‘ ‘‘ ‘A light so brilliant and wondrous’ – Connected with the theme of A light so brilliant and wondrous’ – Connected with the theme of discoveries, when he discovers how to create life. Walton also calls discoveries, when he discovers how to create life. Walton also calls his wished discovery a ‘country of eternal light’.his wished discovery a ‘country of eternal light’.

‘‘My imagination was too much exalted… to permit me to doubt of My imagination was too much exalted… to permit me to doubt of my ability’ – He doesn’t create a smaller or inferior being because my ability’ – He doesn’t create a smaller or inferior being because of his ambition/perhaps arrogance. Indeed, he finally resolves to of his ambition/perhaps arrogance. Indeed, he finally resolves to create a superhuman of ‘gigantic stature’ which he cannot control. create a superhuman of ‘gigantic stature’ which he cannot control. Ambition leads to downfall.Ambition leads to downfall.

‘‘Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was’. Said by creature. Knowledge increases his wretched outcast I was’. Said by creature. Knowledge increases his misery.misery.

MUNTEAU writes ‘Victor is undoubtedly the victim of a selfish desire MUNTEAU writes ‘Victor is undoubtedly the victim of a selfish desire to transgress the limits of his condition….but he is also…the victim to transgress the limits of his condition….but he is also…the victim of forces beyond his control’.of forces beyond his control’.

Theme of IsolationTheme of Isolation ‘‘I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me’ – Parallel of the I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me’ – Parallel of the

Monster’s want for a companion to sympathise with him, here meaning someone who Monster’s want for a companion to sympathise with him, here meaning someone who is educated like him, whereas the Monster’s want is more literal. Walton’s Letter.is educated like him, whereas the Monster’s want is more literal. Walton’s Letter.

‘‘The beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations’ – The beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations’ – Shows how a companion is necessary. Victor understands this yet Shows how a companion is necessary. Victor understands this yet did not provide the monster with one.did not provide the monster with one.

‘‘Let him feel the despair that now torments me’. Reverse of what Let him feel the despair that now torments me’. Reverse of what Creature did to Victor. Victor finally understands the pain of the Creature did to Victor. Victor finally understands the pain of the monster, but feels his pain in isolation is worse. So seeks out the monster, but feels his pain in isolation is worse. So seeks out the monster the cause him ‘agony’. Same response as monster to his monster the cause him ‘agony’. Same response as monster to his suffering as a result of isolation.suffering as a result of isolation.

Theme of Prejudice Based Theme of Prejudice Based on Appearanceson Appearances

‘‘Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me?....Felix…dashed Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me?....Felix…dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick’.me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick’.

FROST writes: ‘One look at the monster’s grimace is enough to convince him of ‘the FROST writes: ‘One look at the monster’s grimace is enough to convince him of ‘the utmost extent of (its) malice and treachery’…seeing equals judgement…old blind De utmost extent of (its) malice and treachery’…seeing equals judgement…old blind De Lacey does not see and therefore does not condemn’. He says ‘who are you?’ as Lacey does not see and therefore does not condemn’. He says ‘who are you?’ as opposed to ‘what are you?’.opposed to ‘what are you?’.

‘‘Something in my glance which communicated terror to her, and trembling, she Something in my glance which communicated terror to her, and trembling, she asked’ – Appearance convey message.asked’ – Appearance convey message.

Theme of Shelley Criticising Theme of Shelley Criticising SocietySociety

‘‘Possessions most esteemed by your fellow creatures were, high Possessions most esteemed by your fellow creatures were, high and unsullied descent united with riches’and unsullied descent united with riches’

Society is monstrous. Mother’s death nurtures (Locke) Victor into Society is monstrous. Mother’s death nurtures (Locke) Victor into wanting to help out humanity. When recalling the events of his wanting to help out humanity. When recalling the events of his life, one of the few main occurrences he mentions is ‘the death of life, one of the few main occurrences he mentions is ‘the death of my mother’. Shows how deeply it affected him.my mother’. Shows how deeply it affected him.

Is unjust, kills an innocent woman. Elizabeth is jeered at – Is unjust, kills an innocent woman. Elizabeth is jeered at – repressing of women.repressing of women.

DeLacey’s situation is monstrous – they’re betrayal by the turk. DeLacey’s situation is monstrous – they’re betrayal by the turk. MELLOR.MELLOR.

‘‘I am malicious because I am miserable’ – he is so because of how I am malicious because I am miserable’ – he is so because of how he is treated in his isolation and rejection. SOMBRE ‘M’ sounds.he is treated in his isolation and rejection. SOMBRE ‘M’ sounds.

‘‘They called me mad….a solitary cell had been my habitation’ – They called me mad….a solitary cell had been my habitation’ – Like monster outside of DeLacey’s. SOCIETY IMPRISONS Like monster outside of DeLacey’s. SOCIETY IMPRISONS DIFFERENCE.DIFFERENCE.

Theme of The Blurred Identities of Theme of The Blurred Identities of Victor and the CreatureVictor and the Creature

‘‘I never saw a more interesting creature’ – Hyperbolic, exaggerated. Refers to him as a I never saw a more interesting creature’ – Hyperbolic, exaggerated. Refers to him as a creature rather than a man. Walton’s Letters.creature rather than a man. Walton’s Letters.

‘‘He gnashes his teeth’ – animalistic quality. Walton’s Letters.He gnashes his teeth’ – animalistic quality. Walton’s Letters. ‘‘Darkness had no effect upon my fancy; and a churchyard was to me Darkness had no effect upon my fancy; and a churchyard was to me

merely the receptacle of bodies’ – He possesses monstrous qualities.merely the receptacle of bodies’ – He possesses monstrous qualities.

GAMER writes: ‘Frankenstein knows the monster’s intentions GAMER writes: ‘Frankenstein knows the monster’s intentions because deep down they are his own’ – Perhaps taking this idea to a because deep down they are his own’ – Perhaps taking this idea to a whole new level, but shows how Victor’s monstrosities could be said whole new level, but shows how Victor’s monstrosities could be said to be paralleled in the creature. Mental instability. to be paralleled in the creature. Mental instability.

KAPLAN and KLOSS – Shelley’s use of doppelganger technique, KAPLAN and KLOSS – Shelley’s use of doppelganger technique, subliminal monstrosities given physical identity in monster. subliminal monstrosities given physical identity in monster. Suppressal of women e.t.c.Suppressal of women e.t.c.

‘‘Let him feel the despair that now torments me’. Reverse of what Let him feel the despair that now torments me’. Reverse of what Creature did to Victor. Victor finally understands the pain of the Creature did to Victor. Victor finally understands the pain of the monster, but feels his pain in isolation is worse. So seeks out the monster, but feels his pain in isolation is worse. So seeks out the monster the cause him ‘agony’. Same response as monster to his monster the cause him ‘agony’. Same response as monster to his suffering as a result of isolation. Monster believes his agony to be suffering as a result of isolation. Monster believes his agony to be ‘superior to thine’ also.‘superior to thine’ also.

Theme of Victor’s Lack of Theme of Victor’s Lack of Feeling for ResponsibilityFeeling for Responsibility

There was a sense of justice in my father’s upright mind’ – There was a sense of justice in my father’s upright mind’ – Alphonse feels he must take care of Caroline. Contrast to Victor, Alphonse feels he must take care of Caroline. Contrast to Victor, who feels no sense of responsibility for his creation. who feels no sense of responsibility for his creation.

‘‘With deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to With deep consciousness of what they owed towards the being to which they had given life’ – Unlike Victor to his creation. which they had given life’ – Unlike Victor to his creation.

‘‘The beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations’ – The beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations’ – Shows how a companion is necessary. Victor understands this yet Shows how a companion is necessary. Victor understands this yet did not provide the monster with one. did not provide the monster with one.

‘‘No father had watched my infant No father had watched my infant days’days’

Theme of The Nature of Theme of The Nature of MonstrosityMonstrosity

GAMAR writes: ‘deploys a narrative structure that buries its story under GAMAR writes: ‘deploys a narrative structure that buries its story under multiple layers’ – Monster’s story within Victor’s within Walton’s. multiple layers’ – Monster’s story within Victor’s within Walton’s. Monstrosity at the heart of everything, of society?Monstrosity at the heart of everything, of society?

The monster is monstrous in that he looks like a monster. BERMANThe monster is monstrous in that he looks like a monster. BERMAN Monster is actually naturally (ROSSEAU) not monstrous – Monster is actually naturally (ROSSEAU) not monstrous – Victor is monstrous, does not save Justine, for the reasoning that MELLOR Victor is monstrous, does not save Justine, for the reasoning that MELLOR

writes, in case ‘people would think him mad’. writes, in case ‘people would think him mad’. Benefit of narrative style shows Victor’s remorse ‘dash the cup from your Benefit of narrative style shows Victor’s remorse ‘dash the cup from your

lips’ – warns Walton.lips’ – warns Walton. Society is monstrous. Mother’s death nurtures (Locke) Victor into wanting Society is monstrous. Mother’s death nurtures (Locke) Victor into wanting

to help out humanity. When recalling the events of his life, one of the few to help out humanity. When recalling the events of his life, one of the few main occurrences he mentions is ‘the death of my mother’. Shows how main occurrences he mentions is ‘the death of my mother’. Shows how deeply it affected him.deeply it affected him.

Is unjust, kills an innocent woman. Elizabeth is jeered at – repressal of Is unjust, kills an innocent woman. Elizabeth is jeered at – repressal of women.women.

DeLacey’s situation is monstrous – they’re betrayal by the turk. MELLOR.DeLacey’s situation is monstrous – they’re betrayal by the turk. MELLOR. ‘‘I am malicious because I am miserable’ – he is so because of how he is I am malicious because I am miserable’ – he is so because of how he is

treated in his isolation and rejection. SOMBRE ‘M’ sounds.treated in his isolation and rejection. SOMBRE ‘M’ sounds.

The Role of NatureThe Role of Nature As a restorative source for Victor and monster ‘spirits were As a restorative source for Victor and monster ‘spirits were

elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature’ – Like elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature’ – Like Wordsworth and Percy Shelley believed nature was. So Wordsworth and Percy Shelley believed nature was. So Critics say.Critics say.

Pathetic fallacy- ‘Suddenly a heavy storm of rain Pathetic fallacy- ‘Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended’. Short dramatic sentence. ‘Descended’ more descended’. Short dramatic sentence. ‘Descended’ more purposeful than ‘fell’.purposeful than ‘fell’.

‘‘The moon had reached her summit’ – Resides over The moon had reached her summit’ – Resides over dramatic scenes, connotation of the creature. Like the dramatic scenes, connotation of the creature. Like the summit (climax) of the tale which is about to occur.summit (climax) of the tale which is about to occur.

Contrast of beauties of mother nature vs. man-made Contrast of beauties of mother nature vs. man-made monster. Following events tend to the idea that man should monster. Following events tend to the idea that man should not mess with nature. ‘The mighty Jura opposing it’s dark not mess with nature. ‘The mighty Jura opposing it’s dark side to the ambition that would quit it’s native country.side to the ambition that would quit it’s native country.

Victor’s Self ObsessionVictor’s Self Obsession ‘‘I resolved not to fall before my enemy without a I resolved not to fall before my enemy without a

bitter struggle’. – Believes the threat to be toward bitter struggle’. – Believes the threat to be toward him.him.

‘‘Have my murderous machinations’ – Even after Have my murderous machinations’ – Even after Clerval’s death he cannot admit his guilt.Clerval’s death he cannot admit his guilt.

‘‘There was a frenzy in my manner, and There was a frenzy in my manner, and something, I doubt not, of that haughty fierceness something, I doubt not, of that haughty fierceness which the martyr’s of old are said to have which the martyr’s of old are said to have possessed.’ – Over romantic notion of bravery. possessed.’ – Over romantic notion of bravery. What’s he going to do against such a creature?What’s he going to do against such a creature?

Walton – ‘he seems to feel his own worth’.Walton – ‘he seems to feel his own worth’.

Additional quotesAdditional quotes ‘‘I looked upon them as superior beings’. I looked upon them as superior beings’.

What Victor was trying to create. Victor saw What Victor was trying to create. Victor saw family life as not enough, he wanted more. family life as not enough, he wanted more. Monster views family life as SUPERIOR.Monster views family life as SUPERIOR.

‘‘Swiftness of lightening’Swiftness of lightening’ ‘‘Formed in my own heart a resolution’ – Formed in my own heart a resolution’ –

Ignoring his mind may be the reason he Ignoring his mind may be the reason he confesses’confesses’

‘‘Great God!’ said by Victor and Walton.Great God!’ said by Victor and Walton.