Preview

An Analysis Of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein '

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
543 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
An Analysis Of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein '
Noor Saket
S00032848
Prof. Hanan Muzaffar
ENGL 309
10 Oct. 2016
R&R on Shelly’s Frankenstein The first thing that I have noticed while reading Frankenstein is its simple writing style. Unlike Wollstonecraft’s and Wordsworth’s works, the sentences are of moderate length and simple diction. One of my favorite lines is by Victor Frankenstein: “My life might have been passed in ease and luxury; but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path” (P 9). I find this quote is important because it urges the reader to achieve his/her goals and to establish a reputation for themselves; for it is important to feel pleased with oneself and his/her situation or achievements: self-glory.
In page 22, Victor Frankenstein criticizes his father’s inefficient method of censuring Agrippa’s book by advising him to “do not waste your time” and describing the book as a “sad trash,” instead of explaining the reasons why the said book is unworthy of reading (P 22). Therefore, he blames his father for his inclination towards unrealistic and supernatural sciences of the ancients. However, later on, when Victor askes his father about the phenomena behind thunderstorms, the father took pains in explaining it. From these two opposite scenes,
…show more content…
I believe that Victor’s father’s indifference and enthusiasm are tools in the fate hands, not mere coincident. This believe is supported by an –unidentified—accident that prevented Victor from attending lectures on modern sciences, that may –or may not—have prevented him from perusing his project; he says that “By some fatality I did not feel inclined to commence the study of any modern system . . .” (P 24). Therefore, it was meant for Victor to create his monster, because “there’s no such thing as coincidence. There are no accidents in life. Everything that happens is the result of a calculated move that leads us to where we are” (J.M.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Victor Frankenstein’s demise stemmed from his infatuation with the balance of nature and science. Even as a child, Frankenstein longed for answers that no one could give, “ I confess that neither the structure of languages, nor the code of governments, nor the politics of various states possessed attractions for me. It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn” (28). From that moment Victor’s fate was determined, and his pursuit for these answers soon became an obsession with playing God. However, moments after the birth of his creation, his entire deanor shifts; he suffers remorse, “breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heart” (51). This horror only worsens with his later encounters with the monster and the knowledge of the several murders of his most beloved. Victor Frankenstein gave life and now longed for…

    • 469 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Composed during the Industrial Revolution at a time of increased scientific experimentation, Shelley warns and forebodes her enlightened society of the consequences which come about from playing god. She uses Victor Frankenstein as her platform, whose self-exalting line “many excellent natures would owe their being to me” represents a society engrossed with reanimation. Recurring mythical allusions to Prometheus, “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge” portray Victor as a tragic hero; a noble character whose “fatal flaw” of blind ambition ultimately results in his own downfall and dehumanization, “swallowed up every habit of my nature”. In addition, Victor’s impulsive rejection of his grotesque creation, leads to the Monster’s rebellion (“vowed eternal hated and vengeance to all mankind”).…

    • 626 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This passage is one in which Victor Frankenstein describes the birth of his creature. Frankenstein’s words and memories reflect his feelings towards his newborn child. This essay will examine Victor Frankenstein's words, feelings and attitude towards his new companion and also his creation.…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    After the monster found victor in his room he was filled with anger “You have destroyed the work which you began; what is it that you intend?” (120). In addition, the monster asked “endured incalculable fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you dare destroy my hopes?” (120). Subsequent to the monster braking in to Victor’s room and escaping in his own boat, Victor was filled with rage. “The night passed away, and the sun rose from the ocean; my feelings became calmer, if it may be called calmness, when the violence of rage sinks into the depths of despair” (121). One main event that started the quench for the undying hatred and sorrow was the death of Victor’s son, William. The monster decided to give the humans one last chance. When he stumbled upon a child, “suddenly, as I gazed on him, an idea seized me, that this little creature was unprejudiced, and had lived too short of a time to have imbibed a horror of deformity” (100). Soon after his encounter with the child, the monster realized that the young boy was just like everyone else he has met. “Hideous monster! Let me go; my papa is a Syndic-he is M. Frankenstein-he would punish you. You dare not keep me” (100). The creature also learned that the child he gave one last chance to was the son of Victor Frankenstein. “Frankenstein! you belong then to my enemy-to him towards whom I have sworn…

    • 1568 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    For many people, seeing someone who is different may be hard to accept. In Frankenstein, a plethora of characters mentioned were unable to accept that the monster was, for want of a better word, a person. There is an innumerable amount of traits that make a us human and the monster appeared to have many of them. The qualities that make us human include the ability to care, intense emotions, the ability to tell right from wrong, and competence. Examples of the monster portraying these traits are spread out through the book.…

    • 174 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Victor Frankenstein is shown playing with life and therefore creating a God-like impression on the reader. “A new species would bless me as its creator and source,” the transgression of boundaries can be seen through this statement made by Victor Frankenstein as the statement is genuinely associated with God. It shows he wants to be praised and seen as a mother figure towards his creation. Victor also represents the debate between reason and science, “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe [...] I had endeavoured to form?” This line shows the juxtaposition between reason and science. The use of the word “catastrophe” shows his salvage of reason, while “I had endeavoured to form” conveys his obsessive nature to create his monster. The monster is the consequence of his obsessive nature and as a result is repulsed by his “yellow skin [...] hair of lustrous black [...] more horrid contrast with his watery eyes [...] shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.” The image which has been revealed provides the reader with a detailed description of the monster and also exposes Victors feelings towards the monster. During the time the novel was written, the monsters long, black hair associates his image with that of gypsies and therefore creates the idea that he is of a foreign…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As a person takes a look at the busy and diverse world that surrounds them, they may wonder why certain things appear a certain way. They may form opinions about certain issues or people not because they actually know what‘s going on, but because of what they see or hear. People judge. Even so, people don't always think about the results of their judgments, and the fact that those little opinions formed could end in complete tragedy.…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    3a. This book cover does not correlate with my preconceived notions about Frankenstein because there is a naked man instead of the stereotypical green and blockhead monster.…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I’ve seen her. I want her. I need her. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. I’ve started thinking of ways to make her mine. I can't think clearly whenever I see her, I am just transfixed watching her move and I decide then and there that I have to have her whether she likes it or not. I will be making her life so much better once she is mine. From what I have seen from my car I can see that she will help someone who is in need. The next person she will help will be me, But how do I get her to help me without looking suspicious. I will have to work harder to get her than I thought, But I will do anything for my precious angel. She doesn't know it yet but her life is about to get ten times better once I am part of the picture.…

    • 538 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Sympathy In Frankenstein

    • 2094 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and first published in 1818, follows the set of extraordinary events encompassing the life of Victor Frankenstein; natural philosophy devotee and reanimation pioneer. Characterization plays a major role in encouraging different attitudes in Frankenstein, an example being how the reader is encouraged to feel sympathy for Frankenstein and his creation throughout the novel. Aided by the differing narrative perspective, these sympathies are continually evolving, changing as the reader’s perception of the two is altered, and at the end of the novel, the reader is left questioning who the real monster is: Frankenstein, or his creation? The…

    • 2094 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Victor payed the price for his volatile ambition and his thirst for forbidden knowledge. He was doomed to a terrible fate when he began his academics and search for greatness because if he decided to be a common man all the misfortune that came to him would have never occurred. The danger of knowledge is very prominent in Frankenstein and is the beginning of all Victor’s…

    • 392 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Frankenstein Essay

    • 2201 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is arguably one of the most controversial novels of the 19th Century. It discusses the concept of science verses human conscience in a technological world. The Gothic atmosphere of the novel reflects the dark feelings of society at the time, and Shelley utilised pathetic fallacy, her chosen form and imagery to suggest a twist on the real monster of her story. Shelley uses poetical language and perspective to emphasise how the monster is a model Romaticist, and to express the importance of belonging and communication to a judgemental society. Symbols, contrasts and ‘heavenly’ adjectives are used to portray Victor Frankenstein as a God-like figure; expressing how we must never interfere with nature’s course and take on God’s role to the knowledge-greedy culture of the 1800’s, which was consumed with the Industrial Revolution. Shelley has manipulated her writing to convey her personal ideologies, and to reflect her concern for a loss of ethics in a society fixated on the pursuit for answers.…

    • 2201 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ap Frankenstein

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Frankenstein is one of the finest expressions of the Gothic novel and also fits many of the characteristics of a Romantic novel. Consider all of the elements that comprise a story—including setting, character development, narrative voice, tone, to name just a few—and explain how each element contributes to the novel’s identity as a Gothic text or example of Romanticism. Then, offer your interpretation of Shelley’s message, if you believe she intended to convey one to her reader. If, alternately, you believe that the novel is purely for entertainment purposes, substantiate your claim with textual evidence. If you are stuck, please check out An Overview of Romanticism (http://www.articlemyriad.com/212.htm) in Literature and Romanticism in Frankenstein (http://www.articlemyriad.com/romanticism_frankenstein.htm)…

    • 600 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Victor becomes more secluded. This seclusion was mainly due to the fact that he knew anyone with whom he had a relationship would be sought out by the Monster, who would then kill in vengeance. The Monster’s revenge stemmed from Frankenstein not erecting a mate for him. The secret of the Monster’s creation consumes Victor with guilt, and illness is the only escape from the maddening secrecy. He is able to think on his crimes and able to confess only to himself all that he has done corroding his brain.…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Frankenstein Essay

    • 1427 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, rain is used as a symbol to represent the washing away of Victor Frankenstein’s false beliefs. Thomas C. Foster explains in his book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, that the weather in a story plays a significant role in the meanings of events and the moods of the characters in stories (Chapter 10: ‘It’s More than Just Rain or Snow’). He describes how “Weather is never just weather. It’s never just rain. And that goes for snow, sun, warmth, cold, and probably sleet.”…

    • 1427 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays