Thursday, November 29, 2012
And a sad trombone plays... (24 and Conclusion)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Victor is left with nothing but the source of his misery. In truth, his misery stems from himself, but directly the cause is the creature. Vengeance is therefor the drive behind Victor's chasing of the creature into the arctic. He knows that he won't survive much longer, and asks Walton to finish off the creature in his honor. When Victor dies, Walton is later approached by the creature. It turns out, the creature felt just as bad as Victor, if not worse. The creature just wanted information on the basic guarantees that every person has, and yet he was the reason for the death of the very provider of the information he wanted. The creature exclaims "That is also my victim...in his murder my crimes are consummated" (Shelley 163). Even though rage filled the creature throughout the later part of the book, he realizes that he is not justified in his actions. It is here that I see Victor and the creature to be the same. Society plagued them both, and they could never be happy, and they were always on edge. This is why the stories have depicted a hideous lumbering man and called him Frankenstein, because the creator and the creation have very similar qualities. Oh how we have come full circle.
Creature don't care. (21-23)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
While in the brink, Victor slowly begins to put the pieces together. He is in jail for the murder of Henry Clerval, and the very death of Henry has Victor messed up enough. Victor knows the creature killed him, for eyewitnesses say they saw a man in a boat the same night Mrs Creature got dumped in the water. Victor soon realizes that his life is not at stake so much as are the lives of those he cares about most. The emotions and chaos are literally attacking his mind, and he battles the illnesses that are the product of the creature's actions. Victor even admits that "ever since my recovery from the fever, I had been in the custom of taking every night a small quantity of laudanum" (Shelley 135). Victor was poppin' pills just to close his eyes at night, it's a wonder that he didn't go completely insane the first time he created the creature. When he finally gets better, he returns home to marry Elizabeth. I have no idea why this happens; Victor has gone through the most insane, unbelievable, and horrific time and his life and he's going to marry the person he cares for most. Obviously, the creature kills her. At this point I have no more emotions, this rollercoaster ride is nearly over.
another antimclimactic creation (18-20)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
So Victor is off to Ye Olde England to craft another creation, and his sidekick Henry is right by his side. Henry is having a grand old time sight-seeing and what not, but victor is again tormented by the thing he is about to create. So, as to not bother Henry, Victor departs his buddy and goes to a remote part of Scotland to work alone. A clever juxtaposition occurs when Victor states that "During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment...but now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart sickened at the work of my hands" (Shelley 120). This made me think that Victor would instead be happy with the bride that he made for the creature, and be content with the solution he carried out. However, Mrs Creature is destroyed right before she is given life, and Mr Creature is not too happy. He threatens Victor, and Victor fears for his life. The creature flees and Victor disposes of the female creature's remains. After dumping the parts in a lake, Victor arrives on shore dazed and confused, and the inhabitants of the land blame him for a murder. Victor is shocked at the accusation, but willingly follows the town.
Mary Shelley
So Victor is off to Ye Olde England to craft another creation, and his sidekick Henry is right by his side. Henry is having a grand old time sight-seeing and what not, but victor is again tormented by the thing he is about to create. So, as to not bother Henry, Victor departs his buddy and goes to a remote part of Scotland to work alone. A clever juxtaposition occurs when Victor states that "During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment...but now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart sickened at the work of my hands" (Shelley 120). This made me think that Victor would instead be happy with the bride that he made for the creature, and be content with the solution he carried out. However, Mrs Creature is destroyed right before she is given life, and Mr Creature is not too happy. He threatens Victor, and Victor fears for his life. The creature flees and Victor disposes of the female creature's remains. After dumping the parts in a lake, Victor arrives on shore dazed and confused, and the inhabitants of the land blame him for a murder. Victor is shocked at the accusation, but willingly follows the town.
Yep, he's crazy (16/17)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
After being rejected by the family he creepily breaths on at night, the creature has given up. The common trait that surround all of his issues is humanity. Humans are the ones that always ruin his happiness, or they prevent any happiness from originating. It is for this reason that "from that moment I declared ever-lasting war against the species, and...against him who had formed me" (Shelley 97). The creature is no longer this lost puppy that everyone wants to help, he's like batman if every person in Gotham hated him and his parents shrieked at the very sight of him instead of dying in that alley.
The reader learns that the creature WAS the killer of William, and that he was intelligent enough to frame Justine for the murder. He then coerces Victor to make him a bride. The creature claims the source of his woes is loneliness, and being with one who is like him is all he needs. If he had a woman, he would never show his face to the world again. Victor only agrees so that the creature would never be able to hurt anyone again.
JUST GIVE HIM A CHANCE! (13-15)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
While the creature is still stalking the DeLaceys, he learns the language at a greater capacity than most people. This quality, coupled with the creature's amazing strength, tells the reader that the creature is a superhuman. He learns, adapts, and preforms at the top level and is still unloved and searching for purpose. After reading some novels (which he just found lying on the ground), he begins to question "What did this mean? Who was I? What was I...these questions continually recurred, but I was unable to solve them" (Shelley 91). I understand his frustration, but this quote has a deeper meaning. The creature has been very determined in his effort to survive, and now he is on a quest to thrive. If he wants his questions answers, not much can stop him until he understands the truth. Nonetheless, he is viewed as a tormented soul throughout this section. No one has given him a chance and he is simply looking for acceptance. This story is definitely changing the preconceived notion of the Frankenstein we all hear about during Halloween.
Mary Shelley
While the creature is still stalking the DeLaceys, he learns the language at a greater capacity than most people. This quality, coupled with the creature's amazing strength, tells the reader that the creature is a superhuman. He learns, adapts, and preforms at the top level and is still unloved and searching for purpose. After reading some novels (which he just found lying on the ground), he begins to question "What did this mean? Who was I? What was I...these questions continually recurred, but I was unable to solve them" (Shelley 91). I understand his frustration, but this quote has a deeper meaning. The creature has been very determined in his effort to survive, and now he is on a quest to thrive. If he wants his questions answers, not much can stop him until he understands the truth. Nonetheless, he is viewed as a tormented soul throughout this section. No one has given him a chance and he is simply looking for acceptance. This story is definitely changing the preconceived notion of the Frankenstein we all hear about during Halloween.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
I now understand why only the creation is Halloween Themed (Ch 9-12)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
The creature lives!!!! Not only does he live, but he has matured into a functioning human being, with similar mental capacity to Victor himself. Victor, of course, did not originally assume this. Upon seeing the creature in the mountains, he threatens him and even assaults him. The creature calms Victor down and begins to tell him all about the story of his evolution, and so we enter another fame story. So the creature tells all about his early weeks of existence. His actions resembled a toddler's: he learned pain from stimuli, he learned what to do to feel good, and what not to do to avoid anger. His true triumph was learning the language, which he grasped from watching a family through a crack in the wall (totally unrealistic by the way). After watching this family, he saw their sadness and could understand where it came from: poverty. He recognized love within the family, but saw a constant sense of despair because of the lack of funds possessed by the family. Nevertheless, the creature desperately wanted to be liked by humans, especially this family. He planned to one day confront them, asking for friendship. His logic is good enough to assume that "they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour, and afterwards their love" (Shelley 81). It's a lofty goal for a monster, but he seems confident in the progress he has made in becoming a regular human.
Meh, I've been sadder (ch 6-8)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
After Frankenstein was left losing his mind last section, he starts on the road to mental recovery thanks to his friend Henry Clerval. While Frankenstein is healing up, the reader gets updated on his family back home, which he has not seen in 6 years. The creepiness returns with Elizabeth treating her younger siblings as Frankenstein's and her children. Nevertheless, the family is eagerly awaiting the return of their little Victor. BUT WAIT! William, the cutest of all the family, has been murdered and it is up to Victor Frankenstein to solve the crime (not really, but it sounds cool). However, when Victor arrived home late at night, he saw his creature lurking near the sight of William's murder. In my opinion, he catapulted to conclusions (more severe than just jumping to conclusions). At the sight of Victor, the creature bounded up a mountain and disappeared into the stormy night. This encounter convinced Victor that his handiwork caused the death of William. Furthermore, it made him think that the accused murder, family friend Justine Moritz, was innocent. The courts, on the other hand, thought she was guilty, and ended up killing her. The truly ominous news comes at the end of chapter 8, where Victor says William and Justine were the "first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts" (Shelley 60). dun dun DUN!!!
This is going to be legen-, wait for it...actually I hate this (ch 4/5)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Victor Frankenstein, the boy compelled by his ambition for knowledge, finally has a place to hone his skills. His college classes fuel his prime desire, to create life. He wants to be able to make nothingness alive, and he figures he can do this with the power of science and philosophy. He began constructing a man, proportionally large to make the assembling easier, and fitted the body with all the essentials humans have. As he worked, his worked made him continuously reconsider what he was doing, but his desire to succeed was far greater. The ability to conquer the unknown was the only thing driving Frankenstein, and nothing would stop him. He even became so paranoid that "the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime" (Shelley 34). When the creature finally awoke, Frankenstein thought he would be ecstatic. However, the bizarre look of this gigantic man beast terrified him, and his work was viewed as terror and a complete waste. After all the work he put into this project, and after all the hysteria he went through, Frankenstein was utterly disappointed (and horrified) with his work.
So Victor isn't that creepy...nevermind (ch 1-3)
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Remember the frozen guy? Of course you do, I typed about him like 90 seconds ago! Well anyway, his name is Victor and he has begin to tell the reader of his reasons for being out in the North Pole. His ambition closely resembles Walton's, they both desired to know more about the world, and they were both determined to achieve their goals. Victor then describes his family, which came about in a series of strange occurrences. His mother was the daughter of his father's best friend, so there was a pretty large age difference. Victor was born and remained an only child for quite some time, until his mother "adopted" a girl who was roughly the same age as Victor. The creepiness comes out when the mother "gives" Elizabeth (the adopted daughter) to Victor. He "looked upon Elizabeth as [his]-[his] to protect, love, and cherish" (Shelley 18). If he had stopped at "mine to protect," I would've viewed the relationship as an over-caring brother, but it took a romantic turn, as if they were soul mates. As time went on, they became closer and acted more like a married couple, but were never openly romantic. When Victor finally departs for college, his farewell to his family is heartfelt, and even makes the reader feel bad for him. He is going to be without the most loving people he has ever known, and he will be entering a completely new world. He is literally alone, and this attitude will hang over him through his college days.
I led her to the letter, then i let her use the lead...der
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Robert Walton is a massive bummer, thank goodness he's in this story for a short time! So the first three letters are spent setting up the reason the actual story will be told. During this time, Robert Walton writes to his sister about his time voyaging to the North Pole, and the whole time he writes how he is lonely and craving companionship as well as purpose. Lo and behold he finds a nearly frozen, almost dead traveler to become his best friend (now that's a story to tell the kids)! Before picking up the straggler, the crew notices a large being on a dogsled, and didn't think much of it; however, the frozen dude is very interested, and almost determined to see this creature. When the man finally recovered from near death, he was "continually on the deck, apparently watching for the sledge that preceded his own" (Shelley 11). The reader is constantly wondering why this random guy is so interested in this creature, and why he even likes Robert Walton! Personally, I find this friendship to be creepy, but as the story progresses, it only gets creepier. Oh the foreshadowing will get ya every time.
Mary Shelley
Robert Walton is a massive bummer, thank goodness he's in this story for a short time! So the first three letters are spent setting up the reason the actual story will be told. During this time, Robert Walton writes to his sister about his time voyaging to the North Pole, and the whole time he writes how he is lonely and craving companionship as well as purpose. Lo and behold he finds a nearly frozen, almost dead traveler to become his best friend (now that's a story to tell the kids)! Before picking up the straggler, the crew notices a large being on a dogsled, and didn't think much of it; however, the frozen dude is very interested, and almost determined to see this creature. When the man finally recovered from near death, he was "continually on the deck, apparently watching for the sledge that preceded his own" (Shelley 11). The reader is constantly wondering why this random guy is so interested in this creature, and why he even likes Robert Walton! Personally, I find this friendship to be creepy, but as the story progresses, it only gets creepier. Oh the foreshadowing will get ya every time.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Letters and Numbers
APO 96225
Larry Rottmann
A boy is involved in the war, and he has experienced some rough stuff. He wants to keep his family, especially his mom, up to date on his well-being. However, the mother wants the son to tell her everything he has been through during his time in the war. The son ends up revealing the harshness of war in his letter, and in return is scolded by his father for upsetting his mother. The poem is about the delicate balance of war, as well as the balance of family. War is a frightening place, and the Son initially tries to suppress his actions. His memories are bound to haunt him, so he decides to tell his family. On the other hand, one must protect his family. Outright telling his mom that he killed a man is something most mothers don't like to hear. The son should have been more careful with how he opened up to his mother about the true danger of war. Not only did he told his gruesome news so frankly, but he previously had tried to cover it up with fake, cheery story about his time abroad. While his mother asks about what the war is like, the son says "'The sunsets here are spectacular'" (Rottmann 846). The poem reveals the importance of cautious honesty, which would've made the situation go a whole lot more smoothly.
Larry Rottmann
A boy is involved in the war, and he has experienced some rough stuff. He wants to keep his family, especially his mom, up to date on his well-being. However, the mother wants the son to tell her everything he has been through during his time in the war. The son ends up revealing the harshness of war in his letter, and in return is scolded by his father for upsetting his mother. The poem is about the delicate balance of war, as well as the balance of family. War is a frightening place, and the Son initially tries to suppress his actions. His memories are bound to haunt him, so he decides to tell his family. On the other hand, one must protect his family. Outright telling his mom that he killed a man is something most mothers don't like to hear. The son should have been more careful with how he opened up to his mother about the true danger of war. Not only did he told his gruesome news so frankly, but he previously had tried to cover it up with fake, cheery story about his time abroad. While his mother asks about what the war is like, the son says "'The sunsets here are spectacular'" (Rottmann 846). The poem reveals the importance of cautious honesty, which would've made the situation go a whole lot more smoothly.
Funeral Brain
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain
Emily Dickinson
Senses play a key role in this poem. The author feels, hears, and sees all of the things centered around this fictional funeral. The imagery produced by the sensual language is unique in catching the reader's attention. Specifically, the mourners are an influential source of imagery. Their walking affects the poet so much, that she can feel it in her mind. Moreover "those same Boots of Lead" (Dickinson 776) stomp over her mind again, causing her whole world to change. The imagery makes the poem out to be about some life-altering news, rather than an actual death. She always sees the danger lurking into the future, rather than the present. It's almost as though she knows her funeral is coming, and she can feel it coming closer with every footstep. Her thoughts could have been detrimental to her health, because she adds more anxiety with every line of the poem. This metaphorical funeral could materialize into a literal funeral if she keeps this mentality going.
Emily Dickinson
Senses play a key role in this poem. The author feels, hears, and sees all of the things centered around this fictional funeral. The imagery produced by the sensual language is unique in catching the reader's attention. Specifically, the mourners are an influential source of imagery. Their walking affects the poet so much, that she can feel it in her mind. Moreover "those same Boots of Lead" (Dickinson 776) stomp over her mind again, causing her whole world to change. The imagery makes the poem out to be about some life-altering news, rather than an actual death. She always sees the danger lurking into the future, rather than the present. It's almost as though she knows her funeral is coming, and she can feel it coming closer with every footstep. Her thoughts could have been detrimental to her health, because she adds more anxiety with every line of the poem. This metaphorical funeral could materialize into a literal funeral if she keeps this mentality going.
Go home dude.
Bartleby the Scrivener
Herman Melville
I had a fair amount of respect for Bartleby the first time he "preferred not to." His boss assigned him a duty and he basically ignored his request, and that takes guts. As continued to ignore the Lawyer, it became less funny and more annoying. Why couldn't the Lawyer simply order Bartleby to do something? This is where the Lawyer and Bartleby share similar qualities. The Lawyer characterizes himself as who believes "the easiest way of life is the best" (Melville 642). An easy life entails a life without turbulence such as difficult decisions or confrontation. Though the Lawyer wanted Bartleby to do his job, he wanted more not to cause an uproar. In accepting Bartleby's "prefer not to" request, the Lawyer preferred not to take action and kick Bartleby to the curb. The Lawyer even moved away from his office in order to allow Bartleby to stay out of his hair and still remain at peace. If the Lawyer ever gave one firm command, Bartleby would have become a hard worker or a hobo, but either way Bartleby would not have rotten in a prison cell. It is because of the Lawyer's lack of action that Bartleby ended up in his position, and it was all traced back to preferring not to act.
Herman Melville
I had a fair amount of respect for Bartleby the first time he "preferred not to." His boss assigned him a duty and he basically ignored his request, and that takes guts. As continued to ignore the Lawyer, it became less funny and more annoying. Why couldn't the Lawyer simply order Bartleby to do something? This is where the Lawyer and Bartleby share similar qualities. The Lawyer characterizes himself as who believes "the easiest way of life is the best" (Melville 642). An easy life entails a life without turbulence such as difficult decisions or confrontation. Though the Lawyer wanted Bartleby to do his job, he wanted more not to cause an uproar. In accepting Bartleby's "prefer not to" request, the Lawyer preferred not to take action and kick Bartleby to the curb. The Lawyer even moved away from his office in order to allow Bartleby to stay out of his hair and still remain at peace. If the Lawyer ever gave one firm command, Bartleby would have become a hard worker or a hobo, but either way Bartleby would not have rotten in a prison cell. It is because of the Lawyer's lack of action that Bartleby ended up in his position, and it was all traced back to preferring not to act.
Schizophrenic Miss Brill
Miss Brill
Katherine Mansfield
Miss Brill recounts her Sunday in this short story, and she tells the reader all about the people she sees and interacts with. I have an analysis that Miss Brill either embodies these people or possesses similar qualities that characterize her visitors. I may be so rash she thinks she is all of the people she talks about. With every guest at her "special spot," she tends to resemble them or a previous visitor. This leads me to believe she has multiple personalities that exemplify the traits of all those that she notices. However, the kicker is that Miss Brill doesn't realize she's crazy (well most people tend not to admit their insanity). She believes that she "[has] been an actress for a long time" (Mansfield 185). These Sunday trips may not be real at all, for she could just be "acting out" what she would see and do and recounting her acting to the reader. Even the music shifts to match her mood or the atmosphere around her, implying a more play-like story. Miss Brill is an actress, but she's an actress within her own mind, putting on a play for her deranged mind to enjoy.
Katherine Mansfield
Miss Brill recounts her Sunday in this short story, and she tells the reader all about the people she sees and interacts with. I have an analysis that Miss Brill either embodies these people or possesses similar qualities that characterize her visitors. I may be so rash she thinks she is all of the people she talks about. With every guest at her "special spot," she tends to resemble them or a previous visitor. This leads me to believe she has multiple personalities that exemplify the traits of all those that she notices. However, the kicker is that Miss Brill doesn't realize she's crazy (well most people tend not to admit their insanity). She believes that she "[has] been an actress for a long time" (Mansfield 185). These Sunday trips may not be real at all, for she could just be "acting out" what she would see and do and recounting her acting to the reader. Even the music shifts to match her mood or the atmosphere around her, implying a more play-like story. Miss Brill is an actress, but she's an actress within her own mind, putting on a play for her deranged mind to enjoy.
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