"One of the main effects of war, after all, is that people are discouraged from becoming characters. but old Derby was a character now." pg 164
This is a more depressing view of what veterans experience after war. But it makes sense. They are so trodden down, beaten up, and demoralized by war that sometimes they come home almost empty. When you are a prisoner of war, like Billy was, making yourself more noticeable than other POWs was a bad idea. If you attract attention, you could get killed. So it's best to blend in and keep your head down in order to survive. So if you came home after months, years even of trying to save your skin by avoiding attention, it would be hard to go back to normal. Your personality, or character might end up a little repressed due to wartime trauma. This condition could explain why Billy was so reluctant to talk when he was in the veteran's hospital. He was so used to being a nobody that he didn't know how to be a somebody again.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Slaughter House 5- First Soldier on the Moon
"It was like the moon." pg 179
This is how Billy describes what Dresden looks like after it has been bombed. Buildings are flattened and everything is covered in grey ash. This exact quote was told to one of the Tralfamadorians. Billy and the Tralfamadorian were just having a discussion over the differences between Earth and Tralfamadore. Billy is noting all the differences between Earth and Tralfamadore. Then he compares Earth to the moon after the Dresden bombing. This shows how different Dresden was after the attack. Like it was even the same planet. This is perhaps where Billy's idea of inventing Tralfamadore came from. He created a whole new planet because he couldn't reconcile that is beautiful, familiar earth had been transformed into a surreal new planet that he didn't recognize. So he created a third planet; a place where didn't destroy whole cities. A place where he could contrast with Earth safely, without sending his world spinning.
This is how Billy describes what Dresden looks like after it has been bombed. Buildings are flattened and everything is covered in grey ash. This exact quote was told to one of the Tralfamadorians. Billy and the Tralfamadorian were just having a discussion over the differences between Earth and Tralfamadore. Billy is noting all the differences between Earth and Tralfamadore. Then he compares Earth to the moon after the Dresden bombing. This shows how different Dresden was after the attack. Like it was even the same planet. This is perhaps where Billy's idea of inventing Tralfamadore came from. He created a whole new planet because he couldn't reconcile that is beautiful, familiar earth had been transformed into a surreal new planet that he didn't recognize. So he created a third planet; a place where didn't destroy whole cities. A place where he could contrast with Earth safely, without sending his world spinning.
Slaughter House 5- Confliction
"I don't ever want to talk about it, I just want you to know: I was there." pg 193
I believe this quote defines a lot of Billy's attitudes towards his war experience. He is in the veteran's hospital, almost in a completely vegetative state. The man in the bed next to him refuses to believe Billy could every be anything of worth, let alone fight in a war. Billy finally gets the courage to tell his bedmate that he really was in the war. While trying to convince him, Billy says the quote above. Billy wants people to know he was in the war. It explains a lot about him, and about why he is so weird and sort of messed up. But he isn't interested in talking about his war experience to them. He would rather make up crazy stories about aliens on a different planet than talk about what actually happened. It's the age-old conflict of people who are not extroverts, but not exactly introverted either. They don't want to tell people things, but at the same time, they want people to know things about themselves. Billy's conflict is natural, and an accurate portrayal of his personality.
I believe this quote defines a lot of Billy's attitudes towards his war experience. He is in the veteran's hospital, almost in a completely vegetative state. The man in the bed next to him refuses to believe Billy could every be anything of worth, let alone fight in a war. Billy finally gets the courage to tell his bedmate that he really was in the war. While trying to convince him, Billy says the quote above. Billy wants people to know he was in the war. It explains a lot about him, and about why he is so weird and sort of messed up. But he isn't interested in talking about his war experience to them. He would rather make up crazy stories about aliens on a different planet than talk about what actually happened. It's the age-old conflict of people who are not extroverts, but not exactly introverted either. They don't want to tell people things, but at the same time, they want people to know things about themselves. Billy's conflict is natural, and an accurate portrayal of his personality.
Slaughter House 5- Money Tree $$
"Trout had written a book about a money tree. It had $20 for leaves. Its flowers were government bonds. Its fruit was diamonds. It attracted human beings who killed each other around the roots and made very good fertilizer." pg 167
Vonnegut has made good use of his sarcastic irony so far, but this time, he outdid himself. This is an analogy between war and a battle over a money tree. It also suggests personal beliefs of Vonnegut's that all war essentially has its proverbial roots in money. The humans that kill each other around the tree are the creatures of war. None of them get the tree because they all die defending it. Just how war is essentially spending a ridiculous amount of money on an activity that kills citizens of the participating countries. Their bodies fertilize the ground so the tree only grows more. This shows how war only perpetuates itself the more people die. Vonnegut's analogy is not only a bitter reflection on war, but a humorous interpretation of how it all goes.
Vonnegut has made good use of his sarcastic irony so far, but this time, he outdid himself. This is an analogy between war and a battle over a money tree. It also suggests personal beliefs of Vonnegut's that all war essentially has its proverbial roots in money. The humans that kill each other around the tree are the creatures of war. None of them get the tree because they all die defending it. Just how war is essentially spending a ridiculous amount of money on an activity that kills citizens of the participating countries. Their bodies fertilize the ground so the tree only grows more. This shows how war only perpetuates itself the more people die. Vonnegut's analogy is not only a bitter reflection on war, but a humorous interpretation of how it all goes.
Slaughter House 5- Still Running
"Billy fled upstairs in his nice white home." pg 176
Billy passed out and had a flashback of the war time. He was at a party at the time. A party where he had planned to propose to his girlfriend, Valencia. When he woke up, he handed her the ring and ran upstairs, as demonstrated in the quote above. There is irony in this quote that I didn't catch immediately, and has implications concerning the entire book. When this party happens, Billy is no longer in the war. He is in a "nice, white home". But somehow, the war, and his memories of it still has power over him. The war can still send him running. This is a possible explanation for the "flashbacks" also. They're the way that the war haunts him, but also provide him with an escape. It's an endless cycle between Billy and his memories. He can't let them go, but he can't shake the power they have over him, so he is still running.
Billy passed out and had a flashback of the war time. He was at a party at the time. A party where he had planned to propose to his girlfriend, Valencia. When he woke up, he handed her the ring and ran upstairs, as demonstrated in the quote above. There is irony in this quote that I didn't catch immediately, and has implications concerning the entire book. When this party happens, Billy is no longer in the war. He is in a "nice, white home". But somehow, the war, and his memories of it still has power over him. The war can still send him running. This is a possible explanation for the "flashbacks" also. They're the way that the war haunts him, but also provide him with an escape. It's an endless cycle between Billy and his memories. He can't let them go, but he can't shake the power they have over him, so he is still running.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Slaughter House 5: Jesus the Bum
"He told the people he was adopting the bum as his son, giving him the full powers and privileges of the Son of the Creator of the Universe throughout all eternity. God said this: 'From this moment on, He will punish horribly anybody who torments a bum who has no connections!'"- pg 110
This is the modern version of the story of God and his Son. It is a version that Billy tells himself while he is suffering at the hands of Weary, the fat soldier who loves to beat Billy up, but at the the same time won't leave him behind. This a version of the story that Billy can relate to. It comforts him, and helps him get through his ordeal. Billy is beginning to show a very reliable pattern of believing in things he makes up so that his life doesn't seem so tragic and horrible as it really is. And it is working surprisingly well for him.
This is the modern version of the story of God and his Son. It is a version that Billy tells himself while he is suffering at the hands of Weary, the fat soldier who loves to beat Billy up, but at the the same time won't leave him behind. This a version of the story that Billy can relate to. It comforts him, and helps him get through his ordeal. Billy is beginning to show a very reliable pattern of believing in things he makes up so that his life doesn't seem so tragic and horrible as it really is. And it is working surprisingly well for him.
Slaughter House 5: So it Goes
"So it goes." pg 75
So it goes. Mustard gas and roses. Ivory and blue. All three of these phrases are frequently repeated throughout the novel. So it goes is a phrase that is repeated after every time anybody dies. And this is a book about war, so people die. A lot. Like, really a lot. Mustard gas and roses is a phrase that is repeated after every time someone gets drunk; it used to describe the smell of their breath. And this is a book about war, so people get drunk. A lot. Like, really a lot. Ivory and blue is a phrase used to describe what people look like when they get cold, usually about people's feet. And this is a book about war (in northernish Europe), so people get cold. A lot. Like, really a lot. The repetition of these phrases helps emphasize certain aspects of the war, like cold, alcoholism, and death, but in a very snide, clever way ( a theme with Vonnegut, I think).
So it goes. Mustard gas and roses. Ivory and blue. All three of these phrases are frequently repeated throughout the novel. So it goes is a phrase that is repeated after every time anybody dies. And this is a book about war, so people die. A lot. Like, really a lot. Mustard gas and roses is a phrase that is repeated after every time someone gets drunk; it used to describe the smell of their breath. And this is a book about war, so people get drunk. A lot. Like, really a lot. Ivory and blue is a phrase used to describe what people look like when they get cold, usually about people's feet. And this is a book about war (in northernish Europe), so people get cold. A lot. Like, really a lot. The repetition of these phrases helps emphasize certain aspects of the war, like cold, alcoholism, and death, but in a very snide, clever way ( a theme with Vonnegut, I think).
Slaughter House 5: Science Fiction in Reality
"So they were trying to reinvent themselves and their universes. Science fiction was a big help." -pg 101
When Billy is recovering in the veteran hospital, he meets a guy with a huge science fiction collection. He gets into reading it, and says the quote above. This quote is a great summation of why I think Billy starts having is time-traveling episodes. The aliens and alien abductions of what I assume is Billy's imagination are essentially a science fiction written by Billy's brain. They help him have an escape from his reality. They also help him com up with explanations or reasons for why the war happened and what he saw. The Tralfamadorians teach Billy a new way to look at subjects like time, war, hardship, and humanity. The science fiction Billy creates for himself helps him reinvent himself, and somehow find a little bit of peace from confusion of war.
When Billy is recovering in the veteran hospital, he meets a guy with a huge science fiction collection. He gets into reading it, and says the quote above. This quote is a great summation of why I think Billy starts having is time-traveling episodes. The aliens and alien abductions of what I assume is Billy's imagination are essentially a science fiction written by Billy's brain. They help him have an escape from his reality. They also help him com up with explanations or reasons for why the war happened and what he saw. The Tralfamadorians teach Billy a new way to look at subjects like time, war, hardship, and humanity. The science fiction Billy creates for himself helps him reinvent himself, and somehow find a little bit of peace from confusion of war.
Slaughter House 5: Sarcasm
"When food came in, the human beings were quiet and trusting and beautiful. They shared." -pg 70
This is one of the best examples of sarcasm that Vonnegut uses in the novel. This is the part where Billy is on the American prisoners of war train on his way into Germany. They Americans in the train are starving, cramped, dying of disease (so it goes), and probably extremely cantankerous, to put it lightly. Instead of describing the horror in all its graphic-ness, Vonnegut uses extremely obvious sarcasm. The sarcasm emphasizes how indescribably horrible it was by not describing it. Leaving the details up to the imagination makes the details that much more dramatic. The humans in the train were probably the exact opposite of quiet, trusting, and beautiful. The frequent use of sarcasm give the novel snarky, clever tone, while still achieving the meaning it intends to.
This is one of the best examples of sarcasm that Vonnegut uses in the novel. This is the part where Billy is on the American prisoners of war train on his way into Germany. They Americans in the train are starving, cramped, dying of disease (so it goes), and probably extremely cantankerous, to put it lightly. Instead of describing the horror in all its graphic-ness, Vonnegut uses extremely obvious sarcasm. The sarcasm emphasizes how indescribably horrible it was by not describing it. Leaving the details up to the imagination makes the details that much more dramatic. The humans in the train were probably the exact opposite of quiet, trusting, and beautiful. The frequent use of sarcasm give the novel snarky, clever tone, while still achieving the meaning it intends to.
Slaughter House 5: Please Feel Free to Interrupt
"That was I. That was me. That was the author of this book." pg 125
Billy is in the middle of telling an anecdote about a ditch with a hundred Americans pooping in it. Then the narrator, the man whose voice narrated the first chapter, interrupts with the quote above. He says he is one of the men pooping in the ditch. This is one of the few times that the narrator interrupts to add a note into Billy's story. These interruptions help the reader remember that Billy is not a narrator or the author, but just a character that is featured in the story. It also brings up a few questions about the actual author. Did the author really fight in WWII? And is the book he wrote before is famous Dresden book this book? Is there a famous Dresden book? And will the author ever answer any of these...
Billy is in the middle of telling an anecdote about a ditch with a hundred Americans pooping in it. Then the narrator, the man whose voice narrated the first chapter, interrupts with the quote above. He says he is one of the men pooping in the ditch. This is one of the few times that the narrator interrupts to add a note into Billy's story. These interruptions help the reader remember that Billy is not a narrator or the author, but just a character that is featured in the story. It also brings up a few questions about the actual author. Did the author really fight in WWII? And is the book he wrote before is famous Dresden book this book? Is there a famous Dresden book? And will the author ever answer any of these...
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Happy Ending?
"I shall die, I shall no longer feel the agonies which now consume me, or be the prey of feelings unsatisfied, yet unquenched." -pg 166
This quote is from the very last page of the novel. The paragraphs preceding this statement were all said by the monster. They were lamenting his painful life, his unhappy fate, his horribly dead master, and other such miserable complaints. Then, he says this. He makes it seem that death is but a relief from his agonies. Death is a release from his pain. So is this a happy ending? Is the creature happy to die? Walton did learn from Victor's warnings and turned back his boat that was destined for danger. Walton still has loved ones, and is alive and unharmed. So if the two main characters left: Walton and the monster, are both either resigned to their fate, or happy to go about it, is this ending qualified as happy? I guess I will have to settle for bittersweet.
This quote is from the very last page of the novel. The paragraphs preceding this statement were all said by the monster. They were lamenting his painful life, his unhappy fate, his horribly dead master, and other such miserable complaints. Then, he says this. He makes it seem that death is but a relief from his agonies. Death is a release from his pain. So is this a happy ending? Is the creature happy to die? Walton did learn from Victor's warnings and turned back his boat that was destined for danger. Walton still has loved ones, and is alive and unharmed. So if the two main characters left: Walton and the monster, are both either resigned to their fate, or happy to go about it, is this ending qualified as happy? I guess I will have to settle for bittersweet.
Almost Grinning
" A grin was on the face of the monster, he seemed to jeer, as with his fiendish finger he pointed towards the corpse of my wife." - pg 145
The monster has a very recognizable pattern. He always seems to hang around after a kill. He is either peeking in a window, or lurking in shadows, or in some form just waiting for Victor to show up and see his latest kill. Every time this happens, the author describes the monster as "almost grinning" or "seemed to grin" or "seemed to jeer". It reminded me of the first time the monster met Victor on the night of his creation. He stood over Frankenstein's bed and "tried to smile". It seems that, even though he has being trying since his birth, the monster never learned how to smile. Again and again he tries; always meeting Victor at the crime scene with some sort of grimace on his face. The misery and misfortunes the monster experienced are what I believe to be the cause of his almost-smile. He never was happy, ever. So his version of happiness, revenge, appears physically to Victor as ugly as it really is.
The monster has a very recognizable pattern. He always seems to hang around after a kill. He is either peeking in a window, or lurking in shadows, or in some form just waiting for Victor to show up and see his latest kill. Every time this happens, the author describes the monster as "almost grinning" or "seemed to grin" or "seemed to jeer". It reminded me of the first time the monster met Victor on the night of his creation. He stood over Frankenstein's bed and "tried to smile". It seems that, even though he has being trying since his birth, the monster never learned how to smile. Again and again he tries; always meeting Victor at the crime scene with some sort of grimace on his face. The misery and misfortunes the monster experienced are what I believe to be the cause of his almost-smile. He never was happy, ever. So his version of happiness, revenge, appears physically to Victor as ugly as it really is.
Cat and Mouse
"I pursued him, and for many months, this had been my task." -pg 150
Victor has revealed that he is startling like the monster. This may not be too far a stretch, seeing as Victor is in many ways, the creatures father. However, you would think that Victor would do anything in his power to decrease the evil he put in the world by balancing it out with good. Instead, the two, creation and creator, engage in a cat and mouse all over Europe, each intent on exacting revenge on the other, even though both are well aware that the monster is the only one with any real power. The monster has no one to love, and therefore no one to lose. So why does Victor so intent on chasing him? Death might even be a relief to the monster, not a punishment. Victor loves many people, but doesn't seem to care that his consumption with revenge is hurting them. For months on end, the two chase each other. It seems both pointless, and almost silly, like a childish game of cat and mouse.
Victor has revealed that he is startling like the monster. This may not be too far a stretch, seeing as Victor is in many ways, the creatures father. However, you would think that Victor would do anything in his power to decrease the evil he put in the world by balancing it out with good. Instead, the two, creation and creator, engage in a cat and mouse all over Europe, each intent on exacting revenge on the other, even though both are well aware that the monster is the only one with any real power. The monster has no one to love, and therefore no one to lose. So why does Victor so intent on chasing him? Death might even be a relief to the monster, not a punishment. Victor loves many people, but doesn't seem to care that his consumption with revenge is hurting them. For months on end, the two chase each other. It seems both pointless, and almost silly, like a childish game of cat and mouse.
Let Me Help You...
"Peace, peace! Learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own." -pg 156
In the very beginning of the novel, Victor assumes a didactic position over Walton. He claims that he will help Walton avoid mistakes that Victor made long before. He assumes this because they are both passionate about their scientific inquiry and very adventurous and daring. While this perspective is not unkind or unhelpful exactly, I don't understand how it is necessary. Walton is pursuing a very vague concept, the north pole. He is merely setting sale on a boat to see what he can find. His path may be very hazardous, but that is where the similarities between his scientific interests and Victor's scientific interests end. Victor was raising the dead, alone and locked in a creepy lab. Walton is on a ship with good men, just looking around for something, anything. How Victor thinks that Walton will do the same as he did, I don't understand. It seems snooty of Victor to assume that just because they have similar passions, that Walton is as flawed and irresponsible as he is.
In the very beginning of the novel, Victor assumes a didactic position over Walton. He claims that he will help Walton avoid mistakes that Victor made long before. He assumes this because they are both passionate about their scientific inquiry and very adventurous and daring. While this perspective is not unkind or unhelpful exactly, I don't understand how it is necessary. Walton is pursuing a very vague concept, the north pole. He is merely setting sale on a boat to see what he can find. His path may be very hazardous, but that is where the similarities between his scientific interests and Victor's scientific interests end. Victor was raising the dead, alone and locked in a creepy lab. Walton is on a ship with good men, just looking around for something, anything. How Victor thinks that Walton will do the same as he did, I don't understand. It seems snooty of Victor to assume that just because they have similar passions, that Walton is as flawed and irresponsible as he is.
The blame game
"During these last days I have been occupied in examining my past conduct, nor do I find it blameable." - pg 161
Finally, a character that notices a futile cause when he sees one. At last, a character looks into reality, realizes he is not to blame, and walks away from whatever questionable task he is performing. In the passage above, Walton claims he does not blame himself for the death of Victor, or the situation he put his men in. His intentions were noble, and he did not do anything against his better judgment. Had he continued on his dangerous quest, he would be culpable for any misfortunes that befell him or his men after that. This is a contrast with all the other characters in the novel.
Unlike Walton, Victor blames himself for everything that is happening AND refuses to stop the vicious cycle of chasing and killing. This is both nonsensical and comparative to the monster. The monster knows that Victor will never give him what he wants, but he continues to kill those close to him anyway. The monster says that his violence is spurred by the wrongs done to him, but still admits that the acts he commits are all his own and not anyone else's. So, I guess in the end, Walton did learn something from Victor: quit while you're ahead and don't play the blame game.
Finally, a character that notices a futile cause when he sees one. At last, a character looks into reality, realizes he is not to blame, and walks away from whatever questionable task he is performing. In the passage above, Walton claims he does not blame himself for the death of Victor, or the situation he put his men in. His intentions were noble, and he did not do anything against his better judgment. Had he continued on his dangerous quest, he would be culpable for any misfortunes that befell him or his men after that. This is a contrast with all the other characters in the novel.
Unlike Walton, Victor blames himself for everything that is happening AND refuses to stop the vicious cycle of chasing and killing. This is both nonsensical and comparative to the monster. The monster knows that Victor will never give him what he wants, but he continues to kill those close to him anyway. The monster says that his violence is spurred by the wrongs done to him, but still admits that the acts he commits are all his own and not anyone else's. So, I guess in the end, Walton did learn something from Victor: quit while you're ahead and don't play the blame game.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
It's All in the Forecast
"My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the present was tranquil, and the future gilded by bright rays of hope, and anticipations of joy." pg 81
Mary Shelley spends a lot of time explaining the forecast. In fact, the original first words of the story where describing a dark, stormy, rainy night. Flashes of lightning not so accidentally ignite the scene that witnesses the spark of life that similarly ignites the creation with life for the first time. Shelley is also always very specific about what season it is. She marks time by the seasons, not the years, especially when accounting Victor's recovery. She even uses the seasons to describe how the characters grown. Victor and Frankenstein both go through a hard time in winter, but then start to perk up around spring. Shelley uses the weather as a sort of guide or foreshadowing that sets the mood of the action. The current weather conditions, or even just the time of year can be a clue to what is going on with the characters or what will happen next.
Mary Shelley spends a lot of time explaining the forecast. In fact, the original first words of the story where describing a dark, stormy, rainy night. Flashes of lightning not so accidentally ignite the scene that witnesses the spark of life that similarly ignites the creation with life for the first time. Shelley is also always very specific about what season it is. She marks time by the seasons, not the years, especially when accounting Victor's recovery. She even uses the seasons to describe how the characters grown. Victor and Frankenstein both go through a hard time in winter, but then start to perk up around spring. Shelley uses the weather as a sort of guide or foreshadowing that sets the mood of the action. The current weather conditions, or even just the time of year can be a clue to what is going on with the characters or what will happen next.
Inception, Novel Style
"Hear my tale; it is long and strange, and the temperature of this place is not fitting to your fine sensations; come to the hut upon the mountain." Pg 70
None of the characters in this novel may not be dreaming, but they taking part in confusing, folded up, story within a story structure. The frame structure of this story is exhibited when one of the characters start telling a story. And then a character in that story starts telling a story. Originally, the sea captain is telling his sister about his life in his letters. Then Victor Frankenstein, a character in his story, starts telling a story about his life. Then the monster, a character in his story, starts telling his story. So we have a three way story going here. The structure is both confusing and interesting at the same time. The inception style to the novel gives it a mysterious and cryptic feel.
None of the characters in this novel may not be dreaming, but they taking part in confusing, folded up, story within a story structure. The frame structure of this story is exhibited when one of the characters start telling a story. And then a character in that story starts telling a story. Originally, the sea captain is telling his sister about his life in his letters. Then Victor Frankenstein, a character in his story, starts telling a story about his life. Then the monster, a character in his story, starts telling his story. So we have a three way story going here. The structure is both confusing and interesting at the same time. The inception style to the novel gives it a mysterious and cryptic feel.
Two Year Old Genius
"Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed." pg 69
The creature is meeting and talking to Victor Frankenstein, his creator, for the first time in two years. Victor is a full grown man. His monster is just a two year old in the terms of the world. So, its ironic that when they meet, Victor greets his brainchild with threats, anger, petulance, and ignorance while the creations greets him with eloquent pleas, supplications, and perfect grammar. Victor tries to talk with his fists, but the monster merely begs for a chance to be heard. When the monster finally gets Victor to calm down, he begins on the tale of how he grew up so quickly.
Its's shocking to hear the monster speak so perfectly. He evens makes biblical allusions like the one quoted above. I had a really hard time believing that he could learn that much in only two years. He also seemed strangely familiar with human ways, terms, and expectations that wouldn't normally come to someone so young in years. It made me wonder about whether or not he has a soul, or a genuine personality. Maybe he's just sort of like a blank computer that you can fill up with information and experiences. Or maybe when he was built, the spark that gave him life even gave him a soul. Either way, he is definitely not what Frankenstein or I expected.
The creature is meeting and talking to Victor Frankenstein, his creator, for the first time in two years. Victor is a full grown man. His monster is just a two year old in the terms of the world. So, its ironic that when they meet, Victor greets his brainchild with threats, anger, petulance, and ignorance while the creations greets him with eloquent pleas, supplications, and perfect grammar. Victor tries to talk with his fists, but the monster merely begs for a chance to be heard. When the monster finally gets Victor to calm down, he begins on the tale of how he grew up so quickly.
Its's shocking to hear the monster speak so perfectly. He evens makes biblical allusions like the one quoted above. I had a really hard time believing that he could learn that much in only two years. He also seemed strangely familiar with human ways, terms, and expectations that wouldn't normally come to someone so young in years. It made me wonder about whether or not he has a soul, or a genuine personality. Maybe he's just sort of like a blank computer that you can fill up with information and experiences. Or maybe when he was built, the spark that gave him life even gave him a soul. Either way, he is definitely not what Frankenstein or I expected.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Impulses
"I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that i had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep." pg 35
The entire chapter before this point spent time building up the creation and the creation process. Victor Frankenstein has spent months, his first year of college, working on the animation of an inanimate project. Shelley makes a point to describe how consuming the process is and how much it taxes Victor. Not only does his social habits deteriorate, but his physical being begins to decay. His eyes are described as popping out of his skull. So months and months of labor and study and stealing bones to make the creation lead up to one dramatized moment. Thunder and lightning are crashing and Victor is marveling at the beauty of his creation. Until it opens it eyes. It's like a light switch goes off and Victor is suddenly terrified of his creation. Just like that, all his feelings toward it changed despite the months before that set up his master piece.
Again, later, Victor sees the creation for the second time and immediately thinks that it killed his brother, William; even though that theory is far fetched and unlikely. Victor is displaying a tendency to make up his mind suddenly and permanently and irrationally. His theories are fear-based very impulsive. This could lead to some interesting plot twists later on.
The entire chapter before this point spent time building up the creation and the creation process. Victor Frankenstein has spent months, his first year of college, working on the animation of an inanimate project. Shelley makes a point to describe how consuming the process is and how much it taxes Victor. Not only does his social habits deteriorate, but his physical being begins to decay. His eyes are described as popping out of his skull. So months and months of labor and study and stealing bones to make the creation lead up to one dramatized moment. Thunder and lightning are crashing and Victor is marveling at the beauty of his creation. Until it opens it eyes. It's like a light switch goes off and Victor is suddenly terrified of his creation. Just like that, all his feelings toward it changed despite the months before that set up his master piece.
Again, later, Victor sees the creation for the second time and immediately thinks that it killed his brother, William; even though that theory is far fetched and unlikely. Victor is displaying a tendency to make up his mind suddenly and permanently and irrationally. His theories are fear-based very impulsive. This could lead to some interesting plot twists later on.
The Women of Frankstein's World
"Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home. Her sympathy was ours; her smile, her soft voice, the sweet glance of her celestial eyes, were ever there to bless and animate us. She was the living spirit of love to soften and attract: I might become sullen in my study, rough through the ardour of my nature, but that she was there subdue me to a semblance of her own gentleness." pg 20
There are so far three main women in the tale of Frankenstein. The first is his mother, Caroline. Caroline was described as the perfect mother, wife, and charitable women. She was compassionate, gentle, giving, and beautiful. Victor idolizes her. Caroline took pity and adopted Elizabeth, the girl described in the paragraph above. The praise showered on Elizabeth is lavish and extravagant. She is Victor's best friend and confidant, and sometimes it seems she may be a little bit more. However, when Caroline dies, she takes over to run the family affairs and almost becomes the new mother. The third woman, Justine, is a dearly loved girl who is taken in by the Frankensteins when her own mother dies. She is loved and considered a part of the family and another pseudo mother figure to the younger children like William. All three are described highly and reverently. They are clearly different, but Victor reveres them all with the same type of respect.
I got to wondering whether it was Mary Shelley's opinion of women leaking through a it into her main character's voice. Perhaps Shelley is a feminist and regards all women highly and that is why she includes such wonderful female characters in her story. I also wondered maybe Shelley had a deep love for her mother that was perhaps the inspiration for some of the female characters in the novel. For whatever reason, the female figures of Frankenstein's world are all similarly wonderful and idolized.
There are so far three main women in the tale of Frankenstein. The first is his mother, Caroline. Caroline was described as the perfect mother, wife, and charitable women. She was compassionate, gentle, giving, and beautiful. Victor idolizes her. Caroline took pity and adopted Elizabeth, the girl described in the paragraph above. The praise showered on Elizabeth is lavish and extravagant. She is Victor's best friend and confidant, and sometimes it seems she may be a little bit more. However, when Caroline dies, she takes over to run the family affairs and almost becomes the new mother. The third woman, Justine, is a dearly loved girl who is taken in by the Frankensteins when her own mother dies. She is loved and considered a part of the family and another pseudo mother figure to the younger children like William. All three are described highly and reverently. They are clearly different, but Victor reveres them all with the same type of respect.
I got to wondering whether it was Mary Shelley's opinion of women leaking through a it into her main character's voice. Perhaps Shelley is a feminist and regards all women highly and that is why she includes such wonderful female characters in her story. I also wondered maybe Shelley had a deep love for her mother that was perhaps the inspiration for some of the female characters in the novel. For whatever reason, the female figures of Frankenstein's world are all similarly wonderful and idolized.
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