Literature Analysis #3: Frankenstein

General

1.      Victor Frankenstein departs from Geneva, his hometown, to go to college. When he arrives at the university he is intrigued by modern science compared to old science which he had read numerous times while he lived at home. Many professors did not believe in the older sciences, the creation of life, because their results were unsuccessful; however, Frankenstein convinced one of the professors to allow him to work in his laboratory. For years, Frankenstein worked in the lab trying to create life. When he finally figured out how to give life, he assembled body parts and created a monster. Frankenstein became really ill after the monster vanished but, eventually he recovered and returned to his home town of Geneva where he found his brother dead. Frankenstein was certain that this was the work of the monster he created so he followed his trails into the mountains and approached the monster. The monster told Frankenstein of his conflicts with man and how vowed eternal hatred for them. The monster requested a mate from Frankenstein or else he would hurt his loved ones. Frankenstein agreed to create him mate, however, half way through Frankenstein abandoned the cause because he did not want to bring another monster in the world. The monster vowed to be present on his wedding night with Elizabeth. Elizabeth was killed by the monster of the night of Frankenstein’s wedding. Frankenstein’s father died shortly after from overwhelming misfortune and heartache. Frankenstein vowed to follow the monster to the ends of the earth until, one of them dies. Frankenstein eventually becomes weak and unable to chase the monster after years of following his tracks. After, Frankenstein dies the monster visits his corpse and reveals to the corpse that he will cause no more death and will commit suicide and join his creator in the afterlife.

2.      The theme of the story is the undeniable monstrosity of the human condition. The monster is unloved by society so he seeks to have a mate from Frankenstein, the only person that can give him this. Frankenstein is appalled with the very appearance of him and denies him any sanction and happiness because he murdered his little brother. The monster just wanted to be a part of society but he is shunned because of his appearance. He was kind-hearted and compassionate towards others until he realized that he would never be a part of society that is when he became a true monster.

3.      The novel has a grotesque/gloomy tone because it is a gothic tale. The author implies the tone is gloomy because when you first think of the novel you imagine the horrific monster that causes death and decay wherever he goes.

·         “She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head hanging down, and her pale and distorted features half covered by her hair. Everywhere I turn I see the same figure –her bloodless arms and relaxed form flung by the murderer on its bridal bier.”

·         “Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete!”

·         “The deep grief which this scene had at first excited quickly gave way to rage and despair. They were dead, and I lived; their murderer also lived, and to destroy him I must drag out my weary existence.”

4.      Foreshadowing: “So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein-more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.”(p.42)

 

Imagery: “As exemplified in the change from life to death, and death to life, until from the midst of this darkness a sudden light broke in upon me-a light so brilliant and wondrous, yet so simple, that while I became dizzy with the immensity of the prospect which it illustrated.”(p.46)

 

Simile: “No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success.”(p.48)

 

Personification: “My limbs now tremble and my eyes swim with the remembrance; but then a resistless, and almost frantic, impulse urged me forward; I seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit.”(p.49)

 

Analogy: “But my enthusiasm was checked by anxiety, and I appeared rather like one doomed by slavery to toil in the mines, or any other unwholesome trade, than an artist occupied by his favorite employment.”(p.50)

 

Tone: “Like one who, on a lonely road, doth walk in fear and dread, and, having once turned around, walks on, and turns no more his head; because he knows a frightful fiend doth close behind him tread.”(p.53)

 

Diction: The author’s word choice is significant to the story because if Shelley didn’t use a wide and advanced vocabulary then it would have taken away from the story. An example is, “I passed the night wretchedly. Sometimes my pulse beat so quickly and hardly that I felt the palpitation of every artery; at others, I nearly sank to the ground through languor and extreme weakness.”(p.52)

Mood: The mood is the same as the author’s tone. “Nothing is more painful to the human mind, than, after the feelings have been worked up by a succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows, and deprives the soul both of hope and fear.”(p.80)

 

Syntax: The author’s sentence structure is prolix at times because sometimes his sentences feel like run on sentences; however, they are just really long descriptions. “My father observed with pain the alteration perceptible in my disposition and habits, and endeavored by arguments deduced from the feelings of his serene conscience and guiltless life, to inspire me with fortitude, and awaken in me the courage to dispel the dark cloud which brooded over me.”(p.80)

 

Gothic Tale: “I started from my sleep with horror; a cold dew covered my forehead, my teeth chattered, and every limb became convulsed: when, by the dim and yellow light of the moon, as it forced its way through the window shutters, I beheld the wretch-the miserable monster whom I had created.”(p.52)

Characterization

1.      Direct Characterization:

·         “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun whit sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips.”(p.51)

·         “I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept.”(p.92)

Indirect Characterization:

·         “I shut my eyes involuntarily and endeavored to recollect what were my duties with regard to this destroyer.”(p.193)

·         “His voice seemed suffocated; and my first impulses, which had suggested to me the duty of obeying the dying request of my friend, in destroying his enemy, were now suspended by a mixture of curiosity and compassion.”(p.193)

2.      The author doesn’t change his syntax and diction when he is describing a character because he uses formal diction and syntax throughout the book and not just when describing characters. “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun whit sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips.”(p.51)

3.      Frankenstein is a dynamic and round character because he was able to give life to inanimate object, however when he looked upon the being he was terrified. When the monster tells Frankenstein his story, Frankenstein feels somewhat guilty and agrees to create a mate for the monster; however, Frankenstein eventually realizes that the new monster could be more dangerous than the first one so he abandons the project and the monster.

4.      At the end of the story I didn’t feel like I could relate to anyone in the story because of how many misfortunes all the characters went through. “She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head hanging down, and her pale and distorted features half covered by her hair. Everywhere I turn I see the same figure –her bloodless arms and relaxed form flung by the murderer on its bridal bier.”