Frankenstein-themes

"A change indeed had taken place in me: my health, which had hitherto declined, was now much restored; and my spirits, when unchecked my the memory of my unhappy promise, rose prportionably." page 108

Health, Benevolence, Frame Story

These were the themes my group had to find in the novel. They were all hit pretty thoroughly as the novel progressed. In the beginning, it seemed Victor considered everyone to be benevolent. For example, on page 40, Victor is describing his father. It seemed to be a common characteristic of the people Victor described. Towards the end, the use of benevolent decreases when the monster begins to tell his story. He gives his life expereince without really characterizing the other characters. Health is a big topic when it comes to Victor and his creations. When he created the monster, his health was in a rapid decline. That is why when the monster demands him to create a female he is hesitant because he feels he cannot endure that sickness again. Health is greatly impacted by the monster and Victor's family. Lastly, frame story. There are three characters who tell their stories in Frankenstein. First is Walton, second is Victor and third is the monster. They begin to unfold again after chapter seventeen.

Frankenstein-Robert

"I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me; whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend." (pg. 4)

Robert Walton opens the story. He is travelling to find the North Pole to find the answer as to why compasses go North. Robert writes letters to his sister Margaret because he has nooone to communicate with. From the beginning, we see Robert as this lonely desperate man. He has noone to share his joys or failures with. When he meets Victor, right away he claims him as his friend and they both share their life stories. After the letters in the beginning, Robert is no longer the speaker and it turns to Victor. However, in a sense it is Robert because he is putting this in his letter to Margaret. THe story is a frame story which we must be aware of. Robert is kind man who believes everyone is benevolent and seems to only focus on the good and making sure his goal is reached.

Frankenstein-Victor

"I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs." (pg. 35)

Victor Frankenstein is the true meaning of a mad scientist. He became obsessed with science when he witnessed the strike of lightning hitting a tree. He then got the BRIGHTEST idea to create life. However, that was the biggest mistake he could have made. When he was travelling, Robert Walton took him into his boat. Robert describes him as a kind gentleman who had madness in his eyes. Frankenstein is one of the main characters. We know of his life and of his desires. He resembles Robert in a way because they are both crazy over their goals and do everything they can tp accomplish it. For instance, Victor loses his health over the mess. HE spent all his time creating the life, and then when he is finished, he wishes he never did it. He becomes pale and ill for being sleep deprived and sick with disgust of the monster.

Frankenstein-metaphor

"The wounded deer dragging its fainting limbs to some untrodden brake, there to gaze upon the arrow which had pierced it, and to die- was but a type of me." (pg. 64)

Victor is comparing himself to a wounded deer. He feels as though he resembles the deer because he too is in pain and suffering but not in a physical sense. Victor is extremely tired, his brother has died, his father is sick, and he too is still getting over the fact that the monster he created was the murderer. Victor is lost and does not fully how to act anymore. He feels as if he could go to a place and die just as the deer. In the previous lines before this, Victor talks of how the tenderness of friendship nor the beauty of the earth could bring happinesss about him. He is too sad and drained. To further relate to the metaphor, the limbs the deer carries matches with the load of dilemma, guilt, and frustration Victor has in his heart and soul. This only adds on to the readers sympathy for him.

Frankenstein-rhetorical questions

"Dear mountains! My own beautiful lake! How do you welcome your wanderer? Your summits are clear; the sky and lake are blue and placid. Is this to prognosticate peace, or to mock my unhappiness?" (pg. 49)

When Victor goes back to his hometown, he is wandering around and taking visits to where he is used to go. He begins to ask the lake and mountains questions knowing they will not respond. This is the use of rhetorical questions. The author uses this to show how dear they are to Victor and to show his sorrow in his heart. Victor is upset because his brother has died. He is trying to feel comfort by speaking to the inanimate objects and we sympathize with him. The lake is so calm and even, and the mountains are beautiful and strong. This descriptions contradict with Victor who is basically a mess. He feels uneasy and all of this comes through the rhetorical questions he is asking. Victor has missed his home and everything has changed in his life, him, his family and his career. He wanted to find a place of peace at the lake and take him back to what used to be.

Frankenstein-imagery

"I never saw a more interesting creature; his eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness, but there are moments when, if any one performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most triflin service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equallyed. But he is generally melancholy and despairing; and sometimes he gnashes his teeth.." (pg. 9)

Robert Walton is describing Victor Frankenstein in this quote. At first, the reader really does not have a clue who Victor is until Walton distinguishes his attributes to us. By the use of words such as wildness and madness, we understand that Victor is determined and has something on his mind even before we know his story. THe use of imagery gives us a background of who Victor may be and what he portrays as a character. WHen Robert gave him comfort, Victor lit up. He was so proud someone showed him kindess. From the get go, we can see that these two characters will be "friends" throughout the book. Roberts description of Victor sets the stage for Victor's actions and visible appearances in the future. While reading, I can picture Victor at this moment with the help of Robert's descriptive word choice.

Wuthering Heights-END :)

"I sought, and soon discovered, the three head-stones on the slope next the moor-the middle one, grey, and half buried in heath-Edgar Linton's only harmonized by the turf, and moss creepin up its foot-Heathcliff's still bare. I wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers, for the sleepers in that quiet earth." page 344

WOOHOO! THe end of the story is a complete turn around than what I thought would happen! In the end, Heathcliff, Catherine, and Edgar all died. The love triangle is still together even in their death. Heathcliff made it known that he wanted to be buried next to Catherine eventhough he was to be buried in the city. Heathcliff's obsessive love for Catherine haunts him even in his death! Catherine basically caused his death, just like he caused hers. Cathy and Hareton become lovers in the end..definately did not see that one coming! They finally realized their love for eachother and plan on getting married and moving back to the Grange. Heathcliff will not be able to have the forceful pressures on them anymore and they will be able to live freely. The last line of the quote sticks out to me the most. Even though they are dead in the quiet earth, they will continue to argue as spirits and be loud! It is kind of spooky to think about.