As we near the end of the novel, are themes beginning to emerge? Do you notice lessons for the reader to take away? Why did Shelley write this? What is the point?
13 Comments
Taylor Leach
11/18/2014 06:21:53 am
I can seen the theme of pursuit of knowledge beginning to emerge. Both Walton and Frankenstein are similar in the fact they are deeply pursuing science. In both cases, the men leave their families behind and go after learning more about their passions which are questionably dangerous. I think Shelly is trying to make the point that ignorance is bliss which can be most acutely seen through both the downfall of Victor in creating the creature and the creature. The creature is happy in his ignorance but, once he knows how ugly he is and how much people dislike him, life becomes miserable.
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Faith Anderson
11/19/2014 12:58:02 am
I had never thought of it like this, but you make a good point Taylor. Another way knowledge ruined the creature was when he learned to read. He read Victor's notes about how he was created, and this made him hate Victor.
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Sara King
11/19/2014 12:09:03 am
A big theme arising in the "Frankenstein" as it terminates is the natural drive for humanity to seek revenge. After the creature is created and becomes knowledgeable about our world, he pursues revenge against Victor. By killing William and Justine, the creature hopes to put Victor in the same sort of pain in which the creature has. Knowing this, Victor then goes to the creature and tries to kill him, which is again seeking revenge. Creating this consistent cycle of revenge toward one another is Shelly's way of saying that it is a bad thing to make others suffer because of the suffering that others have put one through. Basically, Victor and the creature will never be able to live happily because of the hatred and vengeance they share toward one another.
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Cassie Quinn
11/24/2014 04:41:51 am
I completely agree with you Sara on that theme, especially now that we have finished the novel. In the creatures confessions to Robert Walton he admits that he never wanted to kill anyone, but something evil drove him to. He could not resist the urge to cause pain upon Victor, especially when Victor actually had the chance for happiness that he would never receive. Victor then retaliates as well and devotes the end of his life to destroying the creatures. Like you said, Sara, neither of them will ever find happiness because their lives revolve around destroying the others, and if either succeed they will then lose their own purpose. Mary Shelley clearly shows that revenge cannot provide happiness.
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Alison Von Haden
11/19/2014 12:29:59 am
A theme that I noticed in "Frankenstein" is appearances. Appearances is extremely important in the novel because the creature is constantly being judged for the way that he looks. The towns people judge him and don't want to get the chance to know him because he looks like a monster. I believe that Mary Shelley is trying to get the point across with this theme that appearances and looks are not always the most important thing in life. It is what matters on the inside. If someone just tried to get to know the creature they would find out that all he wants to do if have someone to love. The evolution of the creatures character represents what happens when someone gets judged or criticized for how they look. We can take away from this lesson that you should never judge a book (or person) by its cover.
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Mitchell Johnson
11/19/2014 04:59:39 am
I also think appearances are an important theme, but not just for the creature being looked at as a monster. I think this theme also applies to other characters in the novel, another notable one would be Victor. Victor appears on the outside to be a bright,melancholy young man passionately pursuing science, when in reality he's a Byronic mad genius, who hates himself for his creation. But Victor's not the only one who dissimulation fools others. The cottagers seem to be poor, unhappy, lowly cottagers, when they are actually exiled royalty, who have deep meaningful pasts. So it is true that appearances are a major theme in the novel, but its not just the creature who applies.
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Mrs. Schultz
12/1/2014 02:47:27 am
Vocabulary!
Jared Fogarty
11/22/2014 04:31:54 am
I found that suffering was a notable theme in the novel, especially as it was drawing to a close. In essence, the final chapters of the novel are simply Victor and the creature complaining about how horrid their respective lives were because of each other. The absence of hope for these two characters later on in the plot gives way to suffering. Both the creature and Victor believe that their circumstance was special--that no one had ever been through as much as they had, when in reality, they lacked the empathy to see what their own actions were doing to each other.
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Mrs. Schultz
12/1/2014 02:49:29 am
Wonderful! This is not only a great reading of Shelley's intent but also brings forth the idea that the Creature and Victor are similar on many levels, as much as they seem to disagree.
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Elizabeth Anderson
11/24/2014 12:01:55 am
This novel showcases humanity's natural tendencies, whether they be revenge, selfishness, the innocence of youth and the corruption by society, coming of age, the pursuit of knowledge, natural consequences for choices, dynamic familial relationships and the feelings they feel toward each other. You could argue any of these could be the 'theme' but there is evidence of all of them. It's meant to be an exaggeration of humanity's qualities and actions to prove a point about how they can so dramatically affect not only an individual, but all of society. Mary Shelley designed this story to be a warning of many facets.
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Natalie Carlberg
11/25/2014 01:35:58 am
I think another important theme that Mary Shelley wants her readers to get is learning from others mistakes. Remember that Victor is telling Walton his story because Walton said that he will pursue knowledge and he will die for it. Victor is telling him that he tried to do that and now look at him. Victor tried to pursue knowledge but when he did he made himself sick, pushed everybody away, had no family left, and ruined his life. I think that Mary Shelley wants us to know that we can learn from other peoples' mistake and that even if you want to gain knowledge it may not always be the best choice and bad things can emerge, like it could possibly ruin your life, even at such a young age. You have to think about the knowledge you are pursuing before you try things and you do not know how they will end. I think Mary Shelley definitely wants people to realize what knowledge can do to you and it all depends on how you use it and in this case other can learn from Victor's mistakes.
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Pearl Davis
11/30/2014 08:52:48 am
Shelley appears to make a variety of points throughout the novel. Perhaps most obvious is to not overstep moral boundaries when in the pursuit of knowledge. Through showing the extreme and horrendous consequences of Victor's scientific experiments, she aims to show what could be if one were to ignore all constraints and follow through with an obviously corrupt plan.
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Nate
12/9/2014 05:08:21 am
I'd have to say that the comparison of the two protagonists is the most prevalent idea in the novel. Without thinking, its easy to say that the creature and Victor or very different.I think Shelley intends for that to be changed at the end of the story. There are many things that make them similar, like how Victor's life seemed only to begin when creating the creature. Likewise, the creature's life also began at that time. They both thirst for knowledge. During times of sadness, they turn to nature for its serenity. They both strive for companionship. I think Shelley intends to mask their similar personalities by creating completely opposite physical and social qualities. At first glance, they are both direct opposites. Even the characters themselves acknowledge this. However, upon further inspection, they are not that different at all.
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