"I have reached their acme" (Shelley, 146).
Acme is defined as "the highest point or stage". Victor Frankenstein believes that nothing else can happen to him to make the situation worse then it already is. He has reached the darkest, most miserable point in his life.
Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acme
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Darkness
"The cup of life poisoned forever...I saw nothing around me but a dense and frightful darkness" (Shelley, 134).
Ever since Victor Frankenstein created his monster, his life has been progressively getting worse. It is in this metaphor that he tells the reader he can never be truly happy again, no matter what goes on around him. Everything he has cared for is ruined because of his creation, and he can never forgive himself for creating his own worse nightmare.
Ever since Victor Frankenstein created his monster, his life has been progressively getting worse. It is in this metaphor that he tells the reader he can never be truly happy again, no matter what goes on around him. Everything he has cared for is ruined because of his creation, and he can never forgive himself for creating his own worse nightmare.
Maladie du pays
"...with a devouring maladie du pays" (Shelley, 134).
Maladie du pays means homesickness in French. Victor is homesick for his old life and, more importantly, his loved ones. The thought of them has consumed him completely. It is also interesting that Victor chose to speak in his native tongue here, adding to the fact that he was homesick for his past.
Links:
http://synonyms24.com/to/maladie%20du%20pays/
Maladie du pays means homesickness in French. Victor is homesick for his old life and, more importantly, his loved ones. The thought of them has consumed him completely. It is also interesting that Victor chose to speak in his native tongue here, adding to the fact that he was homesick for his past.
Links:
http://synonyms24.com/to/maladie%20du%20pays/
John Hampden
"We visited the tomb of the illustrious Hampden.. that patriot fell" (Shelley, 117).
John Hampden was a decedent of royal blood in England, and a cousin to Oliver Cromwell. He was fatally wounded at a battle during the Civil War of England and died on June 24, 1643. (Edit) Shelley uses this allusion to remind the reader that man kind (Victor and his monster) is not immortal and that after a short time, individual existence will be forgotten.
Links:
Goring
"The memory of that unfortunate king... the insolent Goring" (Shelley, 116).
Lord George Goring was another Royalist during the civil war of England. He was doubted as being loyal to the crown, and despite payments from parliament, he fled from a defeat before the government could stop him.
Links:
Lucius Cary
"The memory of that unfortunate king... the amiable Falkland" (Shelley, 116).
Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland, took part in the English Civil war as a Royalist. He was born in 1610, and died in 1643 by musket fire, before the end of the Civil war.
Links:
"Tintern Abbey"
"The sounding cataract... Unborrow'd from the eye" (Shelley, 113).
This allusion is taken out of the poem Tintern Abbey, by William Wordsworth. The poem is about Tintern Abbey, but is not only about the abbey, it also speaks of nature, social beliefs, and God. (Edit) Shelley is once again explaining that in the end, nature always wins. This Abbey had been completely taken over by nature even though it had once tried to best nature.
Links:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)