"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:
"Very poetry of nature"
"He was being formed in the 'very poetry of nature'" (Shelley, 113).
"Very poetry of nature" is from the The Story of Riminy, by Leigh Hunt. The Story of Riminy is a love story between Francesca da Rimini and her brother in law. In the story, the allusion is being used to describe a character whom Victor loved, his friend Clerval. (Edit) This shows that their relationship was more brotherly then it naturally should have been.
Links:
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V3notes/rimini.html
"Very poetry of nature" is from the The Story of Riminy, by Leigh Hunt. The Story of Riminy is a love story between Francesca da Rimini and her brother in law. In the story, the allusion is being used to describe a character whom Victor loved, his friend Clerval. (Edit) This shows that their relationship was more brotherly then it naturally should have been.
Links:
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V3notes/rimini.html
Wonders
"I have seen the mountains of La Valais, and the Pays do Vaud: but this country, Victor, pleases me more than all those wonders" (Shelley, 113).
La Vais and the Pays do Vaud are both very majestic mountains in Switzerland. The character is using these mountains to show the reader that he was even more impressed with the new setting. This helps the reader understand the emotions that the characters are feeling when authors, such as Shelley, use this technique. "Ruins of Empires"
“The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney’s Ruins of Empires” (Shelley, 84).
Constantin Francois Chasseboeuf Boisgirais Volney, or Comte de Volney, wrote Ruins of an Empire in 1791. It is a book on philosophy and is one of his most respected books.
Constantin Francois Chasseboeuf Boisgirais Volney, or Comte de Volney, wrote Ruins of an Empire in 1791. It is a book on philosophy and is one of his most respected books.
Links:
Cornelius Agrippa
"I chanced to find a volume of the morks of Cornelius Agrippa" (Shelley, 20).Cornelius Agrippa, or Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, was a wall known scientist from the early sixteenth century. His most famous work, De occulta philosophiae, was a book about magic, or "hidden philosophy".
Links:
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/agrippa.html
Winds
“The very winds whispered in soothing accents” (Shelley, 68).
Personification plays an important part in the style of authors. Shelley relies heavily on personification to help her better describe what her characters are experiencing. Winds whispering are much more descriptive then winds blowing. (Edit) Shelley personifies nature to better draw a connection between Victor and natural elements. This makes it easier to show Victor's sins against the almighty power on earth.
Personification plays an important part in the style of authors. Shelley relies heavily on personification to help her better describe what her characters are experiencing. Winds whispering are much more descriptive then winds blowing. (Edit) Shelley personifies nature to better draw a connection between Victor and natural elements. This makes it easier to show Victor's sins against the almighty power on earth.
Mont Blanc
“...raising itself from the surrounding aiguilles, and its tremendous dome.” (Shelley, 65).
The use of the works aiguilles and dome are yet another example of Mary Shelley’s style. Aiguilles are defined as “a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock”, and dome is defined as “a large hemispherical roof or ceiling”. The use of words like these really help readers better imagine what the character is seeing and the emotions that come with it. (Edit) This also shows that Shelley is once again showing how great nature is and how small and insignificant human kind and Victor are.
The use of the works aiguilles and dome are yet another example of Mary Shelley’s style. Aiguilles are defined as “a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock”, and dome is defined as “a large hemispherical roof or ceiling”. The use of words like these really help readers better imagine what the character is seeing and the emotions that come with it. (Edit) This also shows that Shelley is once again showing how great nature is and how small and insignificant human kind and Victor are.
Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dome
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aiguilles
Omnipotence
“...a power mighty as Omnipotence” (Shelley, 64).
Omnipotence is defined as something of unlimited power. This also adds to Shelley’s description of the waterfall. (Edit) It is also interesting that Shelley used this word because Victor was on a quest to find ultimate power. He also loves nature, and this word is being used to describe natures power, not his. This shows that Victor is going against nature by trying to control it.
Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnipotence
Omnipotence is defined as something of unlimited power. This also adds to Shelley’s description of the waterfall. (Edit) It is also interesting that Shelley used this word because Victor was on a quest to find ultimate power. He also loves nature, and this word is being used to describe natures power, not his. This shows that Victor is going against nature by trying to control it.
Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnipotence
Waterfalls
“...and the dashing of the waterfalls around, spoke of a power” (Shelley, 64).
This is yet another example of Mary Shelley’s use of personification when she describes the settings in to book. A waterfall speaking is much more powerful to a reader then a waterfall falling. She enriches her text like this to better capture the reader and help them picture what is happening in the novel.
This is yet another example of Mary Shelley’s use of personification when she describes the settings in to book. A waterfall speaking is much more powerful to a reader then a waterfall falling. She enriches her text like this to better capture the reader and help them picture what is happening in the novel.
"The Vicar of Wakefield"
“I believe I left… in The Vicar of Wakefield” (Shelley, 37).
The Vicar of Wakefield was written by Oliver Goldsmith and printed in 1766. The story is about a clergyman whose family is thrown into misfortune and the troubles he has piecing their lives back together. This is similar to the situation of Victor Frankenstein; his life and family might also be torn apart due to his recent discovery.
Links:
http://www.bibliomania.com/0/0/24/52/frameset.html
The Vicar of Wakefield was written by Oliver Goldsmith and printed in 1766. The story is about a clergyman whose family is thrown into misfortune and the troubles he has piecing their lives back together. This is similar to the situation of Victor Frankenstein; his life and family might also be torn apart due to his recent discovery.
Links:
http://www.bibliomania.com/0/0/24/52/frameset.html
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Ancient Mariner 2
“Like one, on a lonesome road who… Doth close behind him tread” (Shelley, 36).
This quote is taken directly out of Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, which was also alluded to early in the novel. This makes a connection between Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton, along with adding weight to the text. It explains how alienated Victor already feels only moments after the creation of his monster.
This quote is taken directly out of Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, which was also alluded to early in the novel. This makes a connection between Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton, along with adding weight to the text. It explains how alienated Victor already feels only moments after the creation of his monster.
Immutable Laws
“Destiny was too potent, and her… terrible destruction” (Shelley, 23).
This is an example of both foreshadowing and personification. Mary Shelly is once again hinting at the fact that Victors endeavors into natural philosophy are not to turn out well. She is also making it feel more personal by personifying destiny by giving destiny the pronoun “her”.
This is an example of both foreshadowing and personification. Mary Shelly is once again hinting at the fact that Victors endeavors into natural philosophy are not to turn out well. She is also making it feel more personal by personifying destiny by giving destiny the pronoun “her”.
Sir Isaac Newton
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“I always came from … Sir Isaac Newton” (Page 21)
Sir Isaac Newton is one of the most famous scientists of all time. He is known for his work in mathematics and physics. His most famous book is Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which is about the mathematical principles of natural philosophy.
Links:
http://www.newton.ac.uk/newtlife.html
Sir Isaac Newton is one of the most famous scientists of all time. He is known for his work in mathematics and physics. His most famous book is Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which is about the mathematical principles of natural philosophy.
Links:
http://www.newton.ac.uk/newtlife.html
Paracelsus
“..and afterwards of Paracelsus” (page 21)
Paracelsus, or Auroleus Phillipus Theostratus Bombastus von Hohenheim, was a famous Swiss scientist from the early sixteenth century. He was well known for his work in medicine and in alchemy. He scorned Agrippa, which is interesting because Victor also idealized him. (Edit) This hints to the reader that Victor's fate will be similar to Agrippa's.
Links:
http://www.crystalinks.com/paracelsus.html
Paracelsus, or Auroleus Phillipus Theostratus Bombastus von Hohenheim, was a famous Swiss scientist from the early sixteenth century. He was well known for his work in medicine and in alchemy. He scorned Agrippa, which is interesting because Victor also idealized him. (Edit) This hints to the reader that Victor's fate will be similar to Agrippa's.
Links:
http://www.crystalinks.com/paracelsus.html
Fatal impulse
" It is even possible... led to my ruin" (Page 21)
This is another example of Mary Shelley using foreshadowing in her writing. It is now quite clear that Victors' obsession with natural philosophy will cause something to go terribly wrong. Mary Shelley relied heavily on foreshadowing to keep her readers enthralled in her story.
This is another example of Mary Shelley using foreshadowing in her writing. It is now quite clear that Victors' obsession with natural philosophy will cause something to go terribly wrong. Mary Shelley relied heavily on foreshadowing to keep her readers enthralled in her story.
Natural Philosophy
" Natural philosophy ... my fate" (Page 20)
This is the first hint that something will go terribly wrong for Victor. The author is using foreshadowing to inform the reader that not all will go well for Victor, particularly in his obsession with natural philosophy. Mary Shelley used the word fate, which is defined as "an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or end" is a word that is most often viewed in a negative light, which hints that the fate of Victor is not a happy one.
Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fate
This is the first hint that something will go terribly wrong for Victor. The author is using foreshadowing to inform the reader that not all will go well for Victor, particularly in his obsession with natural philosophy. Mary Shelley used the word fate, which is defined as "an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition, or end" is a word that is most often viewed in a negative light, which hints that the fate of Victor is not a happy one.
Links:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fate
Garden Rose
" fairer than a garden rose among dark-leaved brambles" (Page 17)
This metaphor is another way the author showed the perfection of Elizabeth. The reader gets the feeling that no matter what this character does, no one could ever truly be upset with her because of the power she holds on those around her.
This metaphor is another way the author showed the perfection of Elizabeth. The reader gets the feeling that no matter what this character does, no one could ever truly be upset with her because of the power she holds on those around her.
Cloudless
"...her blue eyes cloudless" (Page 17)
This metaphor is describing the flawlessness of the character Elizabeth. It explains why Victor Frankenstein never thinks of Elizabeth as anything less then perfect. From the very first time he saw her, she radiated a almost heavenly glow that won over not only him but everyone around her.
This metaphor is describing the flawlessness of the character Elizabeth. It explains why Victor Frankenstein never thinks of Elizabeth as anything less then perfect. From the very first time he saw her, she radiated a almost heavenly glow that won over not only him but everyone around her.
"Ancient Mariner"
"...or if I should come back ... as the 'Ancient Mariner' "(Shelley, 6).
The "Ancient Mariner'"is an allusion to the poem "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. The poem tells the tale of an unlucky mariner. After the mariner killed an albatross, his voyage is surrounded by destruction. The theme of this poem is that all things on earth are beautiful and important.
Links:
*http://poetry.eserver.org/ancient-mariner.html
*http://uk.encarta.msn.com/sidebar_701610967/%E2%80%9CRime_of_the_Ancient_Mariner_The%E2%80%9D.html
The "Ancient Mariner'"is an allusion to the poem "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. The poem tells the tale of an unlucky mariner. After the mariner killed an albatross, his voyage is surrounded by destruction. The theme of this poem is that all things on earth are beautiful and important.
Links:
*http://poetry.eserver.org/ancient-mariner.html
*http://uk.encarta.msn.com/sidebar_701610967/%E2%80%9CRime_of_the_Ancient_Mariner_The%E2%80%9D.html
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