Frankenstein Notes Chapters 18–20

The Contrasts/Doppelganger Contrast between the inwardly focused Victor and the outwardly focused Henry sharpens Henry’s interaction with the Frankenstein family and general sociability contrast Victor’s secrecy and self- isolation. Henry’s optimism and cheer in sublime nature contrast the anxiety that Victor feels in knowing that the monster pervades his natural surroundings. For Henry, nature is a source of infinite bliss For Victor it has become an unending reminder of the tragedies that have plagued him.

Sublime Nature The sublime natural world is a source of emotional experience for the individual Sublime nature offers characters the possibility of spiritual renewal (Victor, Henry, the Monster) The natural world’s power to console Victor wanes when he realizes that the Monster will haunt him no matter where he goes. Final (initial) scenes in Arctic functions simply as the symbolic backdrop for his primal struggle against the monster.

Victor and his Creature Frankenstein says that a "bolt" (as of lightning) has entered his soul. Victor and his creature have become entangled. Both are separated from humanity by, in Victor's words, "an insurmountable barrier": for the creature, that barrier is his deformity; for Victor, it is his guilt. Victor's journey through Northern Europe seems to be a condensed version of the creature's own journey: both reflect on how they were once able to find consolation in nature and stories of human accomplishment (recall the creature and his books); now, nothing can ease their suffering. Victor’s arrival in Ireland mimics the hate and distrust the Monster receives on his journeys.

Henry and the Passive Female Henry is now enthusiastic about natural philosophy and eager to explore the world—much like Victor had been two years before. One can argue that Henry represents the healthy, safe route to scientific knowledge that Victor never took. Victor’s emotional outbursts strongly foreshadow Henry’s death: “And where does he now exist?” he asks. “Is this gentle and lovely being lost forever?” the passive, innocent woman (damsel/good mother): 1. the mother who sacrifices herself for her daughter 2. the fiancée who waits endlessly for her future husband 3. the orphan girl who is rescued from poverty 4. the female monster Victor suddenly aborts after being struck by doubts.

The Female Monster The female monster To Victor = another crime against humanity and nature; To the monster, she = one remaining hope for a life not spent alone. Unlike the God of Genesis, who creates a woman to keep Adam company, Victor does not have ultimate power over his creations. His anxiety leads him to project a stereotypically male view onto the female creature; his decision to destroy her ensures her absolute passivity. The destruction of the female monster serves as the novel’s climax

A Vow of Revenge The monster vows revenge. 1. "You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains -- revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery." 2. “… I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!” 3. “You may hate, but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness forever… You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains- revenge, henceforth dearer than light of food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery… Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict. 4. “It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night.

Booker’s Tragedy Anticipation Victor wants to uncover knowledge and scientific achievement. Walton endeavors to traverse the North Pole. Dream All of Victor’s dreams have come true when his scientific endeavors prove fruitful. Walton’s journey is met with easily evaded obstacles Frustration Victor’s monster is wretched and an embarrassment. The Monster’s murder of William (and indirectly Justine) builds frustration stage which reaches an apex when Victor agrees to create a second monster in an attempt to fix his mistake. Nightmare The climatic destruction of the female Monster leads to the creation vowing revenge upon Victor and beginning Victor’s demise. Destruction The chase continues which is revealed to continue into the Arctic where Victor becomes a shell of his former self.

Romanticism: Key Concepts: Focus on self – individual experience Doctrine of the Basic Goodness of Man – man is born good and is corrupted by society (Rousseau) Emphasis on emotion – overflow of spontaneous feeling recollected in tranquility (switch from prose to poetry) Glorified nature – tranquility, peace, moral influence, landscapes, creatures of the natural world, weather

Famous Quests (Allusions in the text) Albatross - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner used to mean a wearisome burden (caused by impulse) Albatross = regret for impulsiveness

Themes Consequences of irresponsibility in the pursuit of knowledge Consequences of pride Consequences of society’s rejection of someone who is unattractive Destructive power of revenge Parent-child conflicts Sympathy

Other Literary Elements Irony – 2 major ironies Creature is more sympathetic, more imaginative and more responsible to fellow creatures Creature has many pleasing qualities but is an outcast because he’s not physically attractive

Symbols White/light= knowledge Water = knowledge Ice = danger Lightning = nature’s power Nature = acceptance, nuturing, calm Mountains= sublime in nature

Antithesis-Contrasts of ideas, characters, themes, settings or moods Victor/creation Passion/reason Natural/unnatural Known/unknown Civilized/savage Masculine/feminine Beautiful/ugly Good/bad Light/dark Heat/cold

The Quest for Forbidden Knowledge is Foolhardy. Victor wants to discern the secret of life. Victor is the Modern Prometheus by wanting to give the world forbidden knowledge. eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him, Walton wants to reach the North Pole. quits – saving the lives of his

Forbidden Knowledge Cont. Forbidden knowledge/power is often the Gothic protagonist’s goal. The Gothic "hero" questions the universe’s ambiguous nature and tries to comprehend and control those supernatural powers that mortals cannot understand. He tries to overcome human limitations and make himself into a "god." This ambition usually leads to the hero’s "fall" or destruction. However, Gothic tales of ambition sometimes paradoxically evoke our admiration because they picture individuals with the courage to defy fate and cosmic forces in an attempt to transcend the mundane to the eternal and sublime.

The Thrill of Victory may be Bittersweet. Is Victor victorious because he accomplished his goal of creating life? -- He recoils immediately after finally creating life. Does Walton lose his chance at victory because he turns back? Is the thrill from the quest or the accomplishment?

True Justice is Hard to Find. Justine’s trial results in an unjust verdict. as does the trial of Safie’s father. Dr. Frankenstein is unjustly accused of murder. Is the monster treated justly?

Creators are responsible for their creations. The Frankenstein story echos both the stories from Greek mythology and the Judo-Christian Adam and Eve. -- the apple had already been bitten Is Dr. Frankenstein a scientist who created a monster? An artist who made a creation? A father who created a child?

Society Rejects M onstrosity the monster is rejected by society. unnatural manner of creation –secretive, dead bodies, not of collaborative scientific effort but of dark, supernatural workings.

M onstrosity cont. the knowledge used to create the monster Victor is a monster -- his ambition, secrecy, and selfishness alienate him from human society. Society as a prejudiced whole. the novel itself as monstrous, a stitched-together combination of different voices, texts, and tenses

Secrecy Can Destroy Victor conceives of science as a mystery to be probed; Victor’s entire obsession with creating life is a secret. His obsession with destroying the monster is a secret until Walton hears his tale. Walton serves as the final confessor The monster is forced into seclusion by his grotesque appearance.

Motifs: Fire & Ice Lightning strike change Dr. Frankenstein’s course of study. Creature created on a lightning filled night. Creature learns dual nature of fire. The monster intends to die in a fire. Fire represents knowledge (Prometheus)

Fire & Ice Ice represents isolation and the cold hearted side of humans.

Allusion Paradise Lost by John Milton – story of man’s fall from innocence to painful knowledge; Victor can be compared to Adam, Satan, and Eve The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, like narrator, tells story as a warning and a confession

Famous Quests (Allusions in the text) The Philosopher’s Stone - capable of turning base metals into gold; elixir of life (Magnus; Paracelsus)

Famous Quests (Allusions in the text) The Elixir of Life - legendary potion, or drink, that grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth; said to be able to create life ( Cornelius Agrippa)