1. The Doppelganger
Friday, 21 September 2018
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

2. In art… Heine: Untitled poem
Still ist die Nacht, es ruhen die Gassen, In diesem Hause wohnte mein Schatz; Sie hat schon längst die Stadt verlassen, Doch steht noch das Haus auf demselben Platz. Da steht auch ein Mensch und starrt in die Höhe, Und ringt die Hände, vor Schmerzensgewalt; Mir graut es, wenn ich sein Antlitz sehe - Der Mond zeigt mir meine eigne Gestalt. Du Doppelgänger! du bleicher Geselle! Was äffst du nach mein Liebesleid, Das mich gequält auf dieser Stelle, So manche Nacht, in alter Zeit?
The night is quiet, the streets are calm, In this house my beloved once lived: She has long since left the town, But the house still stands, here in the same place. A man stands there also and looks to the sky, And wrings his hands overwhelmed by pain: Upon seeing his face, I am terrified-- The moon shows me my own form! O you Doppelgänger! you pale comrade! Why do you ape the pain of my love Which tormented me upon this spot So many a night, so long ago?
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

3. Definition
1: An alter ego or identical copy of a character as a result of identity theft by a malign supernatural force.
2: A split personality or “dark half” – a physical manifestation of a disassociated half of self.
NB: The tension between Light and Dark is key in Frankenstein…
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

4. Derivation Schauerroman:
German gothic fiction is usually described by the term Schauerroman (“shudder novel“). However, genres of Gespensterroman/Geisterroman (“ghost novel“), Räuberroman (“robber novel“), and Ritterroman (“chivalry novel“) also frequently share plot and motifs with the British “gothic novel“. (wikipedia, but trustworthy!)
Folklore: Seeing the doppelganger was a portent of death
Beginning of Philosophical awareness of Identity and Psychological notion of “self”.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

5. In Frankenstein Focus on the idea of transgression of boundaries.
Hubristic impulses lead Victor to transgress and then to reject his “other” at the point of creation.
Freudian: the Ego and the Id in physical form
Via Feminist readings: The representation of suppressed areas of the protagonist (via Gilbert and Gruber: The Madwoman in the Attic.).
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

6. Victor and Monster Similarities:
“slaves to their impulses” (Christopher Small)
Monster behaviour is as a result of his treatment. Poor treatment causes the impulse to take revenge. General character is good, kind and helpful. He takes no pleasure from harming others.
Victor is driven by his impulse to create life following the death of his mother.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

7. More similarities
Both are refined and respond to art in the form of literature. Both have a very limited range of reading and believe utterly in the truth of what they read.
Both are eloquent
Both regard Art as an educator.
Both have a need for family…
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

8. Family VICTOR: As a child is kept close to family (silken thread)
Father is a figure who offers support, aid and consolation
Suffer grief at the loss of family members – his mental and physical deterioration begin once William and Justine are killed.
MONSTER: Is deserted by father and feels the need for a wife to make him whole.
Is prepared to forsake everything for a wife – even Victor.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

9. DIFFERENCES
As a child: Victor is pampered and indulged, his creation is immediately deserted and becomes a “noble savage” (Rousseau) seeking education form society.
Victor learns to be polite and reserved in order to fit in to society; the creation is driven by passion and instinct – “pain and pleasure” are his responses to the De Lacey household.
Shift in relationship: Victor is, at first, a slave to the Creature’s desires. He will become the dominant after the death of Elisabeth when the Creature becomes dominated by the need to pursue him.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

10. Darkness or Light? Creature will murder and cause pain
Creature only responds to appalling treatment by others
Victor is a loving son
Victor creates Life by transgressing the natural order of things
Victor seeks isolation; the Creature wishes to reject isolation
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

11. Other doubling Walton and Victor Walton and Creature
Clerval and Victor
Worth noting also the use of pairs such as the University lectures Waldmann and Krempe
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014

12. Task: To make a quotation bank relating to doubling in the following thematic areas:
Driven by impulse: Emotion/Reason
Inner Beauty
Power/Weakness
Consider both similarities and differences and do not only work with the Creature/Victor pairing.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2014