"Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy no misdeed" (69).
Many themes occur frequently throughout the novel to illustrate a variety of messages. One theme, creation, is alluded to by the creature when speaking to Frankenstein. Instead of the creation being an accomplishment, this creation is viewed as a grievous error, a deadly mistake. Victor spent years pursuing a high level of knowledge, never limiting his curiosity. Eventually his efforts led to the creature, but Victor was horrified with his work. The creature says he should be Adam, and that would make Victor the God. This allusion shows that when Victor tried to play God, he failed miserably in his eyes and the creature's. This could also be seen as a commentary on the necessity to limit scientific pursuits because horrible consequences can arise from such experiments without limits.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Solitude: Frankenstein
"I shunned the face of man...solitude was my only consolation- deep, dark, deathlike solitude" (61).
The theme of solitude ties three of the characters together: Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature. Due to their solitude, whether self imposed or an unavoidable occurrence, these characters often engage in unhealthy and dangerous behavior. Walton takes a dangerous journey that takes him much time and effort to accomplish, all the while longing for a friend. Frankenstein experiences many periods of solitude because he cannot relate to many people, he carries a terrible secret, and he spirals into fits of emotion that make him push people away. The creature wants to be among people that care for him, but he is feared by many and is miserable in his solitude. The theme and its connection to the main characters presents a negative view on solitude. It shows how these characters lose control, feeling heavy emotions like misery and loneliness. The creature even threatens harm upon Victor's "remaining friends" if he does not improve the creature's solitary existence. The entire novel has a very somber tone, and the negativity of this theme reenforces that mood.
The theme of solitude ties three of the characters together: Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature. Due to their solitude, whether self imposed or an unavoidable occurrence, these characters often engage in unhealthy and dangerous behavior. Walton takes a dangerous journey that takes him much time and effort to accomplish, all the while longing for a friend. Frankenstein experiences many periods of solitude because he cannot relate to many people, he carries a terrible secret, and he spirals into fits of emotion that make him push people away. The creature wants to be among people that care for him, but he is feared by many and is miserable in his solitude. The theme and its connection to the main characters presents a negative view on solitude. It shows how these characters lose control, feeling heavy emotions like misery and loneliness. The creature even threatens harm upon Victor's "remaining friends" if he does not improve the creature's solitary existence. The entire novel has a very somber tone, and the negativity of this theme reenforces that mood.
Not What I Was Expecting from Frankenstein
"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body...now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart" (35).
Before we began reading the book, we discussed in class all of the ideas we had about Frankenstein. So far, this book has not at all been what I expected. The creation scene had been dramatized from what the book portrayed, making it much more appropriate for the movies. Instead of a mad scientist cackling over his creation, Frankenstein is actually terrified of his creation and thinks it to be evil. The creature itself is quite intelligent and is able to speak eloquently. Since the book has differed so much from my previous notions, I am curious to see what role the creature will play. I still doubt that the creature murdered William, but given his past experiences, that is possible. I am most interested to see how Victor will deal with this creature that he is convinced is evil and a murderer.
Before we began reading the book, we discussed in class all of the ideas we had about Frankenstein. So far, this book has not at all been what I expected. The creation scene had been dramatized from what the book portrayed, making it much more appropriate for the movies. Instead of a mad scientist cackling over his creation, Frankenstein is actually terrified of his creation and thinks it to be evil. The creature itself is quite intelligent and is able to speak eloquently. Since the book has differed so much from my previous notions, I am curious to see what role the creature will play. I still doubt that the creature murdered William, but given his past experiences, that is possible. I am most interested to see how Victor will deal with this creature that he is convinced is evil and a murderer.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Similarities between Death of a Salesman and The Glass Menagerie
Ben: "The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy... One must go and fetch a diamond out...It's dark there, but full of diamonds" (1627).
Both plays, Death of a Salesman and The Glass Menagerie, contained multiple nonrealistic elements. In the beginning stage directions of each, the description mentions dreams and how the stage is meant to convey this dreamlike state. In The Glass Menagerie, this is to illustrate the idea of memories, and in Death of a Salesman, the dreamlike stage is for Willy's imaginings. The similarity that seemed the most significant was the influence of two characters that were absent from the main characters lives. Tom's father was a driving force in Tom's decision to leave even though the father had left many years ago. For Willy, his dead brother Ben would have conversations with him in his mind that helped convince him to commit suicide. Ben tells him of the diamonds right before Willy gets in his car for the last time. Both plays incorporate dreams, memories, and imaginings to convey a truth through nonrealism.
Both plays, Death of a Salesman and The Glass Menagerie, contained multiple nonrealistic elements. In the beginning stage directions of each, the description mentions dreams and how the stage is meant to convey this dreamlike state. In The Glass Menagerie, this is to illustrate the idea of memories, and in Death of a Salesman, the dreamlike stage is for Willy's imaginings. The similarity that seemed the most significant was the influence of two characters that were absent from the main characters lives. Tom's father was a driving force in Tom's decision to leave even though the father had left many years ago. For Willy, his dead brother Ben would have conversations with him in his mind that helped convince him to commit suicide. Ben tells him of the diamonds right before Willy gets in his car for the last time. Both plays incorporate dreams, memories, and imaginings to convey a truth through nonrealism.
Antagonists: Death of a Salesman
Biff: "Screw the business world!...I don't care what they think! They've laughed at Dad for years, and you know why?" (1579).
Even though Willy's pride caused his downfall, society was also involved. The expectations of society, specifically the business world, and the American dream weighed heavily on the family, especially Biff and Willy. Regardless of how hard Willy works or how much he wants to succeed, he cannot seem to get ahead in his career. The world is cutthroat, moving on when Biff and Willy could not keep up. Both Willy and Biff's lack of success causes them much strain, although they deal with the stress in different ways. The play can be considered a social commentary, reflecting on how people can work themselves to death, but sometimes that is not enough. The American dream is a tough ideal to realize, and people spend their whole lives just out of reach. The whole play was really depressing and full of unfulfilled dreams, leaving the characters struggling to cope. This tore the family apart and contributed to Willy's death.
Even though Willy's pride caused his downfall, society was also involved. The expectations of society, specifically the business world, and the American dream weighed heavily on the family, especially Biff and Willy. Regardless of how hard Willy works or how much he wants to succeed, he cannot seem to get ahead in his career. The world is cutthroat, moving on when Biff and Willy could not keep up. Both Willy and Biff's lack of success causes them much strain, although they deal with the stress in different ways. The play can be considered a social commentary, reflecting on how people can work themselves to death, but sometimes that is not enough. The American dream is a tough ideal to realize, and people spend their whole lives just out of reach. The whole play was really depressing and full of unfulfilled dreams, leaving the characters struggling to cope. This tore the family apart and contributed to Willy's death.
Tragic Flaw: Death of a Salesman
"I've always tried to think otherwise, I guess. I always felt that if a man was impressive, and well liked, thta nothing-" (1602).
Even though I struggle with Willy being a tragic hero, he certainly has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall. I just can't see Willy as a hero, but maybe that is because he is not a typical heroic character. His character is weak and he seems crazy, but his downfall comes from his pride. Willy constantly pursues popularity and the American dream, not bothering to face the reality of his situation. His relentless quest for approval takes a toll on him, and he begins to imagine people and conversations. Willy refuses to take a job from Charley, and he asks Charley not to tell Linda about him borrowing money. His pride prevents him from taking the appropriate actions to care for his family. Although Willy's denial and imaginings hurt his family, his intentions are always good as he tries to provide for them. Even with his last desperate act of suicide, Willy had his family in mind.
Even though I struggle with Willy being a tragic hero, he certainly has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall. I just can't see Willy as a hero, but maybe that is because he is not a typical heroic character. His character is weak and he seems crazy, but his downfall comes from his pride. Willy constantly pursues popularity and the American dream, not bothering to face the reality of his situation. His relentless quest for approval takes a toll on him, and he begins to imagine people and conversations. Willy refuses to take a job from Charley, and he asks Charley not to tell Linda about him borrowing money. His pride prevents him from taking the appropriate actions to care for his family. Although Willy's denial and imaginings hurt his family, his intentions are always good as he tries to provide for them. Even with his last desperate act of suicide, Willy had his family in mind.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Perfecting the Illusion: The Glass Menagerie
Tom: "I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it. The other characters are my mother, Amanda, and my sister, Laura, and a gentleman caller who appears in the final scenes. He is the most realistic character in the play, being an emissary from a world of reality that we were somehow set apart from. But since I have a poet's weakness for symbols, I am using this character also as a symbol; he is the long delayed but always expected something that we live for" (1237).
Everything about this play, from the character roles to the setting and scenery, has been carefully crafted in order to successfully convey the writer's view on memories and illusions. Tom had to be the narrator of the play because he is the strongest of the three characters. Both Amanda and Laura make no effort to escape their situation; they only obsess over certain aspects of their lives. Laura finds comfort in her glass animals, and Amanda focuses on her children, especially on finding Laura a husband. Laura is crippled physically and socially, unable to interact with other people. Tom is the only one longing to truly escape, and he dreams of adventure and traveling. He wants to leave in order to find the adventure missing from his life, and finally he does after his mom yells at him about living in an illusion. Laura, Tom, and Amanda all avoid the truth, but Jim is direct when he tells Laura about his feelings and Betty. This is why he is the most realistic character, and he causes Tom to leave and Laura to have some sort of a breakthrough, holding a conversation and letting go of her prized glass unicorn.
Everything about this play, from the character roles to the setting and scenery, has been carefully crafted in order to successfully convey the writer's view on memories and illusions. Tom had to be the narrator of the play because he is the strongest of the three characters. Both Amanda and Laura make no effort to escape their situation; they only obsess over certain aspects of their lives. Laura finds comfort in her glass animals, and Amanda focuses on her children, especially on finding Laura a husband. Laura is crippled physically and socially, unable to interact with other people. Tom is the only one longing to truly escape, and he dreams of adventure and traveling. He wants to leave in order to find the adventure missing from his life, and finally he does after his mom yells at him about living in an illusion. Laura, Tom, and Amanda all avoid the truth, but Jim is direct when he tells Laura about his feelings and Betty. This is why he is the most realistic character, and he causes Tom to leave and Laura to have some sort of a breakthrough, holding a conversation and letting go of her prized glass unicorn.
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