Within this quote lies an underlying theme that connects all of the novels we have read as a class this semester- the concept of destiny. Destiny plays a different role in each of the individual novels, however one question remains the same: is destiny a matter of choice or rather one of chance? In other words, could any one of the various protagonists we read about- whether it be Edna, Jude, Huck, Frankenstein, the creation, or even Jay Gatsby- have made different choices in their life to ultimately lead more successful lifestyles? The answer is yes. As William Jennings Bryan once said, “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” All of the protagonists in the novels could have made different choices in order to create a better destiny for themselves, but …show more content…
Destiny can be identified as a prevalent theme in the story of Frankenstein, as Victor relays his life as one with a predetermined wicked destiny, rejecting and deserting his own creation, who in turn responds with rebellion and murder. As he tells Walton of the events leading up to their encounter, he often mentions how key events were predetermined and unavoidable. Frankenstein believed destiny had chosen a path for him and that he had no option but to follow. Ultimately, Victor’s willingness to blame his life’s resolution on fate shows weakness in his character and an inability to take responsibility for his personal judgement, as he uses it as an excuse for failure and his acceptance of it. Victor willingly made the choice to run from his creation, rather than to face his wrongdoings and
“The men we sent to aid you said when they got there; the entire village was destroyed, still burning in a white fire. When they found you, you are standing over his body, your blade glowing a brilliant radiance while it was still plunged into that creature, and you unconscious still gripping the blade as if you’d die if you let go it,” explained High Marshal Macharius, as he strode from his sentinel position to the edge of Agernath’s bed.
1. Who is he? The narrator was a friend of Santiago who knew everything about the death but never saw it happen. 2. What is his goal in the text?
This quote is significant because it tells of the moment that Frankenstein’s troubles began. From this moment, when the monster comes to life, to the end of the novel, Victor is plagued by the horrors that the monster inflicts upon him. Had Victor not created the creature, or had his ‘experiment’ failed, he would not have lost so many loved ones and endured all the troubles that came with it.
In this section of the reading, the creature’s habits really stood out to me. I couldn’t help but see a more softer and human like side to the monster. When the creature is observing his neighbors he comes to notice that they are unhappy and he is “deeply affected” by this. When the creature learns that poverty is causing their unhappiness he also comes to the realization that when he has stolen their food he causes them great pain and suffering. So the creature “abstained” and swore to not steal anymore. So not only is this supposedly monsterish creature feeling sorrow and remorse for others pain, but he also chooses to end his role in causing this pain. These kind of emotions and actions that the creature is conducting are really interesting.
The characters in this chapter are Victors mom, Elizabeth, the monster, Victor and his friend Henry.
The novel begins with an explorer, Robert Walton, writing letters to his sister about his travels to the North Pole. Connections to the novel are made within these letter through discussion of loneliness and a desire for companionship, passion for studies, etc… In the last letter, he writes to his sister about a stranger he found and helped and later on became friends with. This stranger later on is going to be known as Victor Frankenstein.
Friends will determine the direction and quality of your life. Loneliness is a battle that all people will once face at a certain point in their life; it is how they handle it that determines the outcome of that battle. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein loneliness is the most significant and prevailing theme throughout the entire novel. Shelley takes her readers on a wild journey that shows how loneliness can end in tragedy.
The existence of fate and free will also play a huge part of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Shelley uses the foil characters of Victor and his monster to illustrate the differences between the beliefs in fate versus free will. While Victor Frankenstein listened to his professor speak on the powers of modern science, Frankenstein feels as if the professor’s words were “the words of fate”, that they prompted him to find the secrets of creation, and that that day “decided [his] future destiny” (Shelley 27-29). This quote prepares the audience for the upcoming events and that to Victor, those events were fully prompted by fate. Victor uses the existence of fate to rationalize his actions which helps the audience understand his motives more thoroughly. This quote also features a slippery slope
The word “knowledge” was recurring many times throughout Frankenstein novel and attracted or forced the reader to find out the true definition of it. Curiously, I decided to look up the definition of knowledge from the Webster 's Dictionary. It defines, “Knowledge: n. Understanding gained by actual experience; range of information; clear perception of truth; something learned and kept in the mind.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) I realized this word is very straightforward, but has many useful and different meanings to all of us. It is also powerful tool to determine and control the result of our judgment. “Knowledge consists in recognizing the difference between good and bad decisions”. (Knowledge Intellectual
Can science go too far when it equips man with tools to manipulate life? Some of the underlying ethical dilemmas presented in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are similar to ones we struggle with today, such as selective abortion. Shelley’s doomed creature mirrors the devastating result of bringing an unwanted offspring into the world, then shirking responsibility for it thereafter. The practice of playing God and choosing who does and who does not “earn” life ultimately results in profound negative moral consequences.
In the novel, Frankenstein written by Marry Shelley, Victor had undoubtedly become relentless in pursuing the reanimation of life in an inanimate lifeless being. Victor could have inevitabely be called obsessed with his work. Victor Frankenstein had always been curious about the reanimation of human life. Until he attempted it and suceeded was when he knew he made a mistake. Victor Frankenstein was blinded by curiosity and obsession.
There are many different themes expressed in Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. They vary with each reader but basically never change. These themes deal with the education that each character posses, the relationships formed or not formed in the novel, and the responsibility for ones own actions. This novel even with the age still has ideas that can be reasoned with even today.
Topic: Mary Shelley has Victor Frankenstein create a living being, who then becomes a murderer. Who or what is responsible for the wretch’s behavior? Is Shelley casting blame on a society that refuses to accept the wretch? Does she hold Victor responsible for his negligence as a “parent” (both father and mother) or is the wretch himself responsible for the chaos he creates?
As a young child Victor Frankenstein was loved unconditionally by his parents. They adored him and provided him opportunities and stability to develop into a well-rounded person. Victor becomes a scientist and is intelligent and loves research. As he develops, Victor became obsessed with creating life. He accumulates body parts for the local cemetery and begins to put together his monster. He is confident that he can be like God and has the skills to create life. Victor eventually creates a monster, and he comes to life. However, Victor is horrified by his monster, because of the way it looks. Instead of relishing in the joy of his accomplishment he runs away from it. The monster is left alone to fend for itself and doesn’t have the right skills to take care of his basic needs. He cannot speak, he cannot read and he doesn’t have anyone to teach him basic fundamental human skills. The monster escapes to the woods, afraid and alone, not sure where he is going or what he is going to do. Nearby is a village full of people and he sets forward to observe them. At first, he tries to be visible and friendly, but people turn from him in fright and run away. The monster is hurt and because he cannot make physical contact with anyone he decides to observe people secretly. During his observation, he watches human interaction and studies what is socially acceptable and what is not..
Frankenstein was a story written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley while she was on her vacation in Switzerland with her husband. The story got published in 1818 without letting the public about the author. It was in 1831 when the novel revised edition was out and Mary Shelley name mentioned as an author. The novel focused on social, cultural and political facet of the societies during Mary’s lifetime. The fictional character in the novel clearly shows the battle against the pre-established people’s attitude during that time. Religion and science always create a controversy in the society with religion always differencing from any scientific principles and experiments. Shelley’s tried to addresses the above controversy and showed how science and modern technology is sometimes wrong. She tried to show how scientists and inventors are sometimes selfish only care for achieving their plan without evaluating the end result.