These images could depict some of the main plot points of Chapters 1-4 illustrating some main events in young Victor's life and development: his idyllic childhood and introduction to Elizabeth Lavenza, his mother's death, and his entrance into university. While these are moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these four chapters.
Mary Treat
10/26/2018 11:39:54 am
The stranger in the letters of captain Walton finally revealed his name "Victor Frankenstein" and later told his sad story to captain Walton how he ended on this island. last passage of ch:4 on page 50 "My father made no reproach in his letter's ...............when my creation is complete". Victor's childhood was simple he had no riches like the other kids had. He found the love of his life (but never expressed his feelings to her) but he found something and it was the natural philosophy, it was the time to leave his old wretched life behind and start from somewhere to create this new fantasy life of his, but there was one problem he never got that support from his father for which he was looking for and at that time it devastated him but he had to keep his spirits high because no pain no gain. When Victor was stuyding in university he realized that now it's time to do what nobody else can do, studying different subjects led him to something new in his mind. The creature just like Walton he wanted to something different so people can remember that there was a man who did this! The main question in these chapters was that if you want something you gotta go through some heavy stuff. His sacrifices led him there, the motivation he got from himself put him there where he wanted to be.
Huang le
10/28/2018 10:20:21 pm
Ada Lovelace
10/26/2018 03:21:43 pm
In Chapter 2 of Frankenstein, Victor describes the time he spent with his sister, Elizabeth Lavenza and the joy that he had with his family. In spite of this positivity and overall happiness, Victor did face some limitations. “My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement; but by some law in my temperature they were turned, not towards childish pursuits, but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things indiscriminately” (Shelley 33). Victor explains how rather than expressing his violent temper through actual violence towards other people, it was expressed through the yearning for knowledge. It is mentioned that this behavior was due to his frame of mind and way of thinking. This can connect back to the question of whether or not humans are naturally violent; in Victor’s case, it appears that regardless of the environment one is raised in, people still develop violent tendencies. But, the way that these tendencies are fulfilled can differ among people; some express their violent temper by hurting or taking it out on others, while some find different outlets. Although violent tendencies and behavior appear to be natural within humans, the ability to control these urges appropriately is a skill that can and should be learned.
Sofia Kovalevskaya
10/28/2018 06:47:20 pm
I really like the point made here. The evidence you used to convey that Victor Frankenstein expressed his anger through his desire for knowledge fits perfectly. I also think that this idea could fit into the essential question that asks what it is like to be human. Both feeling and expressing violence are very human characteristics. If you think about wild animals, they don’t express much anger. They simply do what they need to in order to survive and procreate. By using this knowledge as a lens, it can be understood that violence is part of what it means to be human.
Isobel Ida Bennett
10/28/2018 09:42:11 pm
I like your assessment of this quote, I think it is true that natural tendencies can be controlled or altered. I think it is all the frame of ones mind. If someone wants to change something they can. For example, if someone had an instict to run in the face of harm and danger, they could retire their brain to fight. This takes time and, at times, it may seem impossible, but with passion and effort, it is possible to control and change your natural instincts, such as violence.
Mercy Jackson
10/26/2018 06:16:16 pm
In Chapter 4, Frankenstein reviews his process of making his creature. He goes over his thought process as well as his ups and downs in this discovery. He describes how he studied cadavers overnight and whilst there his mind was like a hurricane; he envisioned the possibility of failure and of success in this craft. In this passage, he reflects about how great success in this field could be for the advancement in science. Frankenstein's plan is to give life to an inanimate pile of matter but this raises the question: is he taking science too far by playing God? Frankenstein says it himself, “ A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me...Pursuing these reflections, I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time...renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption” (Shelley 48). This reveals that while Frankenstein's heart is in the right place, in trying to help the furtherment of science and medicine, he is also prepared to be god-like in his accomplishment. This shows that science can be a “bad” thing, especially in the views of highly moralistic people or religious groups who believe it is, in fact, dangerous to even attempt or come close to playing God. This mostly means that there is a major fear of the unintended social consequences of scientific discoveries. And Frankenstein is a good example of that because in his type this type of science was completely unheard of and can, and will, reap horrific consequences.
Julia Lermontova
10/26/2018 09:06:18 pm
I really admire the way you analyzed and explained one of the most common views of Frankenstein- the repercussions "playing God" could hold- and presented a slightly different way of looking at it. When you stated that Victor Frankenstein's heart is in the right place, it raised another question in me that I'm sure crossed your mind, even if for a short time. How far is too far? If one's heart is truly in the right place, should there be a limit to how far they are allowed to go for the greater good. And, just to play devil's advocate, say a controversial experiment was being done on your hypothetical future child and your child's life could be saved if this experiment goes well. But, the experiment would mean the surgeon/doctor is "playing God." Would you let them operate on your child?
Mary Treat
10/28/2018 07:14:09 pm
I'm interested how you said that even something good like science can mean the next 6th mass extinction event. Most of us were talking about what science has done for and how our lives have changed from eating raw meat to self-driving cars. Victor was very passionate and excited for his creation ignoring the cons of it or what it could do in the future, I think as the story progresses victor might realize that stupid was he for creating such a thing. I remember an old saying "Are you playing god" and if you are you better cause don't mess with the order it's not gonna harm anybody but you will be it's first victim.
Sofia Kovalevskaya
10/28/2018 07:36:06 pm
I really like the approach you took in comparing this part of the novel to the question that asks if Victor was taking science too far. To answer the question, I would have to go 50/50 on it. I can not for sure say that things were or weren’t taken too far because many medical and scientific advances emerged from this story. However, like you mentioned, this practice of raising the dead/ an inanimate object challenges many social and religious views. Personally, I value science over religion, mainly because for me it is easier to believe in something that can be proven. In order for scientific discoveries to exist, experiments must be done to get the ball rolling.
Isobel Ida Bennett
10/28/2018 10:08:23 pm
I like the point you made and I think it is true that society's reaction to different experiments varies, however, I believe that it depends on the experiment's audience. If you have a ground breaking experiment in veterinary medicine and release the trials to veterinary scientists, they are more likely to praise the trial and the new ground it created in the vet science world, however, if you released the trial to PETA supporters, the audience reaction will vary based on what the experiment is, but their is a high likely chance they will not accept it as experiments were done on animals in order to derive the conclusion the scientists arrived at.
Mary Somerville
10/28/2018 11:37:40 pm
In chapter four of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the stranger that Walton wrote about in his letters to his sister is revealed to be Victor Frankenstein. In this chapter, Frankenstein describes his experiences and thoughts that lead to his creation. During the process of his creation, Frankenstein’s hesitation to go through with it is evident but he states, “my imagination was too much exalted by my first success to permit me to doubt of my ability…I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time...renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption” (Shelley 46). In a way, Frankenstein’s imagination and enthusiasm to bring the life to the dead can be viewed as the best in him being unleashed. This is because he is doing something that has never been done or thought of before in order to further the advancements of science and knowledge, which can lead to positive results for humans. For example, the advancements in science and medicine has allowed humans to live longer, healthier lives and treat many diseases such as cancer. However, Frankenstein’s imagination can also bring out the worst in him because of how controversial and unethical his creation is. His creation of a human being can be considered morally wrong because he is taking the dead and bringing them back to life and is also playing God. This can be related to the controversial advancements in science that are allowing people to modify certain genetic features of children before they are born.
Mary Somerville
10/28/2018 11:42:25 pm
Ignore my previous comment, I meant to post this one instead.
Julia Lermontova
10/26/2018 09:45:11 pm
Early in chapter 3 of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is in the middle of describing his life up to his present company with Walton. He talks about his mother dying of scarlet fever, stating "[i]t is so long before the mind can persuade itself that she, whom we saw every day, and whose very existence appeared a part of our own...can be hushed, never more to be heard" (Shelley 38-39). He also talks about the moment with his friend Clerval before he left for school- "[w]e could not tear ourselves away from each other, nor persuade ourselves to say the word 'Farewell!'" (Shelley 39). These instances answer the question of what it means to be human. To be human is to love and to grieve. No one, not even Frankenstein himself could be without the connection of another. Isolation from the world makes people go insane so it only makes sense that for one to be human, one must have a companion, even for a short time. The grieving comes as a counterpart of humanity. To be human also means being mortal, and to be mortal means to die. We all die and we all will inevitably lose someone at one point or another in our lives, so we must all grieve to stay human. It's a dark downside to the freedom of will and movement, love and hate, but we need our inhibitor and death and grieving is the inhibitor that defines humanity.
Huang le
10/28/2018 10:28:51 pm
I totally agree with your response of what you think it means to be human. I feel the same when you say to be human means to have companionship because that’s what humans thrive for. As we have seen though, Victor Frankenstein was very close with his family and friends until his mother passed and he went to the University. As soon as he got caught up into knowledge and being the first to do something that no one has done, he loses all companionship and communication with reality. You then made a excellent point how Victors grief comes from his humanity which I totally agree with because if it wasn’t for his humanity, he wouldn’t have grief. But in the downside, Victor just ignores his grief.
Emma G Cummings
10/28/2018 10:54:50 pm
I completely agree with you on those two instances and how they show us what it means to be human. Showing Victors backstory really helps the reader understand him as a person before showing his mad scientist side. I believe this was done to humanize him and make people relate with him especially in that time period where scarlet fever was common. Normally, crazy over-the-top characters never feel like a person and more like the product of what their archetype is. A great way to create depth for a character is to fully develop them as a person and create a consistent personality by which the character follows, by which Mary Shelley does exceptionally.
Margaret Bryan
10/26/2018 09:58:56 pm
I believe that it is within human nature to be curious and inquisitive about the world arounds us. A key point in human development is answering the essential questions that explain our surroundings. While Victor was explaining himself as a child he stated his curiosity was always present as well as a desire to get answers. “I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things, or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me” (Shelley 33). Victor had desired to learn and become more fulfilled through that process. This is one quality that makes us human. An awareness that we don't know everything about our world and a desire to understand it to a higher degree. Human satisfaction comes from this burning curiosity and Victor is a prime example of this. He stated that he wanted to discover and make sense of all the “physical secrets of the world” (Shelley 33). I believe Victor exemplifies what it means to be human in this section because he is using his curiosity to learn and attempt to understand the workings of what's around him. His inquisitive nature is a stepping stone to what will eventually be self transcendence.
Emma G Cummings
10/26/2018 10:53:43 pm
This is a great analysis of Victor as a character and what drives him. I certainly agree with how inquisitive humans can be and what we have achieved through that. But I strongly believe that there are extreme consequences to the extreme curiosity like what Victor is showing. I feel like the book is really trying to emphasize how much we tend to reject science and crazy new discoveries. So while you definitely get the right idea. It's a lot deeper than that. Shelley used the basic motivations of humans and pushed them way past their limits. Showing an extreme scenario where science and existence is questioned.
Margaret Bryan
10/28/2018 09:17:52 pm
I definitely do agree that later in the text it is emphasized that this curiosity would be the downfall of this character. While being inquisitive is good, it can also be someone's greatest downfall. They may try to go to far to get these answers in many ways. In Victor's case, his curiosity can get the better of him.
Mercy Jackson
10/27/2018 05:34:38 pm
I do very much agree with you that I believe that it is within human nature to be curious and inquisitive about the world around us. But in the interest of playing Devil's advocate, it is also human nature to fear change or the power of knowledge. There are many famous quotes that warn us about knowing too much such as "curiosity killed the cat" or "ignorance is bliss". I wonder if Victor Frankenstein will exemplify what it means to be human in a different sense. For example, is he ever going to question whether or not he has gone too far in his journey? I believe that there may be some negative consequences to the level of curiosity Frankenstein is showing.
Phoebe Lankester
10/29/2018 04:02:14 am
I do heavily agree with your statements. It is good to recognize that humans have this innate feeling to want to improve and advance their species, and by exemplifying Victor’s curiosity, Shelley is exemplifying the humane nature of Victor. I think it’s also worth mentioning that this is something that will lead him to appearing inhumane. The creation of the creature, while is advancing in the sciences, is breaking how people normally deal with life and death. It can be seen as forcibly bringing a creature to this world through mad science or as granting new life to a new form.
Emma G Cummings
10/26/2018 10:28:29 pm
What happens when we take science too far? When we challenge the laws of nature and life? Frankenstein portrays these ideas in a masterful way. Victor Frankenstein was the man in this story that would challenge Life. He had a mission to see where the possibilities of his curiosity could take him. And no moment more than accurately portrays his challenge than in Chapter 4. As he is preparing to undergo the experiment for the creature, he thinks, “ A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me… Pursuing these reflections, I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption” (Shelley 48). Victor is pondering about the consequences that such experiment would give, and what it would represent for the future of science and society. He was walking in a fine line between human and God. He would become the God of the creature and any species that is brought to life by his creations. He would proof wrong the notion that life cannot be brought back if its gone, putting the field of science into turmoil. He was debating whether to go through with it. But he cannot stop now, not after the incredible possibility of becoming greater than life. Of achieving more than what your existence is supposed to achieve. This thrill drives Victor Frankenstein forward, and he will not stop until he's at the top.
Mary Treat
10/28/2018 08:02:12 pm
I like how you tried to prove that scince can be okay at some point deadly but it's something we can't imagine our daily lives without. The second thing that pulled me towards your post was that you mentioned about "passion" and in my opinion it's something called "a drive towards something" victor was a guy who knew that he will have to pass many obstacles to reach the end and there will be a time where he would have to convince himself to move forward and his passion would have play an important role in that. Victor was waiting for that day to come where he could tell himself "damm but it was a long journey".
Mary Somerville
10/29/2018 12:02:17 am
I like how you emphasized the fact that Frankenstein would stop at nothing to achieve animation of a lifeless matter because I feel like it highlights how easily a human can become corrupted, especially when it comes to having a sense of power or in Frankenstein's case, playing as God. Although Frankenstein acknowledges the consequences that his experiment may lead to, he simply ignores them so that he can “become greater than life” and achieve more than he is supposed to. I think that this feeling that Frankenstein has is a common feeling that many humans experience which is what leads to the two questions that you originally asked. So if humans enjoy playing God and having this sense of power, how are we even supposed to know when science is being taken too far, especially when we all have such differing opinions?
Sofia Kovalevskaya
10/26/2018 10:33:36 pm
“I need not say that we were strangers to any species of disunion or dispute. Harmony was the soul of our companionship, and the diversity and contrast that subsisted in our characters drew us nearer together. Elizabeth was of a calmer and more concentrated disposition; but, with all my ardour, I was capable of a more intense application, and was more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge” (Shelley 32). In chapter two, Victor Frankenstein describes the relationship he had with his sister during childhood. He expresses that the two of them never argued or disagreed and while they were different, they were still extremely close. The word “companion” is used to describe who Elizabeth was to Victor, showing the yearning for companionship by humans. Similar to the letters written by Walton -- after reading both -- it can be understood that part of what it means to be human is having relationships with people and not being alone. Furthermore, Victor’s expression of the differences between he and Elizabeth exemplify what it means to be human. He mentions how he has a much shorter temper than she who is always calm and collected. As humans, we all have different attitudes and personality traits causing us to act certain ways.
Ada Lovelace
10/29/2018 08:22:50 pm
I agree with your statement on how companionship is essential for what is means to be human. I also enjoyed how you connected Walton’s experience to Victor’s. When you compared and contrasted Victor’s character to Elizabeth’s, you mentioned how they appeared to differ in many ways and can even be seen as opposites. Because their personalities were so drastically different, do you think that is why they were so close? As if they “completed” each other and balanced one another out? This reasoning differs from Walton’s desire for a friend who shares the same interests and passion as him, not someone who is his polar opposite.
Phoebe Lankester
10/26/2018 11:46:05 pm
“M.Krempe was a little squat man...I should advise you to apply to every branch of natural philosophy including mathematics.” Pgs 41-43
Isobel Ida Bennett
10/27/2018 10:15:55 am
How can scientific exploration be good and bad? This is the question Mary Shelley begins to answer through the use of her story Frankenstein. In chapters three and four of this story, I got Frankenstein begins to question the possibility of “playing God” by creating life. In the beginning of chapter four, Frankenstein becomes hesitant of what he is doing and the morality of his experiment. Frankenstein says, “I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself.” Through this quote, Mary Shelley brings into question the morality of scientific experiments. This is a big issue, especially today with the current scientific experiments scientist are currently attempting to accomplish. Frankenstein, then, goes into a discussion about how he will become popularized at his university. Frankenstein say, “in a scientific pursuit, there is continual food for discovery and wonder.” Through this quote, Mary Shelley is able to reveal the joys of scientific discovery: the satisfaction of feeding one’s inner hunger for knowledge and scientific discovery. This quote offers a huge stance on scientific exploration. Through science, people are able to explore the deepest and darkest, most ambiguous aspects of the world that a person wonders about.
Margaret Bryan
10/28/2018 09:24:58 pm
I agree with you that Mary Shelley was trying to emphasize that there are both positive and negative effects of scientific exploration and discovery. Although something may seem to be a positive step in the interest of science, ethics and morality always come into play. This is seen in a lot of current pop culture and is a theme throughout many films and is s very interesting topic.
Julia Lermontova
10/28/2018 09:26:03 pm
The morality of science has and still is being brought into question very often in our society today. Most scientists argue that the rewards will outweigh the work put in, whereas some people argue that once we start allowing ourselves to overlook small things, it will eventually snowball into something much more sinister. Perhaps we will end up overlooking someone's life for the advancement of science. Where is the line drawn? When can we decide that science is more important than morals or vice versa? And if one person's life will be knowingly put in harm's way but two lives will be saved, is it worth it?
Huang Le
10/28/2018 10:07:12 pm
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, the main character Victor Frankenstein is telling his story about how he continued his work after his schooling. He explains how he isolated himself away from everything in life to work on his creator. “The summer months passed while I thus engaged…the same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused me also to forget those friends … and whom I had not seen for so long a time” (Shelly 49). This shows that Victor put all of his time and energy into his work and passion of knowledge. This related to what it means to be human because, humans always want to learn more and to be the best. Basically Victor wants to gain more knowledge but in doing this he is avoiding everything that humans need in their life… social communication. Victor then says “ I knew well, therefore, what would be my fathers feelings; but I could not tear my thoughts from my employment” (Shelly 49). This shows that Victor knows that his father would be upset or disappointed in him but he puts it to the side because he finds his work more important to him. As human being, people need compassion, companionship, and communication and he is basically ignoring all of this which is driving him sick.
Huang le
10/28/2018 10:08:07 pm
216 words
Ada Lovelace
10/29/2018 08:33:37 pm
I agree that humans often seek out more knowledge than they already have and how Victor’s deprivation of things like “compassion, companionship, and communication” is altering his mental stability.
Mary Somerville
10/28/2018 10:38:32 pm
In chapter four of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the stranger that Walton wrote about in his letters to his sister is revealed to be Victor Frankenstein. In this chapter, Frankenstein describes his experiences and thoughts that lead to his creation. During the process of his creation, Frankenstein’s hesitation to go through with it is evident but he states, “my imagination was too much exalted by my first success to permit me to doubt of my ability…I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time...renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption” (Shelley 46). In a way, Frankenstein’s imagination and enthusiasm to bring the life to the dead can be viewed as the best in him being unleashed. This is because he is doing something that has never been done or thought of before in order to further the advancements of science and knowledge, which can lead to positive results for humans. For example, the advancements in science and medicine has allowed humans to live longer, healthier lives and treat many diseases such as cancer. However, Frankenstein’s imagination can also bring out the worst in him because of how controversial and unethical his creation is. His creation of a human being can be considered morally wrong because he is taking the dead and bringing them back to life and is also playing God. This can be related to the controversial advancements in science that are allowing people to modify certain genetic features of children before they are born.
Phoebe Lankester
10/29/2018 03:54:09 am
I enjoy the contrasts you make in Frankenstein by the perspective in the way he is viewed. Yes, the creation he had made brought out the best and the worst in him but for different reasons. It really accentuated the point that we can only go so far without touching dangerous concepts that breach our morality points. I also enjoy your connection to present day technology. I’ve consistently needed to remind myself we are doing something similar in this day and age, and we should really question the ethics of our practices. Advancing in research is a complex task that needs heavy consideration and thought. Comments are closed.
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