Frankenstein: Letters 1-4 - 1 Primary Blog Post and 2 Secondary Responses

10/27/2017

Das Eismeer (The Sea of Ice), 1823–1824, a painting by Caspar David Friedrich

The painting above depicts a fate that Walden fears but is willing to face, risking the lives of his crew, in order to fulfill his all-consuming pursuit of fame's immortality.

After having read these initial letters from the ship's captain to his sister, select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the action and Shelley's authorial intent in this section of Frankenstein. Explain the action and context of the quoted passage (you must cite the passage) and then explain how your understanding of this passage supports your understanding, deepens the character development, and/or builds a central message that aligns with one of the unit's essential questions.

Part One Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned scientist selected in class as your nom de plume.

By Friday Midnight 10/27/2017

Part Two Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned scientist selected in class as your nom de plume.

By Sunday Midnight10/29/2017

Jantina Tammes

10/27/2017 11:44:12 am

“You may easily perceive, Captain Walton, that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes. I had determined, at one time, that the memory of these evils should die with me; but you have won me to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as i once did…” (Shelley 25).

This quote, my dear colleagues, has caught my attention. It’s seen in Letter IV, where Captain Walton is in a conversation with the stranger they rescued from the ice. The stranger was sort of a personal fellow, and it intrigued the Captain who’d always wanted a companion in others but never found it. With him, Walton felt close, and because of their building relationship, the stranger decides to tell the story of the misfortunes he was adamantly going to keep to himself.
This quote is important to the use of the letters, because it-indicates that a majority of the novel would be in the past--a flashback. The letters show us that the story is being recounted to someone else, just as it is to us, meaning that the point of view can actually be skewed in the favor of the story teller. Though I do doubt it will happen because of the way the stranger has presented himself (as if he is a gentleman).
I also have a strong opinion that this stranger is Victor Frankenstein, and his misfortunes has allowed him to make enemies so powerful that he has ended up in the Arctic, about to freeze to death. It excites me, because knowing what we do about this story already, what has gone so terribly wrong with his creation that’s landed him at the brink of death?
Jantina Tammes

Ynes Mexia

10/27/2017 03:02:40 pm

"My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery, without feeling the most poignant grief? he is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated; and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence" (Shelley 23)

This is the most important part of the letters because it gives us a deep insight into this secret character who will be telling us the story of Frankenstein and his monster. In a part of letter four, Robert Walton describes how much he cares for his guest, and this leads me to believe that this guest is in fact Dr. Victor Frankenstein because who else could be described as "cultivated; and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence" (Shelley 23). Frankenstein is a brilliant scientist who had unorthodox ideas that would ultimately hurt people. He also practices an art though, when he ever so carefully plans the construction of the creature, which inevitably does terrible things. Shelley teaches us that no matter how terrible a person's actions are, deep down there is always something good. We see Captain Walton pulled from his loneliness by a character feared and hated by many in his home because of his wisdom and kindness. We also get to see Frankenstein humanized despite his attempts to play God because of the grief. It is said that God makes no mistakes, so for this godlike figure to feel terrible about his actions shows that no one really is God, no matter how powerful they believe they are.

Hannah Longshore

10/27/2017 10:06:23 pm

“You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend. I have no one near me, gentle yet courageous, possessed of a cultivated as well as of a capacious mind, whose tastes are like my own, to approve or amend my plans. How would such a friend repair the faults of your poor brother! I am too ardent in execution, and too impatient of difficulties. But it is a still greater evil to me that I am self educated: for the first fourteen years of my life I ran wild on a common, and read nothing about our uncle Thomas’ books of voyages” (Shelley 16).

This quote really interested me because of the focus on loneliness. In letter two of the preface, it speaks on how Captain Walton had reached Archangel in the month of March, and finds himself quite lonesome. Daily Walton works to ready the ship, but this doesn’t take away from his desire of having a companion to share his triumphs and accomplishments with. Throughout the time of traveling however, Walton writes to his dearest sister and it seems to ease the feeling of loneliness a bit. This idea can introduce a possible theme, which could be that being alone in this world creates a deep desire for friends and family.The concept of lonesome can possibly foreshadow what another character may face throughout the novel. Building off the idea that Walton is so open to wanting a friend, we can classify him as a romantic. Some examples of romantic characteristics include having “strong senses, emotions, and feelings”. Walton has shown his feelings and emotions throughout this whole letter. Although he’s pretty open to the way he feels, he can be classified as different than the average male because they weren’t all romantics. All in all, Walton’s deep sense in the search of a companion not only reveals his romantic side, but it could possibly be insight for a future personality introduced.

Ynes Mexia

10/29/2017 08:06:18 am

I find the concept of the captain being romantic interesting as well. It is interesting to see a discussion of romanticism in a romantic era novel. It is strange that Walton would be so contradictory of himself in his letter to his sister, but it would make sense that he is being so contradictory so as to appear like the average man rather than appearing as an emotional person who likely would have been ridiculed at the time. It is interesting as well though, that when he eventually finds a friend, it is another wise person who seems to have powerful emotions like he does.

Katherine Marray Lyell

10/29/2017 08:31:33 pm

I think Walton has the idea that in order to feel complete, it's important to have someone by your side. However, I still don't understand why he hasn't built that type of connection with his sailors, since he has been longing for a companion for quite a while. Was he looking for a specific personality trait in them? When he finally find the "right" companion, he seems to feel complete.

Elizabeth Lomax

10/29/2017 09:24:26 pm

I found your response very interesting because of how you choose to primarily focus on the concept of loneliness and how it is incorporated throughout your quote. In your response, you suggested that Walton’s letter to his sister could be introducing a theme regarding how ‘being alone in the world can create a deep desire for friends and family’. What I found especially interesting about your response is that your theme statement mentions those who are “alone in the world”--Walton is not physically alone in the world because he is among other men on the ship, but due to the fact that there is such an intellectual disconnect between them and himself, he might as well be isolated, which is why he is so desperate for companionship.

Ynes Mexia (#2)

10/29/2017 10:49:57 pm

I too, find this passage interesting because of its content. The idea of loneliness in this context is very complex. We can assume as you said, that this theme will play over into the novel and possibly be the underlying tone as well. With some background in the story of Frankenstein, I can predict that the doctor has many similarities to the captain in this respect. The captain wrote to his sister to make himself less lonely, while with the character in the novel, he created something to hopefully fill a void. Therefore, the idea of loneliness would be one of the driving themes of the novel.

Olga Fedchenko

10/29/2017 11:03:49 pm

Maybe I’m a teenager, or maybe I’m a romantic, but the degree of emotions displayed by Walton in these letters struck me as well. I agree with the idea that loneliness will probably be seen later in the novel in the Strangers story. I feel as though Walter’s deepest emotions in the preface- revealed to readers in those thoughtfully written letters to his sister-will parallel those of Victor. You’re idea that Walter’s romanticism will be used to introduce a new personality in the story is what brought me to this conclusion; overall, this post made me excited to read the next chapter of Frankenstein and got my brain wheels turning about what the next pages will tell!

Mary Treat

10/29/2017 11:33:39 pm

I saw how you identified that aspect of Romanticism in the novel, and I agree that his emotions call back to the description of "Strong Emotions". He also shows this based on how much he passionately argues for his journey to go to the North Pole to his sister, since he wants to assuage her fears of the trip, to which she sees as having “evil forebodings”(Shelley 12). That’s why he’s writing these letters in the first place. To add on your example of Romanticism, Awe of Nature could be seen when he talks about his anticipation as to what he might find in the North Pole, which I talk more about in my post.

Olga Fedchenko

10/27/2017 10:29:25 pm

“‘You may easily perceive, Captain Walton that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes. I had determined, at one time, that the memory of these evils should die with me; but you have won me to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been’” (Shelley 25).

In letter four to his sister Margaret, the previously shown to be shy and socially awkward Walter Seville narrates this quotation from the mouth of his new friend- the potentially dangerous and physically ill Stranger. While the previous letters in the preface emphasized characterization of Walter through his social awkwardness, his obvious yet confusing friendship with the new Stranger on the ship- a man they found close to death- sets the tone for the concluding paragraph of the preface. Now put off and slightly on edge from the oddity of Walter and the Stranger, the reader is instantly compelled to read the cautious and frightening words spoken by the Stranger, quoted above and continued for another half-page of absolute intensity. This is when the purpose of such an unrelated-yet-related preface to the horror story is revealed: to set the mysterious and unsettling tone of a ghost story for readers of the novel.

Jantina Fammes

10/29/2017 07:27:42 pm

I agree with you that this sets the tone of a ghost story for the novel. As you said, this does compel readers because of the hidden warning behind the words. It provides a great transition into the chapters of the story, setting up exactly which point of view we'll be seeing it from. Maybe Walter being put on edge is a warning for the readers to be on edge as well, and to be careful what we take into account with the retelling of the story.

Ynes Mexia (#2)

10/29/2017 10:42:09 pm

I agree with you that this section of the preface sets the tone of mystery for the novel. However, I think that while it warns the readers of a “spooky” tale to come, it also warns them of the type of characters that could be coming, as well. The words of the stranger reveal to us that the characters in the novel will too, have “evils” hidden inside them. As with the strangers, the characters of Frankenstein can be expected to come from some dark places. Therefore, your response interested me because it made me think of this section in a different way which allowed me to discover more about the novel on my own.

Ynes Mexia (#2??)

10/27/2017 10:59:01 pm

In the beginning of Letter 1, the ship’s captain starts to tell his sister about his dedication to the journey he is about to descend upon and his need for a purpose in life. He explains, “do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose? My life might have been passed in ease and luxury: but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path” (Shelley 15). These desires represent the captain’s thirst for something more. This journey is not just important to him because of the possible discovery, but for its importance in his life’s journey. This passage helps us to understand how the course of the novel may unfold. As with the ship’s captain, the characters in the novel may also be looking for their overall purpose. Therefore, the letters allow us to delve deeper into the possible driving theme of the novel. We can assume that one of the characters will also be searching for their greater purpose just as the captain was. The nature of the captain’s need for a purpose may also tell us more about the characters. The captain needs a purpose that will allow him to live without the cloud of “ease and luxury”. He wants to be able live with a greater understanding of life. This therefore, can also be predicted for the characters of the novel.

Katherine Marray Lyell

10/29/2017 08:41:03 pm

I completely agree, I think most of the characters in this book might be on the hunt for their purpose in this world, or just discovering who they truly are. I think Walton had been living in a world where he was able to get what we wanted because of his wealth; so he actually never struggle. Now, he is actually going to seek the actual meaning of being a human, without being at an advantage.

Mary Treat

10/29/2017 11:47:35 pm

Besides the Captain's goal on going to the North Pole being a pretty important goal in his letters, I’m also getting a vibe of fate going into this novel, based on how differently people react to their own. After all, the narrator starts off his journey being dead-set on completing this journey he has planned for years, but towards the start of Chapter 1 he also divides that resolve into recording the tale of his new friend (who mind you, he met fairly recently). Likewise, it appeared that the Stranger was dead-set on taking his secrets to the grave (he would have died had he not been rescued, he himself says that he wasn’t planning to share his story), but had a change of heart upon hearing the aspirations of the Narrator himself. It might be nothing, but I think that this is saying something on how easily fate interweaves the lives of different people in ways that no one can predict, which we may see as the story goes on.
Welp, thanks for listening to me. Toodles!

Hannah Longshore

11/1/2017 10:11:28 pm

I find this comment extremely interesting, and I think it kind of intertwines with my idea. The concept of foreshadowing seems to be very popular in this novel thus far. I feel like the journey for Walton is also more than just a discovery, but more of a life adventure. I believe Walton may just want to experience the thrill of succeeding something big for himself, while doing it on his own. Also, his longing for a possible purpose may foreshadow the same for a future character in this book. All in all, Walton and the future character may be searching for similar things, but maybe not in the same form.

Elizabeth Lomax

10/27/2017 11:02:44 pm

A passage that I feel best typifies the action and Shelley’s authorial intent occurs at the beginning of Letter II, in which Walton describes to his sister Margaret about despite acquiring sailors and a ship, he is still very lonely . On March 28, from Archangel, he writes:
“But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection. I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me; whose eyes would reply to mine” (Shelley 15).

The significance of this passage is that it seems to serve as an indicator of possible conflict occurring within the protagonist (as Walton is experiencing a strong desire for companionship) and the reader can assume that this need will undoubtedly play a role in furthering the plot of the story. Based on the way that Walton yearns for to have someone to converse with, the reader can assume that somehow, an event will occur to address this underlying aspiration, whether it happens immediately after or late in the plot. This passage also exemplifies how the concept of Romanticism influenced Shelley’s writing. Walton experienced strong feelings of isolation and loneliness among his shipmates and almost seemed to be too sophisticated to even share his deep thoughts with them. Walton’s willingness to openly express these emotions suggests that he therefore has the characteristics of a Romantic, further indicating that Romanticism is an underlying concept in the story.

Ella Church Strobell

10/27/2017 11:07:39 pm

“But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointed, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection” (Shelley 15)

In part of letter two, Robert Walton is distressed that he does not have a companion to share his successes and failures to and how he longs for someone to lend him an ear. While heading up North, he finds a stranger and has his crew nurse him back to health. Robert finds himself to be acquainted with the stranger when they share about their unlucky situations. This shows how Walton was able to not feel lonesome and had a brief moment of friendship that he always desired for. In general, he could long for a more deeper relationship not only with the stranger, but with anyone he can encounter. This shows the romantic side of Walton, though he does not seem to be a very romantic person at all. His overall want of companionship can possibly foreshadow an event later in the novel.

Z’Sofia Torma

10/29/2017 11:21:22 am

This moment encompasses the romanticism of the novel because it shows how much he craves human connection. Walton seems to be in the mindset that in order for him to feel complete, he must find a friend who understands and supports him, even for his quirks that set him apart from the others.

Elizabeth Lomax

10/29/2017 08:52:27 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with your acknowledgement of how lack of companionship is something Walton is distressed about, but I'm not too sure that I agree with what you said about Walton showing his “Romantic side, even though he doesn't seem to be a Romantic person”. Walton’s loneliness is definitely what causes him to desire companionship, yet this characteristic isn't the only thing that expresses Walton’s “Romantic side”. In this letter, Walton’s Romantic tendencies are shown in his reference to Coleridge’s The Rime of the Mariner, in his desire to explore a “mysterious” region, and in his willingness to openly express his feelings.

Hannah Longshore

10/29/2017 09:44:57 pm

Although I do believe when Robert Walton converses with the stranger it shows a sense of friendship, he must also feel a bit of lonesome because I don’t feel he honestly wants to speak to the stranger, but he does out of obligation because of the simple fact that there’s no other person to physically talk to. Walton is on a ship with people he’s not acquainted with, and he writes to his sister because he’s lonely, and the strangers are the only people keeping him sane. Also, I do feel that Walton is quite romantic because he shows his strong feelings and emotions through this hardship. Although he may not be romantic all the time, not a lot of people are, and his strong desire for a friend, or companion can’t be ignored.

Mary Treat

10/27/2017 11:21:28 pm

“What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?[...] I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man” (Shelly 13).

Usually, the author tries to show their themes and motifs through authorial intent, leaving it up to the readers to find and piece together said elements lain throughout the story. Already in the first letter of the story, readers can see the signs of Romanticism showing up in the form of the narrator’s description of his believed version of the North Pole. An indicator of Romanticism is the Awe of Nature, and the narrator clearly shows his obsession with his destination that anything is possible within the idealized North Pole, with him going as far as to go against the wishes of his sister by traveling there in the first place/ being prepared to justify his possible death by stating “the inestimable benefit which I shall confer on all mankind to the last generation”, all while he could have remained in his easy and luxurious life (Shelly 13). He just wants to experience that nature firsthand, as he feels that the reward of this journey both outweighs the risks and will enrich his life, spiritually (as he has been training for this type of situation for quite sometime) and mentally (maybe he’ll find a big secret for life or something). Other elements for Romanticism also exist, considering that his Strong Emotions and Feelings guide him to passionately argue his reasoning for undertaking this journey in an effort to comfort his sister, or how shockingly easy he lets himself be charmed by the mannerisms of the stranger who shows up in the final letters to escape his own loneliness.

Ynes Mexia

10/29/2017 08:47:31 am

These qualities to show the romanticism of this novel are very important. I think it helps us to see that there are other meanings due to the obviousness of the romanticism. By describing how important nature is, it helps to show us that the Captain is very romantic and that he also has a very strong infatuation with nature, that probably sparks his powerful emotions that we see in the later letters. It is interesting though that later he tries to deny being a romantic, despite actually being very roamntic, as shown with his interest in his very mysterious visitor.

Jantina Tammes

10/29/2017 07:42:22 pm

I find it really interesting that you referenced the aspects of Romanticism and how they're shown in the letters. I didn't think about this at all, and I agree with what you've found. In this quote you've found I realize it also reflects the Celebration of the Individual, because of the curiosity that's being pursued, and the risks being taken.

I also find it really interesting that when I read this quote I was also reminded of Dr. Frankenstein, and him trying to find something new and satisfying his own curiosity with his experiments.

Olga Fedchenko

10/29/2017 11:17:06 pm

In terms of romanticism, I’m totally on your side. The emotional release for Walters is clear in the letters of the preface; through writing to his sister, he is revealed to be a true romantic from his awe of nature to his love of emotions. However, I disagree with your opinion on it bein mainly for romanticism; while important, I feel the parallelism between Walter’s heroic and curious (and celebratory of the individual) journey and the same curiousity and bravery of Victor’s is much more relevant to the authors intent, showing that Victors tale will capture the same tone and emotions as described in Walter’s.

Katherine Marray Lyell

10/27/2017 11:57:36 pm

A passage that I feel best typifies the action and Shelley’s authorial intent occurs at the beginning of Letter II, where Walton describes to his sister ,Margaret, how \ despite hiring sailors and a ship, he feels pretty lonely. On his second letter, Walton states, “But I have one want which i have never yet been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which i now feel as a more severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: When I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection... I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but i bitterly feel the want of a friend” (Shelly 16).
I believe this connects back to the idea of: There are times when one may be incredibly successful, yet there is always something internally missing. In this situation, Watson is being able to accomplish what he has been wanting to do for a while, yet we notice the loneliness he is feeling as he sails around the globe. He feels the need to have a friend, a friend whom he can share his successes and failures with, a friend whom he can share his thoughts with, etc. Eventually, Walton does manage to find a friend he's been longing for. The need for a friendship shows how Walton has the necessity to always have someone by his side, and this need might have some type of effect on the events in the novel.

Z’Sofia Torma

10/29/2017 11:07:10 am

“It is true that I have thought more, and that my daydreams are more extended and magnificent; but they want (as the painters call it) keeping; and I greatly need a friend who would have sense enough not to despise me as a romantic, and affectionate enough for me to endeavor to regulate my mind.” (Shelley 16)

I feel that this quote best encompasses Shelley’s authorial intent on writing because it shows the balance of celebrating the common man and still longing to stand out. The entire first 5 letters of the book are about Walton craving to find a friend whom he can feel at home and at ease with. In this specific quote, he is bringing light to the fact that he is not anymore special than the people around him, but that he also is not exactly the same as those around him either. It seems almost as if Walton wishes he could be better than all of the others, and that having a genuine friend is his gateway to that.

Ella Church Strobell

10/29/2017 11:22:07 pm

I also agree with this. I also think that in these letters that Walton has written while on his journey which caused him to feel lonesome. Having a companion could be the "gateway" or key to him opening up and led him to being a better person. It could be a piece of him that he didn't know he needed; a genuine friend. Walton seems to want a friend to accept him for the way he is and not the facade that people in general seem to put on.

Thomas Maragnano link

10/30/2017 10:54:44 am

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/frankenstein/index.html For my lovelies for the scavenger hunt

The Real Ynes Mexia

10/30/2017 11:02:06 am

This was cute I like that

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