These images could depict some of the main plot points of Chapters 11-16. While these moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these chapters.
Hannah Longshore
11/19/2017 10:53:34 am
“ As I fixed my eyes on the child, I saw something glittering on his breast. I took it; it was a portrait of a most lovely woman. In spite of my malignity, it softened and attracted me. For a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presently my rage returned; I remembered that I was forever deprived of the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow and that she whose resemblance I contemplated would, in regarding me, have changed that air of divine benignity to one expressive of disgust and affright” (Shelley 127).
Thereza Dilwyn Llewelyn
11/20/2017 04:24:45 pm
It is interesting that the beast is not really as ugly on the inside as he is on the outside. I like how you draw a description of how the creature looks terrifying rather than ugly. As you said, we see unattractive people every day, so the true fear is of a being that looks like a monster. It is sad to see that he is tortured by his own appearance. No one should be judged based on their physical appearance because, like you said, we should be measured based on the beauty within. If we are good people, we should not have to face social isolation. It should be those with evil inside them, like Frankenstein, who have to suffer for their terrible actions.
Jantinan Tammes
11/20/2017 09:19:09 pm
So I actually didn't know about the situation with Clerval (a bit of a spoiler), but I agree with you with the quote.
Jantina tammes
11/20/2017 09:20:05 pm
Word Count: 113
Ella Church Strobell
11/20/2017 09:51:00 pm
I think that in this part of the book that it shows a more non monstrous side of the creature and humanizes itself when describing the woman. I agree that the creature shows gentleness before he goes on back to raging again. I feel that the creature's reaction is appropriate because no one sees what's really on the inside, but only focus on the outside which is his ugly appearance. I also believe that Frankenstein should be the one getting shamed, especially because of his actions of abandoning his own creation.
Elizabeth Lomax
11/21/2017 03:19:57 am
I found your response to be interesting because you made a point of mentioning how this passage shows the creature’s monstrous (yet mainly physical) qualities. In your response, you made thr statement that the reactions people have around the creature are more due to the fact that he looks scary than the fact that he looks ugly. While i do agree with your statement, i do not believe that the creature’s physical appearance is what causes him to have characteristics of a monster. The people around him viewed him as a monster due to his appearance, and it was the cruel way they treated him which cause him to act accordingly.
Thereza Dilwyn Llewelyn
11/19/2017 01:19:09 pm
"We may not part until you have promised to comply with my requisition. I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects. This being you must create" (Shelley 128)
Hannah Longshore
11/20/2017 06:04:40 pm
I decided to respond you to you because I thought your post was both agreeable and arguable. You mention how Frankenstein’s creature is monstrous because he wishes for another creature to be created just like him so it can become his companion. Although I kinda agree that it would be wrong for someone/ something else to experience the same pain as the creature, the creature has no one. If there was another creature, they would be “alone” together, which would make the other creature’s experience a whole lot better than Frankenstein’s creature. This shows the creature’s human qualities because it’s normal for a person to wish to be loved and not left alone. Although both creatures would be seen as ugly, it’s a lot better to be called ugly with someone you love, rather than on your own. People feel a lot better when there’s others who are similar to them, and a similar creature is what Frankenstein’s creature needs
Elizabeth Lomax
11/20/2017 10:46:31 pm
While i agree with your statement of how it may seem cruel for the creature to want a companion who is exactly like himself, i also believe that because the creature is so desperate for someone to spend time with, he demonstrates human characteristics which prove he is not fully monstrous. In order to be exactly like the creature, his companion would have had to have gone through excessive pain (and would have also had to look pretty hideous) so it is understandable why this may seem like he is thinking along the lines of a monster. However, in reality the creature is merely wishing for a companion with which to share his life with,and when you think about it, this is really a human characteristic, not a monstrous one.
Katherine Marray Lyell
11/20/2017 07:47:28 pm
Just like any human being, I think the creature just wants a companion who would share the same physical features, because he doesn’t want to feel as an outsider of society, Also, if there is another creature just like him, he wouldn’t feel like an outcast. In the other hand, the creature is thinking with the heart, and not the brain. If Victor were to create another creature, then he would just be putting society at a higher risk. Overall, we can notice the creature’s human qualities because just like any human being, he is simply asking for a life companion.
Olga Fedchenko
11/21/2017 09:41:42 am
I agree with your humanistic points towards the creature’s yearning for a romantic- or even non-romantic- companionship with another. However, I disagree completely with the fact that he is cruel for wishing it upon another. The creature has been thrown out from society, abandoned by his creator, and left to die alone at the will of the surrounding nature; it is not surprising he wishes for a companion to suffer with him, and this does not make him cruel- only human. He kindly commands- and yes, that is possible- Victor to create another being like him; this is not purposeful to cause more harm, just revealing of how strongly he yearns to no longer be alone in his existence.
Jantina Tammes
11/19/2017 10:56:58 pm
“My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures...I formed in my imagination a thousand pictures of presenting myself to them, and their reception of me. I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour, and afterwards, their love. These thoughts exhilarated me, and led me to apply with fresh ardour to the acquiring the art of language” (Shelley 103).
Christine Ladd-Franklin
11/20/2017 10:36:56 pm
This passage also interested me because it shows a lot about the creature’s character. He hopes to be more than just a monster. He wants to be more of a human than people expect him to. This concept is very important in the theme of the novel. This suggests a lot about human nature as a creature who is seemingly inhuman, is somehow still very human-like. Although he does not understand the concepts, he still yearns to be wanted and to fit in. Just like people he wants human interaction and people to share his time with. The creature is much more than just a monster.
Mary Treat
11/20/2017 11:38:26 pm
While it is true that the creature merits all of the companionship in the world based on its tale of woe, it unknowingly made a dire mistake in assuming so many good things about humanity without giving more thought on the possible unpleasant outcomes from its plan. Its absolute faith in the success of its plans to get closer to the De Laceys set it up for failure, as human relationships are exponentially more dynamic compared to the glimpses that the creature managed to piece together. The fact that he so heavily projected a result that had yet to come to fruition upon the De Laceys further shows his childlike innocence in that moment. Having a better understanding of human nature and its intricacies might have saved him a substantial amount of grief, as playing with absolutes (especially when concerning human beings) can end up hurting you in the long run.
Katherine Marray Lyell
11/19/2017 11:19:05 pm
"I had admires the perfect forms of my cottagers-their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions: but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool! At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I ho was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortifications. Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity" (Shelley 102).
Thereza Dilwyn Llewelyn
11/20/2017 04:29:48 pm
It is somewhat sad when he sees how ugly he is. He is such a wonderful person, especially in the beginning. He stole minimal food from the family when he first met them, and as soon as he realized that they weren't wealthy, he stopped stealing even that and made up for his transgressions. This shows innate goodness and that he is undeserving of his outward appearance; he was willing to live off of nuts and berries in order to keep "his protectors" happy and healthy. It is also quite depressing to see how he views himself as an outcast because of how he looks. He should not judge himself based on his appearance, and nor should others.
Hannah Longshore
11/20/2017 06:05:33 pm
I love your post because I connected everything you wrote about while I was reading. The creature begins to steal the family’s food until he realized they were poor, and this shows his humanity. I agree with you that he begins to connect emotionally with them, so he does everything in his power to help them. This shows that the creature is really sweet and actually does have a genuine soul. He’s been through so much, but he still continues to show non monstrous qualities that no one knows he has. Connecting with what you said, it is true to say that the creature was indeed ignorant towards the world because he wasn’t exposed to it. The creature believed to be just as normal as all the other people he saw, however he came to realization how different he was because of the way he looked. All in all, the creature isn’t the monster portray him to be, he’s just misunderstood.
Ella Church Strobell
11/20/2017 10:32:00 pm
I also agree that the creature's kind gesture was a moment that he could be defined as a human quality. I believe that appearance shouldn't determine what kind of personality you have, but with his
Christine Ladd-Franklin
11/20/2017 10:48:33 pm
I think this quote says a lot about looks and expectations in society. The creature begins to help the family in hopes of earning their affection until he realizes that his looks make that impossible. This suggests that society does this as well. Even someone with the purest intentions can be plagued by their physical appearance. And so I agree with your claim that this shows us how human he truly is because he is immediately loses all hope when he realizes he “isn’t good enough”. The creature wants to fit in with the people so badly, but his appearance alone makes that impossible.
Mary Treat
11/20/2017 11:58:57 pm
This response really made me think about isolation, and how big of an impact it can have on different people, no matter their backgrounds or personalities. It usually turns individuals into lesser versions of themselves, as shown during Frankenstein's building of the monster. His isolation cuts him off from the beauty of nature as well as his own beloved family, leaving him in a feverish, obsessed state as he toils to finish his creation. Taking himself out of the world like that took a toll on his mental and physical state of being, and had him sick for months afterward. Isolation obviously applies to the creature as well, with its one wish to Frankenstein consisting of a companion that can hopefully fill the void made by being alone all this time. Even though the creature hated the fact that it was given life without its consent just to satisfy the needs of another, the fact that he wants a bride based off of similar circumstances once again shows how strong of an effect isolation can have, turning the creature into the ultimate hypocrite.
Christine Ladd-Franklin
11/19/2017 11:43:15 pm
"It was about seven in the morning, and I longed to obtain food and shelter; at length I perceived a small hut, on a rising ground, which had doubtless been built for the convenience of some shepherd. This was a new sight to me, and I examined the structure with great curiosity. Finding the door open, I entered. An old man sat in it, near a fire, over which he was preparing his breakfast. He turned on hearing a noise, and perceiving me, shrieked loudly, and quitting the hut, ran across the fields with a speed of which his debilitated form hardly appeared capable. His appearance, different from any I had ever before seen, and his flight somewhat surprised me. But I was enchanted by the appearance of the hut; here the snow and rain could not penetrate; the ground was dry; and it presented to me then as exquisite and divine a retreat as Pandemonium appeared to the demons of hell after their sufferings in the lake of fire. I greedily devoured the remnants of the shepherd's breakfast, which consisted of bread, cheese, milk, and wine; the latter, however, I did not like. Then, overcome by fatigue, I lay down among some straw and fell asleep.”
Mary Treat
11/19/2017 11:56:29 pm
“I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent; but I felt that there was some justice in his argument. His tale, and the feelings he now expressed, proved him to be a creature of fine sensations; and did I not as his maker owe him all the portions of happiness that it was in my power to bestow?” (Shelley 130).
Mary Treat
11/19/2017 11:57:43 pm
Word Count: 316
Jantina Tammes
11/20/2017 09:11:02 pm
(My word count was 119)
Jantina Tammes
11/20/2017 09:10:26 pm
So I actually didn't know about the situation with Clerval (a bit of a spoiler), but I agree with you with the quote.
Elizabeth Lomax
11/20/2017 06:49:41 am
"This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind" (Shelley 125).
Z'Sofia Torma
12/11/2017 01:38:43 pm
I very much agree with your analyzation of this quote and event in the story. I found it very weird myself that the creature chose to risk his safety and security of the hiding spot in order to attempt to save this girl he has never met. I want to be able to say that I wouldn't do the same thing as the man did, but thinking about seeing an enormous creature walking out of the water carrying a limp girl, I know that I also would have shot him. It is quite sad that it is like this, that appearances have such an impact on our first impressions of people.
Ella Church Strobell
11/20/2017 05:25:20 pm
“I sickened as I read.’Hateful day when I received life!’ I exclaimed in agony. ‘Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even You turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring. After his own image, but my form is a filthy type of yourz, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred.” (Shelley 116)
Katherine Marray Lyell
11/20/2017 07:36:43 pm
I agree with your analysis, I think by simply being rejected by his creator, the creature was emotionally affected. Eventually, he begins to compare himself to Adam and Eve. He was indeed created by a “modern” god, however, he was abandoned. This situation can be related to the modern world, where some parents might abandon their children, and they grow with a confused mindset. They might think something was wrong with them, or they were just never loved. This connects to Frankenstein because, Victor was ashamed of his creation and just simply wanted to give it up and hopefully it would disappear.
Olga Fedchenko
11/21/2017 09:34:40 am
I totally agree with your points in analysis- it is entirely acceptable to compare the creature to an abandoned or mistreated child. Imagine finding a parent’s journal depicting how horrible and unfortunate a child they were given upon having you. This is exactly how the creature- should I be calling him Adam?- felt towards Victor, as he faced abandonment and harsh judgement from his own creator, which led him to feel unwanted and unworthy of any human love or attention. It is no surprise the creature was seen as terrifying and deformed by the outside, as he was never taught how to properly communicate and act towards them.
Olga F
11/21/2017 09:35:18 am
WC 108
Z'Sofia Torma
12/11/2017 01:24:44 pm
This was a hard part for me to read in the book. I completely agree with your analyzation of it. When Victor attempts to play God by creating human life out of death he unknowingly became God to the creature. When he left the creature to fend for himself in the world, he tainted the creature's image of the world, because all he really knew and trusted left him in the cold. Because of this, I do see the creature as more like a fallen angel than Satan, because it wasn't completely his fault that he ended up so hostile and violent. I wonder a lot about what the creature would be like if Victor had stayed.
Olga Fedchenko
11/21/2017 09:26:05 am
“I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers- their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions; but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool. . . I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas! I did not yet know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity” (Shelley 102).
Olga F
11/21/2017 09:26:59 am
Word Count 286
Z'Sofia Torma
12/11/2017 11:31:56 am
“I was dependent on none and related to none. The path of my departure was free, and there was none to lament my annihilation. My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my destination? These questions continually recurred, but I was unable to solve them.”
Z'Sofia Torma
12/11/2017 11:33:07 am
Oh no what happened I'm sorry I pasted it twice~~ Comments are closed.
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