From the Chapter 3 to Chapter 6 do the following:
- select ONE significant quote.
- Type the quote out (put the page number!!)
- Explain why you selected the quote
- Explain what its significance is
- Propose one question to the class about the quote/section you selected
Steps #3 and #4 should be at least 6 sentences long. Do not exceed 12 sentences.
12 comments:
Rachel Kapelner
"When I found so astonishing the power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it. Although I possessed the capacity of bestowing animation, yet to prepare a frame for the reception of it, with all its intricacies of fibres, muscles and veins, still remained a work of unconceivable difficulty and labour" (32).
I chose this quote because it represents a significant point in Dr. Frankenstein's life. He has already discovered how to create life and has to make the decision of whether or not to use this knowledge to create a creature that resembles a human. This is a difficult decision because researching how to make this "frame" will take a long time. He has to decide if it will be worth his while to spend all of this time away from his family and a social life to complete this work. The fact that he decides to take the several years to complete his project shows the reader that his family is not as high a priority as originally thought. Dr. Frankenstein's decision is also very important because he decided to keep his previous knowledge, of how to create life, a secret. Therefore, the success of his creature will determine how the scientific community views him. By keeping his original knowledge a secret, Frankenstein appears to be seeking glory, a trait that is not very attractive.
Question: Despite the fact that the creature Dr. Frankenstein creates turns out to be a monster, do you think it was acceptable for him to spend years researching and building his creature in the name of science.
"I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart" (35).
I chose this quote because it explains Frankenstein's sudden change in emotions with regards to his work on his creation. Up until this point of the story, he had been feverishly working on infusing life into an inanimate being. But finally, upon completing this task, which had been his obsession for upwards of two years, Frankenstein's feelings about his project change drastically. I really thought it was interesting how suddenly and sharply Frankenstein's emotions with regards to his creation change. He does not describe it as a gradual process at all; rather, at the moment of the creation's first movement and breath, he takes on an attitude of disgust and hatred for the project he has spent months working on. I thought this quote was significant because it comes at a pivotal point in the novel - right after Frankenstein has granted life to his creation. Obviously, this section carries some significance, as from this moment forward the creation becomes a major aspect of the story. I also thought it was significant because, at the second when Frankenstein gives life to the creature, he feels some sort of regret. Perhaps it is because he knows he created his creation for the wrong reasons (fame, acknowledgment, etc), or maybe it's because he is fearful of the power he holds as he has just unlocked one of life's secrets. Or maybe it's because he's scared of the creation's potential...which leads me to my question:
Question: Why do you think Frankenstein's mood towards his creation changes so drastically at this point of the story? Is it because he has recognized his true motives, or out of fear of the monster or even himself? Explain your opinion.
Garrett Klokman
"While my companion contemplated with a serious and satisfied spirit the magnificent appearance of things, I delighted in investigating their causes. The world to me was a secret which I desired to divine. Curiosity, earnest in research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember.”(18)
I chose this quote because it made me think about all the scientific discoveries which man has revealed. Since the dawn of time people, like this man, have had this desire and have furthered society with it. I find it very interesting that people dedicated their lives to figuring out and explaining the unknown. This quote is also significant because if he did not have this desire the creation of the monster would be impossible. He begins studying at a very early age which leads him to excel in school. Then because he does so well he goes to college which sparks his enthusiasm for physiology. From there he moves on to the secret of life and the eventual creation of the monster.
Do you believe his drive to discover the unknown is vital to the story?
“Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed? It was a bold question, and one which has ever been considered as a mystery; yet with how many things are we upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our enquiries” (30)?
I selected this quote because it brings up a question that has been pondered across countless generations and is still pondered nowadays that question being, where did the principle of life come from? This paradoxical question is thought about by most all living things at some point and it has the same mystifying effect on me that it has on Frankenstein. I chose it because it is such a common thought. Another reason I chose this quote is because this mention of what Frankenstein is pondering gives the reader insight into what his mind is preoccupied with and I feel that this will be helpful in putting some rationality behind the actions he takes later in the book. Lastly, this quote stood out to me because it pointed out the well known but disappointing fact that the faults of humans, cowardice and carelessness, block them from achieving the answers to powerful questions like this one as well as others. Luckily, my spirits were lifted when I realized that Frankenstein is also alluding to the fact in the last line of the quote that by over overcoming cowardice and carelessness and freely allowing oneself to asks questions and seek discoveries. By pointing out the roadblocks to these achievements Frankenstein makes it seem like anything is possible.
This quote is significant because it exemplifies Frankenstein’s ambition because he did choose to overcome cowardice and carelessness and explore and ponder powerful subjects which many people neglect to do. Frankenstein is portrayed as a role model for other humans who do not pursue things due to these faults. The quote makes Frankenstein somewhat of a hero to the reader because is ensures he has the desire to be a productive person and contribute to science which so many people fail to do. Frankenstein’s fascination with life in this quote is the driving force that makes him create his Creature which will likely be one of his most spectacular actions in the whole book and the central event to the book which also makes it significant. This quote serves two important purposes to the book as a whole. First it sets in stone that Frankenstein has the rare ambition to make a breakthrough in a field. It also serves the purpose of proposing that such a field has to do with life and implies that his breakthrough, the Creature, will somehow improve humans understanding of life and provoke new thoughts surrounding an age old question.
Do you think Frankenstein meant for the statement about humans being able to reach great achievements if not for cowardice and carelessness to be discouraging or encouraging? Why?
Sarah Kapelner
Nick Montimurro
"No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe me their being" (32).
I chose this quote because it shows, what I feel, are a few different sides to the personality of Dr. Frankenstein. Based on this quote, it can be determined that Dr. Frankenstein was very diligent and hard-working and that he felt he had to finish his creation once he started it. This is because he spent such a large amount of time creating this new creature. It also shows he wouldn't allow what seemed to be impossible to stop him. However, I also feel that Dr. Frankenstein was somewhat power hungry and that by bringing life to this creature he felt that he should be highly regarded by fellow citizens and scientists. No doubt about it, by being the first person to accomplish the feat of giving life to any sort of creature Dr, Frankenstein should be highly regarded and well perceived by many, but I feel that that may be one of the only reasons he was doing this.
Question: What do you feel were Dr. Frankenstein's true motives for bringing life to this creature?
Jeff Rossi
"A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or transitory desire to disturb tranquility. I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule" (34).
This quote is significant because it goes against human nature in my opinion. Human beings can never be perfect due to the overwhelming passion that humans feel about everything. In this section the narrator, Frankenstein, feels passionate about science and becomes nonpeaceful. In everyday life, people also feel passions that make them nonpeaceful and barbaric. In my opinion a lack of passion in the world (the perfect human) would be a very dull person, and i would not want to pursue that life. This quote pertains to the theme of the story 'dont play god' in cliche form. The character tried to create life, and he made a monster
Do you feel that the emotional aspects and mood swings of Frankenstein are applicable to the common human psychology, or are they wrong and Shelley actually screwed up characterizing Frankenstein?
Nidhi Nivarthi
"After days and nights of incredible labour and fatigue, I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter. The astonishment which i had at first experienced on this discovery soon gave place to delight and rapture. After so much time spent in painful labor, to arrive at one at the summit of my desires, was the most gratifying consummation of my toils" (31).
I chose this quote because while i was reading through the reading, it stood out to me. When I read this, I was able to clearly see Dr. Frankenstein's excitement at creating a form of life by himself. He was able bring his creation to life. In these few lines, I feel that the reader can fully see how much this discovery meant to Dr. Frankenstein. In order to reach this goal of his, he neglected everything else in his life, such has friends, family, normal studies, and normal social life. I also believe that this quote can communicate to the reader how much this discovery meant to him and how obsesses Dr. Frankenstein truly was with creating life. I like the determination and perseverance he has to keep going. He does not give up and he does all his work eagerly and whole heartedly. I think that is something all readers can learn to appreciate. Not many people automatically have that attitude to work because they want to. This quote shows how much effort Dr. Frankenstein is willing to put into what he wants to accomplish and the side of his personality that, although a little crazy and obsessive, can be admired by those who read about him.
Question: Even though the creature that Dr. Frankenstein created is a monster, can he still be given credit for his creation of life after his many years of hard work?
ALlison Molinaro
"Thus ended a day memorable to me: it decided my future destiny" (29)
I chose this quote becuase the decision he makes causes many issues but is also a benificial part of his life. By deciding he wants to spend his life studying sciences he discovers many things and becomes an important person the in the science area. He discovers so much and pregresses quickly through the sciences to the point where he has learned everything. Then he decides to make this creature, when he brings it to life he realizes he may have made a mistake. I think that his decision is the reason why this book is written and if he hadn't decided to go into the sciences many problems in the book wouldnt occur. I also chose this quote becuase at this point the adventure starts and everything past this point is very interesting. This quote is significant to the book becuase this is when Frankenstein becomes intrigued with the sciences because of his talk with his proffesor. He is intrigued by the science area and rapidly progresses through each branch of science. Becuase he learns everything that there is to know about the sciences he decides that he will go beyond the expected and studies life and death. This causes him to work on making a creature and trying to bring it to life. This is significant becuase he feels that this discovery will be wonderful but he later he regrets it. Without this major decision the problems that have risen so far would not have happened.
Q: Do you think that Frankenstien actually thought he would be able to bring something to life and why do you think he was so ambitious?
Mike Nee
"After days and nights of incredible labour and fatigue, I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter" (31).
This quote is important to me because this is the pojt in which dr. frankenstein figures how to put life into a lifeless dead body. His pursuit of creating a monster like this is finally found out and he can put his ideas to work.
Q: What realistic scientific discovery would seem important to uncover life unto a dead body, rather than just creating a monster?
"Nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence brought back to my thoughts my fathe, Elizabeth, and all of those scenes of home so dear to me recollection. I grasped his hand and suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joy" (37).
I selected this quotation because it portrays two thematic aspects of the story: the comfort and reliance of family support, and a change or contrast in emotions. Victor's family is clearly quite influential on his wellbeing for any rememberance of them brings him "delight". I thought it was important to note that Victor's memories of home were "so dear to [his] recollection because this emphasizes his current emotional instability without the company of his father, Elizabeth and the presence of his home. By emphasizing that "comfort" of family, Shelley suggests that Victor is a stranger to the outside world, and without anyone or anything that he is acclmated with, he may have a terrible downfall. For instance, Victor comforts himself at school by completely devoting himself to his study of life and death. Once Victor's creation--a replication of life (the monster), is made and deviates from his intended creation, he becomes quite frightened because it is not what he wanted. This is symbolic of his fear and fate of extreme change. It is also quite significant that Victor's dreay, gloomy emotional state is suddenly changed by the memory of his family. This is important because it highlites his instabiliy and tendency to remain in the dreary state unless reconnected with his family.
Question: Will Victor's instability of emotions or reliance on his family lead to his downfall?
Sammy McHugh
"I never saw a man in so wretched a condition." (9)
I chose this quote because I thought it really depicted what passion and desire can do to a person. Victor did everything that he could to create the monster that it tore away at his spirit and his physical well-being. I think that Walton's description was fitting not only because Victor had been traveling over the ice but because he had been working so hard. Also, the word "wretched" means in a state of misery or sorrow which, when I first read this, led me to believe that Victor somehow felt regret about his situation. I thought that he might have felt like he wasted his time on science which we later learn that he does feel this way. I also liked this quote because it reminded me of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" because Walton could tell that Victor had gone through a terrible ordeal and Walton was just waiting to hear his story and help him if necessary the same way that the Wedding Guest listened to the Mariner.
This quote is significant because it forshadows towards where the story is going. As a reader, we now know that Victor is going to create a monster, the monster will run away, and Victor will end up on a ship in search of it. Most of us already know the story of Frankenstein and his monster but this quote sets the stage. Also, readers see that this man is sorrowful and miserable in the state that he's in currently. As he tells his story, we can see that Victor will become more and more tired and obssesed with his work. It is also interesting that Shelley chose to start the story and the end and then have Victor narrate it from the beginning.
Question: Why didn't Victor destroy the monster before it ran away and caused him so much pain and misery?
Megan Kasetty
“I thought I saw Elizabeth, in the bloom of health, walking in the streets of Ingolstadt. Delighted and surprised, I embraced her, but as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they became livid with the hue of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought that I held the corpse of my dead mother in my arms; a shroud enveloped her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling in the folds of flannel” (35).
This quote depicts the morbid dream that Victor had after he successfully brought an inanimate object to life. His deep regret for bringing something to life that should not be alive is intensified. In the dream, he sees his beloved sister who is alive and well, but when he kisses her, he sees her body as if it is the one of his death mother. This vision is significant because it shows that Victor knows that it is wrong to put life into a nonliving thing. His mind was tricked into seeing his dead mother in a living body, but it became a very unpleasant sight. His dream tells him that when something loses its life, this life is not meant to be brought back to it. Similarly, life is not meant to be given to things that do not already have it. I chose this quote because it shows how Victor's conscience is letting him know that what he did was a bad idea. The reader is also able to see one of the theme's of the book through Victor's dream, which is not to interfere with nature.
Why did Victor think it would be a good idea to bring a nonliving thing to life?
Post a Comment