Frankenstein by mary shelly?

Question

Select five episodes or scenes from the book and

write a paragraph for each scene explaining how

that scene either develops a character or clarifies

a theme of the book.

Any ideas what scenes describe victor or the monster

Answer 1

Ok this will be quite a long answer- are you ready?

I will give you a few passages so you can choose which are better examples

* In chapter 4- 'It was with these feelings that I began the creation of a human being.  As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hinderance to my speed, I resolved, contrary to my first intention, to make the being of a gigantic stature; that is to say, about eight feet in height, and proportionably large. ...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 their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.'

This passage deals with a number of themes. Firstly, it deals with the theme that Victor is trying to 'play God' by creating a new being. It also refers to the theme of knowledge and science, and the way Victor wishes to acquire knowledge. When he says 'a torrent of light' this can represent science and knowledge( like enlightenment), and also can represent religion. Here, the context of the novel needs to be considered- at the time the novel was written, many scientists were interested in new scientific developments, and this made many people afraid of what too much knowledge could do, and the novel as a whole deals with this issue- as Victor's obbession with knowledge leads to his downfall.

* In chapter 5 just after Victor has brought the creature to life; 'I beheld the wretch- the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped...I had gazed on him while unfinished; but he was ugly then, but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived.'

This passage shows how Victor has changed his view of the creature- while it was a study and something he was researching, it was beautiful and important to mankind, but when he gives the creature life he judges the creature and fears it, running away. This shows th theme of rejection and alienation for the creature- he is rejected by his creator, his 'father', so he does not experience love from the one person who should love him. Here, Victor has been very irresponsible by running away- even if the creature is dangerous he has failed to prevent his creation from causing damage in society- he as failed to face up to his responsibilties. It can be arugued with this point (along with others) that it is Victor that is the true monster). This passage also shows an opposit of the scene when Elizabeth is chosen by Victors parents because she looked nice.

*Near the end of chapter 7 : 'the light of my own vampire, my own spirit let loose from the grave and forced to destroy all that was dear to me'

This sows the theme of the double or the doppelganger, which means that Victor and the creature are a double character. This is common in many Gothic novels- for example, Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde.

*Near the end of chapter 8: 'I did confess , but I confessed a lie. I confessed, that I might obtain absolution; but now that falsehood lies heavier at my heart than all my other sins. The God of heaven forgive me! Ever since I was condemned, my confessor has besieged me; he threatened and menaced, until I almost began to thin that I was the monster that he said I was. He threatened excommunication and h**l fire in my last moments if I continued obdurate.'

This is a statement made by Justine after she is froced to confess to the murder of Victor's brother William when in fact it was the creature. This statement shows the theme of injustice in the novel. The injustice of Justine as she is innocent. Another form of injustice seen in the novel is the way the creature is forced to live due to Victor's irresponsibiliy, and so leads an angry and bitter life.

* In chapter 9, another passage which can show the 'double' theme is : 'When I thought of him I gnashed my teeth, my eyes became inflamed, and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so thoughtlessly bestowed.' Here, Victor can be seen to be linked to the creature again, when he has a desire to kill.

*Chapter 10 is very useful for introducing the creature's feelings, when he and Victor meet after the murders. There are a number of useful passages, ut here is one: 'Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Aadm, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.' This passage creates symathy for the creature, as he is saying that he has been abandoned by Victor even though he did nothing wrong (initially). This passage shows how Victor believed