Til the end of the road.

Because  of  all of the events that took place, can  one  make   conclusions  regarding the  monster  and  if  he finally found himself in society and did he ever find internal happiness?

Final thoughts as well...

Read the information about Romanticism. <~~~~FOLLOW THIS LINK!

Several weeks ago I stated that this text is romantic. Do you agree or disagree with my claim? Please use appropriate evidence from the text to substantiate your assertion.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK AND READ THE INFORMATION BEFORE COMMENTING ON THIS QUESTION!!!

Hernani

Final thoughts too...

What is humanity? What social criticism does Shelley make about humanity? At the end does Shelley bestow humanity on the creature? Support your answer with the text.

Final Thoughts...

To what extent is openness and complete honesty the best policy? Should you ever withhold information until a later time? Is there a limit to what should be shared? Is telling the truth too late the same as lying? Discuss this topic using appropriate evidence from what you've read, observed, or experienced.

Is Taking Risks the best "Risk" ????

Within the chapters of 18 through  20 , Victor gave the readers insight on how much Henry has been influenced by Victor's love for science, " In Clerval I saw the image of my former self." It has been concluded  that Henry took the more safe and responsible route with his discoveries and creations unlike Victor.

Does taking risk conflict with how an outcome can be predicted? Is taking risk considered irresponsible and unmoral? what are the benefits and drawbacks of taking risks? Support your answer with your own experiences, the book, and/or from an outside source.

The creation of life

Why is it that Frankenstein is intrigued by creating life?

Scandal...More like Harrison than Olivia

From reading the literary piece Frankenstein, how has the monster progressed with knowing his creator actually abhors him, and what makes the monster vengeful and vindictive after his entire time of believing and knowing that his creator is not a person of his best interest? What does the monster learn after these "tough" experiences?

Horror vs. Everything other genre???

In today's modern film, the people of today constantly categorizes Frankenstein films as a Horror genre. If the film is in the Horror genre, should the novel be considered the same? Did Shelley really wanted to illustrate a Horror or as another literary element (Tragedy Comedy, Romance, etc.)? Does the modern Frankenstein fit the characteristics of the one written in 1818?

Yes, No,Maybe so...?

"How inconstant are your feelings! but a moment ago you were moved by my representations, and why do you again harden yourself to my complaints I swear to you, by the earth which I inhabit, and by you that made me, that, with the companion bestow, I will quit the neighbourhood of men, and dwell as it may chance in the most savage of places. My evil passions will have fled for I shall meet with sympathy! my life will flow quietly away, and, in my dying moments, I shall not curse my maker." (Chapter 18, Pg. 146)

In this exert the monster accuses Frankenstein's feelings as being inconsistent, yet he later expresses his future ambivalent feelings toward his creator. What is Shelley trying to portray by doing this? And why is the monster so willing to forgive Victor?

The monsters within

"Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; --obey"(Shelly 149).

In this situation Frankenstein and the monster are arguing about him honoring his promise to create a mate for the monster.
 Is Shelly attempting to show the negative affects of the monsters and demons individuals create themselves? In this situation what makes the creator the slave?

You Can't Handle the Truth!

Is the truth always "needed"? In a relationship (whether friendship or romantic) is it up to the party that possesses the truth to decide whether the receiver deserves or can handle the truth? Was the fact that Victor withheld the truth from Elizabeth merely to protect her? What other factors caused him to keep the truth for so long?

Mirror...

As much as Victor experiences isolation, he seems unable to identify with the Monster in this area. Why is this so? 

Fight or Flight...

Does the possibility of a bad outcome warrant neglect, abandonment, or quitting of the situation? What are some experiences that have led to you this belief? What factors come into play when a person decides to essentially abandon a task, being, or situation? Discuss accordingly using experiences, movies or literature you have read or seen.

• Near the beginning of Chapter 23, the author writes, “Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended.” What does this sentence indicate?

• In Chapter 22, Frankenstein recalls the monster’s warning, but agrees to marry Elizabeth in 10 days. He then says, “But, as if possessed of magic powers, the monster had blinded me to his real intentions; and when I thought that I had prepared only my own death, I hastened that of a far dearer victim.” What is Frankenstein hinting?

• What does the monster assure to do if Frankenstein will create a female of his own sort for him?

• Describe the weather on the night that Frankenstein brings his creation to life. Why might the author have set the creature’s initiation on such a night as this?

lone child

" I had learned form your papers that you were my father, my creator...to him who had given me life"(Shelley 123)

How as Shelley portrayed the subject of child neglect or child abandonment within the story between the monster and Frankenstein? Use evidence from the text to support answer.

Sound off as well...

Read the article, "Does Science Matter?". Then answer the following question:

Have scientific discoveries and technological advances complicated human’s lives as well as enriched them? Discuss this topic using evidence from what you've read, observed, or experienced.

Sound off too...

Comment on the debate the Monster has with Victor concerning the creation of his mate. What are each character’s arguments? Why does Victor ultimately destroy the creature? If placed in Victor's position, would you have destroyed the creature's mate? Why or why not.

Sound off...

Is companionship truly necessary true happiness? What would life be like totally alone? What benefits and drawbacks are there in a solitary life? Discuss this topic using evidence from what you've read, observed, or experienced.

Nature Vs Nature

Based off the creatures thoughts and personality is it the nature of his creator or the nature of all creature in general aka Humans that have this fierce behavior that the creature becomes what it is is? (Basically who is the blame of the nature of the creature the creator or the his surrounding and setting?)

I Want Love and Connections! Love...Love and Connections

In Chapter 15-16,  the monster finds our how his creator truly feels about him and later saves a little girl from a lake after swearing and cursing revenge all the people in the village/cottage a and deeming revenge on them because of previous activity with Felix and others...



What do you think inside the monster, made him change his mind about saving the drowning little girl, and why hasn't the monster killed his creator yet?

Brains over Beauty

To what extent does Shelly mentioning the mental capabilities of the monster aid in him appearing human? Does this trait prove that the monster is truly a human who has been ostracized by society because of his outward appearance?

"My days were spent in close attention, that I might more speedily master the language; and I may boast that I improved more rapidly than the Arabian. "(106)

His Protectors ???

Why does the monster refer to the cottagers as his protectors even though he has not revealed himself to them?

"One knight, during my accustomed visit to the neighboring wood, where I collect my own food, and brought home firing for my protectors, I found on the ground a leathern portmanteau?"(114)

The Adam to My Eve?

Isolation from society has had a dynamic impact on the monster. Seldom for when he spied on the De Lacy family, his daily life was boring and unrewarding.

To what extent has isolation carved the monster’s personality and ideals? Will the addition of a female counterpart better him or possibly destroy him and others? And lastly, is it always better to have someone to go through trials and suffering with? Try to make some connections to observations and readings please.

Who, What, When, and Why?

"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" (Shelley 115).

"CURSED, CURSED CREATOR! why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not: despair had not yet taken possession of  me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge" (Shelley 121).

Throughout the novel and throughout life we often find ourselves questioning ourselves with rhetorical questions about life, our nature, and purpose, what causes this? Do we ask the rhetorical questions because we are afraid of the true answer? And when faced with adversity and our insecurities why do we question our Creator?

Retribution...

The monster has cultivated an intellect that gives him a view of ideals and ethics present in the world (through reading Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, the Sorrows of Werter). In addition, he seems to thirst for an animalistic vengeance while at the same time possessing humane restraint and compassion.

Does this make him all the more powerful and the thought of the revenge that he could inflict on Frankenstein, his creator, all the more painful? 

There is More Than Just Physical Beauty...

·         “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! At first I stared back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who 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 mortification” (102).

Has steps been taken in today’s society to diffuse the mindset that appearances matter (more than other values)? How? Why does physical appearance play such an important role in relationships? Lastly, is the idea of an “acceptable” physical appearance intrinsic? Discuss your opinions, observations, and so on!

Beautiful Imperfections

When the monster discovers Felix and Agatha, he notices that they are both beautiful human beings.
The monster becomes depressed when he comes to the realization that no one will ever love him. However, the monster's low self esteem does not affect the way he treats others.

Can insecurities have a positive impact? What could cause them to be viewed in a negative light? How did the imperfections of the monster contribute to his character?

Contemplate this as well...

How does Shelley show that evil is learned through society? Does consistent rejection and attack justify revenge? What should be an individual's response be to repeated injustice? Discuss this topic using appropriate evidence from what you've read, observed, or experienced.

Comtemplate this too...

What evidence could you extract from Frankenstein to support or oppose Human Stem Cell Research?

Comtemplate...

Are people "born good"? Is good or evil a learned behavior? If so, who decides what is to be classified as "good" or "evil"? Discuss this topic using appropriate evidence from what you've read, observed, or experienced.

Two Different Worlds...

“It was the secrets of heaven and earth that 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, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world”.

“Meanwhile Clerval occupied himself, so to speak, with the moral relations of things. The busy stage of life, the virtues of heroes, and the actions of men were his theme; and his hope and his dream was to become one among those whose names are recorded in story as the gallant and adventurous benefactors of our species”.

            It is to my comprehension that Victor’s childhood friend, Henry Clerval came to live a more healthy life than he did.  This most likely stems from their childhood ambitions, for Frankenstein was in love with the realm of ancient sciences whereas Clerval partook in teachings of nobility and moral figures. Support or refute this idea. By contrasting the duo’s childhood passions what is Shelley insinuating? What do they (childhood dreams) predestine and how do they correlate with the ability to check ambition?  Is a love for knowledge any different from a love for power? *Refer to chapters: 2-5* 

The Guilt Trip...

Throughout Chapters 8-10, one reads about the murderous events, and we often hear the names Justine, William and Victor, and we find their true thoughts and how they think.

Why does Victor go to nature as an escape tool for horrendous guilt that he holds over his head? Does his guilt connect to reasons why he created Frankenstein?

~Women Take The Backseat~

"but to us the discovery we have made complete our misery. No one would believe it at first: and even now Elizabeth will not be convinced, not withstanding all the evidence. Indeed who would credit that Justine Moritz, who was amicable and fond of all the family, could suddenly become capable of so frightful, so appalling a crime?" (Shelley 120 (chapter 7)). *Victor's Brother

"Justine Moritz! Poor, poor girl, is she the accused? But it is wrongfully; everyone knows that; no one believes it, surely, Ernest?" (Shelley 120).  *Elizabeth


"You are all mistaken; I know the murderer. Justine,poor,good Justine,is innocent" (Shelley 121). *Victor 

Within this chapter, you witness how Elizabeth tries to help defend Justine's innocence. It seems as though both of the women Elizabeth and Justine's pleas are not being heard out. This can go into the reasoning behind the women being subordinate to men. Why did it take for a man, Victor, for the innocence of Justine to get across to others? Why was it a major factor doing this time period for the women to be passive to a man? Were there strong independent women as we see today during this era? Could this type of woman coexist with a man during this time?

Guilty conscience vs. Lie

In Chapter 8 Justine struggles with lying and later confesses her lie because of a guilty conscience. "I did confess; but I confessed a lie.... He threatened excommunication and hell fire in my last moments, if I continued obdurate... What could I do? In an evil hour subscribed to lie: and now only am I miserable." (Shelley 77)

Although Justine confessed her lie, is it the act of lying that causes a guilty conscience or is it a guilty conscience that the act of lying?

Food for Thought...

“I was firmly convinced in my own mind that Justine, and indeed every human being, was guiltless of this murder”.

            During the time that Frankenstein returns home, he often expresses assurance that no human could have murdered a child (William Frankenstein).  What does this say about his faith (optimism) in that instance? Is there truth in his convictions?   For a human to take part in such evil, does that constitute them as a monster? (Consider this: Frankenstein is a monster, with sensitive or more so humane-like feelings).  *Refer to chapter 7*

"Unnatural"

In response to the "Is This Love?" post from a fellow scholar, it can be implied that Shelley gave natural characteristics to something clearly "unnatural". Why is this so? What could Shelley possibly benefit from doing so? Was this attempt beneficial or was it unnecessary?

"Protecting A Monster"

" The figure passed me quickly, and I lost it in the gloom. Nothing in human shape could have destroyed that child. He was the murderer!"

Here Victor realizes that his creation, Frankenstein, could have possibly killed his relative. He does not voice his suspicions.

Was Victor protecting Frankenstein or himself?

Is This Love?

"...I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature...and I withdrew from the window, unable to bear these emotions (Shelley 103)". The monster seems to have a crush on this mysterious girl. However, other characters like Victor may think this strange, considering that he is not a human being, and therefore, cannot possibly have human feelings. What do you think Shelley has conveyed about the monster by including this "crush"? What does this say about the monster's character?