"But in reality I was very ill; and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life.." pg 39
Victor Frankenstien illustrates the very definition of internal conflict. It is evident that he had an obsession with his science and philosophy studies due the utter construction of the monster. We can make the second observation of his obsession by the fact that he does not even write to his family. He is so possessed by his experiment and his work that he neglects everything else that's usually important to him. After he creates the monster, he is incredibly terrified of him. He is scared of the thing HE created himself. - but I think he is more afraid of the fact that he had the ability to create such a thing. The passage above shows how ill it made him, and how much it tortured him. Victor struggled with the thought of the monster for weeks after it has already run away, as if he has an internal feeling somethig more was going to happen.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Parallelism --- Walton and Victor
"My affection for the guest increases every day." -Walton pg 11
"My family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.." -Victor pg 14
"I love you tenderly. Remember me with affection, should you never hear from me again" -Walton pg 6
"No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me - my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only." -Victor 18
"A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility." -Victor pg 34
"I cannot describe to you my sensations on the near prospect of my undertaking..It is impossible to communicate to you a conception of the trembling sensation.." -Walton pg 6
These passages above are only a few excerpts that illustrate parallelism between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. The first, above the surface, connection can be made based on the great tenderness and love the two show for their "sisters." This similarity may be one to simply connect the two as friends, showing how they are both loving, family-oriented beings. Another connection can be made based on the complete obsession the two show. Both of these men are working towards an almost impossible goal of exploration and discovery. In the quotes above each man recognizes that they are being so consumed by their goals, but they do nothing to reverse their fate. In my opinion, Shelley uses parallelisms between these two main characters to allow the themes of benevolence (kind and sympathetic in social interaction with others) to shine through. The two are able to sympathize greatly with one another because they have similar situations.
"My family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.." -Victor pg 14
"I love you tenderly. Remember me with affection, should you never hear from me again" -Walton pg 6
"No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me - my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only." -Victor 18
"A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility." -Victor pg 34
"I cannot describe to you my sensations on the near prospect of my undertaking..It is impossible to communicate to you a conception of the trembling sensation.." -Walton pg 6
These passages above are only a few excerpts that illustrate parallelism between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. The first, above the surface, connection can be made based on the great tenderness and love the two show for their "sisters." This similarity may be one to simply connect the two as friends, showing how they are both loving, family-oriented beings. Another connection can be made based on the complete obsession the two show. Both of these men are working towards an almost impossible goal of exploration and discovery. In the quotes above each man recognizes that they are being so consumed by their goals, but they do nothing to reverse their fate. In my opinion, Shelley uses parallelisms between these two main characters to allow the themes of benevolence (kind and sympathetic in social interaction with others) to shine through. The two are able to sympathize greatly with one another because they have similar situations.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Theme of JEALOUSY
"..but on Myrtle's face it seemed purposeless and inexplicable until I realized that her eyes, wide with jealous terror, were fixed not on Tom, but on Jordan Baker, whom she took to be his wife." pg 125
The scene where the "crew" stops in at Wilson's garage brings about a recurring theme of jealousy. Nick, Jordan, Jay, Tom, Daisy, Myrtle, and Wilson all have a tangled web full of love and lust. It seems so simple and easy to love and long for a person, but especially familiar to be jealous of another who is doing the same thing. This aspect of the novel really helps the audience to relate to its meanings. Everyone goes through this kind of thing, especially teenagers. The group of characters in "The Great Gatsby" remind me of being in high school...everyone is fair game and anything goes.
The scene where the "crew" stops in at Wilson's garage brings about a recurring theme of jealousy. Nick, Jordan, Jay, Tom, Daisy, Myrtle, and Wilson all have a tangled web full of love and lust. It seems so simple and easy to love and long for a person, but especially familiar to be jealous of another who is doing the same thing. This aspect of the novel really helps the audience to relate to its meanings. Everyone goes through this kind of thing, especially teenagers. The group of characters in "The Great Gatsby" remind me of being in high school...everyone is fair game and anything goes.
Nick & Jordan
I have personally been wondering about the fact between Nick and Jordan and their relationship. Little is said of them, they both speak little and do not seem to play an important role in the heat of the action. They both act as witnesses to the madness; Nick recounts the story for the audience in his eyes. I'm curious as to why F. Scott Fitzgerald made Nick the narrator if he was not a major part in the theme and plot. Also, I wonder why neither of the two have elaborate backgrounds or characterization. Of course we are told a few things, but nothing near to what we know about Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby. I just find it interesting that the narrator of the story has little description and little role.
Internal Conflict - Daisy
"She hesitated. Her eyes fell on Jordan and me with a sort of appeal, as though she realized she had never, all along, intended doing anything at all. But it was done now. It was too late." pg 132
Daisy gives signs of great ambiguity throughout the entire novel. In the beginning, she seems content with her life with Tom. Even though he has a mistress, she is well-off with all the wealth she could ever want. I believe she constantly struggled with the idea to stay and be well-off with him, or to leave him. Her courage came when she met (re-met) Jay Gatsby and remembered her great love for him. But, in the passage above, Daisy makes the decision to stay with her husband and be loyal to him. It can be easily interpreted that she is unhappy and unsure of her decision and her current situation. These constant thoughts illustrate an internal conflict inside her..Gatsby or Tom?!?!?
Daisy gives signs of great ambiguity throughout the entire novel. In the beginning, she seems content with her life with Tom. Even though he has a mistress, she is well-off with all the wealth she could ever want. I believe she constantly struggled with the idea to stay and be well-off with him, or to leave him. Her courage came when she met (re-met) Jay Gatsby and remembered her great love for him. But, in the passage above, Daisy makes the decision to stay with her husband and be loyal to him. It can be easily interpreted that she is unhappy and unsure of her decision and her current situation. These constant thoughts illustrate an internal conflict inside her..Gatsby or Tom?!?!?
Tom - Dynamic Character
"In a little while I heard a low husky sob, and saw that the tears were overflowing down his face. The God dammned coward, he whimpered. He didn't even stop his car." pg 141
A dynamic character is one who changes in some way due to the story's action. This definition fits Tom's characteristics perfectly. Before the incident between Gatsby and Daisy and Myrtle's death, he was a gruff, arrogant, selfish man. He didn't care about anyone at all but himself. I think that when he found out about Daisy and Gatsby's relationship, he realized how much he actually really loved his wife. Then, like it is shown in the excerpt above, he felt complete sympathy for Wilson after the incident with Myrtle. He actually broke down and cried, something that was completely unexpected considering his mannerisms in the first half of the novel.
A dynamic character is one who changes in some way due to the story's action. This definition fits Tom's characteristics perfectly. Before the incident between Gatsby and Daisy and Myrtle's death, he was a gruff, arrogant, selfish man. He didn't care about anyone at all but himself. I think that when he found out about Daisy and Gatsby's relationship, he realized how much he actually really loved his wife. Then, like it is shown in the excerpt above, he felt complete sympathy for Wilson after the incident with Myrtle. He actually broke down and cried, something that was completely unexpected considering his mannerisms in the first half of the novel.
Gatsby --- Irony
"Was Daisy driving?....Yes, but of course I'll say I was. You see, when we left New York she was very nervous and she thought it would steady her to drive - " pg 143
There are many ironies throughout the novel that lead up to the one big one that illustrates the overall theme. One irony is that Wilson wants a car from Tom, a "relation" to his wife. Their relationship shows irony because its as if Tom is repaying him for letting him "use" his wife - although Wilson does not know about the situation. The main irony is the excerpt above. Daisy is forced to deal with knowing of Tom's mistress, so she loves Gatsby. Once Tom finds out, he is ironically angry even though he is cheating too. Their confrontation causes Daisy's "panic" so she drives in order to calm herself down. The root of the irony lies in the fact that Daisy was the person driving the car that hit Myrtle. The wife hit the husband's mistress..unknowingly of course.
There are many ironies throughout the novel that lead up to the one big one that illustrates the overall theme. One irony is that Wilson wants a car from Tom, a "relation" to his wife. Their relationship shows irony because its as if Tom is repaying him for letting him "use" his wife - although Wilson does not know about the situation. The main irony is the excerpt above. Daisy is forced to deal with knowing of Tom's mistress, so she loves Gatsby. Once Tom finds out, he is ironically angry even though he is cheating too. Their confrontation causes Daisy's "panic" so she drives in order to calm herself down. The root of the irony lies in the fact that Daisy was the person driving the car that hit Myrtle. The wife hit the husband's mistress..unknowingly of course.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)