A final review

 Frankenstein family, Elizabeth, Justine are static characters who serve only one purpose…to offer Victor’s motivation for killing the monster.  Henry Clerval is a static character who is a foil for Victor by showing how scientific and, often, un-Romantic Victor is.  Walton is Shelley’s device that allows Victor to tell his story.  Waldman is purely a catalyst for Victor to return to natural philosophy and continue his creation.  The Cottagers are the means through which the creature learns how to speak (so he can tell his story) and how to “socialize.”

 Frankenstein – has a very complex character change throughout the story, mainly because it covers his entire life. He evolves from being a happy and loving child to a science-obsessed youth, and eventually, a broken and wise man. The various sorrows he endures through his life, and his decade-long sense of guilt, wear him down until he is a prematurely aged and sickly man.  The Creature – He has no history, no family, nothing to help determine who he would become. He only develops a personality through the observation of others and books. He has no “God-given” tendencies because he was not created by God. He first feels lonely and rejected; he then observes the goodness in the cottagers and becomes good; but when they and all others spurn him, his rage and sorrow become unchecked and he begins his revenge. He literally becomes what society makes him, which is Shelley’s warning to the reader.

 The Modern Prometheus – Victor tries to take on the responsibility that only God should shoulder. It results in a creation that will only afflict and torment mankind.  Divine power of nature – Frankenstein finds a great sublime element in nature; it has restorative powers  Responsibility – All of Frankenstein’s woes are due to a lack of responsibility for his actions. He hides what he has done and shuns the creature he has made.  Isolation and acceptance – Frankenstein, his monster, and Walton all must deal with bouts of isolation and seeking acceptance from others.

 Consider Victor’s statement: “When I reflected on the work I had completed, no less a one than the creation of a sensitive and rational animal, I could not rank myself with the herd or common projectors…All my speculations and hopes are as nothing; and, like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained to eternal hell.” How does this establish Victor as a tragic hero?

 Victor began his research into the mystery of life with good intentions, and envisioned himself something like a God. Now, however, he realizes that he is much more like the Satan of Paradise Lost- having challenged the omnipotence of God and finding himself cast into Hell.

 On his deathbed, Victor admits that he had an obligation to make sure his creature had a happy life. What is ironic about the excuse he offers for not doing so?

 He says that his paramount obligation was to see to the welfare of his fellow humans, which is a concern he should have considered before embarking on his endeavor.

 How does the end of the novel justify the concentric levels of narration introduced at the beginning?

 Victor, the first-person narrator, cannot narrate his own death. Therefore, Shelley needs to invent a means of including this event in her narrative – hence Captain Walton and his letters to his sister.

 How is Victor similar to a tragic hero?

 He is of noble birth and has noble aspirations.  He thinks and feels intensely.  He has passionate aspirations and exhibits hubris.  The actions that result in his downfall and death are intended for good, but he does not clearly consider or understand their true consequences.  He feels intense suffering during his downfall.  Despite his noble character, he has a blind spot that slows him to commit errors in both action and judgement.  His errors, and the outcome of suffering spreads to those around him.  He dies as a result of his actions.

 Background notes on Frankenstein.  “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and Samuel Taylor Coleridge notes.  Class project presentation worksheets.  “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov – review characters and events  “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” by Mary Wollstonecraft Work together in a study group to prepare for tomorrow.