Van Helsing

"Urged thus far, I had no choice but to adapt my nature to an element which I had willing chosen" (pg 164). As portrayed directly from the monster himself, he initially had no intention to turn evil. He knew he was different, but craved for affection. The monster therefore had to hid himself from the rest of the world so he wouldn't scare or alarm people. Since I watch movies like it is my profession, I found an element of the monster that is similar to another movie. In Van Helsing, the Frankenstein monster, although green, greatly resembles the monster in his initial stage in Shelley's novel. The green monster hides himself so that he would not be discovered by the outside world. When his actually is discovered, the reaction to his appearance is almost exactly the same. The girl screams and yells "The Frankenstein monster!" The green monster becomes angry at the remark...and the rest is in the video. The monster is completely good and respects mankind, just like Shelley's monster.

ok well i cant find the clip but his is what the monster looks like in the movie.

Phantom...I mean Monster

"Never did I behold a vision so horrible as his face, of such loathsome, yet appalling hideousness" (pg 163). After finishing the entire novel, I could not help but think how similar some aspects of this novel are to the Phantom of the Opera. All the monster wanted was to have a companion and someone to love him. He started out gentle and kind, caring for his protectors. But after he was betrayed and shunned, he took a turn for the worst and resorted to revenge and crime. The same is true for the Phantom. He was cast from society because of a deformity of his face. After living so long in solitude below the opera house, he found a wanted companion in Christine. When Christine chooses Raoul over him, the Phantom vows vengeance and plots to kill Raoul and take Christine. At the conclusion of each work, both creatures feel remorse for their actions. The monster never receives forgiveness, but the Phantom allows Christine and Raoul to be together and vanishes for ever.

The two clips below shows how the Phantom puts Christine in a situation where she could either choose him and let Raoul live, or deny him and send Raoul to his death. This is pretty much the same situation with the monster giving Victor the choice to create a female creature and spare the rest of those dear to him or deny his wishes and suffer. The clips also show how the Phantom felt being an outcast in society and why he was driven to be so evil, just like the monster.




(out of the context of the whole movie, they're a little cheesy, I know. and the characters have to sing everything instead of just saying it haha)

Similar

"How all this will terminate, I know not; but I had rather die than return shamefully,--my purpose unfulfilled" (160). This line is written by Walton in a letter to his sister. I could not help but notice how similar this sort of determination is to Victor. Walton wanted so badly to complete his quest and be the first explorer to make it to the arctic circle; Victor was unresting until he took revenge on the monster and killed his creation. Both men fail to succeed in their goals. Walton's crew threatens him if he does not give the order to head south; Victor dies in his pursuit in the arctic. Both men also write to their families, specifically Walton's sister and Victor's cousin, in the subject of their whereabouts and well being. I find it very fitting that Walton frames Victor's story in a letter to his sister. Not only does it give the story a complex, intriguing structure of the novel, but it also points out the obvious parallels between Walton and Victor.

"Yet when I am dead, if he should appear; if the ministers of vengeance should conduct him to you, swear that he shall not live--swear that he shall not triumph over my accumulated woes and survive to add to the list of his dark crimes" (pg. 155). At first glance, readers might think that Victor is only helping himself get over the fact that he failed to kill the monster he created. When I first read this passage, I thought Victor's request was impossible to carry out. Although, there would be a reasonable assumption to think that the monster would remain close to Victor since he did so on their treacherous journey. No only did the monster want Victor to surely follow him, but he also left him taunting messages to ensure his journey. Therefore, one can assume that the monster would want to know where Victor was at all times in the case that he would return to health and continue his journey for revenge. I feel like the monster liked having Victor chase him all over the world because it gave him a sort of companionship. His wasn't 100% lonely because he knew Victor was chasing him close behind. The monster had a messed up mind due to the fact that he killed people who were dear to Victor then asked for forgiveness, and also that he kept egging him on in his chase.

IRONY!

"Oh, Frankenstein! generous and self-devoted being! what does it avail that I now ask thee to pardon me? I, who irretrievably destroyed thee by destroying all thou lovedst. Alas! he is cold, he cannot answer me" (pg 163). How ironic that the monster commits murder after murder in revenge against Victor only to ask for his forgiveness but find it is too late because Victor has died. After the De Laceys' rejection of him, the monster's moral compass takes a turn for the worst. He is not loved by anyone and shunned by all who lay eyes on him. Because of Victor's abandonment and refusal to create a female monster as a companion, the monster in fact turns into a monster and murders everyone dear to him. When he finally realizes what he has done, the monster's wish is to seek forgiveness from Victor who has already died. This ironic situation only adds to the monster's despair by once again denying him a simple request. It reiterates the fact that the monster in fact did suffer more than Victor although Victor's misfortunes were very grave indeed. I find it very fitting that the monster commits so many sins only to be denied receiving forgiveness thus prolonging his agony.

Dates

"Your affectionate and afflicted father, Alphonse Frankenstein Geneva, May 12th 17-." (pg. 47) Nowhere throughout the entire novel is the year ever specified. This little detail actually bugs me a lot because all I have to go off of in terms of dates is the month (like May, etc.) and the amount of time told by the speaker. For example, Victor describes his illness and the months and seasons that pass while he stays abed (pg. 39). Other than these descriptions, we have no real account for the time. I wish Shelley would have added the years in because it would have made the organization and keeping track of time easier, especially in regards to how long the monster was on his own. Also, I would like to know how much time collapsed between the letters at the beginning of the novel to when they found Victor in the arctic. An account of time would have been much easier to follow and would have bugged me less!

Free Range!

"I stepped fearfully in: the apartment was empty; and my bedroom was also freed from its hideous guest" (pg 38). If the monster is not in Victor's apartment, then where is he?! Months pass while Victor is sick and nothing is ever mentioned about the physical whereabouts of his creation. I could only imagine where he was and what he was doing. He obviously sticks out like a sore thumb so I would guess he tried to stay out of sight of people. It is not until later in the novel when we find out what he has been doing. Shelley creates a frame story where the monster is his own narrator. I find it very interesting that the creation possessed a level of knowledge and was able to communicate in an intelligent way. I'm curious to see where the novel is heading and why Victor ended up chasing the monster to the arctic.

More dialogue?

"Then he told me, that he would commence his narrative the next day, when I should be at leisure" (pg 13). Mary Shelley's style is one that I have few times come across in a literary work. She uses very little dialogue and relies heavily on frame stories. In the first twelve chapters, she uses at least three different levels of tales. The first is Walton's letters to his sister describing his adventures in the arctic. From the letters goes the "manuscript" (pg. 14) of Victor Frankenstein sharing his tale of his life up to that point. Then in Victor's story is his creation's account of his short life after his making. The only dialogue in the whole novel is short lines that the character telling the story couldn't describe through his own account. The characterization is mostly through the speaker's direct speech about a certain character. Therefore, readers must pay careful attention not only to detail, but must also stay focused on what account is being told.

Companionship

"'My children,' [Caroline] said, 'my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union'" (pg. 24). Although Victor and Elizabeth grow up together almost as siblings, they and the whole family are taught that they are not immediate family. Elizabeth addresses Caroline and Alphonse as aunt and uncle and Victor and his siblings as cousin. It is implied my Victor's mother's words on her deathbed that she intended for Victor and Elizabeth to marry, but I don't see how that union could ever be possible. The two basically grew up together. Even if they are not exactly related, their relationship seems too close for marriage. I feel like since the author puts so much emphasis on Elizabeth, an event will occur involving both Elizabeth and the monster. Going off the theme of death, it is possible that the monster will kill Elizabeth and Victor is chasing him in the arctic to avenge it. Then he tells his misfortunes to Walton and that is how the story begins.

Death

"Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world" (pg 32). One of the eminent themes so far in this book is death. Elizabeth's parents die which eventually leads her to live with the Frankensteins. Victor's mother dies after catching the fever Elizabeth had while taking care of her. Justine's, the servant, mother dies. William, the youngest Frankenstein brother, is murdered (pg. 47). An intelligent observation would be to assume that this theme will continue throughout the rest of the novel. I would guess that the monster will play a large role in this theme. Although when he is first created he is established to be a "gentle giant," I believe that his lack of companionship and giant structure signifying his differences from other people will compell him to the point of actually being a monster.

...

"Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves or something like that" (pg 182) I find it ironic that on multiple occasions, various people said that Gatsby had a bright future ahead of him. In the military, he was recognized for his accomplishments. In business, he was able to get ahead and make a handsome living. Although his future looked promising, it was ended. I very much enjoyed the book, but I am still trying to find Fitzgerald's reasoning for Gatsby's death. I think it was to have a final establishment of the theme: the shallowness of the people living the "high life." Even if Gatsby had material things in his life, the only people that showed up to his funeral or even cared about him were Nick, his father, and some random party guest. Daisy, the one person for whom he did everything he did, didn't even show up. I liked the novel, but I wish it could have ended differently. (at least Jordan and Nick could have stayed together!)

Ending?

"The minister glanced several times at his watch so I took him aside and asked him to wait for half an hour. But it wasn't any use. Nobody came." (pg 182 Nick speaking about Gatsby's funeral) These sentences pretty much sum up the theme of the book. When Gatsby threw parties, a great amount of people came. But when Nick informed them of Gatsby's funeral, no one came. His "friends", or more so party guests, used Gatsby for his house, his parties, and his liquor. They had no real concern for him, which is shown through their lack of attendence at his funeral. His funeral! After Gatsby's death, things pretty much fell apart. Tom and Daisy moved, Jordan and Nick broke up, and Nick moved back west. What happened happened and none of them looked back on it. They looked forward to start a new part of their lives.

Old Sport

"You know, old sport, I've never used that pool all summer?" "Do, old sport." (pg 161) Throughout the whole novel, Gatsby continually used "old sport" mostly when he was talking to Nick, and even a few times when he was talking with Tom. His using "old sport" symbolized his false appearance. Although not know until towards the end of the novel, Gatsby was not born with wealth or even into a high-standing family. He had to change his name and aquire his wealth on his own. He was never refined so therefore had to fake his upbringings, shown in one way through using old sport. When Gatsby and Tom are battling about Daisy in the hotel room, Tom calls Gastby out about his use of "old sport." "That's a great expression of yours, isn't it?" said Tom sharply..."All this 'old sport' business. Where'd you pick that up?" (pg 134) Gatsby never answers because Daisy cuts in. Overall, "old sport" is simple a motif for Gatsby's made-up life that he tries to hard to conceal.

Viewpoint

"Angry as I was, as we all were, I was tempted to laugh whenever he opened his mouth. The transition from libertine to prig was so complete." (pg. 137 Nick talking about Tom) The Great Gatsby is told (almost entirely) by Nick's narration. The audience perceives the actions through how Nick experiences and tells them. In the quote above, Nick is describing the scene when they are all in the hotel room and Tom and Gatsby are fighting about Daisy and every little thing they can think of. If the novel was narrated by either Gatsby or Tom, it would be biased and would not hold the same effect. But since Nick is the narrator, he is portraying the scene as a completely objective third-party viewer. This is also seen in the scene of Nick's tea party where Gatsby and Daisy are invited. He vaguely knew their background together so the whole thing seemed awkward. Then Nick steps outside so the readers don't know what happened between Gatsby and Daisy in Nick's absence. Nick's perspective on the novel was a major contributor to themes and attitude of the work as a whole.

High Life

"The rumor is," whispered Jordan, "that that's Tom's girl on the telephone." One of the themes of the book was trying to live the highlife and the shallowness of the people up there. For Gatsby to even be considered by Daisy, he had to change his name, come into a lot of money, buy a huge house and expensive things, and through lavish parties for so-called friends. (They also aid the theme by pretending to be Gatsby's "friends" but don't even show up to his funeral.) Just as James Gatz, Jay Gatsby had no social standing in the world. Daisy portrays her shallowness by her actions with her daughter and how she carries an affair with Gatsby. Although Daisy and Tom have a child, she is only mentioned a few times and is only physically in a scene once before being quickly lead away. It is almost as if she doesn't even have a daughter. Tom also shows the same trait. He takes a mistress, is obsessed with his social standings, and thinks people are inferior to him. Jordan could also be grouped in this highlife category. She doesn't really spend her time on anything but golf and maintaining her image. Because Nick is dating Jordan, is neighbors with Gatsby, and is cousins with Daisy, he sort of gets swept up in the highlife when he has no business being there. This is probably the reason why him and Jordan didn't work out.

The Green Light

"Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her" pg 98. Although I don't know exactly what the green light symbolizes, it absolutely has something to do with Gatsby and Daisy's relationship. At the beginning of the book, Nick shares how Gatsby stood at the back of his house reaching out to the green light. Maybe the green light is a symbol for Daisy. It has a way of drawing people in from sea just like she has a way of drawing people towards her by her voice. Gatsby reaches out to the light like he's reaching out to her. He obviously is still in love with her; that is why he become embarrassed and doesn't know how to act around her. Ever since their reacquainting, they have pretty much picked up where they left off. As the quote states, the light seemed to be near her and now he didn't have to reach out to it since she was with him again.

Gatsby

"If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of the intricate machines that register earthquakes then thousand miles away" pg. 7. As far as I have read in the book (up to Chapter 6), I still can't figure out Gatsby's character. At times he seems very reserved and polite, and at other times he's completely different. For example, while having tea at Nick's house with Daisy, Gatsby was taciturn, pale, and embarrassed. This is nothing like the confident, wealthy, young man that was described at the beginning of the novel. I also think at times he tries to impress people too much, especially Daisy. Its almost like he is trying to prove himself to her. Maybe he wants to show that she is as successful as her husband. Gatsby is a completely different person in love.

"I am the son of some wealthy people in the middle-west--all dead now. I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford because all my ancestors have been educated there for many years. Its a family tradition" pg. 69. Mostly all characterization in this novel is presented through Nick's words directly describing someone, or through a person's own words. The example above is part of Gatsby's description of himself right after he just met Nick. Since Nick serves as the narrator, it is only fitting that he is the one characterizing the people in the novel. Usually, he says exactly what the person is like which adds to his own character. By his own judgements of other characters, he provides an insight to readers of himself. What he thinks about Gatsby's parties, his reaction to Daisy's dinner party, how he acts around Jordan, and what he says about characters are just a few ways of how readers come to know Nick as well as other characters. His characterization helps to shape the novel as a whole. It is all based on Nick's descriptions and judgements.

Extravagant

"The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard--it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden" pg 9. Throughout the first half of the book, the author constantly adds numerous amounts of imagery to portray an element of the central theme. The theme centers around losing the American dream and Gatsby's house is a symbol for just that. From the description above, a reader can mentally picture what Gatsby's mansion looks like. He worked for three years to by that, another element of the American dream. All of Gatsby's, Daisy and Tom's, and the other upper class's possessions, all shown through extensive imagery, provide examples for the theme. Imagery also plays a large role when Gatsby shows Daisy the inside of his house after tea with Nick. It almost seems like he is showing off for her, proving that he is just as rich as her husband.

So Matter-of-Fact

"I decided to call to him. Miss Baker had mentioned him at dinner, and that would do for an introduction." pg. 25. Since Nick is the narrator of the novel, the readers are at his disposal. He is the one who portrays all of the information and events that are happening in the story. Nick has such a matter-of-fact tone that it seems like he is just stating information and illustrating his experiences. His tone puts a casual atmosphere to the novel like the readers are right there along with Nick as he is experiencing the novel's events. Since the story is mostly about Gatsby and not Nick's life, he is explaining the events of Gatsby's life that he is seeing. He doesn't know what Gatsby is thinking or feeling; he only has what Gatsby looks like or how he's acting. Therefore, the matter-of-fact tone is appropriate for this novel because its not about Nick's life. He really is just stating facts.

Happy (who's not always so happy)

I felt so sorry for Happy throughout the entirety of the play. He is constantly shoved into the background behind Biff not only in high school, but also when they are grown men. In high school, Biff was the star athlete, and Happy was just the younger brother who got to carry his gear. Biff was always in the limelight and his father's sight, where Happy had to constantly draw awareness to himself so his father would notice him. When the boys grew up, Willy was still concerned with Biff. Ever since Biff found out that Willy had been cheating on his mom, Willy had been trying to get his forgiveness and make up with his son. He wanted Biff to be successful, rich, and have a better life than he did. He wanted that life for Happy too, but he never expressed those feelings. At one point in the play, Happy announces that he's getting married, and no one even says congratulations or acknowledges it. Happy was always just Biff's younger brother.

Suspense

Dramatic suspense is present throughout the play. Just by looking at the title Death of a Salesman, I couldn't wait to find out who dies (or if someone even dies). Then, Willy's suicide attempts are hinted to when Linda informs Biff about Willy's accidents and how the insurance people said it wasn't an accident, but an intentional act. After this point in the play, Willy's mind is portrayed as more unstable which adds to the dramatic suspense to see if he is going to succeed in killing himself. Once again, Linda discovers another fact that hints to the supposition that Willy wants to die. She finds a hose attached to the furnace or some utility machine in the cellar which could not be good for one's health. I think Linda knows Willy will eventually become successful, and she does everything in her power to stop him. In the end, Willy takes his life by getting into an accident and there is no more suspense in the play.

realistic?

Throughout this play, there were aspects of both realism and unrealism. The lives of the characters and some of their experience can be seen as real, while the flashbacks and visuals experienced by Willy are not realistic at all. The Loman family in the flashbacks to when the boys were in high school can be compared to real life families at that time in history. They had a father who worked, a mother who stayed at home and took care of the house, and two boys who liked to be boys and play sports. Even when Happy and Biff left after high school, the family can still be seen as normal. Biff and Willy had their problems, and were unable to sort them out. Problems like that exist in reality.
The unrealistic parts of the play were when Ben would appear to Willy at parts in the play. Willy had no idea that Ben was just an imaginary character and would carry on a conversation out loud with him even when there were people around. I guess the unrealistic parts were there scenes with Willy's messed up mind that kept trying to live in the past.

Tom

To me, I really like how this play is very informal. At the beginning, Tom comes out and directly addresses the audience. He says, "I am the narrator of the play, and also a character in it." In a regular Shakespeare play, no actor would come out and talk like they are carrying on a conversation with the audience. There might be soliloquies or speeches that sum up an act or something in the play like Iago in Othello, but never would there be a character like Tom. I feel like this would add an extra dramatic effect to the work as a whole. Here you have a character that addresses you, but also interacts with the other characters on stage. Tom is sort of like the mediator between the audience and the stage characters. He helps us to be more in touch with Amanda and Laura to feel more emotions (and at times to feel more emotions with Tom).

Imagination

When reading the play, there are a lot of side notes and stage directions. The author specifically writes what he wants the actors to do and what he wants the stage to look like. Being said, the stage is not exceptionally decorated. There are a few props and the writer repeatedly makes note of the fire escape and landing, but other than these things, there is not a lot of exquisiteness. I think the author did this so that the audience would focus more on the meaning of the play rather than the stage. Although in some plays a stage is essential, in this one, the author moves beyond it. In certain scenes, like in scene 2, some spotlights illuminate certain objects. In scene 2, the picture of the father is lit up to so a significant value and to make Tom's point stronger. I think that seeing this play acted out would be really enjoyable.

Realistic? yes.

As far as I have gotten in the play (Scene 5), everything about it has been realistic. From Tom having to work at a warehouse to support his family to Amanda's almost crazy actions, the play is able to be related to and therefore, in my eyes, realistic. Even the conversations between the characters seem real. Amanda has trouble with her son and in Scene 1 feels deceived that her daughter lied to her about not going to college. In real life, parents at one point have trouble with their children. Since the emotions can be related to, at times, readers can be sympathetic or angry or whatever towards the characters. I cannot wait for the gentleman caller to come to dinner because I am very anxious to see how Laura acts. I think that in the two scenes to come, the actions of the characters will continue to mirror reality.

Thoughts...

Act V was one of the most important acts, and I feel like it happened extremely fast. Cassio and Roderigo got in a fight, then the next scene is Othello standing over Desdemona getting ready to kill her V.i.80. I wish Shakespeare would have taken more time to draw up the loose ends and explain things more. It would have added more dramatic irony if Iago would have unraveled and the audience would get the other characters' reactions. I liked how Emilia was the one who figured everything out. She went from being just Iago's annoying wife to a major part of the play. Without her, Iago's plan most likely would've worked and the whole work would end differently.

No One Dead Yet

Although I have already answered this question in the blog over acts I-III, I feel like some of the questions or guesses I posed have been answered or resolved. Like previously states, this play is a tragedy. I am very surprised Shakespeare waited until Act V to have someone die. I feel like he decided to do this to add suspense to the play and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Also, feel like the suspense added to Iago's plan and how long he could keep it up without getting caught. Eventually, Iago's plan started to crumble once the first person died. With each dead person, Iago was put farther and farther in a hole until he was caught. Because the play was a tragedy, someone had to die, but I thought Iago would be dead too.

Othello- Stage

By only reading a play, readers get a sense of understanding about the plot and some aspects of the characters. Adding various physical effects definitely adds to the advancement of the play. Only reading the story seems one dimensional. For example, when we watched a scene from the movie Othello today in class, we got to see emotions and facial features. We saw Othello have his convulsions which made me realize how upset he really was about Desdemona. I think Shakespeare did a fine job with stage directions and stage actions. They are just better shown through physical actions acted out on stage. With these actions, I fell like the play is better understood and, at times, enjoyed by the audience.

Pawns

Iago's character amazes me. I cannot believe how he has his plan so precisely mapped out. Not only is he plotting against Othello and Cassio, but he is also using Roderigo as a pawn in his game. It seems like everything Iago anticipates to happen or wants to happen, happens. Everything is going according to his plan. I feel like it is only a matter of time before something goes wrong and he is found out. I predict that Desdemona will be the one to figure it out since Cassio puts too much faith in every body and Othello's mind will be clouded with either love, hatred, or something else. Its just a matter of time to find out.

A Shakespeare tragedy. What's new?

Being a Shakespeare tragedy, the audience is safe to assume that someone is going to die. Like in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Mark Antony plots to kill Caesar which eventually leads to the death of Caesar. Since Othello is the protagonist, I think Shakespeare brilliantly foreshadows his death through some of his hidden clues. Not only does the play bring on a feeling of hinted sadness, the audience gets a feeling of suspense about what Iago is going to do next to plot against Othello. At the end of each act, Iago speaks alone which alludes to the fact that those are his true feelings (I.iii.364-384, II.iii.345-351). As a reader, I have come to anticipate Iago's words to see how they will advance the plot and judge if his plan indeed will work. I believe Othello, Desdemona, or Cassio will end up dead and Iago will eventually get what he's been working towards.

Realistic? Really?

Throughout Shakespeare's Othello (only Acts I-III so far), the author constantly conveys the play in a realistic manner. On the spectrum from literalistic imitation of reality to stylized or surrealistic representation, Othello falls very close to the realistic end. The events that take place, for example Cassio getting drunk and starting a fight with Montano (II.iii.135-145), are very possible to happen in the real world both in the time of Shakespeare and in our world today. Portraying the play like it was something that was (and still is to an extent) very possible to happen in real life enables the audience to relate to the events in the play. Desdemona's going behind her father's back and marrying Othello without his consent (I.i.165) has been a reoccurring event both in literature and in life. Anne Boleyn was secretly betrothed to Lord Henry Percy without her parents' knowledge before she was instructed to make her move on the king. Also, Iago's jealousy of Cassio and plotting to place himself in a higher position is a common theme that most of the audience can relate to by being a common human feeling. Since Shakespeare made Othello so relatable to life, his play is definitely on the realistic end of the spectrum.