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.