Sunday, 24 November 2013

Frankenstein- Chapter 8 Reading Journal

Overview:
Justine is put to trial and is found guilty of the murder of William. This is mainly because she confessed to the crime but she says that she 'confessed a lie.' This is important because you see how this tortures Frankenstein's character. Justine is then killed for the crime but even with the strong facts that place Justine there, Frankenstein is still convinced that his own creature killed William.

Point 1:
In 2 years, Frankenstein has met his creature twice so it is clear he has no idea what his character is like. He makes many presumptions about him which are based on only his imagination. Frankenstein first calls him a 'creature', then he calls him a 'monster' and finally he's labelled a 'demon.' As this book is mainly narrated by Frankenstein we know that there is no substance to the accusations. The connotations of the word demon are of the religious figure who is the most evil and sinful creature there is- this is a really cruel way of describing him. It is also odd because there is  no mention of Frankenstein being religious and usually religion and science aren't compatible. He also seems more haunted by things in the past which were merely scientific to him-'bodies deprived of life... had become food for the worm' but this is referred to when he says 'I...felt the never-dying worm alive in my bosom.' This shows an attitude change from seeing things from a scientific perspective to him talking from a traumatic perspective, therefore creating the book to be more gothic.

Point 2:
Chapter 8 ends with Frankenstein saying that William and Justine are 'the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts.' Frankenstein refers to himself as the murderer throughout this chapter- 'I, the true murderer'- expresses his certainty that he has created a monster who is a murderer. There is no proof to back up this certainty and it seems as though he is going off a feeling. This is unusual for his character because you would expect a scientist to work with the facts rather than on a whim. There is an almost a self pitying tone as he believes all that's gone wrong to be his fault, he says 'the tortures of my own heart' which uses romantic language, thus creating it to sound slightly melodramatic. He also calls them the 'first' presumably suggesting that there will be more victims that the creature will supposedly kill. A common element in a gothic novel is that all the main characters die so we can make an educated guess that Frankenstein, Elizabeth and probably the creature will die.

Friday, 22 November 2013

Frankenstein- Chapter 7 Reading Journal

Overview:
Frankenstein receives a letter from his father telling him that his youngest brother, William, has been murdered. He rushes home but finds that the closer he gets, he finds that he has too many feelings and has to stay in Lausanne for a couple of days. He then decides to walk to his town but all of a sudden see's the creature he created. He becomes determined and resolute that he is the person that killed William and when he finally arrives, tells them this. He's told that Justine has been arrested for the murder, yet still he doesn't believe it.

Point 1:
It seems that over the past 6 years, Frankenstein has isolated himself from his family. Finally when he is told that his brother has been killed, he makes his way home. However, when his family is grieving and they need him to be there, he can't bring himself to return home. He says 'At first I wished to hurry on, for I longed to console and sympathise with my loved and sorrowing friends; but when I drew near my native town, I slackened my progress. I could hardly sustain the multitude of feelings that crowded into my mind... fear overcame me; I dared not advance, dreading a thousand nameless evils that made me tremble, although I was unable to define them... I remained two days in Lausanne, in this painful state of mind.' In chapter 6, Elizabeth can just about stop herself from going to Frankenstein to help him recover, yet it seems that he can't even bring himself to get to his family. This reminds the reader of the way that he treated the creature that he created, suggesting that his caring nature has been taken away since this incident. It may also foreshadow the meeting with his creature.

Point 2:
For the first time in 2 years, Frankenstein is confronted with his creature- 'A flash of lightening illuminated the object, and discovered it's shape plainly to me; it's gigantic stature, and the deformity of it's aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon, to whom I had given life.' Shelley uses cruel language to describe the creature, immediately telling the reader that Frankenstein still despises the creature for what it has done to him. His mind jumps to the conclusion that the monster has killed his brother and he believes that just because he's had the thought it must be true. In fact, he convinces himself so much that he wishes Justine to be acquitted, even though there is more evidence suggesting that she did it then the creature did. Frankenstein has had barely any contact with this creature but believes him to be a 'demon' because of the trauma he went through.

Frankenstein- Chapter 6 Reading Journal

Overview:
Chapter 6 begins with a letter from Elizabeth which mainly tells him of what he has missed but begins and ends with her wishing him to write to tell her that he's better. By this chapter, he is much better but still feels frightened of science. Instead of returning home, he decides to stay with Henry and you are told more about their friendship.

Point 1:
Frankenstein receives a letter 'from (his) own Elizabeth'. Even though at the beginning of the book he suggests that his possession of Elizabeth was just 'childish seriousness', it doesn't seem that he grew out of it and as he still seems to believe she is his possession. Elizabeth's letter creates a multi-voice narrative which allows the reader to see him from a different perspective. She says that 'one word from you, dear Victor, is necessary to calm our apprehensions', showing her affection for him as it is written in a worried tone. It is suggested that she loves him also more than a brother as she says 'the task of attending on your sick bed has devolved on some mercenary old nurse, who could never guess your wishes, nor minister to them with the care and affection of your poor cousin.' This seems more than a sisters duty and suggests that there is something more. However, there seems to be a bitter tone when she repeats the phrase 'since you left us' which can be interpreted as her feeling like he has abandoned her rather than the real reason of him leaving which was for educational purposes. She ends the letter by saying 'one word will be a blessing to us', yet it seems like she is writing for selfish purposes rather than writing from all the family, perhaps a misuse of the word 'us'.

Point 2:
Even after the heart felt letter from Elizabeth, he still does not return home. It seems that he still is not recovered as there is a semantic field of torture. He uses words and phrases such as 'tormented', 'slow and cruel death', 'writhed' and 'pain.' This enforces the idea that science which has been his passion, has turned into something cruel and has power or possession over him. This is similar to the possession he has over Elizabeth so this could bring in the gothic genre because it may be something supernatural that is torturing him for assuming possession of a person. His love of science stemmed from the nature that surrounded his home from a young age so it is interesting that he would be restored by nature when you would expect it to bring back memories. He describes himself as 'the same happy creature' which again reminds us of his own creature who he has abandoned and given no thought to, perhaps making the reader dislike him that he can be happy when he has done something awful.

Thursday, 21 November 2013

Frankenstein- Chapter 5 Reading Journal

Overview:
Frankenstein finishes his creature but rather than the relief he expected, he suddenly feels horror at what he's done. When he realises this, he runs away from the creature and quite literally bumps into his old friend. As they are catching up, Frankenstein becomes very ill for a long time.

Point 1:
Frankenstein has 'an anxiety that almost amounted to agony' when he was waiting to see if his creature will actually come to life. It becomes clear that beauty plays an important part as he immediately is sickened by the 'creature' which he now takes to calling a 'monster'. His description of this creature is 'his yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips... I rushed out of the room.' He fixes on his creatures appearance, perhaps meaning that because he deems him ugly he can't be around him. Appearance has been used before to describe his feelings towards someone, showing the importance he puts into this. He describes Elizabeth's physical beauty- 'there was one which attracted my mother far above all the rest. She appeared of different stock... this child was thin, and very fair. Her hair was the brightest living gold, and... seemed to set a crown of distinction on her head... bearing a celestial stamp in all her features.' This is completely contrasting to the description of the creature. He loves his 'more than sister' but hates the 'monster' that he has created.

Point 2:
Shelley describes both Frankenstein and the creature similarly. The creature is described as having a 'shrivelled complexion' and when Frankenstein meets  his friend, Clerval says 'I did not before remark how very ill you appear; so thin and pale.' Frankenstein views his creature as some sort of monster even though he hasn't actually done anything to be given this title, yet is Frankenstein not a monster for creating a life and then abandoning it? The creature is also said to have 'a convulsive motion (agitating) it's limbs',  the exact same thing happens to Frankenstein, 'every limb became convulsed.' There is a definite likeness between their characters, this either symbolises Frankenstein's character to be monstrous or it could be like the creature, he may have been brought back to life- realising that what he did is wrong and waking up from something that possessed him for 2 years.  We feel more sympathy for his character when it seems that he has become mentally disturbed by what he has done as he 'did not recover his senses for a long, long time.'

Frankenstein- Chapter 4 Reading Journal

Overview:
Chapter 4 is dominated by his experimenting and how this leads to his isolation. He hasn't written to his family, he becomes weak and he still drives towards his ultimate goal. Themes of isolation, friendship and power seem prominent in this chapter.

Point 1:
Early on in the chapter Frankenstein says that 'in M.Waldman (he) found a true friend'. This is important for our impression of Frankenstein's character because he's already told us that it is hard for him to make friends. Even though he makes a friend, this man is significantly older than him, meaning that their friendship seems to be a mature one. Had he made friends with a student, it is unlikely that he would've been able to gain the knowledge and therefore his life ending in regret. This isn't the first time that the theme of friendship has arisen, Robert Walton says in his letter 'I have no friend'. Both these men are similar because they have voluntarily pushed themselves into isolation while striving for victories, yet their human nature still means that they want someone to share this with. Even though Frankenstein does have a friend, he doesn't feel that he can tell Waldman about his experimenting. The last letter explains that they both find a friend in each other as Frankenstein finally tells someone what he has done.

Point 2:
Nature seems to be a common theme within this chapter. He marks the time that he has spent in isolation by the passing seasons- 'Winter, spring and summer passed away during my labours.' He refers to this more than once through the chapter, meaning that he emphasises this as an important point. He also talks of 'supernatural horrors' which enforces the Gothic genre. Although Shelley has made it this genre, she purposely tells us that Frankenstein isn't scared of the stereotypes that we have of it. The effect that this has is interesting because he isn't scared of a 'spirit' or a 'churchyard' which gives a darkness to his character. It is because he isn't scared of them that this brings in the idea of a psychological character. This is later reinforced when he sets out on making a human being and deluding himself that he will be praised for this, as he completely disregards the moral issues surrounding his idea.

Point 3:
The theme of 'power' emerges as he believes this is what he has when he 'began the creation of a human being'. The tone of this chapter almost turns cocky as he begins praising himself for his creation- 'No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs'. This shows that there is no doubt in his mind that he will be able to achieve the impossible and also talks of how he deserves their gratitude, as though people will see him as some sort of God.

Frankenstein- Chapter 3 Reading Journal

Overview:
Frankenstein decides to study at a university in Germany but it has to be postponed when Elizabeth becomes sick and then when his mother attends to her, becomes sick also and as a result dies. When Frankenstein finally gets there, he goes to M. Waldman's lecture and this is what gives him the inspiration for his creature. 

Point 1:
This chapter is arguably the most important chapter because this is when he gets the idea to create a creature. It isn't told that this is what he wants to do but it is alluded too. He is a self conscious narrator as he keeps relating back to what the eventual ending is- 'enounced to destroy me.' The theme of obsession hasn't taken hold of the narrative yet but we know that it is going to happen soon as from the letters in the beginning, it is clear this is how the novel ends.There is emphasis on the passage when he gets the idea- 'Such were the professor's words- rather let me say such the words of fate, enounced to destroy me. As he went on, I felt as if my soul were grappling with a palpable enemy; one by one the various keys were touched which formed the mechanism of my being: chord after chord was sounded, and soon my mind was filled with one thought, one conception, one purpose... I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation... There only remained a resolution to return to my ancient studies, and to devote myself to a science for which I believed myself to possess a natural talent.' He gives nothing away about what he is going to do which leaves the reader in suspense. It is also interesting that within the same chapter, his mother dies. This may be why he then decides to try and create life, because he wasn't able to save his mothers- could be because of trauma.

 Point 2:
Shelley uses a lot of romantic language, especially when talking of M. Waldman. He is describes him as 'mild and attractive' and ' affability and kindness'. It seems that it was this professor that not only gave him the idea but then 'explained to (him) the uses of his various machines'. It is therefore surprising that he talks of him with affection because this is what lead to his downfall. Yet it was his father that he seemed to blame who had a lot less to do with what determined his future. This could be because Waldman describes him as his 'disciple', meaning that Frankenstein may look to him as his leader. Earlier in the chapter he says that his life had 'been remarkably secluded and domestic... (he) believed (himself) totally unfitted for the company of strangers' which may be why he seeked solace in his professor but made no other friends and became more isolated than he had ever been. This chapter ends with the sentence 'Thus ended a day memorable to me: it decided my future destiny'.  This tells us that we are probably going to be told about the incident that he keeps referring to.   

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Frankenstein- Chapter 2 Reading Journal

Overview:
 Shelley begins with a contrasting description between Elizabeth who is calmer and more poetical than Frankenstein, who has always been curious in science. This leads into how this curiosity and passion led to him researching about it. His love of Natural Philosophy is the foundation to both his personality and to what happens.

Point 1:
Shelley uses Frankenstein as the main narrator of the book because he is writing it in the present and this means that he can pick out features of his past that he deems important to the story. His upbringing and the way he is socialised is important to the story because this is when he learns what is right and wrong. He says that his 'parents were passed in considerable seclusion. It was my temper to avoid a crowd.' This foreshadows the way that he isolates and secludes himself from everyone. He also says that his 'parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness'. It is interesting that he uses the word 'possessed' because this makes them sound as though they were almost obsessed by it which shows a very similar correlation between him and his parents. It also brings in the Gothic element to the book as the connotation of possession is when a mystical third party magically manipulates a person.We only hear praises of his parents, yet he says 'My father looked carelessly at the title page of my book, and said 'Ah! Cornelius Agrippa! My dear Victor, do not waste your time upon this; it is sad trash.' If, instead of this remark, my father had taken the pains to explain to me that the principles of Agrippa had been entirely exploded, and that a modern system of science had been introduced...I should certainly have thrown Agrippa aside, and have contented my imagination, warmed as it was, by returning with greater ardour to my former studies. It is even possible that the train of my ideas would never have received the fatal impulse that led to my ruin.' This passage actually shows Frankenstein blaming his father for what has happened to him, yet it is impossible that his father knew that a small remark would've created Frankenstein's life to be terrible. This perhaps shows that he is reluctant to take responsibility for what he created and is so reminiscent in the first few chapters about his past because he is trying to discover or blame someone else.

Point 2:
Frankenstein makes a point of saying that he has few friends which means that he can talk of each in quiet a lot of detail. From these descriptions it sounds as though they all have very similar personalities. The first friend that we hear of is in the letters that begin the book. This part is narrated by Robert Walton, so rather than hearing a description of him from Frankenstein, it is him talking about himself with means that there is no real bias on his character. Robert Walton 'became a poet, and for one year lived in a Paradise of (his) own creation'. He uses romantic language which backs up the point of him wanting to be a poet and this shows a direct contrast between their characters. The second friend we hear of is Elizabeth and 'she busied herself with following the aerial creations of the poets; and in the majestic and wondrous scenes which surrounded our Swiss home'. The third friend that Shelley tells us about is Henry Clerval who was 'deeply read in books of chivalry and romance. He composed heroic songs, and began to write many a tale of enchantment and knightly adventure.' All of his friends have very similar attributes and are the opposite of him. This suggests that perhaps he doesn't like himself or maybe his own attributes and wouldn't want to surround himself in people that are like him. This also means that he has no one that he can really relate to and therefore leads to his isolation when he becomes passionate about science. However, it does seem that he having this kind of friends has some kind of effect on him as he uses words such as 'fate' and 'destiny' which seems strange for a scientist who believes in facts.

Frankenstein- Chapter 1 Reading Journal

Overview:
Chapter 1 tells the readers about Frankenstein's past. This is not only his childhood, but also of how his parents met and later married. This chapter is important for the rest of the book because it helps the readers to understand some of the things that occur later in the book and perhaps manipulates our feelings towards these.

Point 1:
It is important that we find out that Frankenstein had a very happy upbringing. Both his parents loved him dearly and although for a while he was an only child, he later had a brother and sister who he was also very close to- 'I remained for several years their only child... they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of affection from a very mine of love to bestow them upon me. My mothers tender caresses, and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure... I was their plaything and their idol.' This highlights a direct contrast between the way that Frankenstein was brought up by his parents and the way that he treats the creature that he created is the polar opposite to this. The language used is also similar to the incident that happens later. He describes himself as a 'helpless creature' and 'what they owed towards the being to which they had given life'. The word 'creature' suggests a being that isn't human and is later used to describe his own creation. Shelley also uses the phrase 'given life' which is exactly what he does, yet he feels no sense of responsibility or obligation as he runs away from his creation.

Point 2:
We first hear of 'Elizabeth Lavenza' which is his adopted sister. It is important to remember this as they later on marry. Shelley writes a description of when Frankenstein first meets Elizabeth- 'My mother said playfully-'I have a pretty present for my Victor- tomorrow he shall have it.' And when, on the morrow, she presented Elizabeth to me as her promised gift, I, with childish seriousness, interpreted her words literally, and looked upon Elizabeth as mine- mine to protect, love and cherish... a possession of my own... my more than sister.' The thing that is most striking from this passage is that he calls her his 'possession' which implies that he owns her. This shows his protective side and could contribute to why he runs away from his creature, because he is trying to protect himself. It could also suggest the theme of jealousy as he calls her 'mine' meaning no one else can have her. He also calls her his 'more than sister' which suggests that he has always had these feelings that are more than sisterly love for her which is proved when he marries her.

Saturday, 9 November 2013

Macbeth- Act 5 Reading Journals

-Act 5, Scene 1 is a very important scene for Lady Macbeths character. This is because we really see her with a mental illness, establishing her as a human character, rather than a 'fiend-like queen.' It is demonstrated that she isn't coping as she sleep walks, the Doctor asks 'when was it when she last walked?'. She then enters herself, sleepwalking but also giving away her true emotions. She says 'out, damned spot!'- this implies a spot of blood that she can't get off her hand, alluding to the murders that she partook in. She then goes back to bed but not without convincing the audience of her remorse, making us confront our own morals about whether or not we should feel sympathy for her character.

-Scene 2 is shorter, Menteth, Cathness, Angus, Lennox and Soldiers are all talking of the battle ahead. Describing 'those (Macbeth) commands move only in command, nothing in love' suggesting that everyone is scared of him and that perhaps if they get the chance, they will desert him. This is an important scene because we truly see what others opinions of him are and the true extent to which they hate him. This almost detaches us from his character, allowing us to weigh up what we really think of him.

-Scene 3 shows Macbeth throwing his weight around a bit, he insults the Servant at any chance he can get. He calls him a 'cream-faced loon', a 'lily-livered boy', 'whey-face'- emphasising his belief that he is untouchable. He was told that 'none of women born shall harm' him- meaning he thinks he cannot be harmed and so shall never die. He wants his armour on but when Seyton says 'tis not needed yet' Macbeth says 'I'll put it on' which is strange because even though he doesn't need it, he wants to wear this heavy armour. This could suggest that he's being brave and getting motivated for the battle or that he is a coward and trying to cover himself up and protect himself from everyone. As an after thought, he asks 'how does your patient?' meaning his wife. He simply says 'cure her of that', with no emotion what so ever, as if he doesn't really care. This makes us dislike Macbeth more as we have started to feel sympathy for his wife.

-Scene 4 is a short scene, Malcolm wants the soldiers to dress as part of 'the wood of Birnan' to camouflage them in battle. We know that this was one of the prophesies that Macbeth doesn't believe, suggesting that all the others will come true.

-In Scene 5, Macbeth is told that Lady Macbeth is dead. He gives an emotionless and detached response saying- 'she should have died hereafter'- implying that she was always going to die anyway. He has a bleak tone throughout this scene, says that 'life's but a walking shadow.' It almost sounds as thought he has given up with his cause and ultimately his life. After this, he is told that 'the wood began to move', proving that the prophecies are beginning to come true, perhaps making him fearful.

-Scene 6 displays much death, Macbeth kills Young Seyward and then he meets Macduff. Macbeth tries to fight Macduff but then he says 'I will not yield', demonstrating that he perhaps shows some remorse and realising when he is beaten. Macduff then kills him but then re-enters with Macbeths head, indicating that he may not be any better than Macbeth as he has so gruesomely killed and slaughtered him. At the end of the scene, we hear that Lady Macbeth 'by self and violent hands took off her life', implying that she has committed suicide. We only feel more sympathy for her because she was so riddled with guilt and to some extent feel sympathy for Macbeth as he death was very brutal.

Macbeth- Act 4 Reading Journals

- Act 4, Scene 1 opens with the witches- reminding the audience of the supernatural elements. They chant things using rhyme and then Hecat is reintroduced. Hecats attitude changes significantly from the first time she is introduced, she scolds them almost as if they are her children -'How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth' to her praising their good work, again like they are her children- 'O well done! I commend your pains.' Macbeth then enters the scene and the witches magic up apparitions which is the first time that we see them do magic- although it is suggested in the past. 

-Although they prophesise his future again, this time it is more of a warning which Macbeth decides not to believe. This scares him so much that when Lennox enters he says to him 'give to the edge o'the sword his wife, his babes, and all the unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.' Macduff is in England so he can't protect his wife and children.

- Scene 2 shows that no time is wasted as it opens with Macduffs wife, his son and Ross. Already knowing the information we know, it is clear that this is going to be the scene where they are murdered. His wife says to Ross 'to leave his wife, to leave his babes, his mansion and his titles, in a place from whence himself does fly? He loves us not.' This almost foreshadows what is going to happen, as if she knows that something is going to happen as he has left everything he loves in a dangerous place. The murderers then enter, killing all of Macduff's family.

-Scene 3 is the last but the longest scene of the act. It shows Macduff being told that his family has been killed, but he almost does believe it. He repeats what Ross tells him- 'my children too?', 'my wife killed too?', 'all my pretty ones? did you say all?'. We know that there is going to be some sort of revenge because he says 'let grief convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.'- It's clear that he is going to go after Macbeth, along with the prophecies, it is likely that he will kill him.