Wika what?-my first reaction to the ending

"My spirit will sleep in peace..." Page 211

Okay let's talk about this ending. The parts that made me really mad

First Victor stays up all night on his honeymoon to protect Elizabeth. He checks in every nook and cranny and this protection is really cute...until he misses the window. WHAT? He misses the window? Elizabeth should of bought a guard dog, perhaps he wouldn't of missed the window.

Then the monster turns into a coward. I mean if one is going to be evil and kill everyone stand the ground by your window and finish the job. I sincerely doubt Victor could of hurt the monster.

I'm glad that Walter learns from this story and decides to quench his drive for exploration. I am sad that he lost his friend but then I was freaked out again. The monster magically appears after the death, I mean how scary is that? and then the final straw that broke this story's back: the monster gets to make this great speech at the end over the dead body of his enemy. He wins and gets to talk about himself.

Booo

and Henry died...my favorite chracter

Jumping from frame to frame

"I shall collect my funeral pile and consume to ashes this miserable frame" Page 210

I would like to travel the frames from the outside frame to the inner frame discussing the characters as I go.

Walter-

I personally liked Walter this whole time. He was able to learn from Frankenstein and turn away from the dangerous journey he was on. I'm sure his sister was pleased.

Victor-

Victor is the character that I associate the theme duty and doubling with the most. His entire life is duty, if that's his science, his travels or his love with his family. He always at least attempts to put his purpose and others before him. I especially liked when he didn't want to marry Elizabeth because he wanted to protect her (awwwww).

The monster- My least favorite character. He gets so angry at his creator for rejecting him, and that's fair. However why he thought force would get him what he wanted I fail to grasp. Hasn't he learned anything from all of terrible things his rage has cased? If he hadn't of killed William perhaps Victor would of made him a wife right then and there. Then at the end he runs like a coward. Yuk

Safie-She at least wins as well. All she loses is a garden and a cottage.

Why the monster is EVIIIIIIL *lighting strike*

"A ghastly grin wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me" Page 159

Now it seems like one turning discussion of this book is weather or not the monster was born evil or if he learned his evil ways. I would like to argue that he was born evil, he simply needed a catalyst to bring that anger to surface. I saw this once he was learning from his books. He debates with himself about the murders that humans commit and he states "but when I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased and I turned away with disgust and loathing." page 114. However he becomes fascinated with bloodshed, trickery and vice. He isn't really disgusted, he simply connects with it. Once he's gripping William he resorts to instinct and kills him. He doesn't plan to kill the child and in this act alone he turns his murder away from a taught skill to a natural skill. He might claim that he learned anger from humanity but lets be honest the violent murderous rage he has is completely self-taught or from instincts. He just wishes it wasn't from him, how horrible it would be to look horrible and to be horrible as well.

A change of mind and purpose

"I dare not trust myself to question but which was intermixed with obscure forebodings of evil that made my heart sicken in my bosom" Page 157

Applause ladies and gentleman for the wonderful man Victor. It seems that he has changed his body and soul from the beginning of the novel. Where at the beginning he dove into his work, pouring over his studies, dead body parts and theories. I'm glad to see that he learned something after losing his brother, partially causing the death of an innocent person and losing months of health. One of the themes of the work is how the creation of life is sacred and I really think this is where that theme comes full circle. And Victor is able to see the causes of his works, he learns to see life as Henry does (my favorite character I'm SO glad he dies). If there's anything good that comes out of this book is that Victor stands up and doesn't drag himself into his science this one time.

Safie...Sopie...Sulfur...what's her name

"Felix seemed ravished with delight when he saw her" Page 112

The inner frame of this story is the story of Safie and Felix. At first I thought that this story was kind of random. Then I realized there were all sorts of parallels between Safie and the monster (oh boy oh boy oh boy). Once Safie appears into the lives of the cottage dwellers their lives spark up. The monster notes on how much happier they seem instead of they're constant sighing and looking off into the distance (how annoying). This is not the case for the monster. Even though he shares the same dark locks as Safie when he meets the family he only is hit with a stick. He is hit with a stick multiple times. I think it's interesting to point out how beauty/looks aren't everything. Even though Safie isn't assaulted each time she hangs the with the family she is a slow learner when it comes to French. The monster kicks but on learning the launguage and is able to read several books on the side.

Perhaps these chracters even match up with the theme of doubling...only they don't match together. Savy?

What have I gotten myself into?

"the beauty of the dream vanished" page 56

Usually when I read (especially classic literature) I either immediately hate the book or I like it. However I'm having the worst time with this book as I am interested in what is to come in the next couple of chapters, yet I'm disgusted with this story. I was so ready for a story of an angry monster that I'm disappointed with this story of a scientist that hides in his bed room, leaves his family and gets sick every other page. I hate Victor and I like Henry. My dream of a horror story vanished into the night. Yet, I'm eager to learn how this story will turn out. Perhaps we'll actually get to meet Elizabeth instead hearing from her in letters. Perhaps the monster will turn do something great in the book. Perhaps Henry will even do something to win the limelight that he's constantly shoved out of. No matter what once my dream of a horror story left, hopefully a better dream will sneak in. Surely something exciting happens, otherwise this book would of not made it in the scientific story classic that it is.

Hopefully

Right?

Doubling the Frame

"My affection for my guest increases every day." Page 26

Another one of my groups themes is doubling (similarities of action between two figures...) and one major example of doubling is between Walter and Victor. They are both driven to obsession and their quest for knowledge is more important than their lives. This is why Walter and Victor are inspired and bond together (seen in the above quote) However this example we talked about in class, so I'm not really going to focus on it.

I also kind of find a double in Elizabeth and Walter's sister. I really saw this in the couple of letters exchanged from the girls. It seems like they both have this material feelings for their boy. While both girls don't each have a romantic tie to their man (if Walter's sister had that relationship with Walter I would be VERY grossed out just because they're actually brother and sister). However their feelings shown through the letters are a parallel to each other.

This double can be seen easily due to the frame story, which is why I'm sure Mary Shelley did it.

Characters a la Frankie

"Mean well Clerval occupied himself, so to speak, with the moral relation of things" -Page 37

The first set of characters I would like to discuss are Henry and Victor and how much of a foil they are to each others. The saying is opposites attract, and this is a magnificent example of said attraction. Lets take for example their quest for knowledge. Victor wishes to know the science behind everything and Henry is more moral. The both could of gained more if they switched to the others passion. Victor could of used some morality after his creation and Henry has the hardest time getting support from his education because it wasn't about science.

Walter and Victor are just so cute because they're so similar. Perhaps they will catch the monster and find the North Pole. Wouldn't that be swell?

Finally the relationship between Elizabeth and Victor must mean something but I can't figure that one out. Hopefully the remainder of the book will explain their creepy relationship.

The movie vs. the book

"on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from a beautiful old oak"- Page 40

After the cute white board activity I thought it would be interesting to point out the differences between the movie and book of Frankenstein. Granted I saw the film version when I was 8 or so, therefore most of my judgment will be based on knowledge gained from society mostly.

The lighting:

The book tells the tale of how Victor is inspired by a lighting bolt striking a tree when he was 15. It was this moment that bought his scientific mind to create. However in the movie it is lighting it self that bought his creation to life. In my opinion I think it's because the movie could just leave the plot with "life insterments" but needed a concrete thing to show the audience that something was being done.

The creature's color

Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, the film makers decided on green instead of yellow. In reality they probably didn't want to make a hideous monster that had a skin color that was close to humans. It is important to note that book version has a monster that is easier to hide in society (at least I think it's important)

He's ALIVEEE?!?!?!?!?!

The book (at least from what I gather) is more of a morality/emotional issues not really a plot on the monster it self. The movie however creates this climatic scene of creation so which Dr. Frankenstein can scream with his crazy mad scientist hair.

Who knows what movie vs. book discussions lie in the future!

"My application was at first fluctuation and uncertain; it gained strength as I proceeded and soon became so ardent and eager that the stars often disappeared in the light of the morning whilst I was yet engaged in my laboratory." Page 49 Frankenstein

One major theme found in this novel is duty (and if you don't believe me look at the nifty sheet of paper given to you from Mr. Costello. Any complaints should be given to him). In this lovely frame story we have the duty/passion/obsession/drive of Walter. The man in search of a pole, and then we have the obsession of Frankie. The way he just wilted away at his work (first seen in the quote above) just hits this theme home. Frankie/Victor neglects his family and relationships FOR SCIENCE!!! *lighting flash* (although lighting is hardly in this book at all, except for a inspiring childhood story). Frankie becomes pale, hungry tired and although he creates life he kills his own. It's this sense of duty to create a perfect race that presses him forward. This sense is also a great trait that pulls Walter and Victor together. They both have this sense of duty, and it is this that gets them in their roles of the story.

And then one of my favorite things to read in class ended terribly. How typical

"He had not stopped loving her; his feelings toward he remained the same..."-Page 274

After this point my *this story isn't going to end well* senses started tingling. Up to to this point Winston just told O'Brien how life was going to defeat the Party, even if it committed suicide, how the Party will never become omnipotent. I was raising my fist to the sky and pumping the air, happy that Winston was telling O'Brien what was up. Then the cherry on the cake, Winston praised his love for Julia, and I silently congratulated Orwell for the touching love scene. Then O'Brien did nothing. He didn't get angry, thrash or scream. I then realized how Winston would never win and the rest of the story crashed around me. I know that that BB had to win in order for Orwell to get his point across but I still was disappointed in Winston for loving Big Brother, of Julia and Winston betraying each other and how they lose. However even if the ending was a terrible one, I found this book to be quite enjoyable and a great diving board for thoughts on the current. I award Mr. Orwell a 93%, sure it's not an A+, but it's enough to wave the final.

Sing me a song

"The birds sang, the proles sang, the Party did not sing"- Page 221

Throughout the book bits and parts of songs are sprinkled throughout. Some are put in to make points about the government or the past. One interesting point I found (and that was quoted, how nice). Is that Party members don't sing. Only the proles and Winston/Julia (those against the Party) and birds sing. I failed to find a reason Orwell would do this unless he was trying to show the difference between proles and the Party. The proles are free enough to sing, to show thoughts through an outward action, and for the world to see. The past sang as well (seen throughout the book with the Church's tolling bells). The songs are more about freedom then any movement Winston and Julia do. Outside of their relationship it's the worst offense they have against the Party.

What ... ISYOUR FAVORITE COLOR?!?!?!

"Before we bring this session to an end you can ask me a few questions if you choose"

"Any questions I like?"

"Anything"

Page 259 conversation between O'Brien and Winston

Orwell has this annoying and persistent style choice throughout the novel in that the reader is NEVER DIRECTLY TOLD ANYTHING. In this particular scene (found on pages 259-260) Winston is still left in the dark even if he was allowed to ask any questions. This style setting of not answering any questions, makes the reader themselves question. In a way it's a good story telling technique, a great cliff-hanger, but in the end the questions are left unanswered. The reader isn't important enough to know the answers, only the Brotherhood will ever know. I doubt Orwell even knows. This style technique can be sprinkled throughout the book, however this instance with O'Brien I think it brings up the theme that civilization is stupid and BB is needed for them to survive. They need someone to know those answers.

Room 101- not to be confused with room 002

"There's nothing I won't confess, nothing! Just tell me what it is and I'll confess it straight off. Write it down and I'll sign it-anything" Not Room 101"- Page 236

Room 101 really is a jumping point about Orwell's settings in the last half of 1984. I think Orwell introduces the Room about 50 pages before the reader and Winston find out what's inside it to install fear. Creating fear of a thing, which could be of been avoided. Let's take it with the rats, Room 101 and O'Brien great this atmosphere of terror that has the reader pause from reading and make sure that there aren't any rats around. The description of the room itself is blank and scary, especially in the fact that's personalized for everyone. Look how different the rats become from the bedroom above the shop to Room 101. Winston loses himself due to the suspense and the setting of this room. This technique of fear paves the theme of fear through the book. How the government gets what it wants from fear of poverty, fear of war or even fear of rats.

Oh I love you Ken

He love big brother - 298

One major theme from this book is government force. Similar to how Barbie is forced by the little girls of the world to live and think a certain way (seen in the video ) Winston breaks down from his original hatred of Big Brother. In retrospect I don't think Winston hated BB, as much as he didn't want to be part of his society. The ending of the book is kind of a let down. The evil character(from Winston's point of view), BB, wins. However because Orwell was trying to illustrate how humanity was leading to this path of destruction the ending isn't that much of a shock. The ending of the book would of been completely different if Winston had protected his love for Julia and kept faced as his face was being chewed off by a rat. I think Orwell picked this ending as a statement, of what can be. Our society to can become like Barbies if we let it.