"...the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts." Page 60
Death is another common theme throughout the story. Beginning with Caroline's untimely death, we start on a spree of death in Victor's family. It has led to his family's slow demise, dropping them off one by one. On top of that, the grief experienced by his father and Elizabeth is pulling them down into a continuous state of melancholy and depression. Their very characters and countenances are being transformed by the death and misfortune afflicting the Frankenstein family. To make matters worse, Victor's sense of guilt over Justine and William's dying has made him a useless member of the family as well. Despite his father's attempts to drag him out of his sad state, Victor cannot help anyone. He leaves yet again, even when Elizabeth and his father need him the most.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Frankenstein: Nature
"and I ceased to fear, or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements." Page 64
The above quote is by Frankenstein, on his journey into the Chamounix Valley. Throughout the novel, we have thus far seen nature as a key role in the mood of the central characters. Victor is extremely influenced by nature, most likely because of his interest in natural philosophy. When he is extremely depressed at the deaths of Justine and William, a trip up into the mountains lifts his fears and apprehensions. Even the creature itself is influenced by the elements. When the "lonely, dreary" winter is over and spring approaches, its mood is made much better. Nature in this novel acts as a healing entity to the characters, yet also is a reflection of mood, such as the dreary winters in which Frankenstein and the creature are depressed in.
The above quote is by Frankenstein, on his journey into the Chamounix Valley. Throughout the novel, we have thus far seen nature as a key role in the mood of the central characters. Victor is extremely influenced by nature, most likely because of his interest in natural philosophy. When he is extremely depressed at the deaths of Justine and William, a trip up into the mountains lifts his fears and apprehensions. Even the creature itself is influenced by the elements. When the "lonely, dreary" winter is over and spring approaches, its mood is made much better. Nature in this novel acts as a healing entity to the characters, yet also is a reflection of mood, such as the dreary winters in which Frankenstein and the creature are depressed in.
Frankenstein: The Creature
"I perceived, as the shape came nearer (sight tremendous and abhorred!) that it was the wretch whom I had created." Page 68
Knowing by now that this is not the stereotypical monster we see at Halloween, I am nonetheless impressed with the magnificence of the creature. For one, his physical appearance seems both awe inspiring and terrible at the same time. To imagine a gargantuan, man-like figure approaching at inhuman speeds is frightening as well as exciting. The physical ability of the creature, to be stronger than any man and with better coordination and ability, seems to create a certain fear about it. Yet its intellectual capacity is the real shocker in the story. This creature is eloquent and well-spoken to Victor. In fact, it seems more eloquent after two years than Victor himself. It is extremely intelligent. Yet despite its' intelligence, it reacts to events in animal-like ways, making it a dangerous and difficult foe to compete with.
Knowing by now that this is not the stereotypical monster we see at Halloween, I am nonetheless impressed with the magnificence of the creature. For one, his physical appearance seems both awe inspiring and terrible at the same time. To imagine a gargantuan, man-like figure approaching at inhuman speeds is frightening as well as exciting. The physical ability of the creature, to be stronger than any man and with better coordination and ability, seems to create a certain fear about it. Yet its intellectual capacity is the real shocker in the story. This creature is eloquent and well-spoken to Victor. In fact, it seems more eloquent after two years than Victor himself. It is extremely intelligent. Yet despite its' intelligence, it reacts to events in animal-like ways, making it a dangerous and difficult foe to compete with.
Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein
"He is generally melancholy and despairing." Page 10
Victor Frankenstein is the farthest thing from mad scientist one could get. In fact, as the audience we are shown about his childhood. His Gothic and macabre obsession with the undead actually stems from his deep fascination with the beauty of nature and wonder of how the natural world functions. His character is complex to say the least, however. His fascination turns into an unhealthy obsession that consumes his entire life. How ironic it is that his greatest success was also his greatest downfall. We see his mental and emotional ups and downs throughout the story, and watch his physical health deteriorate and then build itself back up again. The genius within this man leads to an animalistic, instinctual hunting of the creature.
Victor Frankenstein is the farthest thing from mad scientist one could get. In fact, as the audience we are shown about his childhood. His Gothic and macabre obsession with the undead actually stems from his deep fascination with the beauty of nature and wonder of how the natural world functions. His character is complex to say the least, however. His fascination turns into an unhealthy obsession that consumes his entire life. How ironic it is that his greatest success was also his greatest downfall. We see his mental and emotional ups and downs throughout the story, and watch his physical health deteriorate and then build itself back up again. The genius within this man leads to an animalistic, instinctual hunting of the creature.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Death of a Salesman: Willy Loman
"I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. 'Willy Loman is here!' That's all they have to know, and I go right through." Act 1, Page 1561
Be warned, Mr. Costello. This is a hate blog, my personal reflection, on Willy.
Willy Loman. The man with no plan. The man who wastes his entire life and ruins the lives of his sons, all to prove in the end that he is worth more dead than alive. He is immature, selfish, rude, mean, and inconsiderate. We see Willy's true character first in his treatment of his wife. He cheats on her, despite her being entirely in love and dedicated to him. He tells her to shut up when she speaks. Next, to his sons. He tears them down and seconds later builds them up. He makes their inferiority complexes by always telling them if they are not the best, they are nothing. He was a terrible father to them. Personally, he does not get much better. He is too prideful to take the job Charley offers him, though he is not too prideful to take his money. He is just a fake, a phony, just as Biff called it all those years ago.
Be warned, Mr. Costello. This is a hate blog, my personal reflection, on Willy.
Willy Loman. The man with no plan. The man who wastes his entire life and ruins the lives of his sons, all to prove in the end that he is worth more dead than alive. He is immature, selfish, rude, mean, and inconsiderate. We see Willy's true character first in his treatment of his wife. He cheats on her, despite her being entirely in love and dedicated to him. He tells her to shut up when she speaks. Next, to his sons. He tears them down and seconds later builds them up. He makes their inferiority complexes by always telling them if they are not the best, they are nothing. He was a terrible father to them. Personally, he does not get much better. He is too prideful to take the job Charley offers him, though he is not too prideful to take his money. He is just a fake, a phony, just as Biff called it all those years ago.
Death of a Salesman: Protagonist & Antagonist
"BIFF: There will be no pity for you, you hear it? No pity!
WILLY: You hear the spite!" Act 2, Page 1624
As a reader, I found myself struggling to identify who the protagonist and antagonist were. They seemed to switch throughout the play. Technically, Willy is the protagonist. He is the main character around whom the story and its events revolve. This would make Biff the antagonist, since it is the two men's unceasing conflict that causes Willy's hallucinations and episodes. More than that, it is his mere presence that sets Willy off onto his self-destructive path. Yet Biff could also be the protagonist. He is a wanderer, who upon his return home finds no support or comfort from his family. His father is insensitive and rude to him, putting stresses and pressures upon him to become something he has no desire to be. This would make Willy the antagonist. It is up in the air. Either way it works. Although I still hate Willy.
WILLY: You hear the spite!" Act 2, Page 1624
As a reader, I found myself struggling to identify who the protagonist and antagonist were. They seemed to switch throughout the play. Technically, Willy is the protagonist. He is the main character around whom the story and its events revolve. This would make Biff the antagonist, since it is the two men's unceasing conflict that causes Willy's hallucinations and episodes. More than that, it is his mere presence that sets Willy off onto his self-destructive path. Yet Biff could also be the protagonist. He is a wanderer, who upon his return home finds no support or comfort from his family. His father is insensitive and rude to him, putting stresses and pressures upon him to become something he has no desire to be. This would make Willy the antagonist. It is up in the air. Either way it works. Although I still hate Willy.
Death of a Salesman: Social Commentary
"He cried! Cried to me. That boy- that boy is going to be magnificent!" Act 2, Page 1627
One of the questions following the play said that some critics view the play as a social commentary. I have a split stance on this take. On the one hand, this is indeed a social commentary on certain aspects of American life, the American dream, and family as a whole. This shows the brutal reality of competition in business, showing an example of a man simply not cut out for his job. He falls behind in sales. Consequently, even at the age of sixty, his salary is taken away from him for his poor performance. It also shows what hard work can do for an individual. Bernard, despite being ridiculed for his studious tendencies as a young man, grows up to be a very successful lawyer. Finally, it shows that all families are dysfunctional in one way or another. However, it certainly is not a social commentary on normal problems faced by the average American citizen, being as most Americans are not insane and excruciatingly immature.
One of the questions following the play said that some critics view the play as a social commentary. I have a split stance on this take. On the one hand, this is indeed a social commentary on certain aspects of American life, the American dream, and family as a whole. This shows the brutal reality of competition in business, showing an example of a man simply not cut out for his job. He falls behind in sales. Consequently, even at the age of sixty, his salary is taken away from him for his poor performance. It also shows what hard work can do for an individual. Bernard, despite being ridiculed for his studious tendencies as a young man, grows up to be a very successful lawyer. Finally, it shows that all families are dysfunctional in one way or another. However, it certainly is not a social commentary on normal problems faced by the average American citizen, being as most Americans are not insane and excruciatingly immature.
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