Frankenstein Notes Chapters 18–20

The Contrasts/Doppelga

ngerContrast between the inwardly focused Victor

and the outwardly focused Henry sharpens Henry’s interaction with the Frankenstein

family and general sociability contrast Victor’s secrecy and self-isolation.

Henry’s optimism and cheer in sublime nature contrast the anxiety that Victor feels in knowing that the monster pervades his natural surroundings.

For Henry, nature is a source of infinite blissFor Victor it has become an unending

reminder of the tragedies that have plagued him.

Sublime NatureThe sublime natural world is a source of

emotional experience for the individualSublime nature offers characters the

possibility of spiritual renewal (Victor, Henry, the Monster)

The natural world’s power to console Victor wanes when he realizes that the Monster will haunt him no matter where he goes.

Final (initial) scenes in Arctic functions simply as the symbolic backdrop for his primal struggle against the monster.

Victor and his Creature

Frankenstein says that a "bolt" (as of lightning) has entered his soul.

Victor and his creature have become entangled.Both are separated from humanity by, in Victor's

words, "an insurmountable barrier": for the creature, that barrier is his deformity; for Victor, it is his guilt.

Victor's journey through Northern Europe seems to be a condensed version of the creature's own journey: both reflect on how they were once able to find consolation in nature and stories of human accomplishment (recall the creature and his books); now, nothing can ease their suffering.

Victor’s arrival in Ireland mimics the hate and distrust the Monster receives on his journeys.

Henry and the Passive Female

Henry is now enthusiastic about natural philosophy and eager to explore the world—much like Victor had been two years before.

One can argue that Henry represents the healthy, safe route to scientific knowledge that Victor never took.

Victor’s emotional outbursts strongly foreshadow Henry’s death: “And where does he now exist?” he asks. “Is this gentle and lovely being lost forever?”

the passive, innocent woman (damsel/good mother):1. the mother who sacrifices herself for her daughter2. the fiancée who waits endlessly for her future

husband 3. the orphan girl who is rescued from poverty4. the female monster Victor suddenly aborts after

being struck by doubts.

The Female Monster

The female monster To Victor = another crime against humanity and

nature; To the monster, she = one remaining hope for a life

not spent alone.

Unlike the God of Genesis, who creates a woman to keep Adam company, Victor does not have ultimate power over his creations.

His anxiety leads him to project a stereotypically male view onto the female creature; his decision to destroy her ensures her absolute passivity.

The destruction of the female monster serves as the novel’s climax

A Vow of RevengeThe monster vows revenge.

1. "You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains -- revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery."

2. “… I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!”

3. “You may hate, but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness forever… You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains- revenge, henceforth dearer than light of food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery… Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict.

4. “It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night.

Booker’s TragedyAnticipation

Victor wants to uncover knowledge and scientific achievement. Walton endeavors to traverse the North Pole.

DreamAll of Victor’s dreams have come true when his scientific

endeavors prove fruitful. Walton’s journey is met with easily evaded obstacles

FrustrationVictor’s monster is wretched and an embarrassment. The

Monster’s murder of William (and indirectly Justine) builds frustration stage which reaches an apex when Victor agrees to create a second monster in an attempt to fix his mistake.

NightmareThe climatic destruction of the female Monster leads to the

creation vowing revenge upon Victor and beginning Victor’s demise.

DestructionThe chase continues which is revealed to continue into the

Arctic where Victor becomes a shell of his former self.

Romanticism:

Key Concepts:Focus on self – individual experienceDoctrine of the Basic Goodness of Man – man is

born good and is corrupted by society (Rousseau)

Emphasis on emotion – overflow of spontaneous feeling recollected in tranquility (switch from prose to poetry)

Glorified nature – tranquility, peace, moral influence, landscapes, creatures of the natural world, weather

Famous Quests (Allusions in the text)

Albatross - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner used to mean a wearisome burden (caused by impulse)

Albatross = regret for impulsiveness

ThemesConsequences of irresponsibility in the

pursuit of knowledgeConsequences of prideConsequences of society’s rejection of

someone who is unattractiveDestructive power of revengeParent-child conflictsSympathy

Other Literary ElementsIrony – 2 major ironiesCreature is more sympathetic, more

imaginative and more responsible to fellow creatures

Creature has many pleasing qualities but is an outcast because he’s not physically attractive

SymbolsWhite/light= knowledgeWater = knowledgeIce = dangerLightning = nature’s powerNature = acceptance, nuturing, calmMountains= sublime in nature

Antithesis-Contrasts of ideas, characters, themes, settings or moods

Victor/creationPassion/reasonNatural/unnaturalKnown/unknownCivilized/savage

Masculine/feminineBeautiful/uglyGood/badLight/darkHeat/cold

The Quest for Forbidden Knowledge is Foolhardy.

Victor wants to discern the secret of life.

Victor is the Modern Prometheus by wanting to give the world forbidden knowledge.

eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him,

Walton wants to reach the North Pole.

quits – saving the lives of his

The Thrill of Victory may be Bittersweet.

Is Victor victorious because he accomplished his goal of creating life?

-- He recoils immediately after finally creating life.

Does Walton lose his chance at victory because he turns back?

Is the thrill from the quest or the accomplishment?

True Justice is Hard to Find.

•Justine’s trial results in an unjust verdict.

•as does the trial of Safie’s father.

•Dr. Frankenstein is unjustly accused of murder.

•Is the monster treated justly?

Creators are responsible for their creations.

The Frankenstein story echos both the stories from Greek mythology and the Judo-Christian Adam and Eve.

-- the apple had already been bitten

Is Dr. Frankenstein a scientist who created a monster?

An artist who made a creation?

A father who created a child?

Society Rejects Monstrosity

the monster is rejected by society.

unnatural manner of creation –secretive, dead bodies, not of collaborative scientific effort but of dark, supernatural workings.

Monstrosity cont.

•the knowledge used to create the monster

•Victor is a monster -- his ambition, secrecy, and selfishness alienate him from human society.

•Society as a prejudiced whole.

•the novel itself as monstrous, a stitched-together combination of different voices, texts, and tenses

Secrecy Can Destroy

Victor conceives of science as a mystery to be probed;

Victor’s entire obsession with creating life is a secret.

His obsession with destroying the monster is a secret until Walton hears his tale.

Walton serves as the final confessor

The monster is forced into seclusion by his grotesque appearance.

Motifs: Fire & IceLightning strike change Dr.

Frankenstein’s course of study.

Creature created on a lightning filled night.

Creature learns dual nature of fire.

The monster intends to die in a fire.

Fire represents knowledge (Prometheus)

Fire & IceIce represents isolation and the cold

hearted side of humans.

Allusion

Paradise Lost by John Milton – story of man’s fall from innocence to painful knowledge; Victor can be compared to Adam, Satan, and Eve

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, like narrator, tells story as a warning and a confession

Famous Quests (Allusions in the text)The Philosopher’s Stone - capable of turning

base metals into gold; elixir of life (Magnus; Paracelsus)

Famous Quests (Allusions in the text)The Elixir of Life - legendary potion, or drink,

that grants the drinker eternal life or eternal youth; said to be able to create life (Cornelius Agrippa)