Frankenstein themes and characters Flashcards
Main themes of Frankenstein
F introduction
Inspired by the supernatural, demonic oppositions and prominent ideologies such as Romanticism, Galvanism, The Goth, and the Ancient Science, Shelley provides F as a morality tale that centres around the ‘Modern Prometheus’ and his overvaulting ambition leading to tragedy. Shelley similarily allows the theme of ‘….’ to flourish in the novel, presented as
then 3 points
Victor case study
The creature case study
De Laceys case study
Saffie case study
Elizabeth case study
Ensemble case study
Letter 3
confident, controlled, cannot bear failure, hardship, perseverance
Addressed to sister, reassured, but short form, at the peak
Power of nature on his side
Introduction of an image of domesticity, maternal role of Margaret (gentle and female fostage)
Letter 4
the first appearance of Victor - ‘gnashes his teeth’, ‘savage inhabitant’, ‘so wretched a condition’ Man to demon from 25-27 – clear doubles
BUT we reach page 28 - ‘a noble creature’, ‘intelligent creature’ ‘eloquence’ he is seduced by his ‘soul-subduing music’
‘Dangerous, thick fog’ - confusion
Victor speaks ‘fearing to encounter’ - confidence lost, foreshadows, ‘seek one who fled from me’ - alienation, irony
Walton sets the stage for Victor to speak his ‘intoxicating draught’ in which he ‘shares my madness?’
Parallels – no way out but to inquire further
Letter purpose: INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT
Knowing how Victor has failed – a modern Prometheus
Provides an apparently reliable voice and sets up a framed narrative
Adds a sense of vivacity – letters are recognisable form
Subtle way of adding the gothic
Expository function – backstory, Walton’s early life and current ambition, the creature and Victor, and implements themes of loneliness, acquisition of knowledge
Characteristics of Shelley’s writing styles:
Contrasts of longer sentences in the passage of description and shorter sentences consist of action – usually shortened to suggest agitation
Fractured syntax – such as inverted word order (with an anxiety…)
Latinate vocabulary - (agony, delineate, infinite)
Use of complex sentence for eloquent speakers particularly in descriptive passages
Semi colons often replacing the modern commas in lengthy sentences
Use of rhetorical questions – plenty of uncertainty in the spoken voice
Use of the dash to indicate interruption earlier thought or action
Victor key quotes
The creature key quotes
Ensemble key quotes
