Half Yearly Flashcards
(31 cards)
thesis
Authors utilise literature to poignantly challenge audience’s preconceived notions of individualistic aspirations and the social repercussions that inevitably ensue during periods of upheaval.
Thesis point 1
Individualism and religion, science and institution
Thesis point 1
Sub Thesis points
Individualism, societal constructs imitating God
Science
Institutions
1.1 Romanticism expressed…
an extreme assertion of the self and the value of individual experience.” (Drabble, 2019) (1.1)
theodicy text
defends god against the vindication of his omnipotence
Mock the…
“Mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world.” (1.1)
1.2 Science
- challenging romantic idealist views
- mechanical developments of industrial period
- science of enlightenment era
Natural Philosophers…
- Period turned to ‘natural philosophers’ for answers
- Galvani, volti, Newton referenced = admiration and aspiration
victor to walton:
“have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught?” (victor to Walton)
‘Modern Prometheus’ allusion
Symbolism of light (promethean fire) ambitious Frankenstein wishes to ‘pour a torrent of light our dark world’
Biblical Allusion
- God creating light on the first day
- parallels victor and creation
- “in the midst of this darkness a sudden light broke in upon me”
Viktor as usurper
“a new species would bless me as its creator”
- high modality lexis shows direct intention
‘student of unhallowed arts’
1.3 social constructs
courts and governments imitating god, mans justice is not omnipotent
“She was sustained by innocence”
“The popular voice and the countenances of the judges had already condemned by unhappy victim”
sub thesis 2
isolation in frankenstein:
2.1. overview
- ambition hurts and isolates
- parallel plots
- layered concentric narratives compare and contrast
2.1
different narratives
Walton’s narrative
- physical isolation
- exploration is his vice
- “belief in the marvellous”
- “to the wild sea and unvisited regions”
frankensteins narrative
- self isolation
- “i seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit”
- loses friends and relatives
- post creature - “solitude was my only consolation - deep, dark, death like solitude”
creatures narrative
- social isolation
- “satan has his companions, fellow devils…but i am solitary and detested”
- victim of others ambition
3.
family and community
3.1.
family destroyed by individualism.
creatures first goal is solace
- rejected as ‘hideous phantasm’
- “i longed to join them, but dared not”
- “good spirit” and “wonderful”
- contrasts “daemon” and “creature”
- “who can describe their horror and consternation upon beholding me?”
Creature vs Viktor and parents
- in introduction
- “their child, the innocent and helpless creature … whom to bring up to good”
vs - “you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature”
