Frankenstein Analysis

Felipe Parada SilvaChristian Häfelin Maturana

IºA

What is Imagery? What is Diction? Who was Mary Shelly? What is Gothic Literature?

Important Questions

Imagery: “It is used in a literary text, occurs

when an author uses an object that is not really there, in order to create a comparison between one that is, usually evoking a more meaningful visual experience for the reader. It is useful as it allows an author to add depth and understanding to his work”.

Important Definitions

Diction: “Style of speaking or writing as

dependent upon choice of words”. In other words, it is the correct choice of

words, to make an interesting literary work and to affect the reader as you want.

Important Concepts

Mary Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February

1851) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus (1818). She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

Mary Shelly

“A genre of fiction characterized by mystery

and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval setting”

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus (1818) has come to define Gothic fiction in the Romantic period. 

Gothic Literature

Victor and Henry journey through England and Scotland, but Victor grows impatient to begin his work and free himself of his bond to the monster. Victor has an acquaintance in a Scottish town, with whom he urges Henry to stay while he goes alone on a tour of Scotland. Henry consents reluctantly, and Victor departs for a remote, desolate island in the Orkneys to complete his project.Quickly setting up a laboratory in a small shack, Victor devotes many hours to working on his new creature. He often has trouble continuing his work, however, knowing how unsatisfying, even grotesque, the product of his labor will be.

Chapter XIX

Importance: In this chapter Victor and his

friend Clever research necessary information for the creation of a women version of the monster. Without it, Victor couldn’t complete his promise.

Chapter XIX

Imagery:

“But I am a blasted tree: the bolt has entered my soul: and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what I shall soon cease to be(…)”

“To the waves as they roared and dashed at my feet”.

“… to collect materials necessary for my new creation and this was to me like the torture of single drops of water continually falling on the head”.

Imagery on Chapter XIX

Diction:

“The majestic oaks, the quantity of game and the herds of stately deer were all novelties to us”.

“The colleges are ancient and pinturesque; the streets are almost magnificent; and the lovely Isis which flows beside it through meadows of exquisite verdure is spread forth into a placid expanse of waters(…)”.

“And I fear the effects of the deamon’s disappointment”.

Diction on Chapter XIX

When he was in his lab, Victor looks up to see the monster

grinning at him through the window. Overcome by the monster’s hideousness and the possibility of a second creature like him, he destroys his work in progress. The following night, Victor receives a letter from Henry, who, tired of Scotland, suggests that they continue their travels. Late that evening, he rows out onto the ocean and throws the remains into the water, allowing himself to rest in the boat for a while. When he wakes, he finds that the winds will not permit him to return to shore. Soon the winds change, however, and he reaches shore near a town. When he lands, a group of townspeople greet him rudely, telling him that he is under suspicion for a murder discovered the previous night.

Chapter XX

Importance: He break his promise with the

monster, which consisted in creating a female version of the deamon. Without breaking it, maybe the monster would stop bothering Victor. He destroyed the hope of the deamon for being happy.

Chapter XX

Imagery:

“Had created a fiend whose unparalleled barbarity had desolated my heart and filled it forever with the bitterest remose”.

“I walked about the isle like a restless spectre separated from all it loved and miserable in the separation”.

“This sudden certanity of life rushed like a flood of warm joy to my heart, and tears gushed from my eyes”.

Imagery on Chapter XX

Diction:

o “Devil Cease; and do not poison the air with these sounds of malice”.

o “Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension”.

o “The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended for happiness”.

Diction Chapter XX

After confronting Victor, the townspeople take him to Mr. Kirwin, the town magistrate. Victor hears witnesses testify against him, claiming that they found the body of a man along the beach the previous night and that, just before finding the body, they saw a boat in the water that resembled Victor’s. Mr. Kirwin decides to bring Victor to look at the body to see what effect it has on him, for his surprise he sees Cleveral. Becuase of the shock Victor remains ill for two months, and he stays in prision. One day his father come to visit him and he tellls him that his family and friends are fine. With out having circumstantial evidence, the court, declares Victor innocent of Henry’s murder.

Chapter XXI

Importance: In this chapter the monster

takes revenge of Victor, killing his friend Cleveral. It’s the consequence of destroying the companion of the deamon.

Chapter XXI

Imagery:

“…the presence of the magistrate and witnesses, passed like a dream from my memory when I saw the lifeless form of Henry Cleveral”.

“The lines of her face were hard and rude, like that of persons accustomed to see without sympathizing in sights of misery”.

“… and the voice struck me as one that I had heard during my sufferings”.

Imagery on Chapter XXI

Diction:

“… my limbs trembled, and a mist came over my eyes, wich obliged me to lean on a chair for support”.

“… observed me with a keen eye”. “I was overcome by gloom and misery and

often reflected I had better seek death than desire to remain in a world which to me was replete with wretchedness”.

Diction on Chapter XXI

Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is one of the most

popular books in the world, written in 1818, it’s the inspiration for contemporary authors. It’s easy to understand and it’s just wonderful how the author catches our attention and how, by using the correct words, she can affect you as she want.

Conclusion