Frankenstein Chapters 13 18 Chapter 13 Baroque language

Frankenstein Chapters 13 -18

Chapter 13 • Baroque language: diction that elevates seemingly ordinary events to the level of the spectacular – romantic landscape: cloudless skies, a thousand delightful scents, a thousand beautiful sights – Safie: “shining raven hair” • Shows how much the creature idealizes the cottagers – he worships them and longs for their love and acceptance

Creature’s humanity • • Feels sympathy, affection, desire Capable of aesthetic appreciation (music) Mastered language Capable of self-analysis and reflection

Ruin of Empires • Reminder that humanity is monstrous: people commit unspeakable violence against one another • Exploit those who do not possess money or a noble birth • Creatures horror shows his essential goodness • also echoes the disgust with which the villagers saw the creature

Who is the monster? • Frankenstein is neglectful and selfish • The monster is good and yet suffering

Outcasts • Frankenstein and the monster are becoming more similar (both possess knowledge) • Both are outcasts by what they know • Both long to return to a state of former innocence

Chapter 14 • The History of the Creature’s Friends • Shows his attachment to the family • He has written down the family’s story – history is important

The De Lacey’s story • Shows the goodness and evil of mankind • Every person is capable of good and evil (the 2 contrary aspects of human nature) – Felix: strong sense of justice leads him to aid the merchant; his love for his family makes him return to Paris despite facing punishment – Merchant: is a victim of bigotry and hatred; yet betrays Felix, who risked his life to help him

Racism of the 19 th Century • Muslim: lying and duplicitious – Not capable of human kindness • Christian: nobility of spirit (Safie gets this from her Christian mother)

Chapter 15 • Discovery of the satchel of books – The Sorrows of Young Werther – Paradise Lost • • two of the greatest books in the history of world literature • they are a symbol of the highest beauty that mankind is capable of producing - Plutarch’s Lives ** exalts the work of heroes – another example of human virtue and accomplishment

Creature is Learning • Knowledge of civilization • Knowledge of the triumphs and suffering of men • “teaches him to admire the virtues and deprecate the vices of mankind” – moral education (can distinguish between good and evil) • Sees books as true histories (even fiction) – shows innocence

Paradise Lost • The struggle between God and the Devil – epic battle between the forces of good and evil • Sees himself like Adam – forsaken • Sees himself like Satan – outcast completely without guidance or protection • Sees himself most like Satan • The struggle within Paradise Lost between good and evil is an allegory for the struggle within every person (and within the creature)

Man or Monster? • Which will the creature choose? • Felix beats him – creature chooses not to fight back • Creature has innate humanity • When he later behaves as a monster, the reader understands why: he has been abused and reviled by those he loves and trusts • Despite his essential goodness, he is hated – so he hates mankind in return

Chapter 16 • The creature sets the cottage on fire – gives vent to the “hell he [bears] within [himself]” • Fire consumes cottage with its “forked and destroying tongues” – alludes to fire of hell and Satan

Pathetic Fallacy • Weather reflects and determines the creatures mental state – Winter: the De Lacey’s abandon him (barren and desolate countryside) • Heavens pour rain and snow • Violent winds • Symbolize the fury the creature will unleash on mankind

– Spring: creature is filled with joy and benevolence • Irony: the encounter with the girl and her father – he permits himself to be happy, hopes for an end to his suffering, but is confronted with unreasonable horror • Saves the child from death – still has sympathy for mankind at this point

Murder of innocents • Creatures murder of William and mistreatment of Justine are the result of his longing for human connection – Wants William as a companion – Falls in love with Justine (feels desire) • he can’t have either (won’t overlook his appearance)

Desire for a companion • Asks Frankenstein for a female companion • Crimes are a result of loneliness • Shelley suggests isolation would drive one mad – therefore the creature is not responsible for his actions

Chapter 17 • Frankenstein agrees to the creature’s request – Reasonable tone – Noble desire for a companion – will lead a blameless life – Uses guilt: by aligning his maliciousness with his misery, the creature is blaming Frankenstein for what he has become – Makes Victor responsible – he made the creature, therefore he should help him

Syntax • Biblical tone – “shall” (prophecy / command) – Victor really has no choice

Chapter 18 • Victor decides to marry Elizabeth – Foolish – doesn’t know if he can trust the creature – Marriage represents the fulfillment of all the family’s hopes and expectations – will restore order to the household – Union represents life continuing as usual – Gives creature cause for vengeance: marriage is offensive – the creature has been deprived of all love and companionship – Victor’s marriage is dependent upon the creature’s

Victor and his creation are linked • Their happiness is bound together • Victor feels like a slave to his creation • Both suffer from solitude – both feel like “a miserable wretch” unfit for human society • Romantic happiness is dependent upon the compassion of another • Questions who is the creator and who is the creation – this confusion will continue until the conclusion

Questionable ethics • Conceals his reasons for travelling to England • Expresses fear that he may be exposing his family to danger – but doesn’t alert them to the threat – Selfishness? ? ?

Foreshadowing • Chapter ends speaking of Clerval in the past tense (a memory) – foreshadows catastrophic consequences of his secrecy