Oh, NOW you like him! GREAT TIMING

So, the monster let me down. I knew that he would eventually kill Elizabeth, so this did not suprise me. But when Frankenstein finishes his story and then soon after dies, what a letdown! I was really pulling for an epic fight between Frankenstein and the monster, or even Frankenstein and the shipmates and the monster. I had envisioned Frankenstein dying at the hands of his creation, and the monster finally getting the revenge he deserved. Alas, no such thing happened, no epic battle to end this tale. The thing that really caught my eye though was that the monster was actually sad that his creator had died. He even said that he was ok with dying now, since Frankenstein was dead. Why does the monster still care? How many times does he have to be pushed away before he understands that Frankenstein didn't want him? And, if he really cared about him like a father son relationship, then why did he kill all the ones he loved? So many questions, and not enough answers...

A New Eve...? Then Where's Eden?

In the monster's readings, he learns of the first creation story. He sees himself similar to Adam in that he was created as the only of his kind. However, the monster's creator does not talk to him as the creator of Adam, and the monster's creator made him ugly and wretched, while Adam was made beautiful because his creator made in Adam in his image. The monster questions who he is, and doesn't understand why there are none others like him. So, when he finishes his story, he impores Frankenstein to make him a female companion so he may not be so lonely. Frankenstein eventually agrees, but when he starts he begins to think about unleashing another monster into the world and the potential consequences that could come with it, like the two monsters procreating. He stops his progress and disposes of it in a lake, and when he returns to shore he finds that the monster has killed his friend, Henry Clavel. He remembers the threat that the monster made, and shudders to think when his death will come. However horrible the acts the monster commits, I still feel sympathy for him. He was abandoned, left alone, with no knowledge of the world. He is not responsble for his actions.

Wow, that's convienent...

There's one big thing that I've notcied while reading about Mary Shelly's writing style: she leaves many things vague and to the reader's imagination. For some, this is frustrating, and usually I would agree. But, growing up (as I've said before) my dad would tell me scary stories all the time. And while his Frankenstein's monster was different from this one, since I was told many 'ghost stories', I have no trouble imagining the monster that Shelly describes with so few words. I can also understand why Shelly does not focus much on descriptions, because while there is an external conflict between the monster and Frankenstein, there are more important conflicts internally in both characters. Shelly tries to reflect the importance of these conflicts in having so little description of the appearance of the characters, and focus more on their personality, thoughts, and feelings. It's a stray from the norm, and I like it.

Not another pity party...

Alright, so this book is a pretty good book, not gonna lie. I have actually enjoyed reading it, except for the 4529034592 pity parties that Frankenstein and the monster have. Yes, we know that you both are sad and depressed and mad at each other. But do you have to talk about it all the time? This is my only compliant though, and there have been many other books with much bigger problems, like weak plots or flaky characters. As far as books go, Frankenstein is now one of my favorites. I would definitely read it again, even if I did read it first in english class.

I Wish I Could Just Go On A Nature Walk And Have All My Problems Disappear...

For someone who was so disgusted by his own creation, it seems ironic, to me anyway, that Frankenstein always feels better whenever he takes a nature walk and admires all of God's creation. These nature walks and never ending monologues of how bad he feels and his constant feelings of guilt were the most annoying part of the book for me. I can understand, in a way, how Frankenstein can feel bad about what he has done, but it's not all his fault. He didn't train the monster to go and kill people, yet he didn't do anything to make him a gentle creature either. If anyone has a right to feel sorry for themselves and wallow, it's the monster, not Frankenstein. The monster has no one because no one will ever accept him. He did not choose to be brought into this world, yet he is now apart of it and must learn how to cope. The monster is the one who has real problems, but all of Frankenstein's were brought upon himself.

Lies, Lies, Lies, Nothing I Hear But Lies

Lies and secrecy are more prevelent themes in this novel. Victor receives another letter when he and Henry return to the university from his father telling him his younger brother had been murdered. Victor rushes home, but when he gets there is not able to get in, so he goes for a walk to visit the place where his brother was murdered. He sees his monster there, and fears that it was the one that killed his brother. However, there is evidence that seems to indicate that Justine is really the guilty one, though she claims to be innocent. Victor tries to convince everyone that it was not Justine, but fears that if he tells the real story everyone will think him insane. So, he does nothing to help Justine, and she ends up being executed. I imagine that there will be reoccuring events where Victor lies to prevent from telling anyone about his monster, but we will see.

Foil or Toil?

Henry Clerval, Victor Frankenstein's friend, is Victor's foil. Henry is not from the world of science the Victor is from, and is rather easy going in comparison. Henry wears his heart on his sleeve if you will, while Victor is all about secrecy, mostly about the monster he created. Henry nurses Victor back to health, and serves as a line of communication to his family that Victor seems to have lost by giving him the letter from Elizabeth. Henry allows Victor to see all the world he had been missing in those two years he was hard at work. He, and the horrible truth of the monster Victor has created, gives Victor a new outlook on things.