ROMANTIC PERIOD Quarter 3: Unit 3 Frankenstein: Setting & Theme

Intro Point of view Characterization Setting Theme(s) (Romanticism) (Frame Narrative) (Direct, Indirect) (The Sublime, Pathetic Fallacy) (Parenting & Maternal Anxiety)

REVIEW The Sublime

Setting: The Sublime Like all romantics, Shelley is interested in describing the power of nature Especially as a paradoxical force capable of inspiring both: Beauty Terror

Setting: The Sublime Chap 7, par. 22-24 During this short voyage I saw the lightning playing on the summit of Mont Blanc in the most beautiful figures. The storm appeared to approach rapidly It advanced; the heavens were clouded, and I soon felt the rain coming slowly in large drops, but its violence quickly increased While I watched the tempest, so beautiful yet terrific, I wandered on with a hasty step. This noble war in the sky elevated my spirits; I clasped my hands, and exclaimed aloud, "William, dear angel! This is thy funeral, this thy dirge!" As I said these words, I perceived in the gloom a figure from behind a clump of trees near me; I stood fixed, gazing intently: I could not be mistaken. A flash of lightning illuminated the object its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy daemon, to whom I had given life.

Setting: Pathetic Fallacy When the internal landscape of a character (his/her underlying mood) is reflected in the external landscape (the physical setting) E.g. When Gatsby s anxiety/fear is reflected by the rain E.g. When Gatsby s returning hope/joy is reflected by the returning sunlight

Setting: Pathetic Fallacy When the internal landscape of a character (his/her underlying mood) are reflected in the external landscape (the physical setting) E.g. Monster feels his heart lighten when spring arrives, after a long and testing winter

Setting: Sublime & Pathetic Fallacy NATURE s BEAUTY sometimes offers characters the possibility of spiritual renewal NATURE s HORRORS sometimes offers characters the sense of spiritual despair and damnation E.g. Victor heads to Mont Blanc to lift his spirits after the death of his brother E.g. Nature (in form of the Arctic Desert) becomes a symbolic reflection of Victor s internal/external struggle against the monster

Intro Point of view Characterization Setting Theme(s) (Romanticism) (Frame Narrative) (Direct, Indirect) (The Sublime, Pathetic Fallacy) (Parenting & Maternal Anxiety)

Theme (A) Maternal Anxiety In Frankenstein, Shelley explores the topic of pedagogy to highlight one of her main themes: the role that affection plays in the education of young children (esp. the idea that an un-loved child will have trouble learning) Victor learns because he wishes to please his father, The Creature learns because he wishes to emulate and be accepted by his creator But underlying this is the Q: How well does even a much-loved child learn? E.g. Victor is much-loved by his father... Yet his father s over indulgence only results in encouraging his egotistical dreams of power

Theme (A) Maternal Anxiety Pervasive throughout Shelley s story is this idea of maternal anxiety, the doubt over whether even a supportive parent can produce a virtuous adult: Even if I love and nurture my child, even if I provide the best education of which I am capable, I may still produce a monster and who is responsible for that? What do you think? About Victor s father about Victor?

Theme (B) Abandonment & Abortion 1) Victor s regret upon seeing his creation for the first time: When I thought of him I gnashed my teeth, my eyes became inflamed and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so thoughtlessly made. The Monster s consequent self-hatred/disgust: I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on.

Theme (B) Abandonment & Abortion 1) D 2) When Victor plans to create another life, so the Monster may have a female companion, he then decides to abort his plan, taking the necessary precautions to destroy the work he had begun 3) Once a source of intrigue, natural philosophy becomes a source of disgust to Victor Much like the Monster (and his other pursuits), Victor becomes dissatisfied not only rejecting it as unhelpful, but also as intellectually grotesque

Journal Prompt: Parenting A good deal of scholarly attention has been placed on the subject of parenting in Mary Shelley s Frankenstein. In a formal, 250-word written response, respond to the following question: What do you think fundamentally distinguishes a good parent from a bad one? Try to be substantial in your definitions, by ensuring to identify, as well as describe, your specific criteria.