18. Jane Eyre: (pg. 378)
“ ‘My spirit,” I answered mentally, “is willing to do what is right; and my flesh, I hope, is strong enough to accomplish the will of Heaven, when once that will is distinctly know to me.’”
Religion played a strong role in Charlotte Bronte’s life. Her father was a minister and Jane attended a school called the Clergy Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge. The person Charlotte Bronte married was her father’s religious assistant. Religion and references to religious thought is written throughout Jane Eyre. One of the main characters, St. John Rivers, is a minister who helps to save Jane when she is in trouble and eventually wants to marry her. In this quote, Jane is thinking spiritually about what she is going to do. Bronte used religious ideas in developing Jane’s character, and she may have used Jane’s character to explore her own views about religion.
“Charlotte Bronte, A Brief Biography.” The Victorian Web. Literature, history and culture in the age of Victoria. 1987. 25 November 2009. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/bronte/cbronte/brontbio.html
“Charlotte Bronte.” The Literature Network. Jalic, Inc. 2000-2009. 25 November 2009.
http://www.online-literature.com/brontec/.
Erlich, Julie. Afterword. Jane Eyre. By Charolotte Bronte. The Reader’s Digest Association. September 1984. 25 November 2009.
Jackson, Mark. Tone and Context in Tennyson's "Tithonus" (1833) and Brontë's Jane Eyre. The Victorian Web. 1996. 27 November 2009. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/bronte/cbronte/73tone.html.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
17. Jane Eyre: (pg. 378)
17. Jane Eyre: (pg. 378)
“It was my time to assume ascendancy. My powers were in play and in force, I told him to forbear question or remark; I desired him to leave me: I must and would be alone.”
Jane Eyre was and continues to be a very popular book. Bronte created a strong, female character that could overcome obstacles and find happiness. People admire this in a character and Jane gave people something to be hopeful for – love, personal strength, and strong convictions. Victorian women traditionally belonged in the home but mission work that women began doing led to a changing role for women. Bronte took these moved these changes forward with her portrayal of Jane.
Abrams, Lynn. “Ideals of womanhood in Victorian Britain.” History Trails Victorian Britain. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 August 2001. 25 November 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/victorian_britain/women_home/ideals_womanhood_01.shtml
“It was my time to assume ascendancy. My powers were in play and in force, I told him to forbear question or remark; I desired him to leave me: I must and would be alone.”
Jane Eyre was and continues to be a very popular book. Bronte created a strong, female character that could overcome obstacles and find happiness. People admire this in a character and Jane gave people something to be hopeful for – love, personal strength, and strong convictions. Victorian women traditionally belonged in the home but mission work that women began doing led to a changing role for women. Bronte took these moved these changes forward with her portrayal of Jane.
Abrams, Lynn. “Ideals of womanhood in Victorian Britain.” History Trails Victorian Britain. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 August 2001. 25 November 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/victorian_britain/women_home/ideals_womanhood_01.shtml
16. Jane Eyre: (pg. 377)
16. Jane Eyre: (pg. 377)
“ ‘Jane! Jane! Jane!’ – nothing more.”… “ ‘Where are you?’ I exclaimed.”…The hills beyond Marsh Glen sent the answer faintly back. ‘Where are you?’ I listened. The wind sighed low in the firs: all was moorland loneliness and midnight hush.”
A moor is a large land area where most things cannot grow because of poor soil quality. Moors are boggy areas. It is interesting that Bronte would have the voice of Jane’s love coming to her from a moor; you would think that a character who hears a voice coming out of a barren wasteland would think the voice was bad or evil (popular creepy tone again). Instead, Jane recognizes hearing the voice as a good sign. This falls in line with the romantic tone that Bronte develops in the novel and her theme of finding love. Jane’s character believes in love and recognizes love even when it calls to her from strange places.
"Moor." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 1 December 2009 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Moor
“ ‘Jane! Jane! Jane!’ – nothing more.”… “ ‘Where are you?’ I exclaimed.”…The hills beyond Marsh Glen sent the answer faintly back. ‘Where are you?’ I listened. The wind sighed low in the firs: all was moorland loneliness and midnight hush.”
A moor is a large land area where most things cannot grow because of poor soil quality. Moors are boggy areas. It is interesting that Bronte would have the voice of Jane’s love coming to her from a moor; you would think that a character who hears a voice coming out of a barren wasteland would think the voice was bad or evil (popular creepy tone again). Instead, Jane recognizes hearing the voice as a good sign. This falls in line with the romantic tone that Bronte develops in the novel and her theme of finding love. Jane’s character believes in love and recognizes love even when it calls to her from strange places.
"Moor." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 1 December 2009 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Moor
15. Jane Eyre (pg. 235)
15. Jane Eyre (pg. 235)
"I was thinking, sir (you will excuse the idea; it was involuntary), I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their charmers--"
This is a reference to Hercules (who is of Greek mythology) and Samson (who is from the Bible). Both of these men are know from their strength and both were hurt by women. Jane says this when Mr. Rochester speaks of the “thrill up my (his) arm to my (his) heart.” Using character development, Bronte shows that Jane seeing it as comical to think that she can have power over a man and to give a man these sensations. This serves to make Jane a character that the reader can relate to and want to be like.
“The Life and Times of Hercules.” Hercules Greece’s Greatest Hero. Persues Project Digital Library. 2 September 2008. 29 November 2009. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/bio.html
“The Sampson Bible Story.” The Bible Stories Library. 2009. 29 November 2009.
http://www.bible-stories-library.com/samson-bible-story.shtml.
"I was thinking, sir (you will excuse the idea; it was involuntary), I was thinking of Hercules and Samson with their charmers--"
This is a reference to Hercules (who is of Greek mythology) and Samson (who is from the Bible). Both of these men are know from their strength and both were hurt by women. Jane says this when Mr. Rochester speaks of the “thrill up my (his) arm to my (his) heart.” Using character development, Bronte shows that Jane seeing it as comical to think that she can have power over a man and to give a man these sensations. This serves to make Jane a character that the reader can relate to and want to be like.
“The Life and Times of Hercules.” Hercules Greece’s Greatest Hero. Persues Project Digital Library. 2 September 2008. 29 November 2009. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/bio.html
“The Sampson Bible Story.” The Bible Stories Library. 2009. 29 November 2009.
http://www.bible-stories-library.com/samson-bible-story.shtml.
14. Jane Eyre (pg. 235)
14. Jane Eyre (pg. 235)
“I might as well ‘gild refined gold’ I know it; your request is granted, then—for the time. I will remand the order I dispatched to my banker.”
Gild refined gold is an expression derived from "gild of lily." This phrase is referring to something that has unneeded decoration or is extravagant or to cover something already lovely with extra. It also symbolizes trying to improve an object that does not need to be improved. Bronte is showing that Mr. Rochester understands Jane’s desire not to “crowned with roses.” All Jane desires is Mr. Rochester's love; she wants to be treated as an equal in the relationship and for Mr. Rochester to show her his love for her through this treatment rather than gifts. "Crowned with roses" may be another tie in to the religious theme. Catholics recite the rosary as prayer; the holy rosary is known as Mary's "crown of roses." Throughout the book, Jane is trying to figure out her own religious beliefs. Ties to the theme of religion are seen as Jane meets and interacts with different characters and sorts out what she believes and what she doesn't believe about religion.
“Gild refined gold, paint the lily.” The Phrase Finder. 29 November 2009.
"The Holy Rosary." The Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel. 17 Jan. 2010. 17 Jan. 2010. http://www.catholic-church.org/apcarmel/rosary.htm
“I might as well ‘gild refined gold’ I know it; your request is granted, then—for the time. I will remand the order I dispatched to my banker.”
Gild refined gold is an expression derived from "gild of lily." This phrase is referring to something that has unneeded decoration or is extravagant or to cover something already lovely with extra. It also symbolizes trying to improve an object that does not need to be improved. Bronte is showing that Mr. Rochester understands Jane’s desire not to “crowned with roses.” All Jane desires is Mr. Rochester's love; she wants to be treated as an equal in the relationship and for Mr. Rochester to show her his love for her through this treatment rather than gifts. "Crowned with roses" may be another tie in to the religious theme. Catholics recite the rosary as prayer; the holy rosary is known as Mary's "crown of roses." Throughout the book, Jane is trying to figure out her own religious beliefs. Ties to the theme of religion are seen as Jane meets and interacts with different characters and sorts out what she believes and what she doesn't believe about religion.
“Gild refined gold, paint the lily.” The Phrase Finder. 29 November 2009.
"The Holy Rosary." The Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel. 17 Jan. 2010. 17 Jan. 2010. http://www.catholic-church.org/apcarmel/rosary.htm
13. Jane Eyre
13. "Now, King Ahasuerus! What do I want with half your estate? Do you think I am a Jew-usurer, seeking good investment in land?”
King Ahasuerus is a biblical king named in the book of Esther (Bible). He ruled Persia, Media and Babylonia. He reined over these kingdoms for 20 years and invaded Greece. This invasion was stopped at the Pass of Thermopylae by Leonidas and the famous “300.” After Ahasueus was defeated by Themistocles at Salamis he returned home and took Esther as his Queen. Jew- userer is a derogatory term as a person who overcharged interest when lending money. In this case, Jews took advantage of other people. Bronte is expressing Jane’s desire to not be treated special by Mr. Rochester. Bronte describes Jane as not wanting to be given lavish or expensive gifts but to be considered and treated as an equal.
Ahasuerus. Bible Encyclopedia. Films for Christ. 1995-2009. ChristianAnswersNet. 29 November 2009.
Book of Esther. Bible Encyclopedia. Films for
Christ. 1995-2009. 29 November 2009. ChristianAnswersNet. http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/estherbookof.html
King Ahasuerus is a biblical king named in the book of Esther (Bible). He ruled Persia, Media and Babylonia. He reined over these kingdoms for 20 years and invaded Greece. This invasion was stopped at the Pass of Thermopylae by Leonidas and the famous “300.” After Ahasueus was defeated by Themistocles at Salamis he returned home and took Esther as his Queen. Jew- userer is a derogatory term as a person who overcharged interest when lending money. In this case, Jews took advantage of other people. Bronte is expressing Jane’s desire to not be treated special by Mr. Rochester. Bronte describes Jane as not wanting to be given lavish or expensive gifts but to be considered and treated as an equal.
Ahasuerus. Bible Encyclopedia. Films for Christ. 1995-2009. ChristianAnswersNet. 29 November 2009.
Book of Esther. Bible Encyclopedia. Films for
Christ. 1995-2009. 29 November 2009. ChristianAnswersNet. http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/estherbookof.html
12. Jane Eyre: (pg. 234)
12. Jane Eyre: (pg. 234)
“...Wherever I stamped my hoof, your sylph's foot shall step also.”
A sylph is a mythological creature that inhabits the air. Saying someone is a sylph is representing them to be a beautiful and slim woman. In this passage, Bronte depicts Jane Eyre as a beautiful, mythological person rather than the short, plain character she has previously been portrayed as. Bronte perhaps makes these changes because it is Mr. Rochester describing Jane. Do not all lovers see their significant other beautiful in someway?
"Sylph." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 29 November 2009. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sylph
“...Wherever I stamped my hoof, your sylph's foot shall step also.”
A sylph is a mythological creature that inhabits the air. Saying someone is a sylph is representing them to be a beautiful and slim woman. In this passage, Bronte depicts Jane Eyre as a beautiful, mythological person rather than the short, plain character she has previously been portrayed as. Bronte perhaps makes these changes because it is Mr. Rochester describing Jane. Do not all lovers see their significant other beautiful in someway?
"Sylph." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 29 November 2009. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sylph
11. Jane Eyre (pg. 221)
11. Jane Eyre (pg. 221)
“No nook in the grounds more sheltered and more Eden-like; it was full of trees, it bloomed with flowers: a very high wall shut it out from the court on one side; on the other, a beech avenue screened it from the lawn.”
Eden is the first garden described in Western religious literature. Eden is described as a beautiful place; the place where man and woman should have been completely satisified though it had its temptations. Bronte describes the grounds of Thornfield as a truly beautiful place. Eden is said to mean “delight.” Bronte shows the reader that Jane finds true delight in the beauty of the grounds of Thornfield and finds then peaceful and safe. Jane is also tempted by her attraction to Mr. Rochester while she is at Thornfield.
Brickner, Rabbi Balrour. “Eden: The First Garden.” Excerpted from Finding God in the Garden: Backyard Reflections on Life, Love, and Compost . eNotAlone.com. 2009. 29 November 2009. http://www.enotalone.com/article/3888.html.
“No nook in the grounds more sheltered and more Eden-like; it was full of trees, it bloomed with flowers: a very high wall shut it out from the court on one side; on the other, a beech avenue screened it from the lawn.”
Eden is the first garden described in Western religious literature. Eden is described as a beautiful place; the place where man and woman should have been completely satisified though it had its temptations. Bronte describes the grounds of Thornfield as a truly beautiful place. Eden is said to mean “delight.” Bronte shows the reader that Jane finds true delight in the beauty of the grounds of Thornfield and finds then peaceful and safe. Jane is also tempted by her attraction to Mr. Rochester while she is at Thornfield.
Brickner, Rabbi Balrour. “Eden: The First Garden.” Excerpted from Finding God in the Garden: Backyard Reflections on Life, Love, and Compost . eNotAlone.com. 2009. 29 November 2009. http://www.enotalone.com/article/3888.html.
10. Jane Eyre (pg. 219)
10. Jane Eyre (pg. 219)
“You must see the carriage, Jane, and tell me if you don't think it will suit Mrs. Rochester exactly; and whether she won't look like Queen Boadicea leaning back against those purple cushions.”
Queen Boadicea lived during the first century A.D. During this the time, Britain was overrun by the Roman Empire. Boadicea is widely known for leading the English people to rebel against the Romans during Nero's reign. She is described as “tall, strong boned, scowling creatures with long red hair” and often “mannish.” Bronte describes Mr. Rochester thinking of Blanche as Queen Boadicea showing the reader that Mr. Rochester finds Blanche to be a strong-willed person not necessarily to be remembered by her looks but rather her personality and strength. Bronte most likely describes Blanche in this negative and (almost) ugly reference to show the reader that this would be an ugly marriage. They are not right for each other. At the time that Jane Eyre was published, women had certain acceptable roles in life. The female character that Bronte created in Jane was unusual. Jane was an independent thinker. She explored religious thought and found ways to be as self supporting as she could in the time. She struggled but she persevered. Queen Boadicea was definitely an unusal woman. Bronte may be using these references to encourage the development of woman's minds to not accept the roles that society put upon them.
Boudica - Britain's Warrior Queen. Welcome to History UK. History of England. November 2009. 28 November 2009. http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/England-History/Boudica.htm
Grant, Vallkyrie. Iceni Queen Boadicea. March 2009. 28 November 2009. http://fanzone50.com/Tales/Boadicea1.html
“You must see the carriage, Jane, and tell me if you don't think it will suit Mrs. Rochester exactly; and whether she won't look like Queen Boadicea leaning back against those purple cushions.”
Queen Boadicea lived during the first century A.D. During this the time, Britain was overrun by the Roman Empire. Boadicea is widely known for leading the English people to rebel against the Romans during Nero's reign. She is described as “tall, strong boned, scowling creatures with long red hair” and often “mannish.” Bronte describes Mr. Rochester thinking of Blanche as Queen Boadicea showing the reader that Mr. Rochester finds Blanche to be a strong-willed person not necessarily to be remembered by her looks but rather her personality and strength. Bronte most likely describes Blanche in this negative and (almost) ugly reference to show the reader that this would be an ugly marriage. They are not right for each other. At the time that Jane Eyre was published, women had certain acceptable roles in life. The female character that Bronte created in Jane was unusual. Jane was an independent thinker. She explored religious thought and found ways to be as self supporting as she could in the time. She struggled but she persevered. Queen Boadicea was definitely an unusal woman. Bronte may be using these references to encourage the development of woman's minds to not accept the roles that society put upon them.
Boudica - Britain's Warrior Queen. Welcome to History UK. History of England. November 2009. 28 November 2009. http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/England-History/Boudica.htm
Grant, Vallkyrie. Iceni Queen Boadicea. March 2009. 28 November 2009. http://fanzone50.com/Tales/Boadicea1.html
9. Jane Eyre: (pg. 210)
9. Jane Eyre: (pg. 210)
Three times a day she studied a little book, which I found, on inspection, was a Common Prayer Book. I asked her once what was the great attraction of that volume, and she said, "the Rubric."
The Common Prayer Book is “the foundational prayer book of the Church of England which was one of the instruments of the Protestant Reformation in England.” Bronte is depicting Eliza to be a woman who is very faithful to her religion and beliefs but who also questions it. The rubric was part of the Book of Common Prayer that was put in to make sure that people understood the representation of the bread during communion and the symbolism of kneeling to receive it. The bread was just a representation and the action of kneeling was not about worshiping the bread (the host) or the action of receiving communion but about the symbolism of the bread. The bread symbolizes the broken body of Christ who sacrificed his life to save people from their own sins. Jane, like Eliza, often finds herself questioning religion. Even though religion does not play a constant role in her life she is religious. Bronte finds ways to develop her religious theme by showing her characters in common relious practices and then having Jane assess the interactions with the characters.
Book of Common Prayer - History, Prayer books in other Anglican churches, Religious influence, Secular influence, Copyright status, Footnotes and references
http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/3062/Book-Common-Prayer.html#ixzz0YT3ULuTd.
Castelli, Jorge. “Book of Common Prayer.” Tudor Place.com. 27 November 2009. http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/book_of_common_prayer.htm.
Three times a day she studied a little book, which I found, on inspection, was a Common Prayer Book. I asked her once what was the great attraction of that volume, and she said, "the Rubric."
The Common Prayer Book is “the foundational prayer book of the Church of England which was one of the instruments of the Protestant Reformation in England.” Bronte is depicting Eliza to be a woman who is very faithful to her religion and beliefs but who also questions it. The rubric was part of the Book of Common Prayer that was put in to make sure that people understood the representation of the bread during communion and the symbolism of kneeling to receive it. The bread was just a representation and the action of kneeling was not about worshiping the bread (the host) or the action of receiving communion but about the symbolism of the bread. The bread symbolizes the broken body of Christ who sacrificed his life to save people from their own sins. Jane, like Eliza, often finds herself questioning religion. Even though religion does not play a constant role in her life she is religious. Bronte finds ways to develop her religious theme by showing her characters in common relious practices and then having Jane assess the interactions with the characters.
Book of Common Prayer - History, Prayer books in other Anglican churches, Religious influence, Secular influence, Copyright status, Footnotes and references
http://encyclopedia.stateuniversity.com/pages/3062/Book-Common-Prayer.html#ixzz0YT3ULuTd.
Castelli, Jorge. “Book of Common Prayer.” Tudor Place.com. 27 November 2009. http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/Documents/book_of_common_prayer.htm.
8. Jane Eyre (pg. 189)
8. Jane Eyre (pg. 189)
“And this man I bent over—this commonplace, quiet stranger—how had he become involved in the web of horror? and why had the Fury flown at him?”
Bronte makes a reference to three goddesses from Greek mythology: Alecto, Tipiphone, and Megaera. They are the goddesses of revenge; they hunt and punish sinners. Bronte uses this reference creates a vivid image of the angry and violent woman that attacked Mr. Mason. The Furies were angry, vengeful goddesses. Mr. Mason's sister is like someone possessed. She is crazy. Mr. Mason tries to do what is right for his sister, but he is attacked as if he is the one who is wrong. By continuing to force the reader to think about right and wrong, good and evil, Bronte is developing the theme of religion and the women's roles in the time.
“The Furies.” Megara.org. 30 November 2009. http://www.megaera.org/Megaera/fury.html
"Megaera" created on 22 April 1997; last modified on 15 May 1998 (Revision 2). 30 November 2009.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/megaera.html.
“And this man I bent over—this commonplace, quiet stranger—how had he become involved in the web of horror? and why had the Fury flown at him?”
Bronte makes a reference to three goddesses from Greek mythology: Alecto, Tipiphone, and Megaera. They are the goddesses of revenge; they hunt and punish sinners. Bronte uses this reference creates a vivid image of the angry and violent woman that attacked Mr. Mason. The Furies were angry, vengeful goddesses. Mr. Mason's sister is like someone possessed. She is crazy. Mr. Mason tries to do what is right for his sister, but he is attacked as if he is the one who is wrong. By continuing to force the reader to think about right and wrong, good and evil, Bronte is developing the theme of religion and the women's roles in the time.
“The Furies.” Megara.org. 30 November 2009. http://www.megaera.org/Megaera/fury.html
"Megaera" created on 22 April 1997; last modified on 15 May 1998 (Revision 2). 30 November 2009.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/megaera.html.
7. Jane Eyre (pg. 185)
7. Jane Eyre (pg. 185)
“All's right!—all's right!” he cried. “It's a mere rehearsal of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ Ladies, keep off, or I shall wax dangerous.”
In this quote Bronte makes an allusion to the Shakespeare play “Much Ado about Nothing”; this is a generally happy play ending in the union of four lovers. In this play, nothing “wrong” ever actually happens, however, fusses are made over many minor details or tricks. Bronte makes this allusion to show the reader that Rochester feels as if too much fuss is being made of non- important things. He is being clung to and it annoys him deeply.
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Much Ado About Nothing.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
“All's right!—all's right!” he cried. “It's a mere rehearsal of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ Ladies, keep off, or I shall wax dangerous.”
In this quote Bronte makes an allusion to the Shakespeare play “Much Ado about Nothing”; this is a generally happy play ending in the union of four lovers. In this play, nothing “wrong” ever actually happens, however, fusses are made over many minor details or tricks. Bronte makes this allusion to show the reader that Rochester feels as if too much fuss is being made of non- important things. He is being clung to and it annoys him deeply.
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Much Ado About Nothing.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
6. Jane Eyre (pg. 184)
6. Jane Eyre (pg. 184)
“The consequence was, that when the moon, which was full and bright (for the night was fine), came in her course to that space in the sky opposite my casement, and looked in at me through the unveiled panes, her glorious gaze roused me. Awaking in the dead of night, I opened my eyes on her disk--silver- white and crystal clear. It was beautiful, but too solemn...”
Bronte is using the moon and the color, silver-white, referencing the moon. Silver symbolizes desire and the harms that desire may cause. Furthermore, the moon is a symbol of shapes that change and then reform. White symbolizes innocence or enlightenment. Bronte is foreshadowing a change in atmosphere for Jane Eyre. Bronte describes the moon as a “silver- white” representing an innocent desire that Jane Eyre possess for Mr. Rochester. Will this desire harm Jane or someone else?
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
“The consequence was, that when the moon, which was full and bright (for the night was fine), came in her course to that space in the sky opposite my casement, and looked in at me through the unveiled panes, her glorious gaze roused me. Awaking in the dead of night, I opened my eyes on her disk--silver- white and crystal clear. It was beautiful, but too solemn...”
Bronte is using the moon and the color, silver-white, referencing the moon. Silver symbolizes desire and the harms that desire may cause. Furthermore, the moon is a symbol of shapes that change and then reform. White symbolizes innocence or enlightenment. Bronte is foreshadowing a change in atmosphere for Jane Eyre. Bronte describes the moon as a “silver- white” representing an innocent desire that Jane Eyre possess for Mr. Rochester. Will this desire harm Jane or someone else?
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
5. Jane Eyre: (pg. 125)
5. Jane Eyre: (pg. 125)
"You are afraid of me, because I talk like a Sphynx."
The word sphynx means “strangler”. The Greeks first used this word to describe a “fabulous creature which had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird.” Bronte uses the word “sphynx” to describe the way Mr. Rochester is speaking to Jane Eyre. Mr. Rochester is very abrupt and bewildering; Bronte is saying that his words are nearly strangling Jane Eyre. He is saying that he is mysterious to Jane. The sphynx would be a truly terrifying create to stumble upon (through appearances). However, Jane replies to this comment by stating “Your language is enigmatical, sir: but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid." Bronte develops Jane’s character as straightforward, strong and independent.
"Sphinx." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 01 Dec. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Sphinx.
Winston, Allen. “The Great Sphinx of Giza.” Tour Egypt. InterCityOz. Inc. 1999-2003. 27 November 2009. http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/sphinx1.htm
"You are afraid of me, because I talk like a Sphynx."
The word sphynx means “strangler”. The Greeks first used this word to describe a “fabulous creature which had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird.” Bronte uses the word “sphynx” to describe the way Mr. Rochester is speaking to Jane Eyre. Mr. Rochester is very abrupt and bewildering; Bronte is saying that his words are nearly strangling Jane Eyre. He is saying that he is mysterious to Jane. The sphynx would be a truly terrifying create to stumble upon (through appearances). However, Jane replies to this comment by stating “Your language is enigmatical, sir: but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid." Bronte develops Jane’s character as straightforward, strong and independent.
"Sphinx." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 01 Dec. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Sphinx.
Winston, Allen. “The Great Sphinx of Giza.” Tour Egypt. InterCityOz. Inc. 1999-2003. 27 November 2009. http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/sphinx1.htm
4. Jane Eyre: (pg. 175)
4. Jane Eyre: (pg. 175)
“The library looked tranquil enough as I entered it, and the Sibyl-- if Sibyl she were--was seated snugly enough in an easy-chair at the chimney-corner.”
A Sibyl is a woman who is assumed to have powers of prophecy or divination. Bronte is showing expressing Jane Eyre’s disbelief in the gypsy that is here to tell her of her future. Jane questions the powers of this lady, “if sibyl she were”, Jane is only seeing the gypsy for fun. Bronte uses the gypsy to further reveal Jane’s nature – skeptic and realist. The story is told from Jane’s point-of-view (writer’s tool). Bronte also uses the Sibyl to create sinister and supernatural tone which was popular at the time.
Erlich, Julie. Afterword. Jane Eyre. By Charolotte Bronte. The Reader’s Digest Association. September 1984. 25 November 2009.
"SIBYL." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 26 November 2009. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SIBYL
Steinberg, Briel. The supernatural element in Jane Eyre. The Victorian Web. 1993. 26 November 2009. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/bronte/cbronte/steinberg1.html.
“The library looked tranquil enough as I entered it, and the Sibyl-- if Sibyl she were--was seated snugly enough in an easy-chair at the chimney-corner.”
A Sibyl is a woman who is assumed to have powers of prophecy or divination. Bronte is showing expressing Jane Eyre’s disbelief in the gypsy that is here to tell her of her future. Jane questions the powers of this lady, “if sibyl she were”, Jane is only seeing the gypsy for fun. Bronte uses the gypsy to further reveal Jane’s nature – skeptic and realist. The story is told from Jane’s point-of-view (writer’s tool). Bronte also uses the Sibyl to create sinister and supernatural tone which was popular at the time.
Erlich, Julie. Afterword. Jane Eyre. By Charolotte Bronte. The Reader’s Digest Association. September 1984. 25 November 2009.
"SIBYL." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009. Merriam-Webster Online. 26 November 2009. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SIBYL
Steinberg, Briel. The supernatural element in Jane Eyre. The Victorian Web. 1993. 26 November 2009. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/bronte/cbronte/steinberg1.html.
3. Jane Eyre: (pg. 144)
3. Jane Eyre: (pg. 144)
“...the Grecian neck and bust...”
Bronte is referencing the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks are known for their appearances and style of dress; Greek men had flat, figured abs. Grecian dress was less modest than Christian dress. Bronte compares Blanche’s neck and bust to that of a Grecian. Bronte is showing that Blanche is a very beautiful woman. By referring to the neck and bust, Bronte also develops imagery of desire and lust.
“The Christian’s Appearance.” Bible Views. 8 October 2008. 25 November 2009. http://www.bibleviews.com/Dress.html
"grecian." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Dec. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grecian.
“Greek Physique.” Urban Dictionary. 1999-2009. 25 November 2009.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Greek%20physique
“...the Grecian neck and bust...”
Bronte is referencing the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks are known for their appearances and style of dress; Greek men had flat, figured abs. Grecian dress was less modest than Christian dress. Bronte compares Blanche’s neck and bust to that of a Grecian. Bronte is showing that Blanche is a very beautiful woman. By referring to the neck and bust, Bronte also develops imagery of desire and lust.
“The Christian’s Appearance.” Bible Views. 8 October 2008. 25 November 2009. http://www.bibleviews.com/Dress.html
"grecian." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Dec. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grecian.
“Greek Physique.” Urban Dictionary. 1999-2009. 25 November 2009.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Greek%20physique
2. Jane Eyre: (pg. 84)
2. Jane Eyre: (pg. 84)
“... including a portrait of George the Third, and another of the Prince of Wales, and a representation of the death of Wolfe.”
George the Third was named the Prince of Wales in 1751 when he was 12 and began to serve as King in 1760. The Prince of Wales was George III’s son since the Prince of Wales is the title given to the son of the King of England who is supposed to become the King. “The death of Wolfe” references the death of General James Wolfe in the battle of Quebec. There are many artistic representations of General Wolfe’s death. Bronte is using imagery to describe the current setting of the story and to show Jane’s feelings. She is anxious, alone, and surrounded by paintings of these powerful men. Bronte is creating the stage for the next part of Jane’s life. She will be surrounded by things she is not used to. This may make Jane feel isolated but it also develops her character.
“The Battle of Quebec 1759.” British Battles.com. 2007. 25 November 2009. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-of-quebec.htm
“King George the Third.” Evisum, Inc. 2000. 25 November 2009. http://www.kinggeorgeiii.com/
McNeil, Keith and Rusty. “Information: The Death of General Wolfe.” Colonial and Revolution Songbook. WEM Records, Riverside, CA. 1996. 25 November 2009. http://www.contemplator.com/america/wolfe.html
“Previous Princes of Wales.” The Prince of Wales. 2009. 25 November 2009. http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/abouttheprince/previousprincesofwales/
“... including a portrait of George the Third, and another of the Prince of Wales, and a representation of the death of Wolfe.”
George the Third was named the Prince of Wales in 1751 when he was 12 and began to serve as King in 1760. The Prince of Wales was George III’s son since the Prince of Wales is the title given to the son of the King of England who is supposed to become the King. “The death of Wolfe” references the death of General James Wolfe in the battle of Quebec. There are many artistic representations of General Wolfe’s death. Bronte is using imagery to describe the current setting of the story and to show Jane’s feelings. She is anxious, alone, and surrounded by paintings of these powerful men. Bronte is creating the stage for the next part of Jane’s life. She will be surrounded by things she is not used to. This may make Jane feel isolated but it also develops her character.
“The Battle of Quebec 1759.” British Battles.com. 2007. 25 November 2009. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-of-quebec.htm
“King George the Third.” Evisum, Inc. 2000. 25 November 2009. http://www.kinggeorgeiii.com/
McNeil, Keith and Rusty. “Information: The Death of General Wolfe.” Colonial and Revolution Songbook. WEM Records, Riverside, CA. 1996. 25 November 2009. http://www.contemplator.com/america/wolfe.html
“Previous Princes of Wales.” The Prince of Wales. 2009. 25 November 2009. http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/abouttheprince/previousprincesofwales/
1. Jane Eyre: (pg. 8)
1. Jane Eyre: (pg. 8)
“Where the Northern Ocean, in vast whirls,
Boils round the naked, melancholy isles,
Of farthest Thule; and the Atlantic surge
Pours in among the stormy Hebridges.”
Bronte is describing the North Cape which her character, Jane Eyre, is reading about. According to the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Thule may be Iceland; Ancient Romans knew it as the most faraway known place to the north. Thule may be connected to “Gothic Tiule” which means the “most remote land.” Thule also may be connected to Greek “telos ”meaning “the end.” Bronte uses this reference to highlight the cold and bleak conditions that Jane grew up in (orphaned and living with an aunt that resented her) and that formed the basis for her childhood life and that influenced the way she thought and felt about relationships, religion, independence and what she thinks is right and wrong. Jane felt isolated and alone growing up and spends her life looking to belong but without giving up who she is.
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. Great Books on Line. Bartleby.com: Great Books online. 2009. 25 November 2009. http://www.bartleby.com/81/16480.html
“Where the Northern Ocean, in vast whirls,
Boils round the naked, melancholy isles,
Of farthest Thule; and the Atlantic surge
Pours in among the stormy Hebridges.”
Bronte is describing the North Cape which her character, Jane Eyre, is reading about. According to the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Thule may be Iceland; Ancient Romans knew it as the most faraway known place to the north. Thule may be connected to “Gothic Tiule” which means the “most remote land.” Thule also may be connected to Greek “telos ”meaning “the end.” Bronte uses this reference to highlight the cold and bleak conditions that Jane grew up in (orphaned and living with an aunt that resented her) and that formed the basis for her childhood life and that influenced the way she thought and felt about relationships, religion, independence and what she thinks is right and wrong. Jane felt isolated and alone growing up and spends her life looking to belong but without giving up who she is.
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. Great Books on Line. Bartleby.com: Great Books online. 2009. 25 November 2009. http://www.bartleby.com/81/16480.html
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
19. Mrs. Dalloway: (pp. 182-183)
19. Mrs. Dalloway: (pp. 182-183): “The clock began striking. The young man had killed himself; but she did not pity him…She felt somehow very like him – the young man who had killed himself…The clock was striking….But she must go back.”:
Mark Hussey suggests that Virginia Woolf relates to the man who committed suicide and she communicates this through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. If a reader knew the background of Woolf, they would realize that this is very plausible. Woolf heard voices and got headaches just as she depicts her character, Septimus. Woolf felt like she would welcome death; she wished that she could throw life away. But the rules of society made her move forward as if alive although she felt dead inside. Social norms made Clarissa return to the party. The clock striking emphasizes these thoughts. Time will continue no matter what people choose to do – to live or to die. Woolf uses sound imagery of the clock striking (time moves forward) and the depressing tone of the situation of suicide; together these things emphasize the theme of isolation.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
Mark Hussey suggests that Virginia Woolf relates to the man who committed suicide and she communicates this through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. If a reader knew the background of Woolf, they would realize that this is very plausible. Woolf heard voices and got headaches just as she depicts her character, Septimus. Woolf felt like she would welcome death; she wished that she could throw life away. But the rules of society made her move forward as if alive although she felt dead inside. Social norms made Clarissa return to the party. The clock striking emphasizes these thoughts. Time will continue no matter what people choose to do – to live or to die. Woolf uses sound imagery of the clock striking (time moves forward) and the depressing tone of the situation of suicide; together these things emphasize the theme of isolation.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
18. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 86)
18. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 86) “He could reason; he could read, Dante for example, quite easily (‘Septimus do put down your book,’ said Rezia, gently shutting the Inferno,)…that he could not feel”:
In this quotation, Woolf references Dante’s poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy is a three part story which details Dante’s travels through the nine circles of hell. Inferno is the first part of the story; it’s about how Dante attempts to find God in his life while those in Hell work to stop him from finding the true path. Woolf uses irony to reflect Septimus’ character. Woolf creates a character, Septimus, who is living in hell; although the world around him is beautiful, he is emotionless, unhappy, and interacts with dead people. Many times, he finds himself facing hell on a daily basis.
“Divine Comedy.” Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy.
“Inferno.” The World of Dante. University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html.
In this quotation, Woolf references Dante’s poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy is a three part story which details Dante’s travels through the nine circles of hell. Inferno is the first part of the story; it’s about how Dante attempts to find God in his life while those in Hell work to stop him from finding the true path. Woolf uses irony to reflect Septimus’ character. Woolf creates a character, Septimus, who is living in hell; although the world around him is beautiful, he is emotionless, unhappy, and interacts with dead people. Many times, he finds himself facing hell on a daily basis.
“Divine Comedy.” Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy.
“Inferno.” The World of Dante. University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities. 23 August 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html.
17. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 52)
17. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 52) “Then the thin long cloak which the wind stirred as she walked past Dent’s shop in Cockspur Street blew out with enveloping kindness…”:
Cockspur Street is a street in London. Peter follows this route in his pursuit of an attractive young woman. Woolf may have used this street “promiscuously”—as a joke to the name of the street. Peter’s character is frustrated and isolated. Woolf uses suggestive language and the vibrant imagery of the streets of London to depict Peter’s isolation.
Mrs. Dalloway’s London map. Mrs. Dalloway. Virginia Woolf. Harcourt Inc. 2005. 30 August 2009.
Cockspur Street is a street in London. Peter follows this route in his pursuit of an attractive young woman. Woolf may have used this street “promiscuously”—as a joke to the name of the street. Peter’s character is frustrated and isolated. Woolf uses suggestive language and the vibrant imagery of the streets of London to depict Peter’s isolation.
Mrs. Dalloway’s London map. Mrs. Dalloway. Virginia Woolf. Harcourt Inc. 2005. 30 August 2009.
16. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31)
16. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31) “And then at Constantinople, and again and again.”:
Constantinople was an ancient Byzantine city that strived for over 1000 years. Woolf visited this city (now the capital of Turkey) in 1906. Woolf most likely learned of Constantinople’s history while she was in Turkey and compared Clarissa’s “failure” to the downfall of this once striving city due to they knowledge she possessed of this area. The downfall of a city that strived for so long is a huge failure; Woolf depicts Clarissa feeling that she had a major downfall as well: “something central which permeated.”
“The Fall of Constantinople.” Hellenk Electronic Center. 1996-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.greece.org/romiosini/fall.html
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
Constantinople was an ancient Byzantine city that strived for over 1000 years. Woolf visited this city (now the capital of Turkey) in 1906. Woolf most likely learned of Constantinople’s history while she was in Turkey and compared Clarissa’s “failure” to the downfall of this once striving city due to they knowledge she possessed of this area. The downfall of a city that strived for so long is a huge failure; Woolf depicts Clarissa feeling that she had a major downfall as well: “something central which permeated.”
“The Fall of Constantinople.” Hellenk Electronic Center. 1996-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.greece.org/romiosini/fall.html
“Virginia Woolf her life and works.” Mantex. 2000-2008. 30 August 2009. http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/a319/woolf-01.htm
15. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31)
15. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 31) “Lovely in girlhood… for example on the river beneath the woods at Clieveden…she had failed him.”:
The Clieveden woods are a scenic area next to the Thames River in London, England. Woolf brings the beautiful and calming imagery of the woods to the reader while at the same time leading into a confusing tone. Clarissa feels empty; she is at a loss as to what is the nature of love and desire. She can sense it more clearly with women, but she still doesn’t feel it completely. Woolf was much the same. In her diaries, she wrote about being a victim of childhood sexual abuse by one of her brothers, and this event had an impact on all sexual relationships in her future. Woolf fills Clarissa’s character with a similar uncertainty. Woolf develops Clarissa as an isolated and alone character. Victims of abuse may feel uncertain, isolated, and separated from others.
“Cliveden Woods, from ferry, London.” www.old-picture.com. 2006-2008. 29 September 2009. http://www.old-picture.com/europe/Cliveden-Woods-ferry-London.htm
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
The Clieveden woods are a scenic area next to the Thames River in London, England. Woolf brings the beautiful and calming imagery of the woods to the reader while at the same time leading into a confusing tone. Clarissa feels empty; she is at a loss as to what is the nature of love and desire. She can sense it more clearly with women, but she still doesn’t feel it completely. Woolf was much the same. In her diaries, she wrote about being a victim of childhood sexual abuse by one of her brothers, and this event had an impact on all sexual relationships in her future. Woolf fills Clarissa’s character with a similar uncertainty. Woolf develops Clarissa as an isolated and alone character. Victims of abuse may feel uncertain, isolated, and separated from others.
“Cliveden Woods, from ferry, London.” www.old-picture.com. 2006-2008. 29 September 2009. http://www.old-picture.com/europe/Cliveden-Woods-ferry-London.htm
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
14. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 30)
14. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 30) “The candle was half burnt down and she had read deep in Baron Marbot’s Memoirs.”:
Baron Marbot’s Memoirs is a two volume memoir considered to be one of the best written and most informative of all memoirs published in the Napoleonic period. The Napoleonic period is in France and England and was the final period of the French Revolution. This book details Baron Marbot’s life and involvement in the Napoleonic Wars. Clarissa reads this book as she is trying to fall asleep. Woolf is creating a realistic setting by placing real people/ memoirs of people into Mrs. Dalloway; Woolf is raising the intellectual tone of novel and academic nature of Clarissa’s character. Woolf also develops the isolation and loneliness theme. Clarissa sleeps alone; she stays up late by herself. She prefers it but she doesn’t enjoy being alone. She feels isolated. Woolf uses the attic bedroom as a visual symbolic image of the isolation and separation.
“Napoleonic era.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 20 July 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_era
“Memoirs of Baron deMarbot.” Napoleonic Literature. 26 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://napoleonic-literature.com/Amazon/Memoirs_of_Marbot_Vol_1.htm
Baron Marbot’s Memoirs is a two volume memoir considered to be one of the best written and most informative of all memoirs published in the Napoleonic period. The Napoleonic period is in France and England and was the final period of the French Revolution. This book details Baron Marbot’s life and involvement in the Napoleonic Wars. Clarissa reads this book as she is trying to fall asleep. Woolf is creating a realistic setting by placing real people/ memoirs of people into Mrs. Dalloway; Woolf is raising the intellectual tone of novel and academic nature of Clarissa’s character. Woolf also develops the isolation and loneliness theme. Clarissa sleeps alone; she stays up late by herself. She prefers it but she doesn’t enjoy being alone. She feels isolated. Woolf uses the attic bedroom as a visual symbolic image of the isolation and separation.
“Napoleonic era.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 20 July 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_era
“Memoirs of Baron deMarbot.” Napoleonic Literature. 26 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://napoleonic-literature.com/Amazon/Memoirs_of_Marbot_Vol_1.htm
13. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 28)
13. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 28) "he thought…Ludgate Circus.”:
Ludgate Circus is the main connection between London and Westminster (where Clarissa Dalloway lived). It is a traffic circle that joins Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill. It is west of St. Paul’s cathedral in London. Woolf references this crossing to aid in continuing the realistic setting of London and to lead the story back to Westminster and Clarissa.
“Ludgate Circus (London).” Wikimapia. August, 2007. 29 September 2009. http://wikimapia.org/5711997/Ludgate-Circus
“Ludgate Circus.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2 July 2009. 20 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludgate_Circus
Ludgate Circus is the main connection between London and Westminster (where Clarissa Dalloway lived). It is a traffic circle that joins Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill. It is west of St. Paul’s cathedral in London. Woolf references this crossing to aid in continuing the realistic setting of London and to lead the story back to Westminster and Clarissa.
“Ludgate Circus (London).” Wikimapia. August, 2007. 29 September 2009. http://wikimapia.org/5711997/Ludgate-Circus
“Ludgate Circus.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2 July 2009. 20 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludgate_Circus
12. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27)
12. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27) "Away and away the aeroplane shot, till it was nothing but a bright spark; an aspiration; a concentration; a symbol (so it seemed to Mr. Bentley, vigorously rolling his strip of turf at Greenwich) of man's soul; of his determination, thought Mr. Bentley, sweeping round the cedar tree, to get outside his body, beyond his house, by means of thought, Einstein, speculation, mathematics, the Mendelian theory…away the airplane shot”:
Albert Einstein is a scientist of the 20th century who developed the theory of relativity. The Mendelian theory is about inherited genetic traits. Woolf uses the visual imagery of the soaring plane as it brings the story back to Clarissa. The reference to the famous scientists brings an intellectual tone. Education is for the benefit of man and the upper class, but upper class men and women would have been aware of Einstein and the Mendelian theory. Thus, Woolf manages to bring the story back to Clarissa both visually and intellectually.
“Albert Einstein.” Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/albert-einstein
“Mendelian inheritance.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendelian_inheritance
What are the principles of mendelian genetics? Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_principles_of_mendelian_genetics&src=ansTT
Albert Einstein is a scientist of the 20th century who developed the theory of relativity. The Mendelian theory is about inherited genetic traits. Woolf uses the visual imagery of the soaring plane as it brings the story back to Clarissa. The reference to the famous scientists brings an intellectual tone. Education is for the benefit of man and the upper class, but upper class men and women would have been aware of Einstein and the Mendelian theory. Thus, Woolf manages to bring the story back to Clarissa both visually and intellectually.
“Albert Einstein.” Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/albert-einstein
“Mendelian inheritance.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendelian_inheritance
What are the principles of mendelian genetics? Answers.com. 2009. 29 September 2009.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_principles_of_mendelian_genetics&src=ansTT
11. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27)
11. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27) "It swept and fell….There’s a fine young feller abroad of it, Mrs. Dempster wagered, and away and away it went, fast fading, away and away the aeroplane shot; soaring over Greenwich and all the masts; over the little island of grey churches, St. Paul’s and the rest till… thrice.”:
Greenwich is a borough in southeast London. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a cathedral built on the highest land in London. During the time of the novel, the steeple must have been seen from many areas of London. Woolf most likely referred Greenwich and St. Paul’s to help paint a picture of the path on which the aeroplane traveled and to aid in creating a more realistic storyline. By referencing real buildings and places, Woolf creates a realistic setting for the novel. By noting how the airplane went up and came down and made the woman afraid, Woolf creates a sense of anticipation and a nervous tone. Though the plane successfully flies off into the unknown, the final destination and the outcome of the plane are not known to the woman on the ground.
“Greenwich.” Answers.com. 2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/greenwich
“St Paul’s Cathedral.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_Cathedral.
Greenwich is a borough in southeast London. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a cathedral built on the highest land in London. During the time of the novel, the steeple must have been seen from many areas of London. Woolf most likely referred Greenwich and St. Paul’s to help paint a picture of the path on which the aeroplane traveled and to aid in creating a more realistic storyline. By referencing real buildings and places, Woolf creates a realistic setting for the novel. By noting how the airplane went up and came down and made the woman afraid, Woolf creates a sense of anticipation and a nervous tone. Though the plane successfully flies off into the unknown, the final destination and the outcome of the plane are not known to the woman on the ground.
“Greenwich.” Answers.com. 2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/greenwich
“St Paul’s Cathedral.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_Cathedral.
10. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27)
10. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 27) "For really, what with eating, drinking, and mating, the bad days and good, life had been no mere matter of roses, and what was more, let me tell you, Carrie Dempster had no wish to change her lot with any woman’s in Kentish Town!":
Kentish Town is north of London in the London Borough of Camden. At one point, Kentish town used to be a place where upper-class used to vacation. When buses and steam trains began to change public transportation, the area became more accessible. Because of its location and accessibility, Kentish Town developed into a middle and lower class neighborhood. This neighborhood is a stark contrast to Clarissa’s neighborhood. Woolf’s writing highlights the different living standards between the rich and the poor, and although they part of the same story, this action separates Clarissa’s life from Septimus Warren Smith’s life.
“borough.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Sep. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/borough.
“Kentish Town.” England.net. 2008. 28 September 2009. http://www.kentishtown.com/.
Kentish Town is north of London in the London Borough of Camden. At one point, Kentish town used to be a place where upper-class used to vacation. When buses and steam trains began to change public transportation, the area became more accessible. Because of its location and accessibility, Kentish Town developed into a middle and lower class neighborhood. This neighborhood is a stark contrast to Clarissa’s neighborhood. Woolf’s writing highlights the different living standards between the rich and the poor, and although they part of the same story, this action separates Clarissa’s life from Septimus Warren Smith’s life.
“borough.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Sep. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/borough.
“Kentish Town.” England.net. 2008. 28 September 2009. http://www.kentishtown.com/.
9. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 18)
9. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 18) "The white busts and little tables in the background covered with copies of the Tatler and syphons of soda water seemed to approve… might of a whole cathedral":
There was a real publication entitled, The Tatler; it was a society journal about clubs and gaming published by Richard Steele in London from April 1709- January 1711. Woolf may have been referencing this periodical or she may have been creating a name for a common newspaper. Woolf is creating the respectful and awed tone of the English people for their monarchy during the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. For centuries, the sight of Royalty brought about a sense of respect and loyalty. Everything, even lifeless objects seemed tuned in.
Italia, Iona. “The Tatler.” The Literary Encyclopedia. 05 November 2004. 28 September 2009. http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7889
There was a real publication entitled, The Tatler; it was a society journal about clubs and gaming published by Richard Steele in London from April 1709- January 1711. Woolf may have been referencing this periodical or she may have been creating a name for a common newspaper. Woolf is creating the respectful and awed tone of the English people for their monarchy during the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. For centuries, the sight of Royalty brought about a sense of respect and loyalty. Everything, even lifeless objects seemed tuned in.
Italia, Iona. “The Tatler.” The Literary Encyclopedia. 05 November 2004. 28 September 2009. http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7889
8. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 9)
8. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 9)"There were Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities; there were Soapy Sponge and Mrs. Asquith's Memoirs and Big Game Shooting in Nigeria, all spread open.":
Clarissa is picking out a book to bring Evelyn Whitbread. Woolf names four books; three of these were published books in the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. Jorrocks’ Jaunts and Jollities is a humorous book written by Robert Surtees published in 1838. Soapy Sponge is also a comical character created by Surtees published in 1853. Mrs. Asquith's Memoirs is a three volume book depicting the life of Margot Asquith, who was the wife of Mr. Herbert Asquith, former prime minister. This book was just published in 1922. Big Game Shooting in Nigeria is not a real book. Game hunting was a popular sport during this time period. Woolf may have enjoyed reading silly books or maybe she knew that many people were not intellectuals and she was appealing to their senses by noting these books in her story. Woolf may have related to Mrs. Asquith who was a writer, an intellectual, and a feminist of the time. Mrs. Asquith was attacked publicly in court over her permissive views on homosexuality. Characters in Mrs. Dalloway seem not tuned into homosexuality but it is referenced. Woolf was empathetic to Mrs. Asquith’s situation. The hunting book is not real, and although it was a popular sport. By listing these four books, Woolf emphasizes the current optimistic but opinionated emotional climate of London.
Alexander Waugh. “Biography about Robert Surtees.” Robert Smith Surtees Society. 1979-2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.r.s.surteessociety.org/biography.html
“Herbert Asquith.” Spartacus Educational. 28 September 2009. 28 Sept 2009. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRasquith.htm
“Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 28 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Asquith
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-smith-surtees
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_Surtees
Clarissa is picking out a book to bring Evelyn Whitbread. Woolf names four books; three of these were published books in the time setting of Mrs. Dalloway. Jorrocks’ Jaunts and Jollities is a humorous book written by Robert Surtees published in 1838. Soapy Sponge is also a comical character created by Surtees published in 1853. Mrs. Asquith's Memoirs is a three volume book depicting the life of Margot Asquith, who was the wife of Mr. Herbert Asquith, former prime minister. This book was just published in 1922. Big Game Shooting in Nigeria is not a real book. Game hunting was a popular sport during this time period. Woolf may have enjoyed reading silly books or maybe she knew that many people were not intellectuals and she was appealing to their senses by noting these books in her story. Woolf may have related to Mrs. Asquith who was a writer, an intellectual, and a feminist of the time. Mrs. Asquith was attacked publicly in court over her permissive views on homosexuality. Characters in Mrs. Dalloway seem not tuned into homosexuality but it is referenced. Woolf was empathetic to Mrs. Asquith’s situation. The hunting book is not real, and although it was a popular sport. By listing these four books, Woolf emphasizes the current optimistic but opinionated emotional climate of London.
Alexander Waugh. “Biography about Robert Surtees.” Robert Smith Surtees Society. 1979-2009. 28 September 2009. http://www.r.s.surteessociety.org/biography.html
“Herbert Asquith.” Spartacus Educational. 28 September 2009. 28 Sept 2009. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRasquith.htm
“Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 28 September 2009. 28 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Asquith
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
http://www.answers.com/topic/robert-smith-surtees
“Robert Smith Surtees.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_Surtees
7. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 9)
"Fear no more the heat o' the sun
Nor the furious winter's rages.":
These two lines allude to Shakespeare's 24 line poem from Cymbeline. King Cymbeline’s daughter marries a peasant in secret. When their secret is found out, the peasant is exiled to Italy where he makes a bet with a man who says that he can seduce the peasant’s wife. The man travels to Brittan to seduce to princess. When she refuses, he sneaks into her bedchambers and steals a bracelet. After hearing the description of his wife's chambers and seeing the bracelet, the peasant believes his wife betrayed him and orders another man to go kill his wife. Woolf uses allusion to Cymbeline to develop a sad tone. The poem Woolf is quoting is about how death will come at the end of struggling through life. This allusion also serves to show the theme of loneliness in the book. Mrs. Dalloway lives in a busy, populated city, but she feels lonely or seems alone in her thoughts. After Mrs. Dalloway struggles through life, she will die. Woolf struggled with depression and eventually committed suicide; death preoccupied her and she felt isolated in her depressed state. Woolf shared the poem view of death as being welcome, and she alludes to these feelings in Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa thinks these lines again later in the story (pg. 29) and even Septimus thinks “fear no more” to himself (pg. 136).
Caleb Murdock. The Poem Tree. An Online Poetry Anthology. 9 October 2006. 25 September 2009. http://www.poemtree.com/poems/FearNoMoreTheHeat.htm
“Cymbeline.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 25 September 2009. 25 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbeline
Nor the furious winter's rages.":
These two lines allude to Shakespeare's 24 line poem from Cymbeline. King Cymbeline’s daughter marries a peasant in secret. When their secret is found out, the peasant is exiled to Italy where he makes a bet with a man who says that he can seduce the peasant’s wife. The man travels to Brittan to seduce to princess. When she refuses, he sneaks into her bedchambers and steals a bracelet. After hearing the description of his wife's chambers and seeing the bracelet, the peasant believes his wife betrayed him and orders another man to go kill his wife. Woolf uses allusion to Cymbeline to develop a sad tone. The poem Woolf is quoting is about how death will come at the end of struggling through life. This allusion also serves to show the theme of loneliness in the book. Mrs. Dalloway lives in a busy, populated city, but she feels lonely or seems alone in her thoughts. After Mrs. Dalloway struggles through life, she will die. Woolf struggled with depression and eventually committed suicide; death preoccupied her and she felt isolated in her depressed state. Woolf shared the poem view of death as being welcome, and she alludes to these feelings in Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa thinks these lines again later in the story (pg. 29) and even Septimus thinks “fear no more” to himself (pg. 136).
Caleb Murdock. The Poem Tree. An Online Poetry Anthology. 9 October 2006. 25 September 2009. http://www.poemtree.com/poems/FearNoMoreTheHeat.htm
“Cymbeline.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 25 September 2009. 25 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbeline
6. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8)
6. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8) “She had a perpetual sense…had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous to live even one day.”:
In the preface to Mrs. Dalloway, Mark Hussey writes about Virginia Woolf's life, death, and work. Thinking about Woolf's life when reading Mrs. Dalloway gives a perspective of character development based on events in Woolf's own life. Clarissa accepted who she was. She questioned herself and life on some level, but she also felt safe in the strength of her capabilities. She might appear to be simple on the outside, but she is a reflective person. Using the word, “perpetual” Woolf brings us back to a sense of the time, and time in motion moving constantly forward. By reflecting that it was dangerous to live even one day in a book that takes place in a one day period, Woolf foreshadows a tragic event that may take place in this day and continues to emphasize the impending tone of time marching on.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
In the preface to Mrs. Dalloway, Mark Hussey writes about Virginia Woolf's life, death, and work. Thinking about Woolf's life when reading Mrs. Dalloway gives a perspective of character development based on events in Woolf's own life. Clarissa accepted who she was. She questioned herself and life on some level, but she also felt safe in the strength of her capabilities. She might appear to be simple on the outside, but she is a reflective person. Using the word, “perpetual” Woolf brings us back to a sense of the time, and time in motion moving constantly forward. By reflecting that it was dangerous to live even one day in a book that takes place in a one day period, Woolf foreshadows a tragic event that may take place in this day and continues to emphasize the impending tone of time marching on.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
5. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8)
5. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg. 8) “She would not say…was outside, looking on.”:
Woolf wrote her personal feelings into the character of Clarissa. Woolf recognized that she had things to be happy about: she had a good marriage, she was physically okay, and she had survived the war and the tragedies of her early life. However, she felt empty. She felt isolated and nervous. She tried to learn about things by reflection and by learning about things she hoped to feel as if she belonged. But when she dissected things, she still felt on the outside and alone. Mrs. Dalloway was a typical wealthy female character of the time. She was not educated in schools but was trained on responsibilities of maintaining a household. She reflected about things but because of her lack of education or the way people viewed women in this time, she discredited herself. Her husband was a traditional character. If she had married Walsh perhaps the reflective side of her nature would have been developed. By writing about these internal conflicts in Clarissa, Woolf calls attention to the dilemma for most women of the time who were by nature intellectual but were not encouraged to develop these aspects.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
Woolf wrote her personal feelings into the character of Clarissa. Woolf recognized that she had things to be happy about: she had a good marriage, she was physically okay, and she had survived the war and the tragedies of her early life. However, she felt empty. She felt isolated and nervous. She tried to learn about things by reflection and by learning about things she hoped to feel as if she belonged. But when she dissected things, she still felt on the outside and alone. Mrs. Dalloway was a typical wealthy female character of the time. She was not educated in schools but was trained on responsibilities of maintaining a household. She reflected about things but because of her lack of education or the way people viewed women in this time, she discredited herself. Her husband was a traditional character. If she had married Walsh perhaps the reflective side of her nature would have been developed. By writing about these internal conflicts in Clarissa, Woolf calls attention to the dilemma for most women of the time who were by nature intellectual but were not encouraged to develop these aspects.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Scott, Bonnie Kime. Introduction. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
“Virginia Woolf.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 27 September 2009. 27 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf
4. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 7)
4. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 7) "It was the state of the world that interested him; Wagner, Pope’s poetry, people’s characters eternally, and the defects of her own soul.”:
Richard Wagner was a German known for his 13 operas and numerous other compositions. His political viewpoints were varied and controversial but he was a very influential person during his life and even after his death. Alexander Pope is a famous poet who began writing his first versus at age 12. He was born in London. Woolf references these men and their work for character development; Wolf depicts Peter as reflective and hard to please person. He can be demanding and particular.
Hannu Salmi. Richard Wagner Archive.2009. 25 September 2009. http://users.utu.fi/hansalmi/wagner.html.
Petri Liukkonen & Ari Pesonen. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto. 2008. 25 September 2009. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/apope.htm.
Richard Wagner was a German known for his 13 operas and numerous other compositions. His political viewpoints were varied and controversial but he was a very influential person during his life and even after his death. Alexander Pope is a famous poet who began writing his first versus at age 12. He was born in London. Woolf references these men and their work for character development; Wolf depicts Peter as reflective and hard to please person. He can be demanding and particular.
Hannu Salmi. Richard Wagner Archive.2009. 25 September 2009. http://users.utu.fi/hansalmi/wagner.html.
Petri Liukkonen & Ari Pesonen. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto. 2008. 25 September 2009. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/apope.htm.
3. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 5)
3. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 5)"It was June. The King and Queen were at the palace….to give her party":
The castle that is being referred to is Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the King and Queen's official London residence. Woolf describes London following the war. The King and Queen are home and all is right with the world. People are hopeful. On this day in June anything is possible. Through Clarissa’s random stream of consciousness, Woolf shows the highly expectant emotional tone and the energetic setting of post war London.
The Official Website of the British Monarchy. The Royal Household. 2008-2009. 25 September 2009. http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BuckinghamPalace/BuckinghamPalace.aspx.
The castle that is being referred to is Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the King and Queen's official London residence. Woolf describes London following the war. The King and Queen are home and all is right with the world. People are hopeful. On this day in June anything is possible. Through Clarissa’s random stream of consciousness, Woolf shows the highly expectant emotional tone and the energetic setting of post war London.
The Official Website of the British Monarchy. The Royal Household. 2008-2009. 25 September 2009. http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BuckinghamPalace/BuckinghamPalace.aspx.
2. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4)
2. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4) “There! Out it boomed. First a warning…The leaden circles dissolved in the air.”:
Woolf draws attention to time using noisy imagery and dramatic details of Big Ben marking time. Big Ben issues a warning; time moves forward and what is in the past cannot be changed. Time becomes an important detail in the book as the events unfold in a one day period; the characters reflect about time in the past, moments in the present, and what the future will bring. The impact of time on the characters was an important part of the development of Mrs. Dalloway for Woolf. She wrote in her diary about a book she was developing called The Hours which had a character named Septimus Warren.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Woolf draws attention to time using noisy imagery and dramatic details of Big Ben marking time. Big Ben issues a warning; time moves forward and what is in the past cannot be changed. Time becomes an important detail in the book as the events unfold in a one day period; the characters reflect about time in the past, moments in the present, and what the future will bring. The impact of time on the characters was an important part of the development of Mrs. Dalloway for Woolf. She wrote in her diary about a book she was developing called The Hours which had a character named Septimus Warren.
Hussey, Mark. Preface. Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway. By Virginia Woolf. 2005 by Harcourt Incorporated. 27 September 2009.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
1. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4)
1. Mrs. Dalloway: (pg 4) "For having lived in Westminster-- how many years now? over twenty,--one feels even in the midst of the traffic, or waking at night, Clarissa was positive, a particular hush, or solemnity; an indescribable pause; a suspense (but that might be her heart, affected, they said, by influenza) before Big Ben strikes.":
Westminster is an area located in central London. It lies on the North bank of the Thames River. This area is home to many prestigious landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Most of London’s government buildings are located in this area. Clarissa Dalloway is the wife of a politician. It makes sense that they would reside in this part of London. In 1918- 1919, the Spanish Flu Pandemic struck the world. During this pandemic about 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed. Woolf develops Clarissa’s character and the hustle and bustle setting of London after the conclusion of World War I and the flu pandemic by describing London on a June day in a random stream of thought through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa is aware that people are rejoicing over the end of tragic events but she is also tuned into a sensitivity that comes from living in challenging times.
“1918 Flu Pandemic.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_flu_pandemic
“World War I.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
"Westminster." Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
Westminster is an area located in central London. It lies on the North bank of the Thames River. This area is home to many prestigious landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Most of London’s government buildings are located in this area. Clarissa Dalloway is the wife of a politician. It makes sense that they would reside in this part of London. In 1918- 1919, the Spanish Flu Pandemic struck the world. During this pandemic about 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed. Woolf develops Clarissa’s character and the hustle and bustle setting of London after the conclusion of World War I and the flu pandemic by describing London on a June day in a random stream of thought through the character of Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa is aware that people are rejoicing over the end of tragic events but she is also tuned into a sensitivity that comes from living in challenging times.
“1918 Flu Pandemic.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_flu_pandemic
“World War I.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 29 September 2009. 29 September 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
"Westminster." Answers.com. 2009. 27 September 2009.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Frankenstein by MARY SHELLEY
Frankenstein: (Title Page): “Frankenstein Or, The Modern Prometheus”:
Prometheus is mythological Greek God who showed favor to humankind by stealing fire for them. Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him in the Caucasus Mountains where he was attacked and killed by a large bird. He was then restored to life until the next day when the attack began again. Frankenstein broke the laws of God by creating a living being. Frankenstein died as a result of his crimes against God just as Prometheus was punished for his crimes. By linking Frankenstein's story to Prometheus in the title of the book, Mary Shelley was giving readers a glimpse of the type of story they were about to read. Readers would be aware of Prometheus' story and how it might be reflected in Frankenstein’s character. Shelley calls Frankenstein the Modern Prometheus due to the similarties in both fate of their fates.
King, Stephen. Introduction. Frankenstein. by Mary Shelley. Penguin Books Ltd. December 1978. v-xiv. 22 August 2009.
“Prometheus.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 10 January 2004. 22August 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/prometheus.html.
Frankenstein: (Title Page): “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould me Man, did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?”:
This is an allusion to Paradise Lost. The quote from Paradise Lost is Adam speaking about his “condition”. The monster Frankenstein created feels much like Adam; the pain that the monster feels in his life is not by his own request or creation. The monster is shunned by society and his creator due to his tragic appearance. By giving us the point of view of the monster, Mary Shelley is not only calling upon the reader to think about who is responsible for the monster and his actions, but also she is creating empathy for the monster. The placement of this quote helps to create a tone of sympathy.
“Frankenstein Penetrating the Secrets of Nature.” US National Library of Medicine. 13February 2002. 22 August 2009. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/frankenstein/frank_modern_2.html.
“Paradise Lost.” Wikipedia. 12 August 2009. 22 August 2009.
Frankenstein: (pg. 15): “But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy…I have no friend.”:
Friendship and companionship is a common theme in Frankenstein. The artic traveler wishes for a friend to share the experience. The monster longs for a friend to understand him. Frankenstein feels isolated and lonely and also wishes for companionship throughout the book. Mary Shelley describes these feelings of isolation and loneliness among her characters to identify a theme central to her story: the value of friendship and companionship for humanity.
Frankenstein: (pg. 17- 18): “I am going to unexplored regions to ‘the land of mist and snow,’ but I shall kill no albatross, therefore do not be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the ‘Ancient Mariner.’”:
This is an allusion to Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" written in 1798. In the poem, the mariner killed a bird without reason and brought bad luck to the ship and its crew. Robert Walton, the artic traveler, is writing to
his sister to assure her that he is not looking for temptation, just adventure in his travels. Shelley is revealing Watson’s character is one of honor and compassion to set a reference for the narration of the story. Watson will be an unbiased and nonjudgmental reviewer of Frankenstein’s story. Ultimately, Watson’s characteristics help him to almost understand and feel empathy for the monster.
Dice, Paul. “Poetry analysis: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Coleridge.”Helium.2009. 22 August 2009. http://www.helium.com/items/370780-poetry-analysis-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-by-samuel-coleridge
“Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html
“The Land of Mist and Snow.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V1notes/mist.html
Frankenstein: (pg. 29): “I am by birth Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.”:
Frankenstein begins his story to Walton. He tells Walton that he is from Geneva. Geneva is a city in Switzerland in which French is a commonly spoken language. In the summer of 1816, Lord Byron (Mary Shelley’s husband) visited the Geneva area with the goal of visiting the “locations associated with Rousseau and his writings.” This is where Shelley began writing her novel, Frankenstein ,and most likely the reason she chose to make this Frankenstein’s homeland.
“Geneva, Switzerland.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html.
“Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 32): “The father of their charge was one of those Italians nursed in the memory of the antique glory of Italy—one among the schiavi ognor frementi, who exerted himself to obtain the liberty of his country.”:
Schiavi ognor frementi is Italian for “slaves forever in rage.” Elizabeth’s father is of Italian descent and died fighting in Austria. The historical facts may be written a bit out of the proper timeline, but Shelley often uses the events of the real world to give a setting for her work of fiction. She draws upon news and events of the time to open the reader’s mind to the possibility of the story. The use of real life events and research makes the story somewhat more plausible in the reader’s mind.
“schiavi ognor frementi.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V1notes/schiavi.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 33): “When my father returned from Milian he found playing with me in the hall of our villa a child fairer than pictured cherub— a creature who shed radiance from her looks and whose firm and motions were lighter than a chamois of the hills.”:
A cherub is a creature with a human body and bird like wings. Cherubs are described as being beautiful and blessed; they are also known as angels. A chamois is an agile animal mostly found in rocky areas and alpine meadows of Europe. Frankenstein is describing Elizabeth as an angel who is very nimble— almost as if she floats. Elizabeth is described in a way that appeals to the reader’s emotion. Shelley uses the character of Elizabeth to symbolize light and goodness in direct opposition to the darkness of Frankenstein’s life.
“cherub.” Encyclopedia Britannica.2009. 23 August 2009.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/109581/cherub.
Huffman, Brent. “Rupicapra rupicapra.” www.ultimateungulate.com Your Guide to the World’s Hoofed Mammals.5 March 2009. 23 August 2009. http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Rupicapra_rupicapra.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 35): “We felt that they were not the tyrants…which we enjoyed.”:
Frankenstein describes his upbringing as a time of goodness and filled with happiness and light. His path to destruction was all the more severe because of how far he had to fall. Shelley gives us insight into Frankenstein’s character so that the reader will relate to Frankenstein. She uses imagery to help show Frankenstein’s early life. This is character development.
Frankenstein: (pg. 36): “In this house I chanced to find a volume of the works of Cornelius Agrippa.”:
Cornelius Agrippa was an alchemist; alchemists tried to turn base metals such as lead into more valuable metals such as gold. Cornelius Agrippa’s work was very diverse; he wrote about everything from marriage to military engineering. However, the work that is most likely referenced in this passage is the three-volume piece of De occulta philosophiae. These writings discussed alchemy, astrology and Kabbalah. Agrippa work was questioned by the Catholic Church. During the Inquisition, Agrippa defended a woman accused of witch-craft; after his death people said that he worshiped the devil or was a vampire. Frankenstein begins the path that leads to his destruction. Shelley needed a transition to lead the reader into the beginning of Frankenstein’s journey to self destruction. By once again referencing a real alchemist (Agrippa), Shelley makes the story of Frankenstein more belivable.
“Alchemy.” Katinka Hesselink Religious and Spiritual Freedom. 2009. 22 August 2009.
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/alchemy.html.
“Cornelius Agrippa.” Katinka Hesselink Religious and Spiritual Freedom. 2009. 22 August 2009. http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/agrippa.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 38): “Under the guidance of my new preceptors I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained my undivided attention.”:
The philosopher’s stone was believed to be a stone that could not only turn “inexpensive metals into gold” but also was thought to be something that would prolong life. An elixir of life is what alchemists believed was a remedy to prolong life. Frankenstein chooses to pursue creating the elixir of life; he reasons that it would be for the good of mankind. However, when he is unsuccessful at creating a power to sustain life, he turns to the creation of life itself, and he no longer cares about it being for the good of mankind. He is only thinking about what he wants. His obsession becomes his fatal flaw. Mary Shelley uses Frankenstein’s obsession to set a sinister and desperate tone for the story. Also, by giving us Frankenstein’s point of view, Shelley continues to develop the story from Frankenstein’s perspective. Shelley plays Frankenstein’s point of view against the monster’s point of view to engage the reader in the story.
“elixir of life.” The Free Dictionary by Farlex.22 August 2009.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/elixir+of+life.
“The Philosopher’s Stone.” Crystalinks.22 August 2009.
http://www.crystalinks.com/philosopherstone.html
Frankenstein: (pg. 43): “Chance—or rather the evil influence, the Angel of Destruction, which asserted omnipotent sway over me... secrets of his science.”:
This angel is referred to in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. The Angel of Destruction was sent to punish people who fell from God’s good grace on earth and to punish souls in hell. Frankenstein says that it was an evil influence that led him down the path of darkness and destruction. Frankenstein is avoiding accepting responsibility for his own actions. Shelley is continuing to develop the story line by providing more insight into the character of Frankenstein. By using the words such as evil and destruction, Shelley continues the sinister and desperate tone of the story.
“D.” Angels Appendix. 22 August 2009. http://www.heart7.net/spirit/ad.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 48): “His gentleness was never tinged by dogmatism, and his instructions were given with an air of frankness and good nature that banished every idea of pedantry.”:
Frankenstein is saying that the teacher was not arrogant and was actually engaging in his teaching style. When Frankenstein says M. Waldman was of this nature, he is saying that Waldman was a genuine guy. Shelley develops the story by showing the reader that although Frankenstein had opportunities to engage with people who may have given him a different path, he instead embraces his dark endeavor. Shelley shows us Frankenstein had opportunities to develop friendship and to embrace relationships as opposed to acting with desperation and in isolation (theme development).
"dogmatism." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 22 Aug. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dogmatism.
"pedantry." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 22 Aug. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pedantry.
Frankenstein: (pp. 49-50): “Darkness had no effect upon my fancy,…food for the worm.”:
Frankenstein is revealed to the reader as someone who does not even think of what he is doing as wrong. He is obsessed with creating life and discovering the secret of prolonging life, and he is not even aware of his actions. This is another theme Mary Shelley writes about in Frankenstien- immortality and the terrible outcome of working against the natural order of life.
Frankenstein: (pg. 50): “Now I was led to examine the cause and progress of this decay and forced to spend my days and nights in vaults and charnel-houses.”:
A charnel-house is a building or “storage”-place in which bodies (or bones of bodies) are put into after a cemetery has reached its limit for burial purposes (they are dug up). Frankenstein is spending all of this time in a small chamber full of dead bodies that have been dug up. Shelley is using the imagery to develop the story. The places where Frankenstein is going to find supplies is frightening.
“charnel houses.” Encyclopedia of Death and Dying.2007. 22 August 2009.
http://www.deathreference.com/Ce-Da/Charnel-Houses.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 52): “One secret which I alone possessed was the hope to which I had dedicated myself; and the moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding places. Who shall…the lifeless clay?”:
The moon may reference the desires one may possess, and the harm those desires may cause. Night time was considered a dark and fearful time. Darkness represents evil. When one is describing something “creepy” it will often take place in the night. There can be a connection drawn to Paradise Lost again with his mention of the clay. Frankenstein is trying to mold the clay into life and because of this, Frankenstein is responsible for the monster. Shelley is creating a dark setting and a fearful tone. Even Frankenstein is not at ease with what he finds himself doing in his pursuit of creating a living creature. The reader is apprehensive too.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 55): “It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.”:
Frankenstein’s creature is created in November or the fall; the fall represents decline. The downfall of Frankenstein is the creation of this creature. Shelley appeals to the reader's senses as she develops the story; she uses symbolism and imagery. The storyline continues in darkness and fear of the unknown.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 56): “I had gazed on him while unfinished he was ugly then; but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived.”:
This is a reference to Dante’s poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy is a three part story which detail Dante’s travels through the nine circles of hell. By saying that Dante could not even imagine this creature, Frankenstein is saying that the monster was more horrible than anything that had been described to man. Shelley references other well-known literary works to develop her story. The reader would be familiar with the terror of Dante's hell and would connect that terror to the monster.
“Divine Comedy.” Wikipedia. 23 August 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy.
“Inferno.” The World of Dante. University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities. 23 August 2009. http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 57): “I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry on, although drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky.”:
In literature, rain often references “sadness or despair or new life”. In this case, the rain represents all three: the new life of the monster and Frankenstein’s fear and sadness about his work. Furthermore, “black” is seen as a cold or negative omen. It represents “death, ignorance or evil”. Frankenstein feels the creature must be evil because of the way it looks. Shelley continues to use symbolism and imagery to continue the fearful and dark quality of Frankenstein's story.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 57): “Like one who, on a lonely road,
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And, having once turned round, walks on,
And turns no more his head;
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.":
This is a verse from Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner. Because of the studies that he chose to pursue, Frankenstein has isolated himself; Frankenstein will always have the monster on his back. The Ancient Mariner has to walk the earth and tell people of his story; the mariner will always have the story of his transgressions at his back. Both the Ancient Mariner and Frankenstein meet their fates due to their desires. Shelley often references other literary works in the story of Frankenstein. This serves many purposes as the reader would be familiar with the other readings and relate the other readings to Shelley's story. It also helps Shelley to create a sense of realness about Frankenstein's story.
Dice, Paul. “Poetry analysis: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Coleridge.”Helium.2009. 22 August 2009. http://www.helium.com/items/370780-poetry-analysis-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-by-samuel-coleridge.
“The Land of Mist and Snow.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V1notes/mist.html.
“Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 58): “‘You may easily believe,’ said he, ‘how great was the difficulty to persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not comprised in the noble art of bookkeeping; and, indeed, I believe I left him incredulous to the last, for his constant answer to my unwearied entreaties was the same as that of the Dutch school-master in the Vicar of Wakefield: -- 'I have ten thousand florins a year without Greek, I eat heartily without Greek.’”:
In this dialogue, Henry Clerval, references the book Vicar of Wakefield written by Oliver Goldsmith in 1766. Clerval is saying that his father tries to deny him pursuing his studies by using this quote. The father is saying there is no need of pursuing studies, one can be successful without higher education and that it is with moral character and goodness that one finds success in the world. By utilizing other stories, Shelley gives her readers a reference point for the emotions of the characters and the events of the story of Frankenstein. Shelley alludes to many other writings to develop her story. This illusion gives the reader a sense of Frankenstein's friend and the relationship that his friend has with his father.
“The Vicar of Wakefield.” Wikipedia. 18 August 2009. 23 August 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vicar_of_Wakefield.
Frankenstein: (pg. 73): “I remained two days at Lausanne in this painful state of mind.”:
Lausanne is a city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Frankenstein passes through this village on his way home from college. Throughout the book, Shelley documents the travels of the monster and of Frankenstein. It is like a lesson in geography of her time as the two travel not only around the country of Frankenstein’s home, but eventually all over the world.
“Lausanne.” Switzerland – Vacation, Travel, Meetings-Switzerland Tourism. 23 August 2009. http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/destinations/resorts/offer-Destinations_Resorts-General-109827.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 74): “I quitted my seat, and walked on, although the darkness and storm increased every minute, and the thunder burst with a terrific crash over my head.”:
At this point in the book, Frankenstein is in an isolated location; he is not near anyone. This setting reflects the loneliness/ isolation that he is about the feel (once he spots the monster he created once again). Storms represent violent human emotions; rain represents sadness or despair; and thunder represents the “voice of God”. Shelley uses the storm that Frankenstein is now experiencing as foreshadowing to the reappearance of his monster. Furthermore, she references the “voice of God” and this helps to develop the theme that man should not try to create life; creating life is God's work.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 103): “I started up and beheld a radiant form rise from among the trees.”:
Two things are symbolized in this sentence. First of all, the moon is referenced, which usually alludes to desires that may lead to harm. The monster desires understanding, companionship, acceptance; eventually these desires will fuel his revenge against Frankenstein and lead to Frankenstein’s downfall. Furthermore, the monster is now in the woods—“among the trees”. The woods can represent a place of evil. The monster feels somewhat sheltered in this setting. It is further proof of his difference from what would be considered a normal man. Shelley uses literary symbolism to create setting and tone for her story.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 104): “One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.”:
The presence of fire in this passage can be connected to the Greek god, Prometheus, who gave the knowledge of fire to humans and was punished for it. This can be related to Frankenstein’s full title, where he is referred to as the Modern Prometheus, for trying to reveal the knowledge of creating life (and he too, is severely punished.) The monster is revealed in his innocence though; he is learning about man through trial and error and most of what he is exposed to is painful. We begin to have sympathy for him. The story of Frankenstein and the monster unfolds as Shelley gives voice to the monster. The reader can relate to the monster when the story is told from his perspective. Shelley causes the reader to question who is the bad character: Frankenstein for overstepping natural law or the monster.
King, Stephen. Introduction. Frankenstein. by Mary Shelley. Penguin Books Ltd. December 1978. v-xiv. 22 August 2009.
“Prometheus.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 10 January 2004. 22August 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/prometheus.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 105): “But I was enchanted by the appearance of the hut: here the snow and rain could not penetrate; the ground was dry; and it presented to me then as exquisite and divine a retreat as Pandemonium appeared to the demons of hell after their sufferings in the lake of fire.”:
Milton names the capital city of Hell in Paradise Lost Pandemonium. Paradise Lost is a book mainly about man’s disobedience. Milton references Satan and hell in his text. Of course, one may find it strange that the monster uses the Capital of Hell as comparison to a place where he feels safe. However, this just highlights the mixture of goodness and evil that reside within him. The monster is a living dichotomy. He looks frightening, but he can be gentle. He can be overcome with anger, but he seeks only friendship. He is evil and good. He also sees life in this way; he thinks only in terms of good vs. bad, leaving no room for a middle ground. Shelley reveals the character of the monster as she continues to give him voice in te story. The story continues to unfold as told between the monster and Frankenstein's voices.
Luxon, Thomas H., ed. “Paradise Lost.” The Milton Reading Room. 24 August 2009.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_1/index.shtml.
"Pandemonium." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 29 Aug. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Pandemonium.
Frankenstein: (pg. 119): “"The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney's Ruins of Empires.”:
Ruins of Empires (Les Ruines, ou méditations sur les révolutions des empires) was written during the French Revolution. The book was a sharp critique of all the forms of government and religion of the time. Many people were strongly affected by the ideas within the book, among these was Percy Bysshe Shelley, husband of Mary Shelley. Shelley wrote Frankenstein with support and continued encouragement of her husband. She included current events and literary works as references in her writing.
“Ruins of Empire.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V2notes/ruins.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 119): “I heard of the slothful Asiatics; of the stupendous genius and mental activity of the Grecians; of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans -- of their subsequent degenerating -- of the decline of that mighty empire; of chivalry, Christianity, and kings.” and “These wonderful narrations inspired me…yet so vicious and base?”:
The monster is learning history of ancient times. As he is being taught he is learning to question the nature of man. It also led him to question his existence and who is was in the scheme of life. As Shelley gives the monster a social conscience, we begin to think of him more like a man. Acceptance not based on looks or differing political and religious views is something the monster craves. With the introduction of this book and the insight into the monster’s personality, Shelley is opening these ideas to the reader too.
Frankenstein: (pg. 127): “Fortunately the books were written in the language the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter.”:
Paradise Lost by Milton is a story about the fall of man through temptation. Lives is a series of books (Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans) written by Plutarch. It is a series of biographies of famous men, arranged so to we can find common attributes, both good and bad, of the men. Sorrows of Werter can be related to Frankenstein in its texts, the main character meets his death due to an infatuation. The monster relates to Werter because they are both “lost souls” seeking to find their identities. In these books and in the one that was read aloud in the cottage, the monster finds his own conscience and begins to identify with man even though he cannot ever be considered one of them. He has the same shortcomings as man and also the same power to rise above his shortcomings. Even as the monster is like man in his feelings, he is completely unlike man in his looks and will always be separated from them because of this. Mary Shelley is an intellectual woman. In her book, Frankenstein, she communicates her philosophical thoughts through her characters not only by showing their feelings but also by including references to other writer's books.
“Parallel Lives.” Answers.com. 24 August 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/parallel-lives.
“Sorrows of Werter.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V2notes/werter.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 129): “Induced by these feelings, I was of course led to admire peaceable lawgivers, Numa, Solon, and Lycurgus, in preference to Romulus and Theseus.”:
The names that are listed are biographies that were included in Plutarch’s Lives. The monster is making decisions about whom he believes to be the better men. It is ironic that the Monster becomes more educated by his exposure to these books, and we see the good and the bad fighting inside of him too. There is also irony in the fact that we find out later that these books to which the monster turns for answers are books that belonged to Frankenstein. Shelley continues to reference other literary works that she is familiar with. She also uses irony in the storyline.
"Atlantis: the Myth." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
23 Aug. 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/atlantis.html.
"Lycurgus." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
23 Aug. 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/lycurgus.html.
“Numa Pompilius.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 25 April 1997. Cnclyclopedia Mythica Online. 23 August 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/n/numa_pompilius.html.
"Theseus." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
23 Aug. 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/t/theseus.html.
Frankenstein: (p.136): “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? …had so wantonly bestowed?”:
Here we are reminded of the fatal difference between man and the monster. God has created man in his own image, but the monster is calling upon his creator – Frankenstein. Without regard to the outcome and without care for the monster, Frankenstein has turned his back on his creation and led to his destruction and ultimately to the downfall of the monster too. Shelley develops a theme of the natural accepted order of the world and man's place in the world using the monster's voice.
Frankenstein: (pg. 156): "The sounding cataract
Haunted him like a passion: the tall rock,
The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood,
Their colours and their forms, were then to him
An appetite; a feeling, and a love,
That had no need of a remoter charm,
By thought supplied, or any interest
Unborrow'd from the eye.":
This is a quote of Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey. This poem stems from Wordworth’s renewed optimism he felt when first seeing the area around Tintern Abbey. He did not write this poem until almost four years later. During this four year period, Wordsworth began working with Coleridge; who had ties to Mary Shelley. Shelley often alludes to the goodness that can be found in nature. Frankenstein finds relief from his nightmare in nature, and the monster finds acceptance and beauty in nature.
Hecimovich, Gregg A. “Wordsworth - Tintern Abbey" 17 April 1996. English 151-03. Vanderbuilt University. 26 August 2009. http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/english/English151W-03/wordsworth%5Btinternabbey%5D.htm.
Frankenstein: (pg. 157): “We saw Tilbury Fort, and remembered the Spanish armada; Gravesend, Woolwich, and Greenwich – places which I had heard of even in my country.”:
Tilbury Fort was built to protect London from attack on the Thames River. Queen Elizabeth stationed troops to Tilbury Fort during the Spanish armada; however, no attacks were severely damaging. The English victory against the Spanish armada was known throughout the world. Gravesend resides in Kent, England; it is a port at the mouth of the Thames River. Many sea travelers of the time would use this port to change from their sea- vessels to smaller river boats. Woolwich also lies on the Thames River, and “is the site of the Royal Dockyard and Royal Arsenal.” And finally, Greenwich is also situated on the Thames River, and associated with a shipping society. This part of the text, Frankenstein is traveling up the Thames River seeing all the sites of many important English accomplishments. Shelley is using a setting for the story at this point in time that she was familiar with. She uses real places to help to set a context for the story that will be believable to the reader.
“Greenwich.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/greenwch.html.
“Woolwich England.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/woolwich.html.
“Gravesend England.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/gravesen.html.
“The Spanish Armada.”19 March 2009. Queen Elizabeth I. 25 August 2009. http://www.elizabethi.org/us/armada/
“Tilbury Fort.” English Heritage. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001001001013003003009.
Frankenstein: (pg. 157): “At length we saw the numerous steeples of London, St. Paul's towering above all, and the Tower famed in English history.”:
St. Paul’s is a cathedral in London, England. This cathedral symbolizes many things such as “hope, resilience and strength of the city and nation it serves.” At this point, Frankenstein is relying mainly on his hope. With the sight of St. Paul’s, Frankenstein is reminded both of his hope and of his wrongdoing to God when he presumed to create life. He doesn’t know what will become of his life. Mary Shelley is using a real setting for her book which once again gives the story a believable aspect; the setting is one that she was familiar with and could describe well. The setting in London and the description of the steeples helps to create a believable quality for her story.
“About Saint Paul’s” 2009. St. Paul’s Cathedral. 26 August 2009. http://www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History
Frankenstein: (pg. 160): “But I am a blasted tree…pitiable to others and intolerable to myself.” Frankenstein can no longer enjoy the beauty of life; he feels empty and isolated. Shelley creates a very desolate and lonely tone for her book. Frankinstein is not only physically isolated but emotionally isolated as a result of the choices that he made.
Frankenstein: (pg.168): “It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night.”:
Frankenstein has angered his creation by refusing to create him a partner. These words foreshadow Frankenstein’s wedding which should be joyous but will be filled with despair. The words are the verbal expression of the monster’s anger which the reader knows will lead to physical destruction. Both the monster and Frankenstein go back and forth in their feelings of what is moral and right, and embracing anger which usually leads them to despair over knowing they have done wrong. With these lines, Shelley creates a threatening tone and foreshawdows terrible events in the future.
Frankenstein: (pg. 216): “ ‘That he should live to be an instrument of mischief…Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.”:
Frankenstein tries to give Walton advice on how to live life. He regrets that his creation may continue to cause destruction but he is looking forward to peace in death for himself. He is advising Walton to avoid Frankenstein’s fate by remembering what is truly important in life. Using the monster's voice, Shelley emphasizes a theme of not trying to overreach what is given to you by God but to live your life well and to appreciate the gifts that are given to you. Shelley creates a situation in which the reader can relate to the monster's human like qualities.
Frankenstein: (pg. 222): “ ‘But soon,” he cried…My spirit will sleep in peace, or if it thinks, it will surely not think thus. Farewell.’ ”:
This is the final expressed regrets of Frankenstein’s creation. Neither the man nor the creature meant to bring such destruction to the world and each could not accept the other because of their strong emotions. The monster is repentant for all the destruction he has caused. Frankenstein repented creating the monster. By creating the monster, Frankenstein forever tied his life to it. In death, they will continue to be tied together, but maybe each will recognize a little peace in death that they could not find in life. Shelley has finished her story with the death of both the main characters in the desolation and isolation of the artic. They are isolated not only in spirit but physically too. Shelley uses symbolism of place and voice to show the theme of lonliness vs. friendship and man and the natural order of God's world. Shelley is also continuing to create empathy for the monster as we feel at the end, he really does regret his actions.
Prometheus is mythological Greek God who showed favor to humankind by stealing fire for them. Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him in the Caucasus Mountains where he was attacked and killed by a large bird. He was then restored to life until the next day when the attack began again. Frankenstein broke the laws of God by creating a living being. Frankenstein died as a result of his crimes against God just as Prometheus was punished for his crimes. By linking Frankenstein's story to Prometheus in the title of the book, Mary Shelley was giving readers a glimpse of the type of story they were about to read. Readers would be aware of Prometheus' story and how it might be reflected in Frankenstein’s character. Shelley calls Frankenstein the Modern Prometheus due to the similarties in both fate of their fates.
King, Stephen. Introduction. Frankenstein. by Mary Shelley. Penguin Books Ltd. December 1978. v-xiv. 22 August 2009.
“Prometheus.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 10 January 2004. 22August 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/prometheus.html.
Frankenstein: (Title Page): “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould me Man, did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?”:
This is an allusion to Paradise Lost. The quote from Paradise Lost is Adam speaking about his “condition”. The monster Frankenstein created feels much like Adam; the pain that the monster feels in his life is not by his own request or creation. The monster is shunned by society and his creator due to his tragic appearance. By giving us the point of view of the monster, Mary Shelley is not only calling upon the reader to think about who is responsible for the monster and his actions, but also she is creating empathy for the monster. The placement of this quote helps to create a tone of sympathy.
“Frankenstein Penetrating the Secrets of Nature.” US National Library of Medicine. 13February 2002. 22 August 2009. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/frankenstein/frank_modern_2.html.
“Paradise Lost.” Wikipedia. 12 August 2009. 22 August 2009.
Frankenstein: (pg. 15): “But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy…I have no friend.”:
Friendship and companionship is a common theme in Frankenstein. The artic traveler wishes for a friend to share the experience. The monster longs for a friend to understand him. Frankenstein feels isolated and lonely and also wishes for companionship throughout the book. Mary Shelley describes these feelings of isolation and loneliness among her characters to identify a theme central to her story: the value of friendship and companionship for humanity.
Frankenstein: (pg. 17- 18): “I am going to unexplored regions to ‘the land of mist and snow,’ but I shall kill no albatross, therefore do not be alarmed for my safety or if I should come back to you as worn and woeful as the ‘Ancient Mariner.’”:
This is an allusion to Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" written in 1798. In the poem, the mariner killed a bird without reason and brought bad luck to the ship and its crew. Robert Walton, the artic traveler, is writing to
his sister to assure her that he is not looking for temptation, just adventure in his travels. Shelley is revealing Watson’s character is one of honor and compassion to set a reference for the narration of the story. Watson will be an unbiased and nonjudgmental reviewer of Frankenstein’s story. Ultimately, Watson’s characteristics help him to almost understand and feel empathy for the monster.
Dice, Paul. “Poetry analysis: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Coleridge.”Helium.2009. 22 August 2009. http://www.helium.com/items/370780-poetry-analysis-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-by-samuel-coleridge
“Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html
“The Land of Mist and Snow.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V1notes/mist.html
Frankenstein: (pg. 29): “I am by birth Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.”:
Frankenstein begins his story to Walton. He tells Walton that he is from Geneva. Geneva is a city in Switzerland in which French is a commonly spoken language. In the summer of 1816, Lord Byron (Mary Shelley’s husband) visited the Geneva area with the goal of visiting the “locations associated with Rousseau and his writings.” This is where Shelley began writing her novel, Frankenstein ,and most likely the reason she chose to make this Frankenstein’s homeland.
“Geneva, Switzerland.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html.
“Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 32): “The father of their charge was one of those Italians nursed in the memory of the antique glory of Italy—one among the schiavi ognor frementi, who exerted himself to obtain the liberty of his country.”:
Schiavi ognor frementi is Italian for “slaves forever in rage.” Elizabeth’s father is of Italian descent and died fighting in Austria. The historical facts may be written a bit out of the proper timeline, but Shelley often uses the events of the real world to give a setting for her work of fiction. She draws upon news and events of the time to open the reader’s mind to the possibility of the story. The use of real life events and research makes the story somewhat more plausible in the reader’s mind.
“schiavi ognor frementi.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V1notes/schiavi.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 33): “When my father returned from Milian he found playing with me in the hall of our villa a child fairer than pictured cherub— a creature who shed radiance from her looks and whose firm and motions were lighter than a chamois of the hills.”:
A cherub is a creature with a human body and bird like wings. Cherubs are described as being beautiful and blessed; they are also known as angels. A chamois is an agile animal mostly found in rocky areas and alpine meadows of Europe. Frankenstein is describing Elizabeth as an angel who is very nimble— almost as if she floats. Elizabeth is described in a way that appeals to the reader’s emotion. Shelley uses the character of Elizabeth to symbolize light and goodness in direct opposition to the darkness of Frankenstein’s life.
“cherub.” Encyclopedia Britannica.2009. 23 August 2009.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/109581/cherub.
Huffman, Brent. “Rupicapra rupicapra.” www.ultimateungulate.com Your Guide to the World’s Hoofed Mammals.5 March 2009. 23 August 2009. http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Rupicapra_rupicapra.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 35): “We felt that they were not the tyrants…which we enjoyed.”:
Frankenstein describes his upbringing as a time of goodness and filled with happiness and light. His path to destruction was all the more severe because of how far he had to fall. Shelley gives us insight into Frankenstein’s character so that the reader will relate to Frankenstein. She uses imagery to help show Frankenstein’s early life. This is character development.
Frankenstein: (pg. 36): “In this house I chanced to find a volume of the works of Cornelius Agrippa.”:
Cornelius Agrippa was an alchemist; alchemists tried to turn base metals such as lead into more valuable metals such as gold. Cornelius Agrippa’s work was very diverse; he wrote about everything from marriage to military engineering. However, the work that is most likely referenced in this passage is the three-volume piece of De occulta philosophiae. These writings discussed alchemy, astrology and Kabbalah. Agrippa work was questioned by the Catholic Church. During the Inquisition, Agrippa defended a woman accused of witch-craft; after his death people said that he worshiped the devil or was a vampire. Frankenstein begins the path that leads to his destruction. Shelley needed a transition to lead the reader into the beginning of Frankenstein’s journey to self destruction. By once again referencing a real alchemist (Agrippa), Shelley makes the story of Frankenstein more belivable.
“Alchemy.” Katinka Hesselink Religious and Spiritual Freedom. 2009. 22 August 2009.
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/alchemy.html.
“Cornelius Agrippa.” Katinka Hesselink Religious and Spiritual Freedom. 2009. 22 August 2009. http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/agrippa.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 38): “Under the guidance of my new preceptors I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained my undivided attention.”:
The philosopher’s stone was believed to be a stone that could not only turn “inexpensive metals into gold” but also was thought to be something that would prolong life. An elixir of life is what alchemists believed was a remedy to prolong life. Frankenstein chooses to pursue creating the elixir of life; he reasons that it would be for the good of mankind. However, when he is unsuccessful at creating a power to sustain life, he turns to the creation of life itself, and he no longer cares about it being for the good of mankind. He is only thinking about what he wants. His obsession becomes his fatal flaw. Mary Shelley uses Frankenstein’s obsession to set a sinister and desperate tone for the story. Also, by giving us Frankenstein’s point of view, Shelley continues to develop the story from Frankenstein’s perspective. Shelley plays Frankenstein’s point of view against the monster’s point of view to engage the reader in the story.
“elixir of life.” The Free Dictionary by Farlex.22 August 2009.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/elixir+of+life.
“The Philosopher’s Stone.” Crystalinks.22 August 2009.
http://www.crystalinks.com/philosopherstone.html
Frankenstein: (pg. 43): “Chance—or rather the evil influence, the Angel of Destruction, which asserted omnipotent sway over me... secrets of his science.”:
This angel is referred to in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. The Angel of Destruction was sent to punish people who fell from God’s good grace on earth and to punish souls in hell. Frankenstein says that it was an evil influence that led him down the path of darkness and destruction. Frankenstein is avoiding accepting responsibility for his own actions. Shelley is continuing to develop the story line by providing more insight into the character of Frankenstein. By using the words such as evil and destruction, Shelley continues the sinister and desperate tone of the story.
“D.” Angels Appendix. 22 August 2009. http://www.heart7.net/spirit/ad.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 48): “His gentleness was never tinged by dogmatism, and his instructions were given with an air of frankness and good nature that banished every idea of pedantry.”:
Frankenstein is saying that the teacher was not arrogant and was actually engaging in his teaching style. When Frankenstein says M. Waldman was of this nature, he is saying that Waldman was a genuine guy. Shelley develops the story by showing the reader that although Frankenstein had opportunities to engage with people who may have given him a different path, he instead embraces his dark endeavor. Shelley shows us Frankenstein had opportunities to develop friendship and to embrace relationships as opposed to acting with desperation and in isolation (theme development).
"dogmatism." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 22 Aug. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dogmatism.
"pedantry." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 22 Aug. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pedantry.
Frankenstein: (pp. 49-50): “Darkness had no effect upon my fancy,…food for the worm.”:
Frankenstein is revealed to the reader as someone who does not even think of what he is doing as wrong. He is obsessed with creating life and discovering the secret of prolonging life, and he is not even aware of his actions. This is another theme Mary Shelley writes about in Frankenstien- immortality and the terrible outcome of working against the natural order of life.
Frankenstein: (pg. 50): “Now I was led to examine the cause and progress of this decay and forced to spend my days and nights in vaults and charnel-houses.”:
A charnel-house is a building or “storage”-place in which bodies (or bones of bodies) are put into after a cemetery has reached its limit for burial purposes (they are dug up). Frankenstein is spending all of this time in a small chamber full of dead bodies that have been dug up. Shelley is using the imagery to develop the story. The places where Frankenstein is going to find supplies is frightening.
“charnel houses.” Encyclopedia of Death and Dying.2007. 22 August 2009.
http://www.deathreference.com/Ce-Da/Charnel-Houses.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 52): “One secret which I alone possessed was the hope to which I had dedicated myself; and the moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding places. Who shall…the lifeless clay?”:
The moon may reference the desires one may possess, and the harm those desires may cause. Night time was considered a dark and fearful time. Darkness represents evil. When one is describing something “creepy” it will often take place in the night. There can be a connection drawn to Paradise Lost again with his mention of the clay. Frankenstein is trying to mold the clay into life and because of this, Frankenstein is responsible for the monster. Shelley is creating a dark setting and a fearful tone. Even Frankenstein is not at ease with what he finds himself doing in his pursuit of creating a living creature. The reader is apprehensive too.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 55): “It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.”:
Frankenstein’s creature is created in November or the fall; the fall represents decline. The downfall of Frankenstein is the creation of this creature. Shelley appeals to the reader's senses as she develops the story; she uses symbolism and imagery. The storyline continues in darkness and fear of the unknown.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 56): “I had gazed on him while unfinished he was ugly then; but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived.”:
This is a reference to Dante’s poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy is a three part story which detail Dante’s travels through the nine circles of hell. By saying that Dante could not even imagine this creature, Frankenstein is saying that the monster was more horrible than anything that had been described to man. Shelley references other well-known literary works to develop her story. The reader would be familiar with the terror of Dante's hell and would connect that terror to the monster.
“Divine Comedy.” Wikipedia. 23 August 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy.
“Inferno.” The World of Dante. University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities. 23 August 2009. http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 57): “I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry on, although drenched by the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky.”:
In literature, rain often references “sadness or despair or new life”. In this case, the rain represents all three: the new life of the monster and Frankenstein’s fear and sadness about his work. Furthermore, “black” is seen as a cold or negative omen. It represents “death, ignorance or evil”. Frankenstein feels the creature must be evil because of the way it looks. Shelley continues to use symbolism and imagery to continue the fearful and dark quality of Frankenstein's story.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 57): “Like one who, on a lonely road,
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And, having once turned round, walks on,
And turns no more his head;
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.":
This is a verse from Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner. Because of the studies that he chose to pursue, Frankenstein has isolated himself; Frankenstein will always have the monster on his back. The Ancient Mariner has to walk the earth and tell people of his story; the mariner will always have the story of his transgressions at his back. Both the Ancient Mariner and Frankenstein meet their fates due to their desires. Shelley often references other literary works in the story of Frankenstein. This serves many purposes as the reader would be familiar with the other readings and relate the other readings to Shelley's story. It also helps Shelley to create a sense of realness about Frankenstein's story.
Dice, Paul. “Poetry analysis: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Coleridge.”Helium.2009. 22 August 2009. http://www.helium.com/items/370780-poetry-analysis-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-by-samuel-coleridge.
“The Land of Mist and Snow.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V1notes/mist.html.
“Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 22 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/MShelley/bio.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 58): “‘You may easily believe,’ said he, ‘how great was the difficulty to persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not comprised in the noble art of bookkeeping; and, indeed, I believe I left him incredulous to the last, for his constant answer to my unwearied entreaties was the same as that of the Dutch school-master in the Vicar of Wakefield: -- 'I have ten thousand florins a year without Greek, I eat heartily without Greek.’”:
In this dialogue, Henry Clerval, references the book Vicar of Wakefield written by Oliver Goldsmith in 1766. Clerval is saying that his father tries to deny him pursuing his studies by using this quote. The father is saying there is no need of pursuing studies, one can be successful without higher education and that it is with moral character and goodness that one finds success in the world. By utilizing other stories, Shelley gives her readers a reference point for the emotions of the characters and the events of the story of Frankenstein. Shelley alludes to many other writings to develop her story. This illusion gives the reader a sense of Frankenstein's friend and the relationship that his friend has with his father.
“The Vicar of Wakefield.” Wikipedia. 18 August 2009. 23 August 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vicar_of_Wakefield.
Frankenstein: (pg. 73): “I remained two days at Lausanne in this painful state of mind.”:
Lausanne is a city on the shores of Lake Geneva. Frankenstein passes through this village on his way home from college. Throughout the book, Shelley documents the travels of the monster and of Frankenstein. It is like a lesson in geography of her time as the two travel not only around the country of Frankenstein’s home, but eventually all over the world.
“Lausanne.” Switzerland – Vacation, Travel, Meetings-Switzerland Tourism. 23 August 2009. http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/destinations/resorts/offer-Destinations_Resorts-General-109827.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 74): “I quitted my seat, and walked on, although the darkness and storm increased every minute, and the thunder burst with a terrific crash over my head.”:
At this point in the book, Frankenstein is in an isolated location; he is not near anyone. This setting reflects the loneliness/ isolation that he is about the feel (once he spots the monster he created once again). Storms represent violent human emotions; rain represents sadness or despair; and thunder represents the “voice of God”. Shelley uses the storm that Frankenstein is now experiencing as foreshadowing to the reappearance of his monster. Furthermore, she references the “voice of God” and this helps to develop the theme that man should not try to create life; creating life is God's work.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 103): “I started up and beheld a radiant form rise from among the trees.”:
Two things are symbolized in this sentence. First of all, the moon is referenced, which usually alludes to desires that may lead to harm. The monster desires understanding, companionship, acceptance; eventually these desires will fuel his revenge against Frankenstein and lead to Frankenstein’s downfall. Furthermore, the monster is now in the woods—“among the trees”. The woods can represent a place of evil. The monster feels somewhat sheltered in this setting. It is further proof of his difference from what would be considered a normal man. Shelley uses literary symbolism to create setting and tone for her story.
“Symbolism in Literature.” Scribd. 10 September 2008. 23 August 2009.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6472314/Symbolism-in-Literature.
Frankenstein: (pg. 104): “One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.”:
The presence of fire in this passage can be connected to the Greek god, Prometheus, who gave the knowledge of fire to humans and was punished for it. This can be related to Frankenstein’s full title, where he is referred to as the Modern Prometheus, for trying to reveal the knowledge of creating life (and he too, is severely punished.) The monster is revealed in his innocence though; he is learning about man through trial and error and most of what he is exposed to is painful. We begin to have sympathy for him. The story of Frankenstein and the monster unfolds as Shelley gives voice to the monster. The reader can relate to the monster when the story is told from his perspective. Shelley causes the reader to question who is the bad character: Frankenstein for overstepping natural law or the monster.
King, Stephen. Introduction. Frankenstein. by Mary Shelley. Penguin Books Ltd. December 1978. v-xiv. 22 August 2009.
“Prometheus.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 10 January 2004. 22August 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/prometheus.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 105): “But I was enchanted by the appearance of the hut: here the snow and rain could not penetrate; the ground was dry; and it presented to me then as exquisite and divine a retreat as Pandemonium appeared to the demons of hell after their sufferings in the lake of fire.”:
Milton names the capital city of Hell in Paradise Lost Pandemonium. Paradise Lost is a book mainly about man’s disobedience. Milton references Satan and hell in his text. Of course, one may find it strange that the monster uses the Capital of Hell as comparison to a place where he feels safe. However, this just highlights the mixture of goodness and evil that reside within him. The monster is a living dichotomy. He looks frightening, but he can be gentle. He can be overcome with anger, but he seeks only friendship. He is evil and good. He also sees life in this way; he thinks only in terms of good vs. bad, leaving no room for a middle ground. Shelley reveals the character of the monster as she continues to give him voice in te story. The story continues to unfold as told between the monster and Frankenstein's voices.
Luxon, Thomas H., ed. “Paradise Lost.” The Milton Reading Room. 24 August 2009.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_1/index.shtml.
"Pandemonium." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 29 Aug. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Pandemonium.
Frankenstein: (pg. 119): “"The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney's Ruins of Empires.”:
Ruins of Empires (Les Ruines, ou méditations sur les révolutions des empires) was written during the French Revolution. The book was a sharp critique of all the forms of government and religion of the time. Many people were strongly affected by the ideas within the book, among these was Percy Bysshe Shelley, husband of Mary Shelley. Shelley wrote Frankenstein with support and continued encouragement of her husband. She included current events and literary works as references in her writing.
“Ruins of Empire.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009. http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V2notes/ruins.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 119): “I heard of the slothful Asiatics; of the stupendous genius and mental activity of the Grecians; of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans -- of their subsequent degenerating -- of the decline of that mighty empire; of chivalry, Christianity, and kings.” and “These wonderful narrations inspired me…yet so vicious and base?”:
The monster is learning history of ancient times. As he is being taught he is learning to question the nature of man. It also led him to question his existence and who is was in the scheme of life. As Shelley gives the monster a social conscience, we begin to think of him more like a man. Acceptance not based on looks or differing political and religious views is something the monster craves. With the introduction of this book and the insight into the monster’s personality, Shelley is opening these ideas to the reader too.
Frankenstein: (pg. 127): “Fortunately the books were written in the language the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter.”:
Paradise Lost by Milton is a story about the fall of man through temptation. Lives is a series of books (Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans) written by Plutarch. It is a series of biographies of famous men, arranged so to we can find common attributes, both good and bad, of the men. Sorrows of Werter can be related to Frankenstein in its texts, the main character meets his death due to an infatuation. The monster relates to Werter because they are both “lost souls” seeking to find their identities. In these books and in the one that was read aloud in the cottage, the monster finds his own conscience and begins to identify with man even though he cannot ever be considered one of them. He has the same shortcomings as man and also the same power to rise above his shortcomings. Even as the monster is like man in his feelings, he is completely unlike man in his looks and will always be separated from them because of this. Mary Shelley is an intellectual woman. In her book, Frankenstein, she communicates her philosophical thoughts through her characters not only by showing their feelings but also by including references to other writer's books.
“Parallel Lives.” Answers.com. 24 August 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/parallel-lives.
“Sorrows of Werter.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/V2notes/werter.html.
Frankenstein: (pg. 129): “Induced by these feelings, I was of course led to admire peaceable lawgivers, Numa, Solon, and Lycurgus, in preference to Romulus and Theseus.”:
The names that are listed are biographies that were included in Plutarch’s Lives. The monster is making decisions about whom he believes to be the better men. It is ironic that the Monster becomes more educated by his exposure to these books, and we see the good and the bad fighting inside of him too. There is also irony in the fact that we find out later that these books to which the monster turns for answers are books that belonged to Frankenstein. Shelley continues to reference other literary works that she is familiar with. She also uses irony in the storyline.
"Atlantis: the Myth." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
23 Aug. 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/atlantis.html.
"Lycurgus." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
23 Aug. 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/lycurgus.html.
“Numa Pompilius.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 25 April 1997. Cnclyclopedia Mythica Online. 23 August 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/n/numa_pompilius.html.
"Theseus." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2009. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
23 Aug. 2009. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/t/theseus.html.
Frankenstein: (p.136): “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? …had so wantonly bestowed?”:
Here we are reminded of the fatal difference between man and the monster. God has created man in his own image, but the monster is calling upon his creator – Frankenstein. Without regard to the outcome and without care for the monster, Frankenstein has turned his back on his creation and led to his destruction and ultimately to the downfall of the monster too. Shelley develops a theme of the natural accepted order of the world and man's place in the world using the monster's voice.
Frankenstein: (pg. 156): "The sounding cataract
Haunted him like a passion: the tall rock,
The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood,
Their colours and their forms, were then to him
An appetite; a feeling, and a love,
That had no need of a remoter charm,
By thought supplied, or any interest
Unborrow'd from the eye.":
This is a quote of Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey. This poem stems from Wordworth’s renewed optimism he felt when first seeing the area around Tintern Abbey. He did not write this poem until almost four years later. During this four year period, Wordsworth began working with Coleridge; who had ties to Mary Shelley. Shelley often alludes to the goodness that can be found in nature. Frankenstein finds relief from his nightmare in nature, and the monster finds acceptance and beauty in nature.
Hecimovich, Gregg A. “Wordsworth - Tintern Abbey" 17 April 1996. English 151-03. Vanderbuilt University. 26 August 2009. http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/english/English151W-03/wordsworth%5Btinternabbey%5D.htm.
Frankenstein: (pg. 157): “We saw Tilbury Fort, and remembered the Spanish armada; Gravesend, Woolwich, and Greenwich – places which I had heard of even in my country.”:
Tilbury Fort was built to protect London from attack on the Thames River. Queen Elizabeth stationed troops to Tilbury Fort during the Spanish armada; however, no attacks were severely damaging. The English victory against the Spanish armada was known throughout the world. Gravesend resides in Kent, England; it is a port at the mouth of the Thames River. Many sea travelers of the time would use this port to change from their sea- vessels to smaller river boats. Woolwich also lies on the Thames River, and “is the site of the Royal Dockyard and Royal Arsenal.” And finally, Greenwich is also situated on the Thames River, and associated with a shipping society. This part of the text, Frankenstein is traveling up the Thames River seeing all the sites of many important English accomplishments. Shelley is using a setting for the story at this point in time that she was familiar with. She uses real places to help to set a context for the story that will be believable to the reader.
“Greenwich.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/greenwch.html.
“Woolwich England.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/woolwich.html.
“Gravesend England.” Department of English, University of Pennsylvannia, School of Arts and Sciences. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Places/gravesen.html.
“The Spanish Armada.”19 March 2009. Queen Elizabeth I. 25 August 2009. http://www.elizabethi.org/us/armada/
“Tilbury Fort.” English Heritage. 25 August 2009.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001001001013003003009.
Frankenstein: (pg. 157): “At length we saw the numerous steeples of London, St. Paul's towering above all, and the Tower famed in English history.”:
St. Paul’s is a cathedral in London, England. This cathedral symbolizes many things such as “hope, resilience and strength of the city and nation it serves.” At this point, Frankenstein is relying mainly on his hope. With the sight of St. Paul’s, Frankenstein is reminded both of his hope and of his wrongdoing to God when he presumed to create life. He doesn’t know what will become of his life. Mary Shelley is using a real setting for her book which once again gives the story a believable aspect; the setting is one that she was familiar with and could describe well. The setting in London and the description of the steeples helps to create a believable quality for her story.
“About Saint Paul’s” 2009. St. Paul’s Cathedral. 26 August 2009. http://www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History
Frankenstein: (pg. 160): “But I am a blasted tree…pitiable to others and intolerable to myself.” Frankenstein can no longer enjoy the beauty of life; he feels empty and isolated. Shelley creates a very desolate and lonely tone for her book. Frankinstein is not only physically isolated but emotionally isolated as a result of the choices that he made.
Frankenstein: (pg.168): “It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night.”:
Frankenstein has angered his creation by refusing to create him a partner. These words foreshadow Frankenstein’s wedding which should be joyous but will be filled with despair. The words are the verbal expression of the monster’s anger which the reader knows will lead to physical destruction. Both the monster and Frankenstein go back and forth in their feelings of what is moral and right, and embracing anger which usually leads them to despair over knowing they have done wrong. With these lines, Shelley creates a threatening tone and foreshawdows terrible events in the future.
Frankenstein: (pg. 216): “ ‘That he should live to be an instrument of mischief…Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.”:
Frankenstein tries to give Walton advice on how to live life. He regrets that his creation may continue to cause destruction but he is looking forward to peace in death for himself. He is advising Walton to avoid Frankenstein’s fate by remembering what is truly important in life. Using the monster's voice, Shelley emphasizes a theme of not trying to overreach what is given to you by God but to live your life well and to appreciate the gifts that are given to you. Shelley creates a situation in which the reader can relate to the monster's human like qualities.
Frankenstein: (pg. 222): “ ‘But soon,” he cried…My spirit will sleep in peace, or if it thinks, it will surely not think thus. Farewell.’ ”:
This is the final expressed regrets of Frankenstein’s creation. Neither the man nor the creature meant to bring such destruction to the world and each could not accept the other because of their strong emotions. The monster is repentant for all the destruction he has caused. Frankenstein repented creating the monster. By creating the monster, Frankenstein forever tied his life to it. In death, they will continue to be tied together, but maybe each will recognize a little peace in death that they could not find in life. Shelley has finished her story with the death of both the main characters in the desolation and isolation of the artic. They are isolated not only in spirit but physically too. Shelley uses symbolism of place and voice to show the theme of lonliness vs. friendship and man and the natural order of God's world. Shelley is also continuing to create empathy for the monster as we feel at the end, he really does regret his actions.
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