Literature Analysis: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein: Literature Analysis Questions
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose.
The story opens on a man sending letters to his sister. He is on a trip in the Pacific Ocean for research when he finds a man among the ice in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. This mysterious man captures the explorer's fascination, and this man seems very troubled, very mysterious, and very ill. This stranger, Victor Frankenstein, soon tells his life story to the explorer ( Robert Walton). Victor tells of his parents and childhood, especially of growing up with the lovely Elizabeth. Interested in science and alchemy from an early age he becomes deeply involved in learning about life and how it works. How to create it in fact. He isolates himself and creates a living being from his work after two years. However his creation turns out grotesque to a point he can't stand it, and runs away from the "monster" which he created. Victor is haunted by his creation, and eventually, the monster comes to kill his younger brother William. Another (Justine) takes the blame and is executed, further driving guilt into Victor. Victor and the monster finally meet and the monster tells his side of the story. The monster was very gentle at his core, not meaning any harm. He worked to understand English and to understand the troubles of the village folk, while understanding that they shunned him due to his physical appearance. Soon after he becomes literate and begins reading and understanding life. He finds a note from Victor left behind describing the content and horror in which he holds the monster. He simply asks for a mate and to be left in isolation. Victor agrees, but still disgusted  by the monster destroys the making for his monster's mate leading the monster to vow revenge. A few more deaths pass by. On his wedding day the monster murders Victor's wife, leading Victor to vow revenge on the monster. Victor dies on the trip with Walton several days after telling the story, and Frankenstein comes to weep the loss of his creator.

I researched the meaning of writing this book, and it was in a horror story contest it was compiled. It is a wonderful horror story, as well as talks about the true humanity of people in a deep way.

2. The theme of the story was the true monstrosity of human nature. All the monster ever wanted was to be loved and to care for those around him and important to him. However, he is shunned by all, especially the one who he loves most, Victor. Victor becomes consumed in the thought of the horror of the creation, and leaves it alone out of spite. Victor grows iller and iller throughout the book and it leaves it to be seen who the true monster was in this story, Victor or his creation.

3. The author had an extremely dark mood to the story considering it was a horror story. This helped set up the monstrosity of Victor, and the decadence of morale seen in the book.
Some examples are:
Like one, on a lonesome road who,
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 was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flash and bone. The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had entertained but a few moments before, gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth. Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind. But the agony of my wound overcame me; my pulses paused, and i fainted."

"Why did I not die? More miserable than man ever was before, why did I not sink into forgetfulness and rest? Death snatches away many blooming children, the only hopes of their doating parents: how many brides and youthful lovers have been one day in the bloom of health and hope, and the next a prey for worms and the decay of the tomb! Of what materials was I made, that I could thus resist so many shocks, which, like the turning of the wheel, continually renewed the torture?

4. Ten literary elements: Edition: Republication of a standard text of the 1831 edition. Dover Thrift Edition

1. Direct characterization: "His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips." Page 35 in chapter 5
2. Prologue: Robert Walton's four letters concerning his discovery of Victor Frankenstein, setting up the tone of the story. Page 1-14
3. Personification: "Sleep fled from my eyes." "Yet my heart overflowed with kindness, and the love of virtue." Both Page 61, start of chapter 6
4. Foil: Justine's innocence and taking the blame for the murder she did not commit contrasted with Victor's inability to face the injustice he has committed. Page 60 end of chapter 8.
5. Juxtaposition: When the monster kills William he says: "As I fixed my eyes on the child, I saw something glittering on his breast. I took it; it was a portrait of a most lovely woman. In spite of my malignity, it softened and attracted me."
6. Point of View: The author changes the point of view from Victor to Frankenstein in chapter eleven in order to show the monster's side of the story. To show how innocent the monster truly was at its core.
7. Simile: "Sometimes he commanded his countenance and tones, and related the most horrible incident with a tranquil voice, suppressing every mark of agitation; then, like a volcano bursting forth, his face would suddenly change to an expression of the wildest rage, as he shrieked out imprecations on his persecutor.
8. Situational Irony: When Frankenstein's monster comes to weep over his creators grave at the end of the story, even though it is thought all he wanted to do was destroy Victor in the first place. Chapter 24 page 163
9. Setting: Mary Shelley used vast open landscapes for much of the story to help create the mournful tone. Walton sails on the freezing Pacific, Victor isolates himself in his castle, and eventually Frankenstein isolates himself there, along with in the forest. Seen throughout the book.
10. Stream of Consciousness: Frankenstein's monster actually ends up being a very complex thoughtful character, and very literate. This vastly contrasts from the views on him in society today. He anguishes just a a human would, and has very complex feelings. Example: Page 97 chapter 16