‘Explore the methods employed by Shelley to portray unusual states of mind’
Shelley uses methods such as pathos, ironic contrasts and the Creature’s narrative
and unusual situation thus an alien view of the world to portray the Creature’s
unusual state of mind. Methods such as multiple narratives, irony and Victor’s
bipolar characteristics are used to portray his unusual state of mind. Further, the
influence of texts such as ‘Emile’ by Rousseau and the French revolutionary text
‘Volney’s Ruins of the Empire’ is evident throughout the novel and used to express
the delusion of both the Creature and Victor and their unusual states of mind.
Shelley portrays unusual states of mind through the unusual birth situation of the
Creature and uses his narrative to express his complete lack of reference points and
knowledge. The Creature’s narrative provides evidence of the state of mind of
someone who is entirely alone and cut off from normal human interactions. Through
the use of experimentation, experience and sensations the Creature begins to learn
human behaviors. Shelley shows this in the words ‘thus arranged my dwelling and
carpeted it with clean straw’ highlighting that the Creature is applying what he has
observed and using his knowledge gained from experience. Relevant to this is
Locke’s theory of tabula rasa, which underlies Shelley’s development of
Frankenstein’s creature. In relation to this theory…
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conclusion)
Shelley uses methods such as pathos, ironic contrasts and the Creature’s narrative
and unusual situation thus an alien view of the world to portray the Creature’s
unusual state of mind. Methods such as multiple narratives, irony and Victor’s
bipolar characteristics are used to portray his unusual state of mind. Further, the
influence of texts such as ‘Emile’ by Rousseau and the French revolutionary text
‘Volney’s Ruins of the Empire’ is evident throughout the novel and used to express
the delusion of both the Creature and Victor and their unusual states of mind.
Shelley portrays unusual states of mind through the unusual birth situation of the
Creature and uses his narrative to express his complete lack of reference points and
knowledge. The Creature’s narrative provides evidence of the state of mind of
someone who is entirely alone and cut off from normal human interactions. Through
the use of experimentation, experience and sensations the Creature begins to learn
human behaviors. Shelley shows this in the words ‘thus arranged my dwelling and
carpeted it with clean straw’ highlighting that the Creature is applying what he has
observed and using his knowledge gained from experience. Relevant to this is
Locke’s theory of tabula rasa, which underlies Shelley’s development of
Frankenstein’s creature. In relation to this theory…
Preview ends…buy to see the whole essay (which includes 3 paragraphs and a
conclusion)
