17.01.2022
Notes:
‘collect the courage’ –
‘I feared the vengeance of the disappointed fiend’ –
‘I was unable to overcome my repugnance to the task’ – juxtaposed his feelings when
making the creature, ‘I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardour’ (pg.55) ‘could not
compose a female without again devoting several months to profound study’ – this shows
that the female body and make-up is so vastly different than that of a male as well as the
fact that it highlights how Victor never knew/gave any thought to women as he was always
trying to displace and transgress women’s boundaries.
‘English philosopher’ – this shows that he still relies on the work of others despite the fact
that before he believed himself to be above all over people educated or not.
‘obtaining my father’s consent’ – shows that despite his creation of the creature, Victor is
still not God and is not the master of anyone’s life, not even his own. This also highlights the
fact that Victor has a parental/paternal figure and that he was supposed to be the creatures
but he rejected and alienated the creature instead.
‘I clung to every pretence of delay’ – again very contrasting to him creation before on (pg.56)
when he says ‘to procrastinate all that related `to my feelings of affection until the great
object, which swallowed up every habit of my nature, should be completed’.
‘a change had taken place in me’ – due to the creation of the creature everything about
Victor has changed, he has learnt lots of things including the importance of family and
communication as well as the curse of knowledge and ambition.
‘a devouring blackness overcast the approaching sunshine’ – foreshadowing the fact that his
happiness will not last long at all
‘perfect solitude’ – Victor is once again isolation himself, this is a bd sign because ethe last
time he isolated himself there were devastating consequences.
‘fresh air and bright sun seldom failed to restore me’ – Victor seeks comfort and tranquillity
in nature because nature is a loving and restorative force.
‘readier smile’ – he has realised the importance of family – that family keep humans
grounded and sane.
‘avoid our society’ – Victor has learnt the cruelty of society and is could to be unconsciously
avoiding it.
In Victor's discussion of Henry, Shelley includes a six-line excerpt from William Wordsworth's
1798 poem "Tintern Abbey," one of the most famous romantic poems. Typical of
Wordsworth's poems, "Tintern Abbey" describes nature's ability to touch an individual and
prompt powerful emotions and profound reflections. Henry is deeply moved by the beautiful
scenery, which he "loved with ardor." However, thinking of this landscape now, while on the
ship with Walton, brings sadness to Victor, as it reminds him of Henry.
Notes:
‘collect the courage’ –
‘I feared the vengeance of the disappointed fiend’ –
‘I was unable to overcome my repugnance to the task’ – juxtaposed his feelings when
making the creature, ‘I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardour’ (pg.55) ‘could not
compose a female without again devoting several months to profound study’ – this shows
that the female body and make-up is so vastly different than that of a male as well as the
fact that it highlights how Victor never knew/gave any thought to women as he was always
trying to displace and transgress women’s boundaries.
‘English philosopher’ – this shows that he still relies on the work of others despite the fact
that before he believed himself to be above all over people educated or not.
‘obtaining my father’s consent’ – shows that despite his creation of the creature, Victor is
still not God and is not the master of anyone’s life, not even his own. This also highlights the
fact that Victor has a parental/paternal figure and that he was supposed to be the creatures
but he rejected and alienated the creature instead.
‘I clung to every pretence of delay’ – again very contrasting to him creation before on (pg.56)
when he says ‘to procrastinate all that related `to my feelings of affection until the great
object, which swallowed up every habit of my nature, should be completed’.
‘a change had taken place in me’ – due to the creation of the creature everything about
Victor has changed, he has learnt lots of things including the importance of family and
communication as well as the curse of knowledge and ambition.
‘a devouring blackness overcast the approaching sunshine’ – foreshadowing the fact that his
happiness will not last long at all
‘perfect solitude’ – Victor is once again isolation himself, this is a bd sign because ethe last
time he isolated himself there were devastating consequences.
‘fresh air and bright sun seldom failed to restore me’ – Victor seeks comfort and tranquillity
in nature because nature is a loving and restorative force.
‘readier smile’ – he has realised the importance of family – that family keep humans
grounded and sane.
‘avoid our society’ – Victor has learnt the cruelty of society and is could to be unconsciously
avoiding it.
In Victor's discussion of Henry, Shelley includes a six-line excerpt from William Wordsworth's
1798 poem "Tintern Abbey," one of the most famous romantic poems. Typical of
Wordsworth's poems, "Tintern Abbey" describes nature's ability to touch an individual and
prompt powerful emotions and profound reflections. Henry is deeply moved by the beautiful
scenery, which he "loved with ardor." However, thinking of this landscape now, while on the
ship with Walton, brings sadness to Victor, as it reminds him of Henry.
