CatastropheA Catastrophe is known as the final action in a tragedy or the completed unraveling point in the plot of any literature or production of literature such as plays. A notable instance for a catastrophe is featured in Hamlet written by William Shakespeare. This term is mostly demonstrated in theater types of literature but in some cases, as in Frankenstein, it is able to be in novels and stories describing a similar change of plot for the main character, the protagonist. Yet throughout this book many catastrophes have taken place starting from the letters Walton wrote home with information of reality and when Victor first got an interest in the sciences with no support from his family as well as when Victor created the monster and his spotting of the monster when he reaches Geneva. In this book a catastrophe occurs almost every scene where there is some built up tension, guilt, or anger towards some idea of object. Catastrophe is not exactly at the end but fits itself at least in every other chapter. In the letters, the first catastrophe begins with how Walton describes his experience to then get a huge turning point of finding out a bunch of information about his guest who is Victor Frankenstein and it starts the story for the journey of the creation of Victors monster and the reason why Walton found him. From the letters, "but you are mistaken, my friend, if thus you will allow me to name you; nothing can alter my destiny; listen to my history , and you will perceive how irrevocably it is determined." This is definitely one of the turning points that unravels what is going to come of Victor on his journey. Another major unraveling that I found of the plot in this story is how Victor ends up running into his creation after he reaches Geneva and then it transfers to the monsters journey and what had really happened to him. I thought it was a point in the plot of suspense when the monster revealed what he had done. It contributed to the reasons why Victor was there in the first place and why he felt guilty continuously.
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"The child still struggled and loaded me with epithets which carried despair to my heart; I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet" (pg. 131) This is from chapter 16, it really brings some clarity into the whole book acting as some what of a climax as well as a major catastrophe for unraveling a series of events that will be very negative and bring down Victor.
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"His limbs were nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering. I never saw a man in so wretched a condition. We attempted to carry him into the cabin, but as soon as he had quitted the fresh air he fainted..." (Letter 4). This quote demonstrates the method of characterization because in this scene is where Victor Frankenstein is introduced after his long journey and this is a quote from Walton describing how he looks at first glance before he finds out what really happens to this character to develop more of this story. The way the letters describe Victor change the view of the reader throughout the novel and that is good in understanding the main traits of this main character through characterization.
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CharacterizationCharacterization is a literary device used to give a step by step description of a character and its flaws. The main purpose of using characterization is to help the development of the character throughout the book or production. In Frankenstein, there is a lot of characterization mentioned when regarding the monster, Pieces. In chapter 5, it begins with a description given by Victor Frankenstein about what he had created.
"His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a 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 shriveled complection and straight black lips" (pg.43). This quote really does clarify the characterization present throughout this book with one of the main characters actually being described in the beginning in full detail of appearance to help the reader picture what this character really looks like. Based off this description, I would be a little scared to be around this monster yet feel bad for it since it doesn't seem to be put together right but due to his weird color and actually height I would probably run away. So this definitely gives the reader an idea of what was actually created.
" I am birth of Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of the republic. My ancestors had been for many years counsellors and syndics, and my father had filled several public situations with honour and reputation" (pg.17). |
ToneTone is considered to be the attitude given off by the writer or speaker given off to the audience either through literature or visual enhancements such as in plays or films. Tone is mainly portrayed through how the writer is speaking about a subject or scene that is taking place. At the beginning of chapter 15, there seems to be a tone of doubt and admiration and a little optimism with the descriptions spoken by creation, Pieces. "As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil, benevolence and generosity were ever present before me, inciting within me the desire to become an actor in the busy scene where so many admirable qualities were called forth and displayed. But in giving an account of the progress of my intellect, I must not omit a circumstance which occurred in the beginning of the month of August of the same year." This seems to be that type of tone because the creation seems to be showing his admiration with joy towards those with higher potential with optimism of being able to proceed in what he was going to succeed but he still had many doubts of his true abilities due to what he is. This scene does seem to be a bit depressing as well in the way Pieces seems to be putting himself down with the tone he seems to put off a sadness where he doesn't seem like a full person. But the tone in this scene does seem harsh since he seems to be putting himself down for what he doesn't know and have. Another instance is in chapter 15, Pieces seems to be extremely critical in how he speaks of himself because he does not believe he can do good as well as beginning to feel bitter almost about everything that is happening on his journey. He says, "I have good dispositions; my life has been hitherto harmless and in some degree beneficial; but a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes, and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable monster."
"on the miserable death of of Justine Moritz, I no longer see the world and its works as they before appeared to me. Before, I looked upon the accounts of vice and injustice that I read in books or heard from others as tales of ancient days or imaginary evils...." (pg. 79). |
"Every night I was pressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to most painful degree; the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime. Sometimes I grew alarmed at wreck I perceived that I had become; the energy of my purpose alone sustained me: my labours would soon end..." (pg. 42). This quote (left and above) was from Victor Frankenstein feeling a way of guilt after hearing the news of William being killed and how he continuously now believes he is guilty due to his thought of his creation having the ability to kill. And soon after this part of the story then finding Justine guilty this tone is of a indignant way meaning of anger aroused by injustice and that is exactly what has occurred for him and what he believes to be true.
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