-Many early romantic writers strongly advocated the French Revolution which began in 1789.
-The balance of economic power shifted from the wealthy class to the middle class because of the rise of industrialism.
-The advancement of technology and machinery made the jobs for the normal worker more unsecure because they could be easily replaced.
-Many English writers and thinkers supported the revolution.
-Mary's father (William Godwin) influenced romantic writers with Inquiry Concerning Political Justice where he thought property should be equally distributed.
-Mary's mother(Mary Wollstonecraft) supported equality amoung sexes in her book A Vindication of the Rights of Men in retaliation to other writers attack on the revolution.
-In 1792 French revolutionaries executed around 1200 priests, royalists, and common criminals(September Massacres).
-Revolutionary government imprisoned around 300,000 suspects. (Reign of Terror)
-England sympathizers no longer supported the revolution.
-Rise of Napoleon (1804) and was confronted with war against France.
-The war ended in 1815, England was suffering from economic and social problems.
-The english government did not interfere with the private business sector which resulted in low wages and terrible working conditions.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Music Connection
In the novel, music isn't directly addressed. However, Frankenstein has been the inspiration for many pieces of music. These include popular rock songs, movie scores, rock operas and sing-a-longs. Much of this music only gets to the basic idea of a fearful monster. However, the example of a 56-track movie score reaches the details, emotions, and mood of the novel. The fact that Frankenstein and the monster more specifically have made there way into so much music shows that the novel and it's characters still play a role as pop culture icons today. The links below are for listening to examples of this music.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B00001QGSG/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img/103-5629696-7857423?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img
http://www.frankensteintherockopera.com/music.htm
http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B00001QGSG/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img/103-5629696-7857423?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img
http://www.frankensteintherockopera.com/music.htm
Poetry Connection
While Shelley does not directly address the topic of poetry, the major theme of sublime nature in Frankenstein can allow us to infer.
- The beauty of nature in the novel at times allows for characters to seek some kind of vent from their normal life. (i.e. When Victor goes to the Montanvert summit to seek peace of mind)
- Poetry is also indirectly used in the novel to develop the monster and his own intuition. (i.e. Paradise Lost is often referred to as "sublime poetry" - the book is crucial in the monster's search for knowledge)
- Many of the verses that Victor and his creation exchange seem to come off as very poetic. (i.e. "Unfeeling, heartless, creator, you endowed with perceptions and passion and then cast me as an object for the scorn and horror of mankind.")
- The beauty of nature in the novel at times allows for characters to seek some kind of vent from their normal life. (i.e. When Victor goes to the Montanvert summit to seek peace of mind)
- Poetry is also indirectly used in the novel to develop the monster and his own intuition. (i.e. Paradise Lost is often referred to as "sublime poetry" - the book is crucial in the monster's search for knowledge)
- Many of the verses that Victor and his creation exchange seem to come off as very poetic. (i.e. "Unfeeling, heartless, creator, you endowed with perceptions and passion and then cast me as an object for the scorn and horror of mankind.")
Art Connection
Mary Shelley doesn't directly introduce art at a thematic level in the book however a reader may infer some relations of its importance.
Setting-The monster leaves traces and notes behind in the form of writings or engravings on rocks or trees so that Viktor can track him. This is an abstract form of art because of the way the monster communicates his whereabouts.
Plot-An artist must distinguish his works from others to be truly admired. In the same way Viktor may have thought that his creation would bring him great fame because it is the first of its kind. His creation only causes problems and deaths which is a conflict in the novel.
Characters-Viktor wrote in a journal where he could express himself. The emotions and attitudes he shared is art in the form of writing.
Other themes- literature used to influence deep thought and crucial thinking. ex: After the monster reads a book, he is able to further analyze the nature of his own existence.
Setting-The monster leaves traces and notes behind in the form of writings or engravings on rocks or trees so that Viktor can track him. This is an abstract form of art because of the way the monster communicates his whereabouts.
Plot-An artist must distinguish his works from others to be truly admired. In the same way Viktor may have thought that his creation would bring him great fame because it is the first of its kind. His creation only causes problems and deaths which is a conflict in the novel.
Characters-Viktor wrote in a journal where he could express himself. The emotions and attitudes he shared is art in the form of writing.
Other themes- literature used to influence deep thought and crucial thinking. ex: After the monster reads a book, he is able to further analyze the nature of his own existence.
Science, Religion, and Philosophy Connections
Role of Science- In Frankenstein, Shelley shows the relationship between scientist and discovery. Victor longed to create life, yet never appeared to consider the possible implications of his work, or why he longed to create life. Today, scientists may not always consider the effects of their discoveries. Also, Victor shows that science isn’t all that is needed to progress in the field. Victor was faced with deciding what to do with the monster. Today, scientific discoveries may have many possible uses, both negative and positive, and the decision on how to use this science needs to be made.
Role of Religion- In the novel, Shelley addresses creation of another being by man. This could be showing that Victor Frankenstein attempts to “play God”, and create a new life. The problems and violence that arise from the monsters being could be implying that man, and more specifically scientists, attempting to control creation will suffer consequences.
Role of Philosophy- Philosophy in the novel is prominent, as it proves to be the foundation of Victor’s creation of life. Victor Frankenstein, as a student, was very interested in the study of natural philosophy. This branch of philosophy sparked his interest in the relationship between life and death. This interest in philosophy eventually led to the pursuit of creating life.
Role of Religion- In the novel, Shelley addresses creation of another being by man. This could be showing that Victor Frankenstein attempts to “play God”, and create a new life. The problems and violence that arise from the monsters being could be implying that man, and more specifically scientists, attempting to control creation will suffer consequences.
Role of Philosophy- Philosophy in the novel is prominent, as it proves to be the foundation of Victor’s creation of life. Victor Frankenstein, as a student, was very interested in the study of natural philosophy. This branch of philosophy sparked his interest in the relationship between life and death. This interest in philosophy eventually led to the pursuit of creating life.
Themes in Frankenstein
- The destruction accompanied by acquiring knowledge
- The power of creation in a natural world
- Personal guilt and regret rising from secrecy
- Ignorance is bliss
- Human injustice inflicted on outsiders
- The power of creation in a natural world
- Personal guilt and regret rising from secrecy
- Ignorance is bliss
- Human injustice inflicted on outsiders
Frankenstein Sonnet
V: I will find the meaning of life
M: Born of my creator, I see through new eyes
V: Studies consume my being, I pursue another
M: Spite my creator, and all of mankind
V: My own pursuits frighten me
M: I wander with rage! Revenge will be sought
V: May I have decency for my own creation?
M: Loneliness drains as knowledge is reeled
V: Uneasy feelings, contemplation fills my cup
M: Create me a partner! I will then live in peace
V: I tear at its flesh to prevent all misfortune
M: Oh creator, you will feel my pain!
V: You have taken my all. Oh, I loathe in self pity
M: I cry over you, my creator. Your death brings upon my own
M: Born of my creator, I see through new eyes
V: Studies consume my being, I pursue another
M: Spite my creator, and all of mankind
V: My own pursuits frighten me
M: I wander with rage! Revenge will be sought
V: May I have decency for my own creation?
M: Loneliness drains as knowledge is reeled
V: Uneasy feelings, contemplation fills my cup
M: Create me a partner! I will then live in peace
V: I tear at its flesh to prevent all misfortune
M: Oh creator, you will feel my pain!
V: You have taken my all. Oh, I loathe in self pity
M: I cry over you, my creator. Your death brings upon my own
Biographical Information
-Born Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, she was the only child of two successful and controversial writers.
-Her mother Mary Wollstonecraft died ten days after her birth.
-Mary received a well rounded education and because her father was such an important figure she was also influenced by other writers, artists and scientists who would visit her father.
-In her midteens during a visit to Scotland, she found her passion in writing where she could expand her imagination.
-Once she returned to England she fell in love with Percy Bysshe Shelley.
-Along with Mary's stepsister (Claire) they fled to France (1816) where they met with the poet Lord Byron.
-(1816) When asked to write a ghost story on a stormy week, Mary started to write the novel Frankenstein.
-Later that year the Percy and Mary returned to England and got married.
-(1818) Frankenstein was published.
-In the next four years 2 of her 3 children died, and Percy drowned in a boating accident in 1822.
-Mary being a widow supported her only child (Percy) with the money she received from her writings, she published novels, short stories, essays, reviews, travel narratives, and a literary biographies.
-On February 1st, 1851 Mary Shelley died of a brain disease.
sources: Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus with connections
-Her mother Mary Wollstonecraft died ten days after her birth.
-Mary received a well rounded education and because her father was such an important figure she was also influenced by other writers, artists and scientists who would visit her father.
-In her midteens during a visit to Scotland, she found her passion in writing where she could expand her imagination.
-Once she returned to England she fell in love with Percy Bysshe Shelley.
-Along with Mary's stepsister (Claire) they fled to France (1816) where they met with the poet Lord Byron.
-(1816) When asked to write a ghost story on a stormy week, Mary started to write the novel Frankenstein.
-Later that year the Percy and Mary returned to England and got married.
-(1818) Frankenstein was published.
-In the next four years 2 of her 3 children died, and Percy drowned in a boating accident in 1822.
-Mary being a widow supported her only child (Percy) with the money she received from her writings, she published novels, short stories, essays, reviews, travel narratives, and a literary biographies.
-On February 1st, 1851 Mary Shelley died of a brain disease.
sources: Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus with connections
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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