Frankenstein's Monster: A Corruption of Innocence

A major theme of Frankenstein is the burden of conscience that knowledge brings. The parallel pattern of innocent childhood, to knowledge seeking adult, to miserable creature is shown in both Dr. Frankenstein and his Monster. For this blog I want to focus on the corruption of Frankenstein's Monster, and in some cases, point out similarities between his path and others.

The Monster had a particularly tough start to life, forced to provide for himself with no knowledge and no guiding hand. He describes his first experiences in the forest, "I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing; but, feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept" (Shelley 68). At this point in the novel he's just a helpless creature, with no predications about the world or its inhabitants; and although he cries his first night, the next day brings him happiness in the new things he's able to observe in nature. It's at the point when he discovers fire, that he begins to enter his knowledge seeking phase. The act of acquiring knowledge is addictive to the Monster (paralleling his creator), he tests the different effects of the flame on various foods after he, to his discomfort, tests his hand. This knowledge building phase lasts almost until the end of his stay at the hovel. At this point in his development, the pains of knowledge begin to manifest, and the Monster, suddenly feeling the weight of his newfound knowledge, exclaims "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge. Oh, that I had for ever remained in my native wood, nor known or felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat" (Shelley 81). I think most readers can sympathize with the desire to go back to a time when they were more innocent, and the world was less complex.

Eventually, the Monster realizes that if he ever hopes for peace-of-mind, he must be able to share his knowledge with other people, in this case his educators in the cottage. This desire to share knowledge is mirrored in Victor Frankenstein, although the nature of the Doctor's knowledge is much more sinister, they both are separated from their would-be contemporaries by their inability to share what they know with others, lest they be rejected. However, Felix's violent reaction towards the Monster causes the beast to give up on his innocent ideas, and fully embrace the horrors that he has learned: emotions such as contempt, bitterness, and rage. As he comes to grips with his place in this world (the place of a monster), the resulting supposition of this knowledge and emotions becomes solidified by the actions of humanity against him. In simpler terms: as a person searches for who they are (as the Monster asked himself at least twice), if enough people treat that person like a monster, then a monster they will become.

I think that when the Monster embraces this role, he really becomes terrifying. One of his scariest moments is when he confronts Dr. Frankenstein after he (the doctor) destroys what would have been the Monster's mate, "Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful" (Shelley 116). Up to this point, the monster has been unsure, searching for meaning, but this meaning that he has ultimately found is extremely dangerous. By contrast, the ignorant and fearful monster that stuck his hand in the fire, has been replaced by a powerful creature who knows all to well the nature of mankind; thus understanding us to an extent that satisfies him, he does not fear us. After this turning point, the beast becomes much more the tormentor than the tormented, and such his corruption is complete.

Drawing the line between desire and obsession

Towards the end of Robert Walton's letters, Victor notices a spark in Walton's eyes that he once had when he sought ultimate knowledge. Victor shows compassion to Robert by telling him the story of how he ended up in the cold isolated arctic, he explains "I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortune…I had determined once that the memory of these evils should die with me; but you have won me to altar my determination” (Shelley 17). It seems that Victor is trying to prevent what happened to him from happening to Robert. He sees the longing for knowledge that Robert has and the same sense of ambition and not knowing when to draw the line between desire and obsession. He feels that Robert can, and will end up like him by alienating himself from his family and abandoning social ties. I believe Victor feels compelled to save Robert from himself which would lead to loneliness, isolation, depression and ultimately his death. This is apparent when he says to Robert “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you as mine have been. I do not know that the relation of my misfortunes will be useful to you, yet, if you are inclined, listen to my tale” (Shelley 17).This can also be considered as foreshadowing for the up and coming events that take place in Victors story as well as Roberts journey.http://benstewart.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/goals-frank.jp

"LOVE CAN BE TWO SIDED "

Today our culture recognizes love as a utopian idea, as we progress through life love becomes ambiguous. In the short story, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger,” written by Feng Menglong, the two main characters in the story are Li and Du Tenth. Li is an upstanding man, who falls in love with a harlot, Du Tenth. Du Tenth loves Li as well, but her madam represses her from life. Li becomes so persistent in perusing Du Tenth the madam finally recognizes his endearment for her. She is willing to relinquish her rights of Du Tenth. The madam charges Li three hundred dollars in exchange for Du Tenth’s freedom. With the restriction Li has the money within ten days (Wenglong 502). At this point Li shows love as a joyous perception from the reply, “When Li had three hundred dollars in hand, it was like a gift dropped from Heaven, and he went off, beaming with joy, to see his love Du Tenth” (Menglong 505).  The story goes on Li and Du Tenth get married, start a new life together, but something happens and gives another perception of love.  Li meets a stranger by the Name of Su Fu who is attracted to his wife. Su Fu comes up with a plan and acquires Du Tenth for one thousand dollars. She was not an idiot, her reply to Su Fu, “You with your lecherous intentions hatched a cunning plot that dissolved me and Li’s life together and destroyed the love and affections between us” (Menglong 515).  Du Tenth was furious with Li because she believes the love they had in the beginning will outlast life itself, but betrayal takes it away, “You have abandoned me and betrayed my earnest heart” (Menglong 516). The story ends with Du Tenth death.

                In my conclusion Li and Du Tenth are the prime example on how love is recognized in our culture today. In the beginning when people fall in love their perception is naive. Life experiences and circumstances change their perception.

Frankenstein



Volume 1

Letter 1

Walton says, '' I am already far north of London" (Shelley 7). Walton is writing his sister to keep her in form of his where abouts. He trys to explain his weird sense of feeling, regarding his mysterious adventure. He says every thing seems some what mystical, and gives him a spooky taste. Like spirits flowing along with him with his every move. He feels very visited, but he is determine to pursue his destination to some strange place out beyond the sea. There he knows he'll find the answers to his puzzling probes, about discovering some thing thats lives in a inhabiting existince. Walton goes on to say, "These reflections have dispelled the agitation with which i began my letter, and i feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven; for nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose,- a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye"(Shelley 8). Walton is trying to explian his trip, relating it to his life. Walton further says, "These visions faded when he persued, for the first time, those poets whose effusions entranced my soul, and lifted it to heaven" (Shelley 8). Walton is really into his dream, and i think will eventually come upon something like he is saying. He is headed north of the sea. Trying to live out his dream, which i think he will very soon. Lets keep our seat i think this is getting very interesting, sail on .

Du Tenth, a strong broken Woman

This world has always been full of strong and motivated woman. Women that run their worlds and carry the people in it, and still remain seemingly silent, woman that congratulates, motivates and celebrates their men, and then cleans up and fixes their mistakes, and short comings.  In “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger,” is just another example of a woman making up for a man’s short coming. Du Tenth fell in love with Li Jia and Du Tenth believed that Li Jia was in love with her. Du Tenth a prostitute and had a Madam, who was tired of Li Jia whom had spent all his money to keep company with Du Tenth in the beginning no longer had any money or anything to offer the house or the ladies, that he Li Jia was taking up all De Tenth time and she no longer had time for any of the other Men that wanted to see her, the Madam told Du Tenth, “ You go tell the bum: if he’s worth anything let him give me a few ounces of silver and buy you out so you can go off with him. Then I can find another girl that can support me” (Menglong 502). After Li Jia was not able to raise any money Du Tenth gave Li Jia half of the three hundred that the Madam was requesting in an assortment of coins. When Li Jia went to exchange the coins with the Academy Scholar Yuchun, Yuchun says,”This is truly a woman with sincere intentions” (Menglong 505). Because of the love that this woman had for this man, not the love this man had for this woman, the Academy Scholar Yuchun went out and raised the other half of the money for the couple. Yuchun states, “It was not for your Sake that I borrowed this money, but rather because I am moved by the Sincere feeling of Du Tenth” (Menglong 505). In actuality Li Jia did not offer anything for Du Tenth, and this could have been a reason it was so easy for him to try to give her away at the end. When the couple set off for their journey it was Du Tenth that paid for the boat ride, Li Jia having nothing to offer,  let us fast forward to the end of the poem, when Li Jia makes an agreement with a stranger to exchange Du Tenth for money. Li Jia tells Du Tenth was with the, “with the thousand taels I will have a pretext on which to call on my parents, and you, my dear will have someone to rely on” (Menglong 514) clearly she could not rely on Li Jia. A loyal woman, and knowing her own worth, she felt betrayed, abandoned and cheap because the money and jewels she carried with her was worth ten times the amount he was trying to trade her for. This shows that a strong woman always has a plan; her plan for her man was to set him up with dignity so that he can get back in good graces with his father, because he let his father down by taking up with a prostitute but in the end Li Jia lets Du Tenth down as well as the strong woman dies with a weak and broken heart.

Du Tenth

What I have learned from the story Du Tenth is that when you love somebody sometimes it will make you do everything that you can to keep the one you love. "For your sake, then, I will give him ten days. But if the tenth day comes and he has not got the money, do not go trying to blame it on me" (Menglong 502). Du Tenth had made a deal with her madam that if Li Jia comes back with three-hundred taels in ten days that she could leave the lodging quarters. This shows you how committed Du Tenth was to Li, also to let him know she would go to the highest mountain to show him how deep her love is for him. She had put her trust in him and believed that Li is the one that  could provide a better life for her. We all know that in every relationship or marriage, 'the honeymoon' stage is over. There comes times where you have obstacles to put your relationship to the test. "You and I have been lovers for two years now, and we have held out to this day through innumerable trails and reversals, and ever manner of difficulty" (Menglong 513). Li meets a new friend named Sun Fu. He brings an offer to Li, to buy Du Tenth from him. So, Li would not have this doubt or burden on him if his parents were going to be upset with him which they kind of already were, but did not want to disappoint them. Li knew how his feelings were towards Du Tenth but later he starts questioning and second guessing hisself what he should do. In conclusion, what you do in life may affect your future and who is able to love you no matter what your past is or who your family wants you to be with for the rest of your life.  

View of Humankind in Today's World

With the election of our new president coming up soon, I find it fitting to pull out some of the parallels of what we have read and compare with what we see today.  Without trying to force my own opinion of what I think, I will let the words of literature talk.  We have democrats, republicans, and all the in between:  what the heck does it matter.  It seems our world could use a little enlightenment of it's own:  like from the man upstairs.  I used these quotes in my last blog and feel they are still appropriate for this one. 

"Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage.  Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another.  This tutelage is self-incurred when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another" (Kant  105).   God gave us a freewill to make our own decisions:  maybe we should let God give us the courage to use it.

It seems to me that we have allowed the world to choose what we do instead of making decisions that make since for our society.  Are we heading into a world of dictatorship?  Do we get up in the morning needing someone to tell us to breathe?  I like it when Kant sums up the overview of humankind:  "Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why so great a portion of mankind, after nature has long since discharged them from external direction..." (Kant  105).  I think he is saying get off your butt and make your own choices.

In Gulliver's Travels, after spending time in a different society, Gulliver had his own observation of human nature:  "But I must freely confess that the many virtues of those quadrupeds placed in opposite view to human corruptions had so far opened my eyes, and enlarged my understanding, that I began to view the actions and passions of man in a very different light; and to think the honor of my own kind not worth managing"  (Swift  291).  Gulliver goes on to talk about his own faults and how he come to realize those, which in turn he learned "an utter detestation of all falsehood or disguise; and truth appeared so amiable to me"  (Swift  291).  

Now I'm not trying to force my view on anyone, I am simply using my own reasoning to analyze what I see going on today.  Everyone has their own opinions and I respect that very much.  No one should be judged for what they believe:  that's not our job anyway!