Frankenstein+period-6

=Mr. Miller's English 10 Lit Circles Wiki=

Teddy, Tori, Natschja, and Liz
= =

Interesting link from Mr. Miller - sorry for messing with your organization here :)
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/BookReviewTypeDetail/assetid/15572

Summaries and Discussions:
__Discussion day one:__ What is a good Literature Circle? > Books should be open, and notes are being taken. Everyone is engaged in the conversation. > Listen for 'I wonder...' and 'what if' statements. > Listen for heated discussions/debates. > Constant reviewing and talking. Remind people of future assignments.
 * 1) Everyone is involved in the discussion and shows some input.
 * 1) Questions are brought up that are related to the text.
 * 1) Everybody expresses their opinion. They say whether they disagree or agree.
 * 1) Everybody checks for understanding.

__Discussion day two__
 * Discussed the murder of William: Who killed him? Why did they do it?
 * Why Justine confessed to something she didn't do.
 * Finished with discussion of what will happen next.
 * Ted: I wonder if Victor will change his mind on the monster.
 * Tori: I wonder where the monster had been for the last two years.
 * Natschja: I wonder what the monster wants.


 * Note from Mr. Miller: I think you should reconsider the chronology of this timeline. Put events in the order of when they happened, in real time. The first event, in reality, on your timeline is #2 and #3. Victor doesn't meet Walton until near the end of these events.

__Timeline__**
 * 1) The story begins with Frankenstein at home talking about his childhood.
 * 2) He then tells us of his lesson from reading ancient philosophers and scientists.
 * 3) Elizabeth gets sick with scarlet fever, and she survives. However, his mother then caught it an then dies.
 * 4) Victor decides to go to a University and he learns from his professor that philosophy means nothing, and has no place in the real world. He decides to study physiology.
 * 5) He isolates himself from the rest of the world to build the monster to find the answer to life.
 * 6) When the monster wakes up, he becomes frightened of it. So he goes for a walk and finds one of his friends from home.
 * 7) The monster is gone, and he falls sick.
 * 8) During the Spring he gets better and finds out that his little brother William was murdered. He decides to go home.
 * 9) On his way home he thinks he sees the monster on the top of a mountain in the dark.
 * 10) Justine is accused of murdering William. Then she is conviceted as guilty becuase she admitted to it only because all the evidence they had was against her. Then she was executed.
 * 11) Victor finds the monster, and the monster starts to tell his story.
 * 12) The monster leaves Victor's apartment: where he was created.
 * 13) He then goes into the wood and discovers how to survive on his own.
 * 14) He embarks on his journey to find Victor in Geneva.
 * 15) Henry goes into a village and stays in a hovel due the past events. (He was attacked by humans).
 * 16) During the day he watches the family and starts to learn of human nature. During the nighttime he would gather his supplies.

List of questions/reactions/responses related to the daily reading

 * Theme #1: If You don't have family you have nothing:**

A theme that always came to mind while reading the book was family.Where is his family what happend to them? Victor always talked about his family and about his childhood and how much he misses Elizabeth. I don't understand why Victor never picked up his life and tryed to make a family.Its like after his immediate family died he fell apart, his world and himself forever changed.Victor always mentioned how he was depressed and longed for a friend, someone who he could tell everything to and relate to. Someone he could count on for everything and who'd always be there for him. Thats what he longed for. I think that ever since Victor lost his family and Elizabeth he lost a part of himself. I also think since victor was extremely lonely he learned alot. Sometimes lifes simplest lessons can teach you so much ,like loneliness. Being lonely can teach you whats really important such as the things we really need. Like friends and family people we can count on and trust. Because the unimportant things like what you can buy won't mentally and emotionally help you, they wont be there for you at the end of the day when somethings gone wrong, they can't make you feel better and comfort you when you need it the most.

- Liz Pirrone


 * Theme #2: Don't judge something because of the way it looks:**

One theme that I found to come up a lot in this book was that people or things such as Victor Frankenstein's creation, should not be judged by their looks or on the outside. Instead, they should be judged by their attitude and feelings toward those other people that are judging them or what it on the inside. One passage from this book illustrates the aspect of this theme is, " They are kind-they are the most excellent creatures in the world; but, unfortunately, they are prejudiced aginst me. 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 detsteable monster." (Frankenstein, 113 -114). This passage how much Victor's creation adores and loves this family that he has been watching from his hovel, but like all the human beings that Victor's creation has encountered, they judge it by the way it looks or is prejudice toward it when the kids come back from a walk to find it at their father's knees, talking to him and saying this passage above. Like Victor's creation says to the father, they should see a feeling and kind friend, meaning that they should see someone who is kind and loving on the inside. Instead, they see an ugly, horrifying monster that they think is a danger to them, or as Victor's creation says, "...they behold only a detestable monster." (Frankenstein, 114). So far, in this book, all Victor's creation has had brought to him from others around him is hate and prejudice just due to the fact that it does not look like everyone else (the human beings) around itself. The only person that has accepted it for who it really is on the inside, rather than on the outside is the father who lives in the hut that Victor's creation was watching. this is only because he is blind and does not get a visual of what he is looking at. Maybe that is what it will take for Victor's creation to be accepted into the world by human beings and not be hated by them just because he looks scary and not similar to them.

- Ted, 2/14/07

From reading through the posts on our wiki page, and from looking through my personal notes, I have been able to identify a couple of reoccuring themes in the book. The one that sticks out the most is that of perception of oneself and how other view you. Dr. Frankenstien created a creature from nothing and gave it life. When he saw his creation, he was repelled not by the man, but by how he looked. Dr. Fankenstien didn't give the creature time to reveal his inner beauty. Another example of how people concentate on the looks instead of the inner beauty was when the creature was alone and looking for companionship and the shepard ran screaming before he even did anything. This had a great impact of the creatures own perception of himself and he started to view himself as unequal and different from everyone else. This became present when he was observing the family in the cottage. He knew that he was different from them because of his past experiences. How does one overcome these fears? This reveals that people in general are to concerned with looks, back then and in the present. Sociaty has always viewed beauty in the outter form of the body. If one of these people would look past his repelling looks, they'd find a great being inside that would shift their ideas on apperance. The following is words directly from the creature when he was telling Dr. Frankenstien his story, " My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? What was my destination? These questions continually recurred, but I was unable to solve them.(110)" This reveals how he was affected from all of who was afraid of him and didn't give him a chance.

-Tori, 2/12/07

The theme or broad topic that came up a lot throughout the story that I thought was very important was that someone or something should not be judged by the way it or the person's looks or its or the person's appearance. In this case it is __something__ that is being judged by the way it looks, which the monster, Victor Frankenstein's creation. One passage that shows this is when Victor's creation says, "Once I falsely hoped to meet with beings who, pardoning my outward form, would love me for the excellent qualities which I was capable of unfolding." (184). In this passage, Victor's creation is saying that it wished that it was able to have people or meet people who accepted it for who it was, not basing it on its appearance (Victor's creation calls it its "outward form"), but rather basing it on its emotions, feelings, thoughts, and attitude toward those people. In other words, it should be judged based on its inside and not on its outside by just ignoring (it says "pardoning") its appearance. I just think that it is a shame that it was not able to have anyone in the world accept is for who it was and allow it to show (it says "unfold") the excellent qualities it had before it killed itself and died. - Ted, 3/7/07


 * Theme #3: Isolation and loneliness can take a toll on people's sanity:**

Nastchja- I think so far (up to page 46) Frankenstein has explored the theme of loneliness and isolation. As Victor continues his study at the university, he slowly isolates himself from the rest of the world. He seems to engulf himself into his studies and he shows the desperate need to know the answer to life. However, as the story goes on he regrets his choice to go looking for the answer. Victor says he’s a man of science, and he goes to find the answer by conducting a scientific experiment. He decides to create something which he thinks can give him the answer and meaning to his life. He completely isolates himself from the rest of the world, and realizes that he’s better off not knowing anything. He also seems to cross the line of science and philosophy that has made him mad. The story has so much philosophy in it, that they contradict each other. I think Victor sees himself in Robert Walton. Robert Walton is on a journey to find something more in his life. Victor already went on the journey, and I feel that he is telling this story to sort of warn Robert that it’s not really worth isolating yourself with the rest of the world. Or else he could become lonely and mad just like Victor is. 1/31/07

Lindsay/ Period 1- I am responding to Nastchja's idea of Victor's isolation and loneliness. I also feel that because Victor constantly wanted to know the answer to things and about his own life that he did, indeed, get caught up in his experiments, that lead him to his alienation from the world. I almost get the same feeling like he is trying to see how far his knowledge can take him. He wants so badly to find the answer to his life, that he does not realize that in the meantime, he is being overthrown by insanity. I also think that Victor and Robert are much alike. Stating this is very helpful to the reader, because knowing that someone other that Robert has already experienced what Robert is blind to seeing helps me to expect an interesting climax. Victor did already go on his own journey, and is trying to warn Robert about becoming lost in the shuffle of his desires. The only question is: Will Victor convince Robert enough so that he will not make the same mistakes that Victor did? This is the question I hope to find out while continuing to read this book.

Great Response =] ~Lindsay

This book has several reoccuring themes that are brought up. Such as, how lonelines and isolation isn't good for people, how others views on you can have a serious impact on how you view life, and how sometimes too much knowledge can hurt you. Since my fellow group members have already discussed the first two, I'll talk about the latter. Sometimes knowing too much can hurt you. This brings up the conflict of person vs self. That's becuase when people know too much about life, they realize that life isn't an easy thing, and that would lead to depression. People would start to think too much. As I mentioned in the quote below*, Victor feels that it's better for us not to know so much. As I read the monster's story, he also mentions how too much knowledge isn't always a good thing. "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me: I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge."(102) The monster began to learn more and more of human nature. He realizes that he is different from everyone else. He can't find anything/anyone that is like him. He can't find his "Eve". By knowing all these things on life, and society, he wishes he was back in the woods living the simple life. Also by knowing so much, he starts to question his own existance. However, he can't find the answers to these questions (no one can). He becomes depressed and thinks that the only way to be happy and free of pain is to be dead. So clearly, knowing too much can hurt one. I feel that this is a prominent theme in the book, and it'll probably be brought up again.

- Natschja, 2/12/07

One conflict in this story is isolation or loneliness and companionship or being with other people. Victor Frankenstein's creation represents the isolation and loneliness when it is always in a hut during the day watching a near-by family and their actions, and during the night, it is always out of its hut doing things like getting wood for the family (even though they do not know who is doing it), shoveling the snow to make a path at the family's house, or gathering food for itself. On the other hand, Victor Frankenstein, the creator is with people like his family and friends or at the University with his professors and other people around him. He is not alone and left out like his own creation is.

- Ted, 2/12/07

Throughout the story, something that comes up a lot is loneliness. After the monster finishes his story we find out that he wants a female version of him. He wants Victor to create another person that's like him for him. "I shall feel the affections of a sensitive being, and become linked to the chain of existance and events, from which I am now excluded."(127) This relates to the theme becuase the monster wants someone he can relate to. He wants to be accepted by society. Except right now every human being hates him. He feels that having just one more being like him, he can live a better and happier life. "I look around, and I have no relation or friend upon earth." (113) Both of these quotes show that loneliness is a bad thing, and you always need someone there with you to have a happy life. The reason why the moster is so miserable is because he is alone. The reason why Robert Walton even went on his journey is because he is alone. The reason Frankenstein became slightly crazy is becuase he excluded himself from society, becuase he was alone. I feel as the story goes on, the fact that loneliness is a bad thing will be the most apparent theme in the book. - Natschja 2/14/07
 * Response from Mr. Miller >> You make an interesting point about how this monster came about, partly because of obsession and isolation. Does a creator (or even just a scientist conducting experiments) have a larger responsibility to the society around him/her? Can a scientist morally work in isolation? 2/14/07**


 * Theme# 4: People shouldn't judged by their physical appearance:**

His creation shows perserverance by being able to be by itself for so long when it is only wanting others to be with it and accept it for who it is. This also shows another conflict between the handsome and ugly/scary-looking. Even though Victor's creation is ugly and scary-looking, it has a emotions and a big heart for people like those who Victor's creation is always watching from inside its hovel or hut. The only problem is that it does not get accepted into any relationship with any human being that goes to due to the fact that it is scary-looking and those people just judge the creation by what it looks like and not by its attitude and felling toward them. This occurs twice when it goes into a village and also when it goes into the family's hut that it was watching for some time, and the people there start to become violent toward it even though Victor's creation did not do anything toward them. Victor's creation is a one of a kind. There is no one else like it. It is not like any human being. This is also why Victor Frankenstein's creation shows perserverance by how it has to deal with not being accpeted by others around him. Ted 2/12/07 **Response from Mr. Miller >> interesting thoughts. When does it stop being perseverance (for both Victor and the monster) and turn into obsession? 2/14/07**


 * Theme #5: People constantly question who they are:**

I have just recently read to page 30 in the book, and have identified a theme that was revealed in the book so far. I can see from reading the Letters and the first two chapters that the main character is searching for his own identity through the journey he is taking. It seems like he was uneasy when he was at home and was too involved with his isolated life that he felt this overpowering desire to run and find himself. When he is introduced to the stranger who borded his ship, he found the companinan he was searching for that he desperatly needed. I think that as this "stranger" named Victor tells his story, that the main character will be able to see the true meaning of life he has been chasing. An important event that illistates this theme was in one of his letters when he explained to his sister that in this stranger he has found the companian with a deep mind that fulfills him. NOTE: I think that the "thing" that the stranger was chasing before his borded the ship was in fact his own creation.
 * TORI Question--> What is so interesting about Victors adopted sister? Does she play a signifigant role in the story/theme of the book in the future?**


 * Ideas, questions, and thoughts:**

I have now read up to page 46 which is due for Friday, 2/2/07, and I have seen how much the main character, Victor Frankenstein, can get into his work, especially at the university that is he going to. At first, he just was going to this university to learn about chemistry. Then, one of his teachers told him that he had to completely study all the concepts and important people of modern natural philosophy, since he was studying all the important people of natural philosophy that are too far back in time and are not modern. After that, he got more in depth in many concepts until he thought he was going to go home until he once again he found something that he was quite interested in learning which was the human body or also called the internal frame throughout the story. He keeps on saying that he will soon be completed in his studies at the University, but personally, it seems to me that he will never be completed the way he has carried on in his studies so far up until this point in this story. I do not think that it is good for him to be doing this even though he has family and friends back home that he has not seen in quite a while, and he even states this in the story that his father said to keep in touch with him and the others back home no matter what circumstance that his son is in even if he is pleased with himself at the University and is quite busy. I just hope that he will go home and slow down in his work because in the letters from the beginning, it sounds as though he wishes that he was back into he childhood. In the letters, he is on a journey on a ship through the seas as an adult who is very sad and lonely who is trying to find his own identity like Tori said. I think he should go home so he could find his true identity and have a friend like he did before going to the University, but it sounds as though he did not from Victor's expressions and attitude in the letters before he met the stranded person Victor's crew found. - Ted, 1/30/07
 * Follow up question: what might the author gain from telling the novel in such a way? The author frames the story of Frankenstein with Victor's letters, rather than telling it straight?**

I have now finsihed the first part of the reading and read up to page 61 in the book. After reading, I have found that I have a number of " I wonder" questions about the future in the book. I wonder why Dr. Frankenstien was afraid of his own creation? I wonder who killed Dr. Frankenstiens little brother? Was it the "monster" ? I wonder how his family will recieve him after his long and silent absence? --> Tori 2/5/07

One of my post-its was, "How would Victor's creation escaped from where he was made, which was in Victor's dorm, without being seen or caught escaping to get all the way from there to where Victor's family and friends live, in Geneva?" I ask this because it seems impossible for such a unique creation that stands out to not be seen especially in the more busier areas like near Victor's University before going into the less busier areas that are much closer to where Victor's family and friends live. After the creation escaped, it was not even mentioned what happened to it for awhile until it gets to the mountain where Victor is waiting for him. You would think it would be mentioned what happens to it; if it goes and kills a lot of innocent people on the way to where Victor's hometown is or just how it got from one place to another during those two years because Victor does not get home until two years later after he has made "the creation''.

Another one of my post-its was, "Who killed Victor's younger brother, William?" I do have a strong feeling that it was Frankenstein, but it is not completely proven or said exactly to the reader. I think it could be victor's creation after reading that it said to Victor, "If you will comly with my, conditions, I will leave THEM and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death until be satiated with the blood of YOUR REMAINING FRIENDS." After this was said, it sure sounds like Victor's creation killed Victor's brother, William, and if this is true it will seem as though that Justine was set up by Victor's creation to be prosecuted for the murder and then forced to plead guilty for it or else it would do negative things to her and other people that she cares about. Before that was said, I also thought that it may have been Justine's very own mother because the mother and daughter both had problems with each other in the past and maybe the mother disliked her daughter so uch that she wanted to have her get and a lot of trouble and be killed. These are the top two people that I believe could have done this. They are two people that could have been able to also put the picture from the necklace that William was wearing from Elizabeth inside Justine's dirty clothes for the servants to find it when Justine was in bed resting because she was sick for those next few days.

Ted, 2/7/07

Read up to page 80... Post-it #1: "Why did Victor want to go on his journey to define life?" Victor says on p 42 "To examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death." Since Victor can't die first and bring himself back to life to understand it; he decided to build a moster from a dead guy. However, I wonder why he would do something like that. Why does he need to know? I feel that what might've triggered this need for an answer was Elizabeth's scarlet fever, and his mother's death. I think that he could've been suffering from a post traumatic stress disorder when he was creating the monster. Which brings me to my next post-it.

Post-it #2: "I wonder why he was suddenly scared and hated his creation when he wanted to create it so much?" I feel that he just snapped out of his 'trance' when he saw his creation and realized the seriousness of what he had done. I feel this is sort of conencted to how God was the one who created Satan, but they turned out to be enemies. In the text Mary Shelley often refers to Victor as a creator, or God. Victor refers to the creation to be a daemon. However, it's very ironic considering the situation. I wonder what will happen when Victor finally finds his creation.

Natschja 2/7/07

Post-it #1: My first post it was " I wonder if the death of Victor's mother had anything to do with Victors recent dark times.On pg. 36 Victor describes his thinking of what his future dark times will be like, he describes them as "great and unparalled". I question whether his mothers death had anything to do with Victors thinking god a mad.I personally think that Victor's mothers death does have to do with Victors logical thinking gone totally out of wack and the "Dark times". I think his mothers death affected him in a couple of ways. Victors family is what mattered most to him and when his mother died it seemed like everything was gone to him. I think thats also why he is in diar need of a friend and wants a family. I also think that his mothers death somewhat influenced Victors thoughts upon creating a person/monster.I also think he created the monster so that he wouldn't have to think about losing his mother and I think he also thought that if he created someone or brought someone back from the dead that he would feel somewhat closer to his mother and get some closure to her death. **Response from Mr. Miller >> Considering what you just stated about some of Victor's motivation for creating the monster, what do you think of his motives? Are they selfish? Does it matter?**

Post-it # 2: My second post-it is about a quote I picked I found to be interesting on (pg. 49)."I grasped his hand, and all those scences of home so dear to my recollection.I grasped his hand, and ina moment forgot my horror and misfortune; I felt suddenly and for the first time during months, calm and serene joy." I think this quote is about how when he saw Henry Clerval he felt at peace. He felt much better than he had in awhile because Henry reminded him of what he was and who he came from and his past.On pg 49 it states "Nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence brought back to my thoughts my father,Elizabeth, and all those scenes of home so dear to my recollection. I think ever sence his family died hes felt so alone and didn't know what to do because they were all he thought he had, he thought he was alone until Henry came back to remind him that his family is always in his heart and the people you love will always be in yoiur heart. Your memories are yours to keep and nothing can ever take them away. When he saw clerval he was reminded of the love or his family and home.

-Liz Pirrone

Post it #1 I have currently read up to page 90 in the text, and through looking at the notes i've made, I have noticed a reoccuring theme that relates nature to a safe haven. This revealed to me the meaning that nature had to Victor. He felt at home in the innocence of nature. The lake and the mountains seemed so innocent when compared with the evil he feels like he created. So, when he would go for his long walks through the outside world, he felt a peace of mind that nothing could add up too. I feel as if this will be a reoccuring theme in the book because I feel like it is the only way that Victor feels connected to living. Plus, I think by him creating a unnatural object, and reeasing it into the world, he has come to see just how important it is too respect your surroundings. **Response from Mr. Miller >> I like your thoughts identifying nature as a safe haven, which is often a recurring theme in literature. If that's so for this novel, then what might Victor's pursuit of scientific achievement represent? Is his creation "natural"?**

Post it #2 The second post it that came to mind when I began seaching through was toward page 80 when Justine was killed. I wasn't at the time aware of the laws back in their time and wasn't sure if people were exectuted so quickly after being accused. Also, I woundered who told Justine that she had to confess or she would go to hell and suffer. I would have to assume from the wording that the priest probably told her this because this is a Christian idea. These were just some 'I wonder" from that section of the book. Tori

Evidence from text that is related to various themes in the book

 * "Learn from me...how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."(43) - This is about how Victor was trying to find something that can't be found, and it turned him mad. He isolates himself from the rest of the world, turning him into a miserable person. I think the author is trying to say that it is better for us not to know so much about life, becuase the more we know, the more it can drive us mad. - Natschja 1/31/07

"I have desired it with an adour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I created."(47) - This quote shows how people dont always know what they are getting into until it is too late to get out. This shows also how Victor was unable to love his own creation becuase he looked ugly, and not because the "creature" was an ugly person. This reveals and supports that it is human nature to have immidiate opinions about what seems odd or new. We as people spend so much time consentrating on the looks, rather then what' sinside. Maybe the "monster" isn't in fact a monster, but a being looking for acceptance and love; but then again, arn't we all. -Tori


 * Note to students: Nice job posting your ideas here. It seems like you all have similar thoughts. Maybe it might be worth further exploring this idea that both Walton and Victor seem to be highly motivated to a fault. Natschja even says how Victor was trying to find something that can't be found. As you read, consider ... What are the limits of our knowledge? Are there any? What is it that Walton (and us as readers) can learn from Victor's story? - Mr. Miller 1/31/07**

Blog # 4:

A theme that I feel is prodominent is "destruction"of souls and human life. Throughout the book we've been hearing about how much Victor loves science and creating "life". Victor was curious when it came to actually creating something like a human, so he created the monster. His curiousity led him to trouble and misery. Ever since he layed eyes on his creation hes felt nothing but pure misery. Victor set himself up for depresion and a fall. He's now facing the consequences of creating a monster and a murderer. Victor is ashamed and terrified of himself and the monster because hes astonished of how he got himself to create sucha horrid thing that would actually harm the lives of hurmannature. He hold himself responsible for the events that occured and he should.He deserves everyhtign that hes feeling right now because hes responsible for his actions and should'v thought about what hes capable of creating and what the creation is capable of destructing.-Liz Pirrone

Blog # 5:

The theme that I think expresses a lot about the book still is isolationism. Isolation has always been expresed since the beginning of the book. On page (120) it says “I traveled at night, fearful of encountering the visage of human beings. Nature decayed around me, and the sun became heatless: rain and snow pored around me..." I feel like this passage expresses his feelings. It sounds like pure depression to me, its like ever sence he created the monster hes afraid of himself and of other humans. Hes afraid of what other humans will think of him. Its like the life and personality of him jsut drained out of him and all thats left is a totally new wreched person who has nothing to live for or to be proud of. Since Victor is afraid of what humans will think of him he continues to isolate himself which then ovcourse makes Victor become even more depressed. I honestly don't think this theme will change its been the same since the beginning of the book.

-Liz Pirrone

BLOG #6:

"His voice seemed suffocated; and my first impulses, which had suggested to me the duty of obeying the dying request of my friend, in destroying his enemy, were now suspended by a mixture of curiosity and compassion."(183). This ties into the theme that we shouldn't judge people by the way they look. When the monster went onto the ship to kill Victor, Robert Walton was shocked becasue of the monster's "loathsome yet appalling hideousness" (183). However, when the monster started to speak, Walton realizes that the monster isn't that bad. He doesn't kill the monster like he promised Victor he would. The monster asks Victor,"Am I to be thought the only criminal, when all human kind sinned against me?" (185). Throughout the entire story people judge the monster by the way he looks. The monster just wants to fit in, but he's being considered evil simply becuase he looks like a monster. In the end, Robert Walton doesn't kill the moster, he decides to leave him be. -Natschja 3/7/07

"I enjoyed reading this book, in the beginning of reading Frankenstein I had a little trouble interpreting what the author was saying and understanding the book, but now I understand it well.There were a lot of themes that stuck throughout this book but the one that I think stood out the most is destruction. This theme started the book and stuck through with it till the end. This theme began when Victor got the idea of creating the monster ,his curiosity crazed him into creating it. But little did Victor know that once he was done creating the Monster, it would only bring him great grief and death upon his loved ones.Victors love for science and creating things in my opinion ruuined his life.I didn't think that the theme would end up having the monster tell his story and tap into the theme ,but he did.The monster tells his story and about all the knowledge he has gained.He talks about how he watched and helped out the poor family by bringing them wood and the only one that eccepted him was the father who was blind.Everyone else was afraid of him and the way he looks.."..Sorrow only increased with knowledge.." the monster says that. I think he says that when he realizes that there will never be another like him and hes all alone and everyone hates him and he'll never be accepted.I find htis quote to be interestign because it applies to both Victor and the monster because Victors sorrow grew when having the knowledge and curiosity in creating the monster and the monsters sorrow grew when everyone started to not accept him.I think what made the monster also become a murderer was the way people treated him, he was so mad, he didn't know how to contain it he wanted revenge.At the end of the book the truth comes out that destruction and knowledge can jsut result in death. By the end of the book Monster,Elizabeth,William,Alphonse and justine all end up dead.

-Liz Pirrone

List of vocabulary words from the book
Here are only some of words that I did not understand from: Letter I: commencement of an enterprise: start of a chalenge forebodings: predictions foretaste: taste/sample of what will happen in future climes: region of climate fervent: great warmth of feeling or intensity in vain: unsuccessfully wafted: carried lightly render: submit satiate: satisfy hitherto: up until this time ardent: passionate enticements: attepmts with hope and pleasure eccentricities: strangeness persued: read bent: tendency inuring: getting used to flucuate: vary - Ted 1/30/07

Letter II: capacious: vast, spaciuous common: a park dauntless: fearless, heroic dross:waste, impurities inexorable:unable to be moved suppliant: a beggar 2/1/07 TORI

Letter III: renovating- refreshing haste- quickness disay- discourage ardently- passionately befallen- to happen/occur endeavours- earnest attempts Ted 2/6/07

Letter IV: forbear- refrain from solicitude- concern perceive- aware of apparition- sudden/unusaul appearance conceive- aware of quitted- left emaciated- very thin capitulated- surrendered concilating- peaceful inquired- asked manifested- revealed Ted 2/6/07

Chapter I: abode- a dwelling, home benevolent- kind, generous chamois-yellow-brown color reverential- respectful; loving Natschja 2/7/07

Chapter 2: akin-similar anatomise- to examine externally embued- filled with incantations- chants, spells ribands- ribbons, strands smitten- struck tyros- beginners Tori 2/12/07

Chapter 3: chaise- a carriage chimeras- impossible or foolish fancy panegyric- a commendation, compliment pulpit- clergyman's platform for preaching sacriledge- religous mockery; extreme disrespect uncouth- ill-mannered, rude Natschja 2/14/07


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