Literary Analysis # 1 Frankenstein

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.).

The plot of the novel is that the main protagonist, Victor creates a monster while attending university. Victor makes the monster come alive but then he gets scared and runs away. The monster has to learn how to adapt to the real world by himself. He learns what fire , feelings, food , etc. are. The monster becomes enraged due to the fact that no one likes him because of who he is. He then begins to murder Victor’s family as punishment. The monster promises Victor that he’ll make his life miserable if he doesn't create another monster for him. Either Victor makes the monster and life becomes good, or he doesn't and his life becomes horrible. Read the book . I don’t want to give out spoilers.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches (Why did your author choose to write about this topic, person or event?).

The theme of this novel is that you’re own mistakes can ruin you. Victor creates a huge mistake by creating the monster and as a result he had to suffer the monster’s wrath & the consequences that arose from it. His own creation kind of kicked him in the butt.

3.     Why did you choose this book?  What about the book appealed to you the first time it came to your attention (and how did it come to your attention)?  What about the book made you want to keep reading once you began?

I’m going to be real here, the only reason I chose this book was because of how short it was. It’s only about 160 pages . I also chose it because its a classic book.

4.     Did you find the book realistic?  Did you make any connections between people/events you read about and people/events in your own life?  Why or (if you didn't) why not?

No, I did not find this book realistic. This book was based around the 1700-1800’s so I couldn't really relate to anything. I also didn't find this book realistic due to the fact that you can’t create a monster with human traits. That’s kind of a no brainer.

5. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

The author’s tone is serious. She does not mess around. Throughout the story she uses really extensive vocabulary & not once does she crack a joke or a pun. I can just pick any sentence from the book to show the high vocabulary this novel has.

1.”My ancestors had been for many years counselors and syndics.”

2.”Six years had elapsed, passed as a dream but for one indelible trace”

3.”The ascent is precipitous, but the path is cut into continual and short winding.”

6. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques (figurative language/symbolism/imagery/ allusions, etc.) you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers (include page numbers).

1. Vast mists were rising from the rivers which ran through it and were hid in the uniform clouds (pg.67)

This is personification, the mist cannot run or hide.

2. Your summits are clear; the sky and lake are blue and placid. (pg.49)

This is imagery, you can visualize how calm and soothing the setting is

3. They consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch’s Lives, and The Sorrows of Werter. (pg.91)

This is allusion, these are all famous novels in real life.

4. Ah! Cornelius Agrippa ! (pg.20)

This is allusion. Cornelius was famous for saying that the study of magic was the best means to know god and nature.

5. Abhorred monster! fiend that thou art! (pg.68)

This is diction, it shows that the author used words we no longer use like “Thou”

6. He was the murder! I could not doubt it! (pg.46)

This is dramatic irony, Victor knows who the murder was but no one else does

7. But when he entered misery and despair alone welcomed him (pg.112)

This is personification, misery obviously cannot welcome somebody.

8. He came like a protecting spirit to the poor girl (pg.26)

This is a simile, it shows that he protected the girl like a protecting spirit.

9. Cursed Cursed Creator! (pg.117)

This is alliteration the letter C is used three times.

10. As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil (pg.90)

This is a simile, he’s comparing crime as distant evil.

CHARACTERIZATION

1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?

Two examples of direct characterization is when the author tell us that the creature is 8 feet tall , and when she tells us that Victor is a geneve.

Two examples of indirect characterization is when we learn that the monster is ugly when the people run away, and when we know that Safie doesn’t know English when she doesn’t reply to comments

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?

No, the author’s syntax does not change when she focuses on a character. All of the character have a high vocabulary. Even the monster has a high vocabulary which doesn’t make sense since he’s a monster. Here’s a quote from the monster “One night, during my accustomed visit to the neighborhood wood, where I collected my own food & brought home firing for my protectors.”

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.

The protagonist is dynamic and round. At first he was happy to be create the monster but then he became angry depressed and sick.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.

No, I did not meet a character, all the characters were the same because they all talked the same way. I couldn’t relate to any characters. Here’s how the characters spoke

“ You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise” - Walton

All the characters spoke like this, with high vocabulary. Even the monster.

ENDURING MEMORY

Write a paragraph in which you describe the one or two ideas from this book that you expect to remember for a long time.  Explain your choices and their importance.  Share a passage or two that give your reader a taste of the same effect.

One thing I’ll remember from this book is that Frankenstein is the name of the creator . All this time I thought Frankenstein was the name of the monster but it’s not. The monster is just referred to as the monster. “Abhorred monster! fiend that thou art! the torture of hell are too mild a vengeance for thy crimes.” Victor tells this to the monster when he is face to face with him.