Kelly #2

Early in the novel it becomes clear that Frankenstein and his monster are an eye sore to society and to the natural world. The monster is antagonized and feared, but more importantly he is lonely. The natural world has a drastic impact on each individual, and in Frankenstein its the same. Nature reacts to Frankenstein's creation by rejecting, hating and fearing it.  Wherever the monster goes he is revered, nobody wants to associate with him at all, its actually the opposite in that the humans want to get as far way from the monster as possible. "But how was I to direct myself? I knew that I must travel in a south-westerly direction to reach my destination; but the sun was my only guide. I did not know the names of the towns that I was to pass through, nor could I ask information from a single human being; but I did not despair. From you only could I hope for succour, although towards you I felt no sentiment but that of hatred. Unfeeling, heartless creator! you had endowed me with perceptions and passions and then cast me abroad an object for the scorn and horror of mankind."(p. 100) The monster is alone and scared himself, as he has nobody who care about him. Its at this time that the monster begins to build up his anger and frustration with the natural world and with human beings. And at some point, like with all other creatures in the world, there is a tipping point which must be carefully watched, for once that point is reached, there is no going back for you have unleashed the beast. The way that the natural world reacts to the monster is as expected. If a monster were all the sudden start walking around San Anselmo or Fairfax, each and every person would avoid it in total fear. But what wasn't expected was the emotions that the monster would have. He is a soul himself and the way he is treated creates the "monster" inside of him. As the novel moves forward it becomes more and more vivid that the monster is restraining himself, and it becomes more clear that eventually the monster is going to snap, and that once he snaps, there will be no holding him back.

DIRECTIONS for Frankenblog III

DIRECTIONS for Frankenblog III - reading through the end of the book - Due Mon. May 5
  People often say that a Big Question that is raised by this book is "are humans inherently good or inherently evil?"  For this blog post, you'll be examining what the book says about this, and adding further thoughts.
   First discuss what you think the book says about that question.  Use quotes and specific references; you'll need to reference events from the final reading portion.
   Then, you have a choice.  If you have definite ideas about That Big Question already, you can discuss your own thinking in comparison to Mary Shelley's.  Or, if you prefer, you can do some research to find out what other Big Thinkers or researchers say about that question, and compare their findings to Mary Shelley's.

Gordon Frankenblog #2

What influence humans more? Nature or nurture?

In the first 70 pages of the book this question is discussed with regard to Victor's own growth as a person. He tells the story of how despite his loving childhood he still became obsessed with the dark arts and exploring areas of science that most believe are better left untouched.  with this view one would think that she favors nature, however, she then contradicts herself with the story of the creation.  As he reveals his tale it becomes painfully clear that the monster did not originally hate humans.  He was a docile creature who did not understand the world he had been brought into.  He wished only to be excepted even though he was "grievously bruised by stones and other missiles," he still felt that he could win their acceptance if he made himself more than just a mindless animal and into a thinking and articulate creature.  He does this, but his pain is only furthered when he tries to make friends with the family he had been observing for a long while.  He is again run out by people that he described as "gentle and amiable," even though he did his best to make himself as human as possible. The last straw is when he saves an unconscious girl from a river only to be shot IN THE SHOULDER by her care taker.  He has had enough, and even though he wanted to believe that people "have loyalty and generosity in their hearts" he decided that he would never be accepted and looks to revenge himself upon his creator.  Though he never stoops to the level of using google plus,  the daemon was obviously a blank slate that was carved by his misfortunes, because of this one can assume that Shelley believed that both nature and nurture can have a significant impact on how one lives their life.        

Goelz #2

In the beginning of the novel, technology and its effects on the developing world were considered positive and progressive as Frankenstein looks forward to his bright future in science. This concept begins to wane as the monster's actions result in death and deceit, ultimately turning the scientist on his own creation. The message of this book is dogmatic, for it is a warning of how the emergence of new technologies are likely to result in destruction of an individual or society as a whole. Every invention has the potential to be either good or bad, depending on how it is used. Frankenstein's monster is born honest and pure, seeking love, acceptance, and an education. As he wanders alone, he discovers a family whom he watches for quite some time. When explaining this experience to Victor, he says, "I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds. I perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the hearers. This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it" (p. 78). The monster has quickly developed an attraction to learning and is without a doubt an intelligent being with strong potential. As time goes on, however, he learns that he will never be accepted by society because he is different. He tells Victor, "...if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear; and chiefly towards you my archenemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred" (p. 104). Although his being created was a magnificent scientific innovation, it wasn't treated with care and therefore concluded with negativity. The message of the story is essentially that technology should be treated with the utmost care, for it can be harnessed to do terrible things. 

Karlenzig Post 2

In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, the creation of the monster is an analogy for the creation of man, and Adam's loneliness that led to the creation of Eve.. After the monster has successfully persuaded/forced Victor to listen to his story it becomes clear how the monster perceives his creator and the world. The monster is abandoned by Victor due to his hideous appearance and learned to understand the world by himself. Victor is analogous to God and the monster is analogous to Adam, in search of a partner to share his life with. "sorrow only increased with knowledge. Oh, that I had I forever remained in my native wood, nor known nor felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst and heat!" (Pg 85). The monster is is receiving his first experience with loneliness. He feels an emptiness inside of him that cannot come from anything but a companion. The monster first learned of how humans interact with each other by watching the daily lives of the "cottagers" (who he learns are Felix, Agatha and the blind father) through a crack in their wall. The monster cannot understand why seeing their anguish gives makes him sad and seeing their pleasure inspires his own. "He raised her, and smiled with such kindness and affection that I felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature: they were a mixture of pain and pleasure, such as I have never experienced, either from hunger or cold, warmth or food; and I withdrew from the window, unable to bear these emotions" (Pg 75.) The monster learning by watching and empathizing with the emotions of the cottagers. Just as Adam asked God to create company for him on earth, the monster asks Victor (who is essentially God to the monster) to create a female monster to keep him company. We will see if the bible story continues and whether Victor keeps his word and creates another monster.  

Knowles #2 - Frankenstein

Frankenstein, written in the characteristically dramatic tone of a gothic novel, is full of descriptive emotion.  Emotion is a large part of the story, and it is especially interesting to examine how emotion, especially love, relates to the characters as the novel develops.  In the beginning of the story, Walton longs for a companion but loves his family (namely his sister, to whom he writes), and Victor Frankenstein’s story is dominated by the emotions and love he felt for his friends and family.  As the story progresses, Frankenstein finds his monster, and the creature tells his own story.  As the creature discovers the ways of the world, he is fascinated by emotions, especially love, but his relationship with love is very different from Frankenstein’s in the earlier part of the novel.  In the first part of the novel, the characters are very familiar with love, so much so that when Victor is devastated by Elizabeth’s pain over William’s death, he says that “the very accents of love were ineffectual” (64.)  He knows love well, unlike the monster.  As the monster begins to tell how he found out the ways the world works and observed the actions of humans, he discusses his discovery of feelings and love.  He explains that when he is staying at a farm, he observes the human residents, and “longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures” (80).  The creature is unfamiliar with love (or any feelings in fact), but he will soon come to know more emotions.  The theme of emotions and feelings contrasts with the idea of science and technology in the novel.  In Frankenstein’s story, he studied and worked to make scientific discoveries, while in the monster’s story, he notices scientific occurrences, but is very fascinated by feeling and emotions.  He explains that “feelings… have made me what I am” (81).  Emotions are a significant part in Frankenstein, because of the novel’s scientific aspects, and they also seem to be a critical part of gothic novel writing.

Perrando Frankenblog Two

What does Shelley seem to think influences humans more, nature or nurture?

In the first portion of our reading of Frankenstein, it was hard to pinpoint what Shelley's stance on the age old argument of nature vs. nurture truly was.  The monster barely made an appearance, revealing himself towards the end after Frankenstein set off to find him.  The monster had committed at least one murder, that much was certain, but it wasn't until us readers were able to hear his side of the story were we able to determine what had driven him towards this abominable act.  As the monster's story unfolds, we learn that he began as a kind soul, wondrous towards the world that he had only existed in for mere hours.  He was comparable towards a newborn baby, constantly inquiring about everything, and sometimes getting injured from his curiosity (see: fire).  At this point in his short life, the monster had no reason to harm anybody, despite some fear he had caused them.  Even after the entire De Lacey family ordeal, the monster doesn't hate humans, but instead blames himself for being too rash in his introductions.  Old man De Lacey actually gave him hope towards humans, with his quote of "...but the hearts of men, when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest, are full of brotherly love and charity." (Page 95)  The monster starts denouncing humanity only when his act of kindness of saving a young girl from drowning is paid off with a gunshot wound to some unspecified part of his body.  "The feelings of kindness and gentleness, which I had entertained but a few moments before, gave place to a hellish rage and gnashing of teeth.  Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind." (Page 101)  What had started off as the most innocent of creatures had been molded into a giant killing machine, who only harbored thoughts of revenge.  Had people left their prejudices behind, the monster could have been an incredible ally, and an even bigger inspiration towards blooming scientists with crackpot theories.  But since they treated him like a monster, so he became.

And because I am really tired and can't think of any creative way to factor this into my writing, Alex Gordon is a bad person.  I hate him.  A lot.

Perrando Frankenblog One

What drives Walton and Frankenstein?  Is their drive a common one?  Is it healthy?

Walton and Frankenstein are incredibly similar people, with their main desires being to push the bounds of known science.  Walton wants to find out something about magnets (how do they work?!), while Frankenstein wants to reanimate tissue that once contained life.  Although their goals are very, very different, the drive is the same.  Walton's quote of "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man," (Page 1) is almost identical to Frankenstein's quote of "So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein, - more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown to the world the deepest mysteries of creation." (Page 28)  As if this didn't make their urges comparable, Mary Shelley's choice to use a form of the word "ardour" on almost every page pretty much solidifies it (seriously, why the hell does she do that?).  Even though it cannot yet be determined if their drives are healthy - seeing as how plenty of modern scientific marvels have been discovered by some crazy dude in a lab somewhere - considering that Frankenstein creates a literal monster out of dead flesh, it can be assumed that Shelley didn't think so.  But who knows?  Maybe Frankenstein and his daemon will become total bros by the end, and teach people not to judge others based on their appearance.  Unless, of course, that person is Alex Gordon.  Then, anybody should feel free to judge him as the treacherous, backstabbing, maggot he looks like he is.

Moxley #2

In Mary Shelley's gothic novel Frankenstein, the individual's quest for knowledge is a theme that can be traced from the book's inception. In the first segment we read, the original narrator Robert Walton is bound for the North Pole, feeling the pull of adventure and the need to "satiate my [Walton's] ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and...tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man."(pg. 1) Walton then passes the torch to Victor Frankenstein, who recounts a tale of an ambitious young man, who as a child could not put down books on philosophy and science, and then went on to become an accomplished scientist dedicated to uncovering the 'spark of life'. Frankenstein's thirst for information led him to his most memorable discovery, as he creates a monster similar in shape and physiology to a human, but more terrifyingly powerful than he could have ever anticipated. Later on, as the second segment that we read begins, Frankenstein's creation describes his own story of discovery, as he is 'born' into the world so ignorant that he can't even distinguish between his own senses and thoughts: "No distinct ideas occupied my mind; all was confused. I felt light, and hunger, and thirst, and darkness; innumerable sounds rang in my ears, and on all sides various scents saluted me: the only object that I could distinguish was the bright moon..."(pg. 71) When the monster eventually learns the nuances of his own being, he finds that he is unlike other two-legged creatures, and flees to a small hovel he finds in the woods. There he comes across a small peasant family, and begins to watch them closely as he discovers emotion and language, desperate to learn more. "My thoughts now became more active and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; I was inquisitive to know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad."(pg. 80) All these men seek knowledge, and they even seem to crave it like they would a daily staple necessary for survival. So far we have only seen it lead the monster and Frankenstein to ruin, as Frankenstein was so bent on uncovering the elements of life that he created the monster, who in turn was so curious about humans that he went to speak to the family he had observed; upon discovering their immediate distrust and disgust in his presence, the monster becomes corrupted by hatred and pain and eventually goes so far as to kill Frankenstein's brother for revenge. We have yet to see how Walton is eventually corrupted by his personal drive for knowledge, but if his story continues with Shelley's current trend, he will surely end up no where good.

Supawit #2

Through various characters in the novel, Shelly shows that the ongoing desire for knowledge can be dangerously risky to one's well being. In the first section of the reading, this theme focused on Victor as he become more and more obsessed with the idea of bringing a human back to life. His  curiosity of life and death stemmed from the death of his mother earlier on in the novel. Victor's personal experience is the first example of the danger behind the constant desire for new information. After the monster runs off on his own, we see a similar need for knowledge; specifically for a more complex understanding of their surrounding world. This creates an interesting parallel from Dr. Frankenstein to his creation that shows how similar they truly are to each other. The monster acquires a growing understanding of language, which deepens his curiosity about human nature. We see this inquisitiveness when the monster observes the life of the peasant family. As his thoughts became more active, he "longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures" (80). However, he realizes his apparent differences with other humans and Victor's disgust towards him. This activates the monster's desire to seek revenge on his creator by killing Victor's loved ones. Since Victor sees the same curiosity in Walton who strives to find the North Pole, this story warns him of thirst for knowledge and how impactful it can be on someones life.

Thompson #2

Although Frankenstein By Mary Shelley is not our 21st century idea of a gothic novel with vampires, werewolves and wizards alike. The gothic themes that run throughout really put it in perspective as the true first gothic/scary novel written in the modern era. During the entire course of the book one telltale sign that it was written in a gothic style were the locations used: creepy castles, lightning storms, blinding rain, boats alone at sea, and spooky labs all gave it the feeling of eeriness and spook. In one instance, in the begging of the boo, the ship that victor is on is stuck at sea, " surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship at all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea room in which she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were classed round by a thick fog"(7). From the first 10 pages of this novel Shelley comes in strong developing her tone and writing style and really presenting this book in the way she intended it to be written. In the second portion, up to page 120, Mary Shelley develops her point even further by introducing this animalistic creation as a sort of misunderstood evil that really just wants a place to fit in. Although one might think this theme doesn't fit in with the overall gothic theme is presents the characters as dimensional and the story as more real. For example, in one portion, after he escapes the lab, he is watching a village and seems entranced by whats going in with the villagers, "As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil; benevolence and generosity were ever-present before me, inciting in me a desire to become an actor in a busy scene where so many admirable qualities were called forth and displayed"(90). This creature is almost hypnotized by these people. But these people who, if given the chance, would kill him are completely unaware of his existence. This way of being arched without seeing is a big part of gothic literature, the idea that some creature is always watching.

See post #2

How does the natural world affect us?  How does nature react to Frankenstein's work?

Nature's effects and reactions to the characters in Frankenstein is a theme throughout the book. In the previous section, the night the monster came alive, nature reacted with "...rain pattered dismally against the panes..." (p35). The stormy night was a reflection of Victor's manic work but then also of his instant regret after the monster awoke. In this section, the monster tells Victor his story about eavesdropping on the little family. As the monster realizes how different he is from the people, in both appearance and knowledge, he also tells of the cold, snowy winter. When spring arrives, he describes how quickly his mood changed: "The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the aspect of the earth...Happy, happy earth!..My spirits were elevated by the enchanting appearance of nature..." (p81). As the monster tells of spring, he is clearly much more excited and cheerful. This is another example of the connection between nature and the characters in the book. It is really interesting how Shelley depicts this relationship as working both ways, yet I believe I have only witnessed nature having an effect on peoples' moods. We do not really think of nature reflecting how we feel or our actions.

Ashton Post #2

In the beginning of Frankenstein, Shelley uses cold language and incorporates an icy tone into her descriptions of Dr. Frankenstein's character. Although somewhat brash, Shelley's tone is far from sinister, as it has underlying glimmers of hope, optimism, and exhilaration as Victor is on track to discovering his new identity as his sheltered upbringing hinders him. When Victor first creates his monster, he is liberated that he has someone to share his life with, and is frankly in awe of his own creation. But soon after his initial delight, Dr. Frankenstein is met with an awful battle. Torn between dream and reality, he refuses to succumb to regard the monster as wicked...even though he knows that his monster is just that. "I was partly urged by curiosity, and compassion confirmed my resolution. I had hither supposed him to be the murderer of my brother, and I eagerly sought a conformation or denial of this opinion. For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, ad that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness. These motives urged me to comply with his demand" (70). Dr. Frankenstein is now fully aware of what he has created. He needs no further soul searching. He knows now that he has entangled himself in a dangerous game. In these chapters of Frankenstein, Shelley's tone becomes much more ominous, perfectly following Dr. Frankenstein's own emotions. He went from loving and nurturing, to refusing to admit his own fear and his "creature's" unpredictability. Shelley conveys this internal journey in her desperate tone, making the reader feel like they are subjecting themselves to the same torture as Victor is. "I continued for the remainder of the day in my hovel in a state of utter and stupid despair. My protectors had departed, and had broken the only link that held me to the world. For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to control them; but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I bent my mind towards injury and death" (99). Dr. Frankenstein went from being the rebel, to creating a rebel. His monster embodies everything bad inside him. Everything that scares Victor is wrapped up and contained forever in that monster. The monster can never be destroyed, yet Victor has created a monster inside himself that is far more deadly.

Kimball Post 2 - Frankenstein

In the beginning of the novel, knowledge in general, thus including science, is seen through awed eyes. Frankenstein loves discussing the human frame and finds pleasure in discovering what makes each body tick. As the book goes on, it seems as though knowledge begins to lean to the side of the well known cliché "ignorance is bliss". As we switch to the monster's point of view, we see that he is shaken to his core when he realizes that the beautiful world and interesting beings, that surround him and provoke constant thoughts as well as a yearning to learn more, want nothing to do with his unsightly complexion. While wandering through the wilderness the monster takes in all of the sights and learns from the beauty he sees. Although, when he visits a village he's immediately chased out by the villagers, for reasons unknown to him at the time. He begins to understand the different ways and customs of the world, some of which offend and hurt him, causing him pain inside as he realizes that he's hideous in the eyes of the humans. When he finally looks as his own image in a puddle of water, he says, "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me: I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge...Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it had ones seized on it, like a lichen on the rock" (p.85).  Knowledge may also empower the monster and I anticipate that it will. He hopes that "knowledge might enable [him] to make them overlook the deformity of [his] figure" (p.80). If the monster had never left the confines of the laboratory, while he wouldn't have found out about the world around him, his mind and esteem would have stayed in tact and he wouldn't have been damaged by the social norms of the outside world. It's hard to choose the right path for the monster, when basing it off of his feelings and emotions, because while knowledge is extremely important, often it can hurt just as much as it helps. 

Smith post #2 Frank

The human species has a tendency to try and play the role of God, to rewrite the outline of our fate that has been tucked away somewhere up in the clouds. We make these tricks with science and invention and we create these things without understanding the potential of their impact. Victor Frankenstein is a man who is fascinated with the endless possibilities of creation and thereby creates a monster. Throughout the first hundred and twenty pages the reader experiences many different emotions for this creature that is becoming more and more human in his cravings and actions. Frankenstein’s monster starts to internalize the loneliness of a world that does not accept him with open arms and builds the desire for a companion. He felt the pain of rejection when we revealed himself to the family that he studied and learned from for months and months of observation. He had hoped that the blind member of the family would accept him and make other members of the family accept him as well but when Felix saw him he sent the monster off the property. This led to the monster truly wanting a companion and someone to love him the way he is.“I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces, and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more then he pities me?” (103). This passage shows the change in heart of the monster and the longing that he is developing for something new. Victor Frankenstein is being given the role of the “God” and creator of life in the eyes of his monster and his monster recognizes the hold that this man has on him to give or take away what makes him happy. Giving Victor this sense of being the master of creation is exactly what man-kind as a whole has begun to strive for and this is where the disconnect is between reality and fantasy.

Christie #2

One of Shelley's more subtle motifs throughout Frankenstein is the stereotype of the passive woman. From Walton's first letter to his sister, there are hints of patronization as he implores her not to fret for his well-being, but rarely inquires after her own. Although evidence of Margaret's strength of character, or lack thereof, is underwhelming, this motif grows more prominent as the layers of stories progress. As Victor recounts his tale, the audience catches a glimpse of Elizabeth, his fianceé, and his feelings towards her. "I looked upon Elizabeth as mine - mine to protect, love and cherish. All praises bestowed on her I received as made to a possession of my own” (21). Elizabeth waits dutifully throughout the novel for Victor, ever the patient, caring, woman, until she dies as a mere pawn in the battle between Frankenstein and his monster. Caroline Beaufort is portrayed as the loving and devoted mother and wife until her death, which arises as she cares for the sickly, orphaned, Elizabeth. Justine Moritz is arguably the most submissive of them all; she is wrongfully accused of William's murder, and yet does not stand up for herself. She tells Elizabeth and Victor that she is innocent, but publicly confesses to the crime. Justine submits herself to the will of God, does not fight nor speak up, but passively accepts her misfortune; "But I have no power of explaining it…I am only left to conjecture concerning the probabilities by which it might have been placed in my pocket” (66). Agatha, as well, is ever the doting daughter, keeping house and listening patiently and lovingly to De Lacey. Safie, while she is a minor character, is significant because she is the only female to show any strength of character. She defies her father's wish that she return to Constantinople and instead pursues what she wants, which is Felix. She also rejects the strict gender roles of Islam in favor of a more egalitarian faith, Christianity. Mary Shelley, a rebel herself and daughter of a feminist, perhaps saw herself in Safie, or chose to include her as evidence to the monster that not all women were entirely submissive. However, even the monster sees women as lesser and desires a female companion to care for him and perform female duties. Victor creates the monster, who then observes the world and learns for himself that it is one of male domination, leading him to also value women as less. Even Safie cannot dispel the persistent stereotype of the submissive woman in Frankenstein.

Iida Post #2

Shelley believes that inventors and scientists need to be accountable for the things they create. In the first section, invention is shown to be dangerous and addictive: Victor Frankenstein becomes obsessed with the creation of a creature but when his creature comes alive it wreaks such havoc that the biggest regret of Frankenstein is beginning the project in the first place. In the second section, however, Frankenstein’s creation becomes more sympathetic, and it pleads with Frankenstein to do one thing to secure its happiness. “I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects. This being you must create.” (p103-104). Frankenstein’s creation believes that Frankenstein, as his creator, has an obligation to secure his happiness. Frankenstein brought the creature into the world, and now Frankenstein must provide for his creature. Invention for the sake of invention, without a sense of humanity, is wrong. However, Frankenstein is terrified of his creation, and does not want to create another, equally hideous and equally dangerous. “I do refuse it…and no torture shall ever extort a consent from me…Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world?” (p104). Frankenstein wants to distance himself from his creation, to live in innocence and naivety, and forget the existence of his creation. However, with the act of creation, Frankenstein bound himself up in a net of events and reactions that he cannot escape, no matter how hard he tries. Science is not objective, and the creation cannot be separated from the creator. Modern scientists should take warning from this and try to understand the implications of their creations before they are made, because once something is created, it can never be un-created.

paige Frankenstein 1

What does the novel tell us about science technology and invention? Pgs 1-70

In her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores the dangers of scientific advancement without proper understanding, direction or moral purpose. People in this time period and this novel are obsessed with galvanism, yet they do not stop to think that perhaps there is no such cut and dry solution to that inquiry. Thus, seeking one solution to one isolated convulsion of nature is what separates science from nature; western philosophy from eastern philosophy. Our (Western) proclivity to go too far scientifically without considering the consequences or reactions is shown when Victor Frankenstein is disgusted and terrified by his creation, "I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart," (Shelley,  35); this is analogous to the 21st century's scientific exploits. We need only look in hindsight to understand why Shelley was warning us about the dangers of science and technology. He is sure the monster is responsible for the child's murder, which further shows how scientific creations can easily escape our control and wreak havoc on our physiology, the environment, etc.

Gordon, Frankenblog # 1

What is the tone of this Gothic novel? How does Mary Shelley create her tone?

One thing that really sticks out at me about this book is that it doesn't have the stereotypical Gothic horror tone to it.  You would think if there is any scare story that would have this type, it would be the first one, but instead of the Vincent Price (figure that one out Perrando), evil, third person monologue "dark and stormy night..." type thing, you have a very human and real voice.  The book reads in the same way that I imagine Victor would relate the story to Walton wrapped in a blanket, next to a fire, in the bowels of the ship.  I'm sure there's a better word for this but it sounds like a verbal story.  Victor starts not from the creation of the monster which would most logical place to start if he were trying to explain how he got to the middle of nowhere, but instead starts by giving a brief background on who he actually is so Walton can not only understand how Victor got into the mind set of creating the creature, but also who the people around Victor are who are also pivotal parts of the plot (bonus points for unintentional alliteration!).
Victor does not start with "I collected the instruments of life around me , that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet." He begins with "I was once a student of history." No silly! that's Animal Farm! Victor starts with the story of his parents eventually leading up to the line "No human could have passed a happier childhood then mine."  When people think of Dr. Frankenstein thoughts usually turn to the immortal Colin Clive.  No one would assume the man would have a happy childhood you would expect him to spend all his days in a dark room watching things decay (sounds like someone I know).  And maybe that does eventually happened, but the point is the book is not just a "things that go bump in the night" tale and has some humanity and depth to it which is what makes it that much better.    

Moxley #1

Does Shelley seem to think influences humans more,  nature or  nurture?

Throughout Frankenstein, Shelley specifically chooses her syntax and diction in a way that reflects her opinion, subtly reinforcing her belief that nature has more of an impact on human behavior than nurture. While Shelley doesn't explain Victor's 'picture perfect' upbringing with great detail or purpose, she does describe Victor's feelings of destiny and belonging when he finds something he is interested in at the university. This signifies that nurture, or childhood experiences and influences, are not as important to Shelley within the story as nature and an individual's destiny that guides their actions and choices; childhood is brushed aside while scientific purpose takes center stage. All mention of Victor's years at home are contained in pages 16-20, while his time at the university creating his creature  stretches from page 29-37; this pursuit begins with the sentence "Thus ended a day memorable to me: it decided my future destiny." (pg. 29) While in the process of creation, Shelley describes Victor's obsession with the fulfillment of his 'destiny': The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was the most beautiful season...  but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature. And the same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had not seen for so long a time." (pg. 33) Shelley's emphasis on the importance of destiny and it's influence on Victor's life illustrates her own values of destiny and fate, and their impact's on the lives of humans.

Karlenzig Blog Post 1

The author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelly, foreshadows that the monster will kill more people. After the monster has gotten Victor into his cave to talk, he tales the story of how he was the true murderer of his brother William, and then proceeded to setup Justine as the murderer. Justine is convicted of murdering William and is put to death. After the monster tells Victor his side of the story, he has this to say, "Thus spoke my prophetic soul, as, torn by remorse, horror, and despair, I beheld thus I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my hallowed arts" (Pg 60). At this point in the story, the monster admits to feeling some remorse about their deaths. The monster admits that the two deaths were "hapless" and that they did not do anything wrong. This shows that the monster is not all evil and understands emotion.The monster is implying that there were/are more victims to come.

I am unsure of the tense because of the confusing chronology of events. Victor made the creature in late fall, then fell ill for the entirety of the winter. Once spring came Victor got better and his brother was murdered, William. However the creature said he spent a whole year at the cottage, and then murdered William after leaving the cottage. I am curios whether this inconsistency in the time is on purpose or I am simply not understanding it.    

What does this novel tell us about science/technology/invention?

I find it astonishing that this book was written in 1818, since its ideas were so far ahead of its time. In Frankenstein, Shelly exemplifies what science is capable of and how easy it is too become too engulfed in its studies. She acknowledges that science is extremely valuable, but must be used in moderation since it is a very powerful concept. We see this reoccurring theme throughout the first section while Victor looks back on the entire incident. As he begins to understand the components of life, Victor becomes overly obsessed with the power of science as he hoped that his "present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success" (32). He initially has the same drive as most scientists, but he soon comes to realize that he overstepped his boundaries in human nature and science. Victor ends contact with his loved ones, loses his connection with nature, and allows his health to deteriorate from becoming too engulfed in his experiment. Once the monster comes alive, he realizes that, "the beauty of the dram vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart" (35). As he loses his connection with nature, he also loses respect for it. As he manipulates human nature and uses science to play god, it ultimately leads to his downfall and all the unfortunate events that occur as a result. Shelly wrote her novel in this particular format so Victor could tell his story to Walton (and us indirectly) which would let us all learn his lesson without experiencing it firsthand.

Knowles #1 - Frankenstein

In the first half of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, it is fascinating to examine how nature influences the characters.  In fact, it seems that in the case of Victor Frankenstein, his whole life has been shaped by the forces of nature.  To begin with, when he starts out telling his story of growing up, he explains what it means to him to remember the whole story; the whole sequence of events that got him to where he is, telling the story to Walton.  Frankenstein explains, “I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the recollection of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my mind” (20).  Here, he states that “misfortune” had an effect on his life.  Misfortune is not usually something that is controlled by humans, but is instead usually due to some natural occurrence.  Here, a natural force has affected the way Frankenstein looks at the world.  Especially when he is young, Frankenstein is very easily affected by forces of nature, and they end up shaping his young mind and his directing the path he takes in his life.  As Frankenstein grows up, he decides to study natural philosophy, but then, due to a force of nature, changes his whole direction.  He retells the story, explaining “...for a time I was...guided by an ardent imagination and childish reasoning, till an accident again changed the current of my ideas...we witnessed a most violent and terrible thunder-storm...I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak...and so soon as the dazzling light vanished, the oak had disappeared...I at once gave up my former occupations…(22).  Frankenstein goes on to explain that because of his fascination at that moment with the natural force of the lightning striking a tree, his interest changed, and began to investigate areas of study on the subject of electricity and galvanism.  This one single force of nature left a strong impression on Frankenstein, and perhaps determined some of his future.

Kimball Post 1 - Frankenstein

• How does the natural world affect us?  How does nature react to Frankenstein's work?

When reading this prompt I thought not so much about how to natural world affects us, but rather how we, ourselves, affect the natural world. Every movement we make and every event we take place in affects our environment and the world we are surrounded by, no matter how minuscule. We inadvertently alter everything we involve ourselves with. We distribute ourselves and our influence through the actions we take. Perhaps most importantly, regarding our novel, we put ourselves into everything we create -- and our creations know this (maybe not in the literal sense, but you get the idea). Frankenstein comes to this realization when his 'monster' approaches him. He assumes the monster is going to attack and kill him, but instead he shows the doctor the true meaning of the nature of his work. The monster says, "I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king, if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me... remember that I am thy creature" (p. 69). The monster represents pieces of Frankenstein's inner emotions. He's projecting his fear, anger, and hatred onto the monster and, in return, his creation is giving it back to him. By reminding the doctor that he's his own creation, it allows Frankenstein to understand how the nature of his monster affects him and he can change his monster for the better. Frankenstein realized "what the duties of a creator towards his creature were..." (p. 70) and that made him understand and, hopefully, come to terms with how he affects nature, and how it, in turn, affects him. 

Thompson post #1

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is about far more than just a genius scientist and the misunderstood creature that he created. It’s really a look back of sorts into science and history of the time in which this book was written. This book was written in 1816, a pivotal time for useful inventions yet a little too late for ground breaking discoveries like where the earth is located in our solar system and just exactly how gravity works. What Mary Shelley WAS able to do with this book was create a word where the idea of our modern science was still in its infancy.  For example, when Victor was discussing with his father about some theories regarding science, his father shot him down. The reason, Victor still considered Cornelius Agrippa’s theory, a theory nearly 300 years old, of magic as the best way of discovering nature a viable scientific source, “I chanced to find a volume of the works of Cornelius Agrippa. I opened it with apathy; the theory which he attempts to demonstrate, and the wonderful facts he relates soon changed this feeling into enthusiasm.  A new light seemed to dawn upon my mind-“(20). This seemingly infantile way of viewing the ideas of modern science on the part of Victor are spawned from the ages of Scientific repression, where no new discoveries that conflicted with the teachings of the catholic church, so all of them, were prohibited. This created a massive ripple effect for hundreds of years to follow where the teaching of modern sciences and the beliefs of modern scientists were often years behind the times. Another example is in the very beginning of the book when he is writing his sister to discuss the wonders of the North Pole, “I may there discover a wondrous power which attracts the needle; and may regulate celestial bodies (1)”. Although he actually had some valid points regarding the magnetic poles, overall, his theories on what he would find at the poles were scientifically very off base. In conclusion, although science has taken us to seemingly immeasurable heights and given us seemingly likely theories at one point science gave us Heliocentrism and the flat earth concept, so I for one am excited to see what is to come and am pleased with Mary Shelley for allowing us a look into the past science.

See Post #1

    The tone of Frankenstein so far is very dramatic. When Frankenstein is nearing the end of his crazed time working on his creature, he gets particularly dramatic. He recalls the night when the creature came to life vividly: "It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was very nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs" (p35). This image of the monster coming to life in a dark lab with rain pounding the windows is creepily dramatic. Specific word choices like "dismally" and "convulsive motion", add another layer to the story's dramatic tone. After his brother's death and Justine's execution, Frankenstein's depression returns: "This state of mind preyed upon my health... I was seized by remorse and the sense of guilt; all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me; solitude was my only consolation—deep, dark, deathlike solitude" (p61). The specific words like "preyed" and "deathlike", that Shelley uses give a much more intense feel to this part, adds to the drama of the story Victor is telling. My guess is that as the book goes on, the story will get darker and more intense and it will ne intersting to see how Shelley uses the tone to expand the plot.

Ashton Post #1

Frankenstein's Destiny

(I decided to combine a couple of the prompts because there was a reoccurring theme of rebellion and discontent to Victor in the first 70 pages of Frankenstein that I really wanted to talk about).

Victor's picture perfect upbringing leads to his rebellious and curious nature in his adult life. He longs to stray from the beaten path and walk only in the footsteps of inventors rather than assimilators. Shelley creates an idea of destiny through Victor's obsession to create something that resembles who he is inside; something that has been lacking since his childhood. Victor is searching for something more than his perfect childhood, Swiss heritage, and Geneva. "I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the recollections of childhood before misfortune had tainted my mind, and changed its bright visions of extensive usefulness into gloomy and narrow reflections upon self" (20). He soon falls in love with chemistry and the fact that it can produce somewhat wild and dangerous results. He says, "The raising of ghosts or devils was a promise liberally accorded by my favorite authors, the fulfillment of which I most eagerly sought" (22). In looking at Victor's upbringing, one wouldn't assume his presumed destiny would be anything less than a straight path. He recognizes this and follows his interests rather than his heritage. When Victor finds science, something that inscribes and calls his name, he enjoys the fact that he is rebelling against what everyone back in Geneva thought he would become. His refusal to fall pray to others' opinions and interests is a second motif to the book, evident when Professor Waldman tries to praise him. "M. Waldman inflicted torture when he praised, with kindness and warmth, the astonishing progress I had made in the sciences...He meant to please, and he tormented me. I felt as if he had placed carefully, one by one, in my view those instruments which were to be afterwards used in putting me to a slow and cruel death" (43). Victor is incredibly protective of his new identity and pursues his own other worldly interests. In this way, Dr. Frankenstein's creation of "Frankenstein" is not only the product of his recalcitrant nature, but also the product of a rebellious child-like human being escaping from his past and his destiny. 

Christie #1

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, new acquaintances Walton and Victor share their stories and personalities through the series of letters written by Walton to his sister, Margaret. Throughout the first 10 chapters, we learn what drives these two men on their individual endeavors: Walton to the North Pole, and Victor to create the monster. In comparing the two, I found that Walton is driven by motivation, and Frankenstein by inspiration, which I believe to be two distinct subsets of desire. Walton is motivated, influenced to action, by desire for prestige and fulfillment. He sees himself as a man of great potential and wishes to achieve it, and discover the North Pole for himself. In his first letter, detailing the beginning of his journey, he writes "... do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose? My life might have been passed in easy and luxury; but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path" (3). In contrast to Walton's motivation through enticement, Victor's character is inspired. "So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation," (28) recounted Frankenstein of his early inspirations at the university. He was fascinated by the natural world and the secret of life, and above all he was consumed by an insatiable thirst for knowledge- not so much motivated as a student for good grades but rather inspired as a learner to gain, control, and possess. In essence, however, whether one be driven by motivation, inspiration, or other influence, what fuels a man like Walton or Frankenstein is essentially desire. It is this powerful desire for glory and knowledge, respectively, that consumes the men to the point of unhealthy obsession. They lose control of their passion and it ultimately controls them, leading Victor down a turbulent, ominous path and steering Walton towards daunting icebergs both literal and metaphoric. Walton is less intelligent, less intellectual, and just slightly less passionate than was Victor, which gives reader hope that his fate may be slightly more fortunate. Both men are incredibly driven, and so engrossed in their aspirations that it becomes unhealthy.

Kelly #1 Frankenstein

Its inevitable that with knowledge comes power, but its also true that with power comes with responsibility,  and in the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley we see these statements are indeed true. Soon into the horror story we learn how obsessed Victor Frankenstein is with his creation, with his "monster", hoping that it will suit his desires in a person perfectly. Victors drive for knowledge and to create his monster is exceptional but as he consumes himself with science and his creation, he consumes his own soul. "From this day natural philosophy, and particularly chemistry, in the most comprehensive sense of the term, became nearly my sole occupation."(p.29)  Victor dedicates his whole being to science and in turn he gains a library of knowledge, but this knowledge isn't necessarily what he needs. He creates the monster in order to fill in missing parts in his life, "but I was in reality very ill; and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life. The form of the monster on whom I had bestowed existence was forever before my eyes, and I raved incessantly concerning him"(p.29) but eventually the monster is his life and he is no longer himself. The monster is a symbol of how science and invention can be run by desires and cravings and how they can turn disastrous. Victors monster becomes a symbol of himself and of Victors true feelings: he wants to apply himself to society and be happy, but just can't.

Smith post #1 frank

The novel Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelly in 1831.  In the first seventy pages we learn what an obsessive curiosity in nature and science, as stretched to its outermost possibilities in the nineteenth century, can do to the humanity of an inventor by the name of Victor. Victor has a longing for a companion, a wish to create and innovate something of importance; a life purpose that will bring him pride and companionship. His longing, however, is neither healthy nor sane. Victor becomes obsessed in his pursuit and will not let it escape his mind for even a moment. “The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest, or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage: but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” (33) This passage allows the reader access to an almost sympathetic character; a man who lets his days pass with no real sense of human enjoyment, for his mind becomes more and more narrowly defined by his experiment.  Not only does he not allow himself to enjoy other parts of his present life, he also shuts out a portion of his past and of his memory, especially the life of his family back home. Victor left home shortly after the death of his mother and while mourning her life he also admired the reactions of the girl the family had taken under their wing, a beautiful orphan by the name of Elizabeth. Victor fell in love this girl as she helped the family through the tragic death. “She indeed veiled her grief, and strove to act the comforter to us all. She looked steadily on life, and assumed its duties with courage and zeal. She devoted herself to those whom she had been taught to call her uncle and cousins. Never was she so enchanting as at this time, when she recalled the sunshine of her smiles and spent them upon us. She forgot even her own regret in her endeavors to make us forget.” (24) The power of this quote is that is shows Victor’s capacity to love another human being.  We also feel his love when he describes the pain he feels at Elizabeth’s absence in his life. But he is a haunted man, torn between science and attachment.  This rupture in his soul is what provokes him to create through science, defying the laws of nature, a creature that he hopes will fulfill his longings.

Goelz post #1: Frankenstein

The similarities between Walton and Frankenstein are incredibly apparent throughout the first half of the book, for they share an innate sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness that spurs their thirst to learn. Walton seems to be a younger version of Frankenstein, for he is just beginning the adventure of life, whereas Frankenstein's is coming to a close. In Walton's fourth letter, he says, "I spoke of my desire of finding a friend - of my thirst for a more intimate sympathy with a fellow mind than had ever fallen to my lot; and expressed my conviction that a man could boast of little happiness, who did not enjoy this blessing. 'I agree with you,' replied the stranger; 'we are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves - such a friend ought to be - do not lend his aid to perfection ate our weak and faulty natures' (pg. 12)." Although this is a more specific example of the two men sharing a common interest, it can be interpreted as the idea that they both want to be challenged and stimulated by other humans and see what the world has to offer. Walton often speaks of Frankenstein as remarkably interesting but broken in some regard. In Walton's first letter, when he is explaining to his sister the excitement he feels about venturing into the world, he says, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man" (pg. 1). This desire to encounter something never experienced before is what drove Frankenstein to create his monster. He says, "None but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of science. In other studies you go as far as others have gone before you, and there is nothing more to know; but in a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder" (pg. 30). The two characters clearly share the urge to venture forth on the road less traveled, which is their strongest shared quality. In Frankenstein's case, the outcome of this drive has been progressive yet unhealthy. The man we meet at the beginning of the book is resigned and defeated, clearly a result of his obsessive curiosity. We don't know much about Walton, but it seems that he has the potential to learn from the scientist's mistakes and rethink this sweeping sense of untamed curiosity. From this, he can construct a path that doesn't end in negativity and depression.

Iida Post One

Through the character of Frankenstein, Shelly shows that nurture influences the creation of a human’s personality more than the nature that they are born with. Because the reader is hearing this story through the eyes of Doctor Frankenstein, the creature that he creates seems to be inhuman and purely a scientific experiment. However, this changes when Doctor Frankenstein confronts his creation face to face, in the barren ice and snow of the desolate mountains. “’I expected this reaction,’ said the daemon, ‘All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things.’” (p68). This first contact with the creature that Frankenstein created shows a very different picture than the soulless devil that Frankenstein believed it to be. Frankenstein’s creation is a sentient being, full of emotion, and believes that because of the way that he has been treated by the human race, that he deserves to be angry and resentful. “ Believe me, Frankenstein,” the creature said, “I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me.” (p69). Frankenstein’s creation is a sentient being, something that did not hate the world when it was brought into being but has learned to hate it because of the mistreatment it has suffered at the hands of the world. Perhaps if his features had been less inhuman and strange, if he had not been so large or disgusting to look at, he would have become a different creature. But the world intervened, and Frankenstein’s creature was treated as a monster. When something is treated as a monster, it becomes one. 

FRANKENBLOG 2014

FRANKENBLOG 2014

 

Frankenblog I     pages 1-70  Due Thursday, April 24
   Here are some questions/themes that I find intriguing, but, as always, you are welcome to write about a theme that interests you more.  Use two or more quotes as you write about how this theme is developing in the novel.  (You only have to choose/write about ONE, so be thorough.)

• What is the tone of this gothic novel?  How does Mary Shelley create her tone? (Choose quotes past page one.)
• What drives Walton and Frankenstein? Is their drive a common one?  Is it healthy?
• What does this novel tell us about science/technology/invention?
• Does Shelley seem to think influences humans more,  nature or  nurture?
• How does the natural world affect us?  How does nature react to Frankenstein's work?
• Discuss Shelley's use of biblical allusion.

Frankenblog II   pages 71-120  due Monday, April 28 
    Choose a different theme than the one you chose for your first blog post.  Summarize (1-2 sentences) how that theme was characterized in the first section of reading.  Then go on to show how this theme is developing in this further section of the book.

Post #4 - Paige Hotchkiss-Needleman

Connections / Realization / Analysis
(I didn't read all of the 4 posts, so hopefully this is something not yet said…)
Connecting Aspects of Jack's Emotional Self
and The Disintegration of the Great Twitch

I'd like to discuss the culmination of Jack's denial -- his final acceptance of responsibility. As events set in motion earlier in the book begin to come full circle and further spiral inward, we see the Spider Web theory in action -- Jack is finally able to live up to the responsibility that Cass Mastern embodied that he couldn't possibly understand in his college mindset. The circumstances of the Judge's (his father's) death are remarkable in their full-circle nature. Jack realizes this and bursts into laughter, a rare showing of genuine emotion (even if it has that Jack-esque sardonic edge).

Jack's self-denial was so extensive that the last time, before the floodgates of emotion break after the Judge dies, that he shows emotion was, essentially, when he was deeply in love with Anne at  age 17. This part of the novel comes full circle too when he finally marries her. When he finds out that his mother, whom he previously thought was cold and incapable of love, is actually tender and loving of the dead Judge, it is cathartic for Jack's emotional body. It really helps him grow up to learn this. He also feels good about placating his mother with the lie that he was in no way responsible for the Judge's murder. We as the reader can sympathize; his mother has already gone through a great deal. This release of emotional blockage relating to his mother helps him fully actualize his love with Anne because he now has an easier time with his own emotions. His emotional self matures throughout the novel.

Furthering the discussion of Jack's emotional body is the intertwined sense of responsibility. As Jack is forced to confront himself and his responsibility in virtually all of the affairs which eventually culminate into the deaths of Adam, Willie and the Judge, he sheds his idea of the Great Twitch, opens emotionally, and develops tremendously as a character. Jack sums up his life with "For I have a story. It is the story of a man who lived in the world and to him the world looked one way for a long time and then it looked another and very different way. The change did not happen all at once. Many things happened, and the man did not know when he had any responsibility for them and when he did not." (Warren, 605) This quote perfectly characterizes the novel because by extension it reveals that eventually, throughout the course of the novel, Jack does learn to differentiate that responsibility. The first step is, at the very least, to identify when he causes certain things--he recognizes his role in the Judge's suicide, for example. He begins to wake up to his own sense of responsibility much the way an adolescent does--through trial and error. The entire novel I have seen Jack as being very fragile and simultaneously insensitive. He was fragile because he was unable to fully understand the events around him and his place within them--it was all kind of a grey swirling mass of time happening and people and roads and memories. But he was insensitive to it because he removed himself from it. He was, to himself, essentially, the Great Twitch itself--an in cohesive piece of life, meaningless and randomly placed.

The unraveling of the Theory of the Great Twitch is analogous to Jack's own emotional development and his responsibility-development. These things are broiling throughout the novel, the Great Twitch theory ebbed on by his frustration around Anne's affair with Willie. This event further weakens Jack's already fragile self-esteem and weak sense of self. He thinks, for example, that Willie got Anne because of a certain confidence and sense of direction that Jack doesn't (didn't) possess. . At first, when the Great Twitch is formulated, it is his way of "justifying" or further encoding a covert emotional response--covert in a numb body, a twitch of randomness among nothing, disconnected from everything. This shows how Jack's Great Twitch was just an excuse for denying his own frustration, anger and sadness surrounding Anne's affair and, by extension, his life.

Several factors converge to create the perfect impetus for Jack's emotional blockage to be shattered. The deaths of Willie, longtime childhood friend Adam, and the Judge are certainly the focal points. Also, Jack's role in each of these and relation to the deaths. The most important catalyst, however, is his closure which is parents--simply finding out that Judge Irwin is his father. The bittersweetness of this helps Jack to realize that the Great Twitch is a great lie invented by himself because he sees how everything connects and works in spiraling connections. He feels his partial responsibility in the Judge's suicide and feels the irony of it sharply causing his abrupt burst of laughter followed by intense tears. His reaction to the Judge's death is not immediate, but shows this emotional freeing: "'The poor old bugger, the poor old bugger.' It was like the ice breaking up after a long winter, and the winter had been long." (Warren 494) This new "relationship" to mom and dad give him the closure (rather than just not knowing where his father went, or assuming that his mother is cold) his emotional Self needed to survive.

Often in life it is only after great shock and life's traumatizing wake up calls that we can gain the strength or emotional spark that will carry us into a time of transformation and more cemented self-actualization. This is what the entire book has been setting its reader up for, and it is potent. By taking in his "stronger" father, the Scholarly Attorney, in old age, it is a redemption of sorts for Jack's morality and it shows a stroke of tenderness previously virtually inconceivable. He doesn't do it out of spite or anything.. It is more Warren showing us that indeed Jack does understand responsibility.
Finally, this continues for Jack's life because he understands history and time more fully now. He sees himself in its fabric and sees himself in the fabric of life, able to effect and be effected. Perhaps this is why Anne finally decides to marry him. An example of how life begins to show Jack how it folds back around is when he sees the snot-nosed reporter and sees himself. Just this recurrence of the past (in a sense) helps to stir thoughts in Jack. Jack is eventually able to start realizing the consequence of time, "that will be a long time from now, and soon now we shall go out of the house and into the convulsion of the world, out of history into history and the awful responsibility of Time." (Warren, 609).