Frankenstein Notes :: essays papers

Frankenstein Notes Observations: 1. We commonly refer to the enormous monster as â€Å"Frankenstein†, when in fact he was never given a name. 2. Many references are made throughout the story to other famous literary works, such as Milton’s, Paradise Lost and Coleridge’s, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. 3. Victor is a seeker of knowledge; he seeks answers to what occurs in nature and the physical world. 4. Upon his arrival at the University, Victor puts all his time and energy into his studies; he even disregards his health and family. 5. Many gothic elements of the grotesque are found throughout this book. 6. The environment of the book is described as dark and eerie. 7. After the creation of his monster, Victor suffers a so-called â€Å"living torture† for the consequences of his actions. 8. The weather plays a big role in setting the overall tone of the book. 9. The idea that man is born good, but it is society and other pressures that create an evil in man is relevant and part of the romantic theme depicted in the story. 10. The central concern of the novel is the basic need for companionship. Humans seek other individuals for their mate, in which they can share a life-long relationship together. Vocabulary: 1. capacious: able to contain or hold much; roomy; spacious. 2. paroxysm: a sudden outburst as of laughter, rage, or sneezing; fit; spasm. 3. chamois: a small goat antelope of the mountains of Europe. 4. galvanism: electricity produced by a chemical reaction. 5. chimera: an impossible or foolish fancy. 6. dogmatism: dogmatic assertion of opinion, usually without reference to evidence. 7. lassitude: state or feeling of being tired and listless; weariness; languor. 8. mien: a way of carrying and conducting oneself; manner. 9. ignominy: loss of one’s reputation; shame and dishonor; infamy. 10. aiguilles: a peak of rock shaped like a needle. 11. hovel: a small shed for sheltering animals or storing supplies. 12. offal’s: refuse; garbage. 13. viands: food of various kinds; especially choice dishes. 14. vestige: a trace, mark, or sign of something that once existed but has disappeared. 1. Robert Walton is the narrator of the novel. The time period in which the story is told is in the 1800’s. 2. The characters of the story are Victor Frankenstein, the â€Å"monster†, Robert Walton, Alphonse, Caroline, Ernest, and William Frankenstein, Elizabeth Lavenza, Justine Mortiz, Henry Clerval, M. Krempe, M. Waldman, M. De Lacy, Felix De Lacy, Agatha De Lacy, Safie, Mr. Kirwin, and Margaret Saville. 3. The setting takes place in Europe. 4. The general themes of the novel are use of knowledge for good and evil purposes, the use of new technology in modern life, the treatment of the poor and uneducated, and the powers of nature and the human physiology.