We begin to better understand Victor Frankenstein's background as he recalls his history from the very beginning. He recalls his childhood favorably, weaving the stories of his mother and father into his own to emphasis their importance in his sense of confidence as well as in his education. But still, Victor wants more. He claims, "It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn," (Shelley, 19). Thus begins Victor's quests into science first led by dated sources of Cornelius Agrippa, Albert Magnus, and Paracelsus who spark his interest in the "impossible." Professors Kremp and Waldman, while trying to deter him from exploring science for purposes of trying to make the impossible possible, acutally reveal to him that his ideas for exploration could be possible. With this challenge in mind, he moves to the first mini climax of the story: the creation.Thursday, November 15, 2012
Chapters 1-3
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
We begin to better understand Victor Frankenstein's background as he recalls his history from the very beginning. He recalls his childhood favorably, weaving the stories of his mother and father into his own to emphasis their importance in his sense of confidence as well as in his education. But still, Victor wants more. He claims, "It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn," (Shelley, 19). Thus begins Victor's quests into science first led by dated sources of Cornelius Agrippa, Albert Magnus, and Paracelsus who spark his interest in the "impossible." Professors Kremp and Waldman, while trying to deter him from exploring science for purposes of trying to make the impossible possible, acutally reveal to him that his ideas for exploration could be possible. With this challenge in mind, he moves to the first mini climax of the story: the creation.
We begin to better understand Victor Frankenstein's background as he recalls his history from the very beginning. He recalls his childhood favorably, weaving the stories of his mother and father into his own to emphasis their importance in his sense of confidence as well as in his education. But still, Victor wants more. He claims, "It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn," (Shelley, 19). Thus begins Victor's quests into science first led by dated sources of Cornelius Agrippa, Albert Magnus, and Paracelsus who spark his interest in the "impossible." Professors Kremp and Waldman, while trying to deter him from exploring science for purposes of trying to make the impossible possible, acutally reveal to him that his ideas for exploration could be possible. With this challenge in mind, he moves to the first mini climax of the story: the creation.
Frankenstein - The Letters
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
In letters addressed to his sister, Margaret, new explorer Robert Walton presents the first scenes in the frame story that becomes Frankenstein. During the first letter, we are revealed the characteristics of Walton, characteristics that later apply to Dr. Victor Frankenstien. Among these characteristics are the desire for knowledge and innovation. While still early in his journey, literally and figuratively, he is introduced to Victor and begins to hear his story. While initially hesitant, Victor finally agrees to share his story with Walton are begins his cautionary tale with the words, "listen to my history, and you will percieve how irrevocably it (destiny) is determined," (Shelley, 13).
In letters addressed to his sister, Margaret, new explorer Robert Walton presents the first scenes in the frame story that becomes Frankenstein. During the first letter, we are revealed the characteristics of Walton, characteristics that later apply to Dr. Victor Frankenstien. Among these characteristics are the desire for knowledge and innovation. While still early in his journey, literally and figuratively, he is introduced to Victor and begins to hear his story. While initially hesitant, Victor finally agrees to share his story with Walton are begins his cautionary tale with the words, "listen to my history, and you will percieve how irrevocably it (destiny) is determined," (Shelley, 13).
Later, we understand the steps that Victor believes sealed his fate, and the fate of many others affected by the drive for innovation he and Walton share.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
APO 96225
APO 96225 by Larry Rottmann
This poem talks about things we think we want to hear, but we really don't. The son seems to know exactly what his mother can handle and tries to protect her from reality. Lies are better than the truth sometimes. When he seems to be failing, he tries giving her what she wants, the truth, but soon realizes that she does not really want that. Her husband then tries to protect her. But no one is trying to protect the son, who is the one in real peril of emotional damage and still they tell him, "Please don't write such depressing letters." (Rottmann, 846).
This poem talks about things we think we want to hear, but we really don't. The son seems to know exactly what his mother can handle and tries to protect her from reality. Lies are better than the truth sometimes. When he seems to be failing, he tries giving her what she wants, the truth, but soon realizes that she does not really want that. Her husband then tries to protect her. But no one is trying to protect the son, who is the one in real peril of emotional damage and still they tell him, "Please don't write such depressing letters." (Rottmann, 846).
Much Madness is divinest Sense
Much Madness is divinest Sense by Emily Dickinson
This poem also expresses feelings about madness. The madness is compared to a chain that holds back assent and demur. Assent meaning an expression of approval at the oncoming madness to which the author says "you are sane," (Dickinson, 830). In deliberate contradiction, demur here means to raise doubts about the oncoming madness which Dickinson says is "straightway dangerous." Both ways of dealing with the madness come with different connotations for the author probably to represent the madness herself already taking its toll.
This poem also expresses feelings about madness. The madness is compared to a chain that holds back assent and demur. Assent meaning an expression of approval at the oncoming madness to which the author says "you are sane," (Dickinson, 830). In deliberate contradiction, demur here means to raise doubts about the oncoming madness which Dickinson says is "straightway dangerous." Both ways of dealing with the madness come with different connotations for the author probably to represent the madness herself already taking its toll.
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain by Emily Dickinson
The speaker in this poem may be experiencing a spell of falling into madness or mental disease because of phrases used most specifically "And then Plank in Reason, broke, and I dropped down, and down," (Dickinson, 776). The saddest part of this story is that the phrase above implies that the speaker is aware of their downfall. They are experiencing the emotions and sentiments involved with experiencing a death or loss. But in this case, the death is their own. As the speaker admits to themselves, "My Mind was going numb," (Dickinson, 776).
The speaker in this poem may be experiencing a spell of falling into madness or mental disease because of phrases used most specifically "And then Plank in Reason, broke, and I dropped down, and down," (Dickinson, 776). The saddest part of this story is that the phrase above implies that the speaker is aware of their downfall. They are experiencing the emotions and sentiments involved with experiencing a death or loss. But in this case, the death is their own. As the speaker admits to themselves, "My Mind was going numb," (Dickinson, 776).
Miss Brill
Miss Brill by Katherine Mansfield
This short story reminds us of the importance and fragility of perspective. "She was on the stage," (Mansfield, 185). That is how Miss Brill views herself towards the beginning of the piece, but at the end, we see her self-image take a plummet as a trivial, rude remark from a fellow actor on the stage hurts her deeply. Her emotional reactions are so deeply felt by her audience because we have all been in an elated situation with our heads so high in the clouds and our hearts so light that we think nothing can pull us down. But really, that is when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable. Without our guards up, people's untasteful comments sneak in and take advantage of our vulnerability, quickly pulling us down from the clouds and dropping us bewildered to the ground where Miss Brill finds herself at the end of the story.
Bartleby the Scrivener
Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville
I support the theory that Bartleby had a type of autism mostly because of his speech and physical behaviors. He is clearly unwilling to change, fails to initiate or even notice social cues in conversation, takes questions literally, and refuses assistance. But, despite these downfalls, Bartleby also displays the good characteristics of someone with autism, he is strongly self-disciplined. Even some of the most disciplined individuals cannot compete with their mind and body in order to successfully pull off a hunger strike. This also supports the theory that Bartleby's soul had died before his body; he had no reason to feed a body that only supported a miserable experience in this life. I think that the lawyer also feels this way, that his life is not worth living without his tedious work and schedules. "Established in my new quarters, or a day or two I kept the door locked, and started at every footfall in the passages," (Melville, 669). Who would want to live with such paranoia? This quote reveals how empty and miserable the lawyer's life is without his work.
I support the theory that Bartleby had a type of autism mostly because of his speech and physical behaviors. He is clearly unwilling to change, fails to initiate or even notice social cues in conversation, takes questions literally, and refuses assistance. But, despite these downfalls, Bartleby also displays the good characteristics of someone with autism, he is strongly self-disciplined. Even some of the most disciplined individuals cannot compete with their mind and body in order to successfully pull off a hunger strike. This also supports the theory that Bartleby's soul had died before his body; he had no reason to feed a body that only supported a miserable experience in this life. I think that the lawyer also feels this way, that his life is not worth living without his tedious work and schedules. "Established in my new quarters, or a day or two I kept the door locked, and started at every footfall in the passages," (Melville, 669). Who would want to live with such paranoia? This quote reveals how empty and miserable the lawyer's life is without his work.
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