The Impact Of The Phenomena in Shelley's Frankenstein
The Impact Of The Phenomena in Shelley's Frankenstein
PROMPT:[i:c18d9eb734]Refer to volume one, chapter four, from the third paragraph, “One of the phenomena” to the end of the chapter. What impact does this passage have on you and how is this achieved?[/i:c18d9eb734]
This passage is one in which Victor Frankenstein describes the birth of his creature. Frankenstein’s words and memories reflect his feelings towards his newborn child. This essay will examine Victor Frankenstein's words, feelings and attitude towards his new companion and also his creation.
Shelley uses this twelve paragraph passage to gain the trust of the reader towards Frankenstein and to also make the reader disapprove of the creature. Shelley tries to make the creature seem inanimate and worthless when Victor Frankenstein tells Robert Walton about his ‘experiment’. Frankenstein refers to the creature as ‘a daemon’, ‘lifeless matter’, ‘a frame for the reception’, ‘the being of gigantic structure’, ‘about eight feet in height’, ‘the lifeless clay’ and ‘the great object which swallowed up every habit of my nature’. Every one of these quotes infers that the creature is a terrifying being who does not resemble a human at all. These descriptions are ones which would describe a hideous fiend. Frankenstein and Shelley use these descriptions to ensure that Robert Walton and also, more importantly, the reader, can gain a prejudice towards the creature on account of Frankenstein’s attitude and the creature’s depressing countenance. Frankenstein knows that Walton is very gullible as he is very lonely and will believe everything that Frankenstein tells him. This is backed up when Walton writes:
“I have found a man who, before his spirit had been broken by misery, I should have been happy to have possessed as the brother of my heart” (letter 4)
It is obvious that Victor Frankenstein has reconstructed Walton’s views of the creature. Walton describes him as ‘ apparently a gigantic structure’, ‘savage inhabitant’. This shows that Robert Walton has a natural opinion based on appearance. As Walton acts as the narrator, his views influence the reader. However, due to his split personality, we must ask ourselves as to whether or not, we trust him. His loneliness forces him to side with Frankenstein.
Walton and Frankenstein both share a determined pursuit of knowledge which incorporates the ideas by which Mary Shelly lived. Her father, William Godwin (1756-1836), a radical philosopher and novelist, strongly objected to the pursuit of her happiness, upon the marriage to a leading...