GCSE: Mary Shelley
- Marked by Teachers essays 16
- Peer Reviewed essays 12
-
Chapter five is the pivotal point in the book, it's the point when Frankenstein creates the monster and his actions set off what's about to happen throughout the book.
4 star(s)Starting with how Shelley describes the outside as a "dreary night of November" the fact that it's in November immediately makes everything seem colder and darker, as if everything is dulled. Adding that it is a dreary night adds to this dull darkness. Setting it at night allows the convention of darkness and evil to take an impact and let the reader know that something horrible is about to take place. As the dead of night - when no one is around - is thought to be a time that a person could do anything evil.
- Word count: 1279
-
The Novel Frankenstein is as relevant and as terrifying today as it was when it was first published in 1818. Discuss.
4 star(s)She had many opportunities to listen to their discussions and opinions, in an environment that nourished her intellectuality. One of these visitors was Percy Shelley, a Romantic poet that later became Mary Shelley's husband and her greatest influence. Her inspiration to write Frankenstein came in 1816 when Mary and Percy Shelley visited Lord Byron in Switzerland. Although it was summer, it was often rainy and wet and they spent great part of their holiday at home. It was a favourable environment to long conversations, and one day Lord Byron came up with the idea that they all would write a ghost story.
- Word count: 2446
-
Evaluate the methods used by Shelley to present the relationship between the Creature and Victor, the creator
4 star(s)The power of nature is brought to life along with the clear view portrayed by Shelley that inevitably you cannot change or stop it. This represents the actions of the creature as he cannot be stopped nor is he able to become one with nature as he isn't natural, "the sight of the awful and majestic in nature". The mountains are something clean and new, "unstained snowy mountain-top, the glittering pinnacle", on the other hand the creature is something dirty and unnatural which is ironic as he is seeking tranquillity in something that isn't man-made.
- Word count: 1276
-
Compare the two chapters which describe the creation of Frankenstein(TM)s monster.
4 star(s)Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born in 1797 in the tow of Somers, in Great Britain. Her mother Mary Wollstonecraft (author and feminist) unfortunately died as the result of Mary's birth. Her father and resented stepmother cared for her. In the year 1813 Mary Shelley's luck changed; she met a poet by the name of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Three years later in the year of 1816 they travelled to Geneva where Percy and Mary and two friends conjured an idea to pen a ghost story. Mary's Frankenstein was the only one to ever be published! Mary's final years with her husband were filled with pure disaster.
- Word count: 2181
-
Which Character Did Mary Shelley Intend For The Reader to Have Most Sympathy On: Frankenstein or His Creation?
4 star(s)Frankenstein's creation is, up until the point of its animation, not described in detail. This could possibly symbolise Frankenstein's unwavering faith in the fact that his creation would be pure and good, and his tendency to bury his head in the sand when he has a goal in his mind. Once the creature has been given life, Frankenstein seems to get a metaphorical slap in the face and sees his creation in a new and terrifying light. Through a combination of prejudice against the physically repulsive and cruel intentions, Frankenstein's creation becomes a social outcast and takes out his grief and anger on Frankenstein's young brother, William.
- Word count: 1287
-
With Relation to social/historical context, how does Mary Shelley explore the theme of monstrosity in chapter five of Frankenstein?
4 star(s)The fact that Victor works by night suggests that he shouldn't be doing what he is. Furthermore the tension is continually built up as Victor attempts to bring the creature to life, 'It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out'. This description emphasises on the dull, rainy night, which sets a very grim atmosphere. This signals that things are not going to go well. The setting is very miserable. The words that Victor uses to refer to the creature are significant factors in the role of depicting the creature as monstrous.
- Word count: 1098
-
"Who is the Real Monster in Frankenstein, Victor or his Creation?"
4 star(s)For example in the novel Victors curiosity to follow ambitions no matter what the consequence. Stereotypically monsters appear ugly or abnormal. Over time the meaning of the word monster has changed considerably. Throughout the ages society has been based on stark contrasts: good or bad, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly. These contrasts create negative morals which lead people to be prejorative. A monster can also be thought of as someone who knows the difference between good and bad yet still chooses evil over good. However if one is not taught these differences they should not be held accountable for their wrong actions.
- Word count: 1457
-
Compare the two books Frankenstein and Jurassic Park and pay particular attention to the language used, time in which the book was written and any other issues raised.
4 star(s)But he knows the only reason he can't is because of his gruesome looks. As the story continues Frankenstein's fears pretty much come true, and as the monster experiences more of humanity he realises he doesn't want to be part of it, just get revenge on it. The monster soon goes after his creator Frankenstein but instead of killing him straight away the monster makes it more painful and just kills all those close to him. But then you read about on Frankenstein's dieing day and his monster visits him but it is too late Frankenstein is dead and his monster is surprisingly devastated and wishes death upon himself as well.
- Word count: 1709
-
How does Mary Shelley make the description of the monster waking in chapter five of "Frankenstein" powerful and dramatic
3 star(s)This tells us how Frankenstein had tried to make the monster beautiful, but in the process had made the monster grotesque by bringing the different body parts together. This creates a very powerful image in our minds of what the monster looks like. Shelley also creates a very dramatic atmosphere by using pathetic fallacy to set the mood of the chapter by using the weather as a powerful tool to mimic how Frankenstein is feeling. For instance "It was a dreary night in November" and also "Morning, dismal and wet" makes us feel the depressed mood of the opening paragraph, and doing so adds a dramatic air of tension to the play.
- Word count: 1132
-
Explore the way Mary Shelley presents the character of the Monster in Frankenstein
3 star(s)He was so determined to complete it that he was willing to break the law to gain his resources. Frankenstein already knew what he wanted the Monster to look like in which Shelley describes I resolved, contrary to my first intention, to make the being of a gigantic statured; that is to say about eight feet in height and proportionally large Readers would have been shocked and horrified by Shelley's description of the Monster. The way the Monster is depicted before he is even created, it is obvious that this novel is heading for disaster. The main concern of the readers at this point will be how society will be able to accept the Monster.
- Word count: 3130
-
Frankenstein. Look at the significance of chapter five to the novella as a whole. Focus on the effect of the writers use of language to describe sittings and characters. How does this contribute to the gothic genre?
3 star(s)His obsession took the better of him, he neglected everything just to accomplish his dream. This is shocking to the reader. He thinks that he could crate life better than God. "I behelded the accomplishment of my toils" Shelley describes how Frankenstein is successful. This is playing God. Frankenstein on realising what he has done hubris runs away from the facts and abandoned his creation. Frankenstein has committed hubris by going against God, Frankenstein will be punished for this wrenched act of creating life which is wrong, similar to Prometheus he was punished by the Gods for giving people more power than they were capable of handling and he was severely punished by the Gods for going against them.
- Word count: 1498
-
From Your Reading Of Mary Shellys Frankenstein, Which Character Do You Think Is The Real Monster And Why?
3 star(s)These two characters from the novel are the 'Creature' itself and the creator of the creature, Dr Victor Frankenstein. One candidate who might be believed to be the monster is Dr Victor Frankenstein. At the age of seventeen Victor's parents' suggested that he should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt. Unfortunately Victor's mother passed away while giving birth to his brother. The death of his mother shocked him and caused him to search for ways to extend life. After the death of his mother, Victor took his parents' advice and went to university. "My departure for Ingolstadt which had been deferred by these events...it appeared to me sacrilege so soon to leave the repose, akin to death, of the house of mourning and to rush into the thick if life".
- Word count: 1709
-
Frankenstein essay
3 star(s)They visited Switzerland and stayed at the Villa Diodati near Lake Geneva, the home of poet Lord Byron. Whilst there it rained constantly and many storms passed by with lots of thunder and lightening. The occupants decided to have a competition to write a story and this is where Mary Shelley began to write "Frankenstein", aged only 19. The book begins with the explorer Robert Walton and his crew trying to find a passage through the North Pole. He then discovers a despaired Victor Frankenstein on the ice sheets. After being rescued, Victor begins to tell his story.
- Word count: 640
-
With close reference to the original text analyze the changes in relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his creation as the novel progress
3 star(s)In 'Frankenstein' the scientist, Victor Frankenstein, creates a living being from dead body parts. Shelly's subtitle was 'The Modern Prometheus' because Shelly called the book this because Prometheus was a Greek mythology character who created human life and was punished for taking pity on his creation. Victor on the other hand is like Prometheus as he too creates life, but he does not show his creation in any kindness. My first impressions if Victor Frankenstein were mixed really. His positive qualities are that he's devotion and obsession where leading him towards his work. The work and time he put into his work was for a reason an inspired reason to try to bring back
- Word count: 1648
-
Describe the relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his monster.
3 star(s)formed a horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips." The appearance of the monster is the key reason that he becomes isolated and removed from society, receiving prejudice from human society. Again the monster's appearance is the key to the subjects' relationship, it is the Monster's appearance that made Frankenstein abandon him, "Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room".
- Word count: 1018
-
Why are chapters 4 and 5 of Frankenstein important in the context of the novel as a whole?
This is suggesting that something bad mixed with something good makes it overall more bad - Suggesting, that he is the 'luxury' pearl white teeth, and that his obsession for 'infusing life into an inanimate body' is the 'watery eyes' - that the things mixed together will just be bad. During chapter 4 and 5, we notice a change in the change in the character of Frankenstein, as he goes from innocent and curious to sullen and as if his character has been changed for the worse by his experiences.
- Word count: 1131
-
How does Shelley present the idea of Monsters and Monstrosity in Frankenstein?
5 star(s)Frankenstein conceals himself away and does not function with society as he states in his own narrative 'I shunned my fellow creatures'. As human beings are social beings, who enjoy the company of others, it is unusual to 'shun' others; hence it is arguable that Frankenstein is being inhuman and in turn, more monstrous. This phrase also suggests that Frankenstein has accepted his animalistic tendencies through the use of the word 'creatures'. The way the creation is presented in the novel also portrays a sense of monstrosity as he is described as 'yellow skin', 'horrid...
- Word count: 1885
-
Frankenstein has been described as a 'novel of the Gothic genre' do you feel this adequately describes the novel?
4 star(s)Walton's passion for venturing into the unknown and learning presents the idea that exploring is thrilling, therefore setting the tone for the rest of the novel. Victor has a craving for knowledge; 'From this day natural philosophy, and particularly chemistry...became nearly my sole occupation.' This suggests that Victor has a dedication to learning, he is always questioning and his ambition to take ideas further is extremely risky. Victors obsession with knowledge can be linked to the theme of light and fire; '...
- Word count: 2357
-
Frankenstein. How does Mary Shelley present the creature created by Frankenstein? How does she show fears about early scientific progress?
4 star(s)Frankenstein is portrayed as similar to Walton; as they both appear obsessed with their goals. Frankenstein is extremely determined; and who's over-enthusiastic over ambitious attitude which is very dangerous as he is bordering on the verge of madness and neglecting his own health "my cheek had grown pale with study, and my person had become emaciated with confinement," this is seen as very disturbing by the reader. It is made clear by Shelley in the novel that over ambition leads to obsession which is extremely dangerous.
- Word count: 1244
-
Frankeinstein. Look at the significance of Chapter 5 to the novel as a whole. Focus on the relevance and effect of writers use of language to describe setting, character and what it shows about social and historical influences.
4 star(s)In this chapter we (the audience) are introduced to the gothic genre of the novel �It was on a dreary night of November" and "the rain pattered dismally against the panes." Both indicate the shady and gloomy atmosphere of the gothic era. We are brought to the place where the creation is created and is first described �his yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath�; with fear Victor runs away from his apartment leaving the �monster� alone and abandoned.
- Word count: 1531
-
Which character does the reader have more sympathy for: Victor Frankenstein or his creature?
3 star(s)This ended up becoming the basis of the story. A gothic novel typically contains elements of mystery, horror and the supernatural. These types of novels often offer an ominous atmosphere that accentuate the unknown and encourage fear. They feature spooky settings such as haunted mansions and the plots typically involve plenty of mystery surrounding violence. The gothic genre is still used today in novels but was at it's height of popularity between the 18th and 19th centuries. The title that the novel is most commonly referred to, Frankenstein, has become tantamount with monster.
- Word count: 854
-
Explain how Mary Shelley Develops the Gothic Genre in chapter 4 and 5 of Frankenstein
3 star(s)There were some notable characters that were around in Mary Shelley's time that could have been inspiration for Dr. Victor Frankenstein. One of the most famous was Aldinei Galvani was one of the most gruesome and macabre scientists, he once preformed an experiment in which he took two criminals severed heads and attached them to each other with electricity. Aldinei and Frankenstein also shared some of the same of the same personality traits; they were both arrogant and obsessive about their work. Andrew Your was another notable character, he actually tried to revive corpses. Your, like Frankenstein, thought of people as machines with no souls, he wanted to control life, and much like Frankenstein he was detached.
- Word count: 1682
-
To what extent can Mary Shelley(TM)s Frankenstein(TM) be seen as a Gothic Novel?
3 star(s)Percy and Mary shared a love of language and literature; they both enjoyed reading and discussing books together. During May 1816, the couple travelled to Lake Geneva along with Claire. Forced to stay indoors one particular day, the group of writers decided to have a ghost story writing contest. One person came up with The Vampyre, which later was the influence on Bram Stoker's Dracula. Other guest wrote tales of equal horror, but Mary found herself unable to invent one.
- Word count: 1557
-
How does Mary Shelly present the themes of rejection and alienation in the novel 'Frankenstein'?
3 star(s)I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me; whose eyes would reply to mine. You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend." This is effective because Walton is saying that he has no one to share his feelings with, no one to talk to that truly understands him.
- Word count: 1317
-
Looking particularly at chapter 5 of the novel 'Frankenstein' explore how Mary Shelley creates feelings of horror and foreboding in the reader.
3 star(s)Shelley creates gothic feel by using great detail while setting the scene. "It was a dreary night of November..." This helps the reader to imagine the scene and to involve them in Frankenstein's pursuit and awakening of the creature. The eerie feel is made clear to the reader, by the use of candle light. She writes, "My candle was nearly burnt out..." The reader may associate candle light with the gothic theme. The characterization of the creature creates a scene of horror by Shelley describing the "Lifeless thing" in detail. "I saw the dull eye of the creature open..."
- Word count: 846
