Patterns of Language Use in Frankenstein
Patterns of Language Use in Frankenstein
Patterns of Language Use in Frankenstein
Chapter ‘What would be your surprise, my son, when you Letter from Can you link the use of ‘wretchedness’ to the
7 expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on Frankenstein’s father death of William? Look at William’s use of
the contrary, tears and wretchedness?’ about death of ‘wretch’ later, too.
William.
‘The picture appeared a vast and dim scene of evil, Frankenstein’s self-pity linked with the creature’s
and I foresaw obscurely that I was destined to become Frankenstein travels self-pity as described later in the novel?
the most wretched of human beings.’ towards home.
‘“She most of all,” said Ernest, “requires consolation; Ernest speaks to How have Frankenstein’s actions affected others,
she accused herself of having caused the death of my Frankenstein about such as Elizabeth? Does the reader feel sympathy
brother, and that made her very wretched.”‘ Elizabeth. for her?
Chapter ‘this wretched mockery of justice’ Frankenstein on the Frankenstein admits that justice has not been
8 trial of Justine. served – can you link this to his description here,
and the fact that he did nothing to save Justine?
‘Dear lady, I had none to support me; all looked on me Justine to Elizabeth Why might you feel compassion for Justine as she
as a wretch doomed to ignominy and perdition’ about lying about her admits her guilt? Is she a ‘wretch’, like
guilt. Frankenstein?
Chapter ‘“I expected this reception,” said the daemon. “All Creature to Why do you think the creature calls himself
10 men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, Frankenstein when ‘wretched’?
who am miserable beyond all living things!’ they meet on the
glacier.
‘Wretched devil!’ and ‘You have made me wretched Frankenstein to Why, then, might Frankenstein use the same term
beyond expression.’ creature just after to address the creature and describe himself soon
this. after?
Chapter ‘I learned from Werter’s imaginations despondency Creature reflecting on Why do you think Shelley describes the creature
15 and gloom, but Plutarch taught me high thoughts; he what the texts he as being ‘elevated above the wretched sphere’ of
elevated me above the wretched sphere of my own found taught him. his own thoughts at this point in the story?
reflections, to admire and love the heroes of past
ages.’
‘“But Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper
emotions … I often referred the several situations, as
their similarity struck me, to my own. Like Adam, I
was apparently united by no link to any other being in
existence; but his state was far different from mine in
every other respect. He had come forth from the
hands of God a perfect creature, happy and
prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his
Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire
knowledge from beings of a superior nature, but I was
wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times I
considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my
condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss
of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within
me.”‘
Chapter ‘Let me go,’ he cried; ‘monster! Ugly wretch!’ William to the creature Why do you think William calls the creature
16 before he dies. ‘wretch’? Does this link to Frankenstein’s use of
the word earlier? Is it because William is Victor’s
brother? Why does William add the adjective
‘ugly’ here? Look above at the Chapter 7
comments too.
Chapter ‘And you, my friend, would be far more amused with Frankenstein to
18 the journal of Clerval, who observed the scenery with Walton, describing his
an eye of feeling and delight, than in listening to my journey with Clerval.
reflections. I, a miserable wretch, haunted by a curse
that shut up every avenue to enjoyment.’
‘The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose The destruction of the
future existence he depended for happiness, and with mate.
a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew.’
“Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have Creature threatening
proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Frankenstein after this
Remember that I have power; you believe yourself event.
miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the
light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator,
but I am your master; obey!”
Chapter ‘But I was doomed to live and in two months found Frankenstein in
21 myself as awaking from a dream, in a prison, custody after death of
stretched on a wretched bed, surrounded by jailers, Clerval.
turnkeys, bolts, and all the miserable apparatus of a
dungeon.’
‘Hear him not; call on the names of William, Justine, Frankenstein’s last Why does Victor call himself ‘wretched’, even at
Clerval, Elizabeth, my father, and of the wretched words. the end?
Victor, and thrust your sword into his heart. I will
hover near and direct the steel aright.’
‘His fine and lovely eyes were now lighted up with Walton in continuation.
indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow and
quenched in infinite wretchedness.’
‘I was at first touched by the expressions of his Walton to the
misery; yet, when I called to mind what Frankenstein creature.
had said of his powers of eloquence and persuasion,
and when I again cast my eyes on the lifeless form of
my friend, indignation was rekindled within me.
“Wretch!” I said. “It is well that you come here to
whine over the desolation that you have made.’
‘But it is true that I am a wretch.’ Why does the creature also call himself a ‘wretch’
‘Farewell! I leave you, and in you the last of Creature to Walton. at the end? How does it link him and his creator?
humankind whom these eyes will ever behold. Why might Shelley have done this?
Farewell, Frankenstein! If thou wert yet alive and yet
cherished a desire of revenge against me, it would be
better satiated in my life than in my destruction. But
it was not so; thou didst seek my extinction, that I
might not cause greater wretchedness; and if yet, in
some mode unknown to me, thou hadst not ceased to
think and feel, thou wouldst not desire against me a
vengeance greater than that which I feel.’