Answer at least two questions and respond to at least two posts.
1. The novel begins with a series of letters in
which the narrator of the novel is writing his thoughts and plans to his sister. Where is the
narrator going? Why has he chosen to make this voyage? Of what does the narrator
dream? What is his goal?
2. Walton says he is a “Romantic.” What is a
Romantic person like?
3. What evidence does Walton provide of his
Romantic leanings?
4. Aside from personal glory, what two benefits to
mankind does Walton hope to achieve?
5. Identify one example of foreshadowing.
6. How do Walton’s letters illustrate the tension
between eighteenth-century rationalism and nineteenth-century Romanticism?
7. What is Walton’s impression of Frankenstein?
8. How does Frankenstein react to Walton’s
dream/goal?
9. Why does Frankenstein decide to tell Walton his
story?
4. Aside from personal glory, what two benefits to mankind does Walton hope to achieve?
ReplyDelete- Walton hopes to be "part of the world never before visited"(Shelley 1). Walton wanted to be the first to set foot on undiscovered land. Another achievement that Walton wants to complete would be to find a passage to the north pole so that he can find "the secret of the magnet"(Shelley 2). What Walton means by "the secret of the magnet" is that he wishes to uncover the source of our magnetic field.
2. A “Romantic” is someone with romantic ideals, meaning in chaos they see beauty, in imperfection they see perfection, they know nature cannot be tamed and they relish in this, nature not in the strict literal sense such as flora and fauna but also human nature. Romantics also believe that one must foster lots of imagination, individualism, and freedom as well as harbor many passions and emotions which may even veer into the spiritual. These manifestations result in a Romantic, usually a poet, writer, adventurer, or democratic driven individual. Captain Walton embodies three of these so far, he has stated that he dabbled in poetry to no avail, he has become a sea captain a childhood dream of his which he has taken up despite the disapproval of his dead father, and is going to pen the story that this stranger is bestowing upon him.(Shelley 2, 14) He also relishes in nature, the sea, wind, and sun as well as his own and that of others, with many references to his soul and his emotions which he openly shares with his sister.(Shelley 1, 11) He even confides in her his improbable outcome, with strange calmness, he knows not of his future, but he does not fear that uncertainty, he is drawn by the unknown and his glory, even acknowledging the fact that he may not come home at all because of this.(Shelley 3)
ReplyDelete5.An example of foreshadowing can be seen when Walton recalls to his sister the description of the lengths he would go to so that he may achieve success, which he shared with the stranger, saying that, “One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race” (Shelley 11). To which the stranger replies horrorstricken,” ‘Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught? Hear me, -let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!’ ”(Shelley 12). This seems to have struck a dark chord in the stranger, his recollections he wishes to tell Walton seem to be a warning or a cautious tale, and an unhappy one at that, strongly suggesting he has dealt with this matter firsthand and has indeed killed or been an accessory to murder as a result of his glory ridden actions in which he turned out to be in way over his head which ended in his demise.
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ReplyDelete7. What is Walton’s impression of Frankenstein?
ReplyDeleteAt first Walton calls Frankenstein a “divine wanderer,” shocked, however, that “his limbs were nearly frozen and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering.” When Frankenstein recovers enough to speak, Walton is impressed by his “gentle and conciliating manners” and that had this man not seemed so broken, he “should have been happy to have possessed [Frankenstein] as the brother of [his] heart.”
9. Why does Frankenstein decide to tell Walton his story?
Frankenstein decides to tell Walton his story because he sees that Walton is headed on the same path of destruction and torment that he had taken.
5. Identify one example of foreshadowing.
ReplyDelete-The longing of Walton wanting a friend or someone to talk to foreshadows how the creature feels in the future.Finally Walton finds a friend in the stranger in which turns out to be Frankenstein. The day before Frankenstein decides to tell him his story, Walton is so excited that he "will at least take notes"(Shelley 14) or a manuscript in order to get the "greatest pleasure"(Shelley 14). Most people during a normal conversation don't take notes or create a manuscript, unless it's an interview. Walton is so excited that he is finally going to have someone to talk to that he is trying to find ways to find the most pleasure out of this rear conversation. The reason why Walton connects or foreshadows the future is due to the creature later in the book because both are longing for a friend or someone to have a conversation with.
1.In his first letter, Walton decides to go to the north pole. he plans to accomplish "some great purpose". The letter states he wants to accomplish many great things that can be discovered in the north. He plans to discover a passage to the Pacific through the north, or discovering the source of the Earth's magnetism, and even setting foot upon a new land. These goals Walton has in mind, are what propel him to journey to the north.
ReplyDelete1. In these series of letters from Walton to Mrs.Saville, Walton explains that his entire "enterprise" was to explore the north pole with a trusted crew and serve a greater purpose. On his journey, Walton hopes to discover "a passage near the pole to those countries" (Shelley 2) or provide a theory behind "the secret of the magnet" (Shelley 2). The narrator is inspired and overwhelmingly eager to learn more about the beauty and mystery of the earth as he explains," this exposition has been a favorite dream of my early years" (Shelley 2)
ReplyDelete9. Frankenstein decides to tell Walton his story because he believes that Walton is longing to seek "knowledge and wisdom" (Shelley 13) as Frankenstein had tried some time before. The problem is that Frankenstein believes that being too ambitious or prideful can ultimately hurt you in the end.
ReplyDelete2. A Romantic is a person who finds nature trasnformative, beautiful, and majestic. Rommantic's believe in the common people, and believe individual liberty, and freedom are right. They also believe that nature should remain untouched and free from human influence. Walton is an example of a romantic as he says "the sun is for ever visible, its broad disk just skirting the horizon, and diffusing a perpetual splendour" (Shelley 1). This shows Walton finds nature inspiring, and majestic. He feels it is transformative as he speaks of the icy winds that come from the north "Inspirited by this wind of promise, my day dreams become more fervent and vivid" (shelley 1). This example portrays nature as a transformative figure that influences Walton to succumb to the task of pushing forward to the north.
ReplyDelete3. The evidence Walton provides of his romantic leanings are in his first letter of how his readings of other poets influenced him to become a poet himself. He felt as if the poets "entranced [his] soul, and lifted it to heaven" (pg.2). Then in Walton's second letter he states of how he thinks of his day dreams and how magnificent they are.
ReplyDelete6. The tension between rationalism and romanticism is revealed in Walton's letters by Walton's ideas being rejected from others, the rationalists, due to being a romantic. He states the year he became a poet was his failure and of how he bore his disappointment. Then Walton states his longing for a friend with the same interests as him. He hopes for a friend who will accept him as being a romantic since there are many who still have rational beliefs.
ReplyDelete4. Taken from Letter 1, Walton to his sister: “…I shall confer on all mankind to the last generation, by discovering a passage near the pole to those countries, to reach which at present many months are requisite; or by ascertaining the secret of the magnet, which, if at all possible, can only be effected by an undertaking such as mine…” a) a passage through the North Pole for travel through other countries via a shorter route for trade with the east and b) discovering the force behind earth’s magnetic pull
ReplyDelete7. Walton thinks the stranger has been “broken by misery”; he is insane; has a strong spirit; there is wildness in his eyes; and grows a strong affection towards him and “loves him like a brother”
9. Frankenstein decides to tell the story because Walton was seeking knowledge and wisdom (shelly 13)which Frankenstein has done and created the creature.
ReplyDelete1. Narrator is going to the North Pole, to explore the north pole and to find the passage to the Pacific, and he's goal is to set foot on new land (shelly 2)
2. walton thinks a romantic person is a person with romantic ideals. a romantic person is person who is enlightened in the artistic, literary, and intellects. a romanticist is a person who is deeply into the aesthetics of the human nature and emotions.
ReplyDelete1. the narrator is going to the northpole to serve a greater purpose. he wants to discover how magnets work and his goal is to fulfill this purpose
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ReplyDelete9. Why does Frankenstein decide to tell Walton his story?
ReplyDeleteFrankentstein wanted to succeed and he did in a way by creating his creature, but it is what destroyed him. Frankentsein feels Walton is on the same path as he once was as he tells Walton "you seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did" but they are "evils" (Shelley, 13) so he does not want him to make the same mistake he did. Walton describes Frankentein as "so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated" (Shelley, 11) showing Walton's enthusiasm toward Frankentstein therefore Frankenstein's influence will impact Walton greatly and he must know this because he feels they are similar and is ultimatley why he tells him the story.
3. What evidence does Walton provide of his Romantic leanings
ReplyDeleteWalton refers a lot to heaven and his soul which gives evidence of Romantic leanings. He also refers to himself as a poet and poets are creative and are most expressive. He even says he neglected his education but was fond of reading which is more of a Romantic ideal (Shelley, 1-2).
this is not a answer but a question, Why does he want to meet someone who doesn't see him as one? (romantic) Please answer! ASAP!
ReplyDelete