Frankenstein Letters 3 and 4 Close Reading
0 General Document comments
0 Sentence and Paragraph comments
0 Image and Video comments
Directions: This is worth 20 points. Please make sure that you follow the directions closely
Letter 3:
1. Write directly on the passage! (2 Points)-Write at least one question in the margins as you re-read. Write at least two opinions in the margins: you might write your opinion of a character, an idea, the writing style, etc.
2. Word meaning (2 Points): Determine the meanings of words and references. Also, note (and verify) interesting connotations of words. Look up two words you do not know or which are used in unfamiliar ways.( Laziness in this step will inevitably result in diminished comprehension.) Write the definition of the word.Explain how it is being used in the story.
3. Letter 3: Mode (6 Points):
- Highlight a passage that portrays the mood. Explain what the mood is.
- Attach a picture, if you can, of what the scenery must be of this region.
- Highlight a passage that shows the ambition of Walton. Explain whether you think this is a noble or ignoble ambition.
http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/shutterstock_161737412.jpg
copy the link to see the image
Letter 3
July7th,17—
To Mrs. Saville, England
My dear Sister,
I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe—and well advanced on my voyage. This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its homeward voyage from Archangel; more fortunate than I, who may not see my native land, perhaps, for many years. I am, however, in good spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose, nor do the floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay them. We have already reached a very high latitude; but it is the height of summer, and although not so warm as in England, the southern gales, which blow us speedily towards those shores which I so ardently desire to attain, breathe a degree of renovating warmth which I had not expected.
This line reveals the mood of the letter, and the mood is haste. He is quickly writing, and because of this the entire letter feels rushed. A second mood would be happiness. He is enjoying the voyage, and is in good spirits.
I don’t think this safe atmospheric mood is going to last long. Sometimes Walton’s optimism seems a little naive, and it might cause his later downfall.
Mary Shelley uses Narrative writing style in these four letters. This writing style is perfect for the connection Shelley later makes with Victor Frankenstein’s story.
He has encountered a merchant ship on his journey so he hasn’t gone far enough to pass out of contact. Just where he is so far in his voyage?
Copy and paste the URL into a new tab.
Is Walton and his crew going to have the same fate as the Ancient Mariner and his crew?
Even the first sentence of the letter sets the mood. This sentence however, describes how Walton feels very optimistic about his trip so far. Nothing has gone completely wrong, and he thinks that they are safe. I’m not for sure if this will last very long, but right now the mood of his letter is of ‘good spirits’ and safety thus far.
The mood of this passage is neutral and hopeful. Robert Walton, although he doesn’t sound as excited as he did when he wrote the first letter, he sounds hopeful that his voyage will go as he planned.
I think the mood of the passage is cheerful. For one thing he is happy to be on his way and nothing particularly adverse has happened yet. It seems like a good start to what might be a trying journey which he is happy to be undertaking.
Renovating means to refresh or reinvigorate. In this sentence the word is describing how the warmth feels.
Ardently means to be enthusiastic or passionate. So he was very enthusiastic about that wind and so on and such forth.
Sailors know of currents and seasonal winds and take them into account when planning voyages. It seems that Walter put quite a bit of thought into his plan to reach the North Pole which might also explain the calm beginning of his voyage.
No incidents have hitherto befallen us that would make a figure in a letter. One or two stiff gales and the springing of a leak are accidents which experienced navigators scarcely remember to record, and I shall be well content if nothing worse happen to us during our voyage.
Hitherto means until now. In this sentence the word is giving the context of time.
I’ve never seen this phrase before but if I had to quess it might mean something large enough to stand out in a letter.
If nothing else happens on the voyage, making it safe and normal, there would be no story. Of course we all hope nothing bad will happen, but a good story is made up of bad things happening to the characters.
A gale is a very strong wind or burst of sound. Walton is saying that the strong winds and leaks are common accidents while sailing, which are the least of his crew’s concern.
I don’t see how Walton wouldn’t be concerned with strong winds and leaks. Maybe as a sailor he’s used to it, but I would think that it would be the worst things to deal with. I wonder what could be even worse. Is the author somehow foreshadowing that something bad is going to happen by Walton saying that there is worse that could happen. Just a thought.
The story here is ver easy to imagine. He is sitting in his cabin with the ice floating past his window. It’s cold and shaky, perhaps a little dark, more like a dusky feel. Where everything is still bright and clear, but with that small darkness around the corners.
Adieu, my dear Margaret. Be assured that for my own sake, as well as yours, I will not rashly encounter danger. I will be cool, persevering, and prudent.
I figured this meant goodbye, but its French for farewell. They are both synonyms, but bye/goodbye in French is ‘Au Revoir’. I thought it would be interesting to look up. Maybe Walton says farewell instead of goodbye to ensure his sister that he won’t encounter danger and will return.
Why is he promising to not be in danger? On a voyage like this danger is apart of the deal, and you cannot control when or how it hits.
It won’t be hard for him to be cool, persevering, and prudent! These traits practically describes his personality.
Would this comment be more of a description of himself, or how he perceives himself to not be?
The word persevering means “to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult” (Persevere). It is used in this sentence to describe what the perspective of Robert Walton is going to be throughout the voyage. This word gives a positive connotation.
“Persevere.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.
official meaning – acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
But success SHALL crown my endeavours. Wherefore not? Thus far I have gone, tracing a secure way over the pathless seas, the very stars themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph. Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?
Here Walton makes it clear what his ambitions are during this journey. Traveling to conquest the unknown land, Walton hopes to gain recognition from his success. He hopes that he will be ‘crowned’ for his endeavors so to speak. I can’t say for sure whether this is noble or not. I don’t know if Walton is doing this simply out of arrogance and pride, or if he’s doing it for his own validation and to possibly make new breakthrough in knowledge that could benefit others. Taken that Walton seeks knowledge, I would say that he is trying to prove himself, as well as trying to make a ground breaking scientific discovery. That I believe would be noble, especially since he is going on a dangerous journey to make such an attempt.
Is he assuring himself or is he truly confident in his actions?
The word endeavours is a British variant of endeavor. Endeavor means “to seriously or continually try to do (something)” (Endeavor). It is used in part to describe that Robert Walton’s efforts won’t be in vain. It is also a neutral connotation for this sentence.
“Endeavor.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.
The ambition of Walter seems to be to overcome what seems like an impossible goal. He wants to explore an area which as never been seen before or even reached. Personally I think this is a noble purpose, in that he has a goal to do something that has never been done before as it is incredibly difficult. But despite this he is going anyway.
His ambition is to explore the pathless sea, and to triumph receiving glory afterward. I do not think his ambition is nobel because it is more selfish than anything else. It could benefit other people, but that is not why he is on this journey.
Here his ambition shows that he really wants the world to see that he can do amazing grandeur things. He truly just wants to do great things.
Testimonies means a written or verbal statement.
I believe that this is an ignoble ambition. Although Robert Walton has had this passion and dream to discover something new for years, the risks he is taking far outweigh the benefits. He has shown through his letters what he is truly seeking, validation of his life and glory, two unnecessary reasons for taking this voyage.
My swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus. But I must finish. Heaven bless my beloved sister!
In what sense is Robert Walton’s heart involuntarily pouring itself out?
R.W.
Directions: This is worth 20 points. Please make sure that you follow the directions closely
Letter 4:
1. Write directly on the passage! (2 Points)-Write at least one question in the margins as you re-read. Write at least two opinions in the margins: you might write your opinion of a character, an idea, the writing style, etc.
2. Word meaning (2 Points): Determine the meanings of words and references. Also, note (and verify) interesting connotations of words. Look up two words you do not know or which are used in unfamiliar ways.( Laziness in this step will inevitably result in diminished comprehension.) Write the definition of the word.Explain how it is being used in the story.
3. Letter 5: Characterization (6 Points):
- Highlight the passage that illustrates something strange, almost supernatural occurring. What do you think it is?
- Highlight the passage that illustrates a man of ambition. What finally gets him to agree to come on board?
- Highlight a passage or two, that illustrate how Walton responds to the stranger. What is his response?
Letter 4
August5th,17—
To Mrs. Saville, England
So strange an accident has happened to us that I cannot forbear recording it, although it is very probable that you will see me before these papers can come into your possession.
Forbear means to restrain from doing something. In this sentence he is saying he cannot restrain himself from recording the strange event.
This first sentence shows his change in attitude. He all of the sudden is unwilling to tell his sister that happened, whom he had been so keen to tell everything before hand. The strange starts to show up here even before you really know what is happening.
Last Monday (July 31st) we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which she floated. Our situation was somewhat dangerous, especially as we were compassed round by a very thick fog. We accordingly lay to, hoping that some change would take place in the atmosphere and weather.
About two o'clock the mist cleared away, and we beheld, stretched out in every direction, vast and irregular plains of ice, which seemed to have no end. Some of my comrades groaned, and my own mind began to grow watchful with anxious thoughts, when a strange sight suddenly attracted our attention and diverted our solicitude from our own situation. We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile; a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, sat in the sledge and guided the dogs. We watched the rapid progress of the traveller with our telescopes until he was lost among the distant inequalities of the ice. This appearance excited our unqualified wonder. We were, as we believed, many hundred miles from any land; but this apparition seemed to denote that it was not, in reality, so distant as we had supposed. Shut in, however, by ice, it was impossible to follow his track, which we had observed with the greatest attention. About two hours after this occurrence we heard the ground sea, and before night the ice broke and freed our ship. We, however, lay to until the morning, fearing to encounter in the dark those large loose masses which float about after the breaking up of the ice. I profited of this time to rest for a few hours.
If this was so big of a distraction from the situation they were in, it is amazing how well it get you sucked into how real the whole thing seems.
This sentence describes an unusual man of gigantic figure sliding on the ice in a strange vehicle pulled by dogs. This is very strange, and the man is almost supernatural. Maybe there is a civilization nearby.
To Walton and the crew’s surprise, they see a carriage making its way across the ice. They almost wonder if it is an apparition since they are in a desolate place with no resources for any human life. The ice breaking later is also an odd occurrence. I think that the figure they saw was the creature that Frankenstein had created.
Is it the monster?! What is it doing all the way out here at the ice caps? Is it running away from something?
I believe the supernatural that occurred was the creature Frankenstein created.
The dog sled and the figure seem to be an almost supernatural occurrence. Mostly because the mere presence of anyone would be a little strange. I don’t know who or what the figure is but if I had to guess I would say it might be the monster.
In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel, apparently talking to someone in the sea. It was, in fact, a sledge, like that we had seen before, which had drifted towards us in the night on a large fragment of ice. Only one dog remained alive; but there was a human being within it whom the sailors were persuading to enter the vessel. He was not, as the other traveller seemed to be, a savage inhabitant of some undiscovered island, but a European. When I appeared on deck the master said, "Here is our captain, and he will not allow you to perish on the open sea."
On perceiving me, the stranger addressed me in English, although with a foreign accent. "Before I come on board your vessel," said he, "will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?"
Although this man is stranded in the middle of a desolate land with no resources, he doesn’t want to get onto the boat until he knows where they are going. This makes the man very full of ambition, because one would think that he would be running towards the vessel, but he wants to know instead what they are doing and where they are going. He readily comes aboard when Walton says that they are on a voyage to the North Pole.
Here we see a man of ambition. When he finds a ship and other human beings his only care is where the ship is headed. Rather than being happy that he finally found safety he only cares about finishing his ambition. You get the sense that if the ship wasn’t heading toward the north pole he wouldn’t board. So the only reason he got on board the ship was because it matched up with his ambition.
You may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed to me from a man on the brink of destruction and to whom I should have supposed that my vessel would have been a resource which he would not have exchanged for the most precious wealth the earth can afford. I replied, however, that we were on a voyage of discovery towards the northern pole.
This shows the mans ambition toward what he is doing or was planning on doing. If it appears that the sledge and his course were more important than getting on board a ship where he could be safe and whole again.
Upon hearing this he appeared satisfied and consented to come on board. Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man who thus capitulated for his safety, your surprise would have been boundless. His limbs were nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering. I never saw a man in so wretched a condition. We attempted to carry him into the cabin, but as soon as he had quitted the fresh air he fainted. We accordingly brought him back to the deck and restored him to animation by rubbing him with brandy and forcing him to swallow a small quantity. As soon as he showed signs of life we wrapped him up in blankets and placed him near the chimney of the kitchen stove. By slow degrees he recovered and ate a little soup, which restored him wonderfully.
Capitulated means surrender or giving up a fight. In this sentence the word describes the stranger’s struggle and current state.
capitulated means to surrender or to change from wary to open.
quitted means to quite, or not be apart of. So what does that refer to? it doesn’t quite make sense.
Two days passed in this manner before he was able to speak, and I often feared that his sufferings had deprived him of understanding. When he had in some measure recovered, I removed him to my own cabin and attended on him as much as my duty would permit. I never saw a more interesting creature: his eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness, but there are moments when, if anyone performs an act of kindness towards him or does him any the most trifling service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equalled. But he is generally melancholy and despairing, and sometimes he gnashes his teeth, as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him.
The word trifling means “having little value or importance” (Trifling). This word is used to describe how grateful the stranger is to the crew even for the smallest deeds. This gives a positive connotation.
“Trifling.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.
When my guest was a little recovered I had great trouble to keep off the men, who wished to ask him a thousand questions; but I would not allow him to be tormented by their idle curiosity, in a state of body and mind whose restoration evidently depended upon entire repose. Once, however, the lieutenant asked why he had come so far upon the ice in so strange a vehicle.
His countenance instantly assumed an aspect of the deepest gloom, and he replied, "To seek one who fled from me."
"And did the man whom you pursued travel in the same fashion?"
"Yes."
"Then I fancy we have seen him, for the day before we picked you up we saw some dogs drawing a sledge, with a man in it, across the ice."
This aroused the stranger's attention, and he asked a multitude of questions concerning the route which the demon, as he called him, had pursued. Soon after, when he was alone with me, he said, "I have, doubtless, excited your curiosity, as well as that of these good people; but you are too considerate to make inquiries."
I think that this is Dr. Frankenstein. His interest automatically escalates towards knowing what happened to ‘the demon’. I think the creature before was in fact the monster running away. Once the stranger hears that the figure may have survived the breaking of the ice, his spirits greatly increase.
"Certainly; it would indeed be very impertinent and inhuman in me to trouble you with any inquisitiveness of mine."
"And yet you rescued me from a strange and perilous situation; you have benevolently restored me to life."
Soon after this he inquired if I thought that the breaking up of the ice had destroyed the other sledge. I replied that I could not answer with any degree of certainty, for the ice had not broken until near midnight, and the traveller might have arrived at a place of safety before that time; but of this I could not judge. From this time a new spirit of life animated the decaying frame of the stranger. He manifested the greatest eagerness to be upon deck to watch for the sledge which had before appeared; but I have persuaded him to remain in the cabin, for he is far too weak to sustain the rawness of the atmosphere. I have promised that someone should watch for him and give him instant notice if any new object should appear in sight.
Such is my journal of what relates to this strange occurrence up to the present day. The stranger has gradually improved in health but is very silent and appears uneasy when anyone except myself enters his cabin. Yet his manners are so conciliating and gentle that the sailors are all interested in him, although they have had very little communication with him. For my own part, I begin to love him as a brother, and his constant and deep grief fills me with sympathy and compassion. He must have been a noble creature in his better days, being even now in wreck so attractive and amiable. I said in one of my letters, my dear Margaret, that I should find no friend on the wide ocean; yet 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.
Robert Walton’s response in this letter shows that he is pleased to have the stranger on his ship and appreciates what he has to say. He even considers him as a brother.
Walton seems to respond to the man in a caring manner. He seems to have found a like minded individual who shares many of his own traits. Because of this he because attached to the man because the man might be the friend that Walton was looking for.
I shall continue my journal concerning the stranger at intervals, should I have any fresh incidents to record.
August 13th, 17—
My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery without feeling the most poignant grief? He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated, and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence. He is now much recovered from his illness and is continually on the deck, apparently watching for the sledge that preceded his own. Yet, although unhappy, he is not so utterly occupied by his own misery but that he interests himself deeply in the projects of others. He has frequently conversed with me on mine, which I have communicated to him without disguise. He entered attentively into all my arguments in favour of my eventual success and into every minute detail of the measures I had taken to secure it. I was easily led by the sympathy which he evinced to use the language of my heart, to give utterance to the burning ardour of my soul and to say, with all the fervour that warmed me, how gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise. 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. As I spoke, a dark gloom spread over my listener's countenance. At first I perceived that he tried to suppress his emotion; he placed his hands before his eyes, and my voice quivered and failed me as I beheld tears trickle fast from between his fingers; a groan burst from his heaving breast. I paused; at length he spoke, in broken accents: "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!"
The man grieves Walter because of his suffering. Walter feels compassion for him, but the man continues to surprise Walter with his speedy recovery, fixation on his goal, and curiosity.
The word poignant means “causing a strong feeling of sadness” (Poignant). This word is used to describe Robert Walton’s reaction to the stranger. This gives a positive connotation.
“Poignant.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.
This is a very passionate and interesting sentence! It grabs your attention, and hints at the suffering the man has gone through. You can see his concern for Walter because he sees himself in him. It also makes you wonder what exactly happened. This is a great literary device.
I think the stranger is willing to share his tale, because he realizes that him and Walton have similar souls. This is hinted when he says, “Do you share my madness?” This sounds a lot like The Ancient Mariner, where the Mariner, crazed, tells his tale to all the similar souls of his own who will listen. Walton is excited to listen to the tale, because he shares the same curiosities as the stranger.
Such words, you may imagine, strongly excited my curiosity; but the paroxysm of grief that had seized the stranger overcame his weakened powers, and many hours of repose and tranquil conversation were necessary to restore his composure. Having conquered the violence of his feelings, he appeared to despise himself for being the slave of passion; and quelling the dark tyranny of despair, he led me again to converse concerning myself personally. He asked me the history of my earlier years. The tale was quickly told, but it awakened various trains of reflection. I spoke of my desire of finding a friend, of my thirst for a more intimate sympathy with a fellow mind than had ever fallen to my lot, and expressed my conviction that a man could boast of little happiness who did not enjoy this blessing. "I agree with you," replied the stranger; "we are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves—such a friend ought to be—do not lend his aid to perfectionate our weak and faulty natures. I once had a friend, the most noble of human creatures, and am entitled, therefore, to judge respecting friendship. You have hope, and the world before you, and have no cause for despair. But I—I have lost everything and cannot begin life anew."
This word means to have a sudden violent expression of an emotion. What Walton is saying, is that the stranger has violent expressions of grief that seize him. Walton says how it takes a lot of time to bring the stranger back into a calm state.
Although not an actual verbal response, Walton’s emotional expression response to the stranger’s words in the few sentences beforehand are interesting. Walton is very excited when he hears the stranger wanting to tell his tale to him. Sound familiar?
As he said this his countenance became expressive of a calm, settled grief that touched me to the heart. But he was silent and presently retired to his cabin.
Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions seem still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth. Such a man has a double existence: he may suffer misery and be overwhelmed by disappointments, yet when he has retired into himself, he will be like a celestial spirit that has a halo around him, within whose circle no grief or folly ventures.
Will you smile at the enthusiasm I express concerning this divine wanderer? You would not if you saw him. You have been tutored and refined by books and retirement from the world, and you are therefore somewhat fastidious; but this only renders you the more fit to appreciate the extraordinary merits of this wonderful man. Sometimes I have endeavoured to discover what quality it is which he possesses that elevates him so immeasurably above any other person I ever knew. I believe it to be an intuitive discernment, a quick but never-failing power of judgment, a penetration into the causes of things, unequalled for clearness and precision; add to this a facility of expression and a voice whose varied intonations are soul-subduing music.
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
August 19, 17—
Yesterday the stranger said to me, "You may easily perceive, Captain Walton, that I have suffered great and unparalleled misfortunes. I had determined at one time that the memory of these evils should die with me, but you have won me to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been. I do not know that the relation of my disasters will be useful to you; yet, when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am, I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale, one that may direct you if you succeed in your undertaking and console you in case of failure. Prepare to hear of occurrences which are usually deemed marvellous. Were we among the tamer scenes of nature I might fear to encounter your unbelief, perhaps your ridicule; but many things will appear possible in these wild and mysterious regions which would provoke the laughter of those unacquainted with the ever-varied powers of nature; nor can I doubt but that my tale conveys in its series internal evidence of the truth of the events of which it is composed."
You may easily imagine that I was much gratified by the offered communication, yet I could not endure that he should renew his grief by a recital of his misfortunes. I felt the greatest eagerness to hear the promised narrative, partly from curiosity and partly from a strong desire to ameliorate his fate if it were in my power. I expressed these feelings in my answer.
"I thank you," he replied, "for your sympathy, but it is useless; my fate is nearly fulfilled. I wait but for one event, and then I shall repose in peace. I understand your feeling," continued he, perceiving that I wished to interrupt him; "but you are mistaken, my friend, if thus you will allow me to name you; nothing can alter my destiny; listen to my history, and you will perceive how irrevocably it is determined."
He then told me that he would commence his narrative the next day when I should be at leisure. This promise drew from me the warmest thanks. I have resolved every night, when I am not imperatively occupied by my duties, to record, as nearly as possible in his own words, what he has related during the day. If I should be engaged, I will at least make notes. This manuscript will doubtless afford you the greatest pleasure; but to me, who know him, and who hear it from his own lips—with what interest and sympathy shall I read it in some future day! Even now, as I commence my task, his full-toned voice swells in my ears; his lustrous eyes dwell on me with all their melancholy sweetness; I see his thin hand raised in animation, while the lineaments of his face are irradiated by the soul within.
Strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful the storm which embraced the gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it—thus!
The man is Victor Frankenstein, and the giant is the monster! I can’t believe I did not realize this sooner!
General Document Comments 0
icons on the left to see existing comments.
0 archived comments