Chapter+19

Chapter Number: Chapter 19  excellent work Chapter Title: " The Broken Monuments of my Desires"

"Cause you're working  Building a mystery  Holding on and holding it in  Yeah you're working  Building a mystery  And choosing so carefully

 You woke up screaming aloud  A prayer from your secret god  You feed off our fears  And hold back your tears  Give us a tantrum  And a know-it-all grin  Just when we need one  When the evening's thin"  -Sarah McLachlan, “Building a Mystery” Contributors: Ryan Reynolds - 2nd Nita Jain - 2nd Josh Douglass - 2nd

1-2 sentence synopsis of events: Victor and Clerval spend most of their time traveling to various cities in Europe, enjoying beautiful scenes of nature. In Scotland Victor parts with Clerval and inhabits a hut on an isolated island in order to complete his project of creating a companion for his creature.

There aren’t any literary allusions in Chapter 19 but there are some interesting historical allusions. On the first page, Clerval expresses his interest in visiting India and hopes that visiting Britain will help him execute his plan. Clerval is thinking about the British control of India that is taking place during the book’s time period. On page 159, Frankenstein and Clerval are touring Oxford and visiting many of its historical sites. Frankenstein contemplates about “the amiable Falkland, the insolent Goring, his queen, and his son.” Falkland was a scholar and moderate loyalist for England in the 1600s and Goring was a loyalist general. Frankenstein also mentions “the illustrious Hampden,” a parliamentarian who was famous for his opposition to King Charles 1 and died for his beliefs.
 * Allusions:**

While in Scotland, Victor compares himself to a "blasted tree," a symbol that holds considerable significance. Just as a blasted tree is split down the middle and unable to register sensation, Victor can no longer experience joy in the company of others or find solace in nature's beauty and serenity. Now, the "desolate and appalling landscape" of Scotland merely serves to mirror the desolation and revulsion within his heart. In addition, Victor remarks that a "bolt" has entered his soul, demonstrating the inextricable intertwinement of Frankenstein and his creation, for the creature was brought to life with the aid of lightning. Both beings are separated from humanity by an "insurmountable barrier." For Frankenstein, that barrier is his regret and remorse over not only his action of creating the monster but also the pernicious actions of the creature, which result in the deaths of his loved ones. For the creature, the most prominent barrier is his outward appearance, which causes all those who come into contact with him to shrink back in fear, terror, and disgust. All the creature's attempts to help others and join a community are rebuffed or rejected. Victor's journey through Europe seems to resemble the journey of the creature. Both realize that previous sources of ecstasy and intrigue no longer suffice. Books and learning initially piqued the creature's curiosity, but now nothing can alleviate the creature's suffering save the fulfillment of his wish for a companion.
 * Motifs/Symbols:**

This chapter includes the theme of the danger of scientific knowledge and inquiry. Ray Bradbury would later echo similar sentiments, expounding upon the dangers of advanced technology and artificial intelligence. While the novel may appear to be an indictment on science, it is perhaps better classified as an indictment on negligence, the failure to accept responsibility for one's actions, and the failure to fulfill one's duties and obligations as a caregiver, a creator, and a giver of life. Victor's disillusionment with parenthood seems to lead to post-partum depression, as he is repulsed by the task before him, which is to create a companion for the creature. "As I proceeded in my labour, it became every day more horrible and irksome to me. Sometimes I could not prevail on myself to enter my laboratory for several days; and at other times I toiled day and night in order to complete my work. It was, indeed, a filthy process in which I was engaged. During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my mind was intently fixed on the consummation of my labour, and my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands." Victor's entire experiment with the creature was performed in complete isolation; this fact verifies the theory of William Godwin, Mary Shelley's father, that the isolated individual would become vicious. Mary added an extra element to Godwin's proposition and that was that viciousness was the product of parental neglect. An unloved Creation is driven to wreak havoc on humankind and an indifferent, apathetic Creator.
 * Themes:**

This chapter makes apparent Clerval’s newfound desire to travel to India. Clerval has developed into a similar mold that Victor once filled. Although Clerval's sense of happiness improves, Victor continues to fall into a deep state of despair.
 * Character Development:**

"But in Clerval I saw the image of my former self.” In the same way that Victor was highly motivated to attain a deep knowledge of science in order to discover the gift of life, Clerval is eager to gain experience and instruction in hopes to improve European colonization in India. Recognizing that Clerval has reached a peak of happiness, Victor distances himself from his friend, believing that his mental turmoil will affect Clerval’s positive disposition.
 * Significant Quotes and explanations:**

“ I looked forwards its completion with a tremulous and eager hope, which I dared not trust myself to question, but which was intermixed with obscure forebodings of evil, that made my heart sicken in my bosom.”

Victor clearly believes that creating a female monster for the creature is wrong. He thinks that if he creates life for the second time it would be “selfish”. Yet this brings into question what the ramifications of creating another monster are. Earlier in the novel the creature makes it clear that if he had a female companion he would live in hiding and eat only the fruits of the earth. The creature has also revealed that the potential for uncontrollable evil lies within him. These premises suggest that if Victor creates another monster their will be no negative outcomes. However, Victor ultimately destroys the body of the new creature because he believes, instinctively, that he should not give the creature a partner. This action ultimately results in the death of most of Victor’s family. - Did Victor make the selfless or selfish choice? - Does Shelley intend for readers to agree with Victor’s actions? Are the readers meant to show sympathy for Victor or the creature?

“ During my youthful days discontent never visited my mind; and if I was ever overcome by ennui, the sight of what is beautiful in nature, or the study of what is excellent and sublime in the productions of man, could always interest my heart, and communicate elasticity to my spirit.”

Throughout the novel Shelley presents the motifs of nature and science. It is apparent that nature is a solace for Victor. When Victor makes the ultimate discovery in the field of sciences he plummets into a state of misery; However, when he reflects on nature he is reminded of happiness. Victor’s joy in the study of natural philosophy( prior to learning the sciences) further makes apparent the comfort of nature.


 * Art Gallery:**

Montalvo, Jessica. "Frankenstein Study Guide : Summary and Analysis of Chapters 17-20." //GradeSaver.// 25 Feb. 2000. Web. 5 Dec. 2010. . Patterson, Arthur P. "What Is the Central Theme of Frankenstein?" //Watershed Online: Are You Happy?// 1996. Web. 04 Dec. 2010. <http://www.watershedonline.ca/literature/frankenstein/faq4.html>.
 * Works Cited:**