Literary Analysis: Frankenstein 'And The Last Man'
Frankenstein: A Critical Analysis
Author-Centred Reading
Early 19th century gothic novel, Frankenstein, has provided an excellent base for an author-centred analysis, given the prominence of Shelley’s circumstantial influence and strong symbolism. Born at the turn of the 18th century in London, Mary Shelley was exposed to venerated authors and their works from a young age. Showing her ability and promise early on in life, she went on to write a number of acclaimed novels, including Valperga and The Last Man. Shelley’s imagery compares to the best of 19th century Romantic literature and has helped establish her as one of the time’s greatest authors. (Academic, 2009)
Through Frankenstein, I have implied Mary Shelley to be strongly opposed …show more content…
By doing this, however, the monster is portrayed as lesser than human, not worthy and is degraded in the eyes of the reader, without any actions of the monster being recounted. As said, Shelley juxtaposed the monster to the scenic landscapes. This is technique is evident here as well, though not in exactly the same manner. The next scene after Frankenstein creates the monster, has Frankenstein joyfully re-uniting with Clerval. Recounting the scene between Frankenstein and Clerval, Shelley uses exclamation marks to dramatise the situation in order to draw a starker comparison with the previous scene. Then, as quickly as the mood turned joyful, it became drastically solemn as the conversation turned to Victor’s exploits. Nature has also played a large part in the novel and is key to understanding certain …show more content…
W., Miller, W. J. and Bloom, H. 2000. Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus. New York: New American Library.
Wimsatt, W. K. and Beardsley, M. C. 1946. The Intentional Fallacy. [S.l.: s.n.]
Online
A+E Networks. 2012. Mary Shelley Biography. [online] Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/mary-shelley-9481497 [Accessed: 2 Mar 2014].
Approaches to reading practices: A resource for English Extension. 2011. [e-book] Queensland: pp. 4-6. Available through: Queensland Studies Authority http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_eng_extn_11_res_read_prac_.pdf [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014].
English Extension: Senior Syllabus 2011. 2011. [e-book] Queesland: Available through: Queensland Studies Authority http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_syll_eng_extn_11.pdf [Accessed: 28 Feb 2014].
Henderson, G. and Brown, C. 1997. Glossary of Literary Theory. [online] Available at: http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/glossary/Old_criticism.html [Accessed: 8 Mar 2014].
Studentacademichelp.blogspot.com.au. 2009. Academic Help: Nature in Mary Shelley 's "Frankenstein". [online] Available at: http://studentacademichelp.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/nature-in-mary-shelley.html [Accessed: 8 Mar
Author-Centred Reading
Early 19th century gothic novel, Frankenstein, has provided an excellent base for an author-centred analysis, given the prominence of Shelley’s circumstantial influence and strong symbolism. Born at the turn of the 18th century in London, Mary Shelley was exposed to venerated authors and their works from a young age. Showing her ability and promise early on in life, she went on to write a number of acclaimed novels, including Valperga and The Last Man. Shelley’s imagery compares to the best of 19th century Romantic literature and has helped establish her as one of the time’s greatest authors. (Academic, 2009)
Through Frankenstein, I have implied Mary Shelley to be strongly opposed …show more content…
By doing this, however, the monster is portrayed as lesser than human, not worthy and is degraded in the eyes of the reader, without any actions of the monster being recounted. As said, Shelley juxtaposed the monster to the scenic landscapes. This is technique is evident here as well, though not in exactly the same manner. The next scene after Frankenstein creates the monster, has Frankenstein joyfully re-uniting with Clerval. Recounting the scene between Frankenstein and Clerval, Shelley uses exclamation marks to dramatise the situation in order to draw a starker comparison with the previous scene. Then, as quickly as the mood turned joyful, it became drastically solemn as the conversation turned to Victor’s exploits. Nature has also played a large part in the novel and is key to understanding certain …show more content…
W., Miller, W. J. and Bloom, H. 2000. Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus. New York: New American Library.
Wimsatt, W. K. and Beardsley, M. C. 1946. The Intentional Fallacy. [S.l.: s.n.]
Online
A+E Networks. 2012. Mary Shelley Biography. [online] Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/mary-shelley-9481497 [Accessed: 2 Mar 2014].
Approaches to reading practices: A resource for English Extension. 2011. [e-book] Queensland: pp. 4-6. Available through: Queensland Studies Authority http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_eng_extn_11_res_read_prac_.pdf [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014].
English Extension: Senior Syllabus 2011. 2011. [e-book] Queesland: Available through: Queensland Studies Authority http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_syll_eng_extn_11.pdf [Accessed: 28 Feb 2014].
Henderson, G. and Brown, C. 1997. Glossary of Literary Theory. [online] Available at: http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/glossary/Old_criticism.html [Accessed: 8 Mar 2014].
Studentacademichelp.blogspot.com.au. 2009. Academic Help: Nature in Mary Shelley 's "Frankenstein". [online] Available at: http://studentacademichelp.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/nature-in-mary-shelley.html [Accessed: 8 Mar