The bloody chamber can be seen as adult fairytales. For example in the company of wolves the typical feature of a fairytale is present, 'What big eyes you have...all the better to see you with...' This immediately reminds the reader of the fairytale origins surrounding this story. However it has been twisted with elements that make it suitable for adults. For example at the end of the company of wolves she doesnt get eaten by him, however quite the opposite, 'between the paws of the tender wolf'. Here the use of 'between' has connotations of intimacy and affection which conveys how Angela Carter has re-interpreted the traditional fairytale genre to having moral undertones to conveying lust and spontaneity.
The bloody chamber can also be seen as a re-interpretation of the gothic.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Frankenstein comparative
Consider the gothic element and its key themes. How can they be compared to the other two texts?
Frankenstein has many gothic elements for example the use of raw and powerful emotions, '...and my passions vehement;' We are conveyed how Victor has a strong sense of ardour for his love of knowledge and the sciences. There are other moments in which raw and powerful emotions are shown for example when the creature kills William 'my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph' here we are illustrated how the creature thrives upon his strength. Shelley has depicted the characters to be controlled by their emotions, conveying how powerful they truly are. This is seen when Victor spends two years creating the creature for his love of knowledge, he becomes engulfed in his passion.
This feature of raw and powerful emotions can be seen in Macbeth. For example after he has killed King Duncan Shakespeare conveys how paranoid and fearful he is, 'the innocent doth sleep'. The use of 'innocent' depicts how Macbeth sees that he has committed a sin and that he regrets what he has done because of how it has affected him. Thus showing how emotionally strong he feels towards what he has committed. However this element is not as prominent in Macbeth as after he murders King Duncan he seems to become distant and is able to murder Banquo and Macduff's wife and son. Furthermore he commits these acts by abusing his power and not showing any emotions, no regret or pain at ordering Banquo killed or guilt for ordering the death of a defenceless chidl and woman.
Another gothic element that is frequently used in Frankenstein is sinister settings and atmospheres. 'the icy wall of the glacier overhung me...' The use of 'wall' has connotations of a barrier of a kind, an entrapment that Victor cannot escape. This is a key moment in which Shelley uses scenery and nature to create a gothic feel of a morbid and sinister setting that adds to the approaching climax of the initial meeting between creature and creator.
This key aspect of the gothic can also be seen in Macbeth. The use of desert heaths and 'thunder and lightning' always occurs during the weird sisters meetings. The use of this dark, dreary weather adds to the supernatural of the weird sisters as it creates an isolation in which the reader is focused just on the witches on these deserted heaths. Thus adding to the intensity of what they say as the audience is focused on the weird sisters, their language is heightened by the setting.
Frankenstein has many gothic elements for example the use of raw and powerful emotions, '...and my passions vehement;' We are conveyed how Victor has a strong sense of ardour for his love of knowledge and the sciences. There are other moments in which raw and powerful emotions are shown for example when the creature kills William 'my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph' here we are illustrated how the creature thrives upon his strength. Shelley has depicted the characters to be controlled by their emotions, conveying how powerful they truly are. This is seen when Victor spends two years creating the creature for his love of knowledge, he becomes engulfed in his passion.
This feature of raw and powerful emotions can be seen in Macbeth. For example after he has killed King Duncan Shakespeare conveys how paranoid and fearful he is, 'the innocent doth sleep'. The use of 'innocent' depicts how Macbeth sees that he has committed a sin and that he regrets what he has done because of how it has affected him. Thus showing how emotionally strong he feels towards what he has committed. However this element is not as prominent in Macbeth as after he murders King Duncan he seems to become distant and is able to murder Banquo and Macduff's wife and son. Furthermore he commits these acts by abusing his power and not showing any emotions, no regret or pain at ordering Banquo killed or guilt for ordering the death of a defenceless chidl and woman.
Another gothic element that is frequently used in Frankenstein is sinister settings and atmospheres. 'the icy wall of the glacier overhung me...' The use of 'wall' has connotations of a barrier of a kind, an entrapment that Victor cannot escape. This is a key moment in which Shelley uses scenery and nature to create a gothic feel of a morbid and sinister setting that adds to the approaching climax of the initial meeting between creature and creator.
This key aspect of the gothic can also be seen in Macbeth. The use of desert heaths and 'thunder and lightning' always occurs during the weird sisters meetings. The use of this dark, dreary weather adds to the supernatural of the weird sisters as it creates an isolation in which the reader is focused just on the witches on these deserted heaths. Thus adding to the intensity of what they say as the audience is focused on the weird sisters, their language is heightened by the setting.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
FRANKENSTEIN
Frankenstein can be seen as an unorginal text that is based on other stories. DISCUSS. (get your discussion ON)
There are references to other texts that Frankenstein has had influence from. For example John Milton's Paradise Lost, where the creature finds this text and uses it to educate himself. He then finds himself relating to Adam and the Devil. 'Like Adam, I was apparantly united by no link to any other being in existence;' Here the use of 'united' conveys how he sees how Adam is alone, and sees the parallel of this lonliness in his own life and therefore feels the connection to Adam.
Also just as Adam was the first creation it can be viewed that the creature was the first creation of Victor's. The basis of Frankenstein being influenced by Milton's Paradise Lost, can be seen through this as it shows how the tale has a huge effect on the creature. Furthermore the similarities from God to being a creator as Victor is, and Adam to the creature shows how much the two texts have in common.
Furthermore another text Frankenstein could be based upon is Prometheus. Prometheus was the myth about the titan Prometheus who had the task of moulding mankind out of clay and when Zeus withheld fire from man, Prometheus went and stole the fire for his creation. Frankenstein did originally have the sub-title 'the modern Prometheus' and it can be seen in some aspects how Frankenstein is similar to Prometheus.
Victor Frankenstein can be viewed as Prometheus in the aspect of them being creators and just as Prometheus was a titan and had physical powers, Victor has the power of knowledge and determination, '...improved so rapidly...I made some discoveries...procurred me great esteem...from the university' The use of 'rapidly' illustrates how Victor Frankenstein is not only knowledgable but has a 'passion' for his studies that many others do not. Just as Prometheus cared for his creation of mankind, Victor fulfilled his hunger for knowledge and nurtured his learning.
However there are differences which make Frankenstein an original text. For example Victor is unlike Prometheus in the sense that he rejects his creature where as Prometheus indirectly sacrifices his life to procure the fire from Zeus for mankind, Victor wants to be rid of his. In addition to this Frankenstein is an original text as the basis of the tale is about creation it also has prominent themes of nature being a form of solace, companionship and isolation. Also Frankenstein differs from Milton's paradise lost as Victor's creature differs from Adam in the sense that Adam gains his companion, being Eve where as the creature is continuously rejected by society. Furthermore Adam is loved by God unconditionally where as the creature is seen as an abomination by Victor, '...at this catastrophe...'
There are references to other texts that Frankenstein has had influence from. For example John Milton's Paradise Lost, where the creature finds this text and uses it to educate himself. He then finds himself relating to Adam and the Devil. 'Like Adam, I was apparantly united by no link to any other being in existence;' Here the use of 'united' conveys how he sees how Adam is alone, and sees the parallel of this lonliness in his own life and therefore feels the connection to Adam.
Also just as Adam was the first creation it can be viewed that the creature was the first creation of Victor's. The basis of Frankenstein being influenced by Milton's Paradise Lost, can be seen through this as it shows how the tale has a huge effect on the creature. Furthermore the similarities from God to being a creator as Victor is, and Adam to the creature shows how much the two texts have in common.
Furthermore another text Frankenstein could be based upon is Prometheus. Prometheus was the myth about the titan Prometheus who had the task of moulding mankind out of clay and when Zeus withheld fire from man, Prometheus went and stole the fire for his creation. Frankenstein did originally have the sub-title 'the modern Prometheus' and it can be seen in some aspects how Frankenstein is similar to Prometheus.
Victor Frankenstein can be viewed as Prometheus in the aspect of them being creators and just as Prometheus was a titan and had physical powers, Victor has the power of knowledge and determination, '...improved so rapidly...I made some discoveries...procurred me great esteem...from the university' The use of 'rapidly' illustrates how Victor Frankenstein is not only knowledgable but has a 'passion' for his studies that many others do not. Just as Prometheus cared for his creation of mankind, Victor fulfilled his hunger for knowledge and nurtured his learning.
However there are differences which make Frankenstein an original text. For example Victor is unlike Prometheus in the sense that he rejects his creature where as Prometheus indirectly sacrifices his life to procure the fire from Zeus for mankind, Victor wants to be rid of his. In addition to this Frankenstein is an original text as the basis of the tale is about creation it also has prominent themes of nature being a form of solace, companionship and isolation. Also Frankenstein differs from Milton's paradise lost as Victor's creature differs from Adam in the sense that Adam gains his companion, being Eve where as the creature is continuously rejected by society. Furthermore Adam is loved by God unconditionally where as the creature is seen as an abomination by Victor, '...at this catastrophe...'
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