Fears of Power in "Frankenstein"

Victor Frankenstein demonstrates a fear of the powers of nature and science throughout the story. His first fearful encounter was when a storm brewed in the mountains when he was in his vacation home. The storm got closer and a lightning bolt struck a tree and turned it into a stump. Later in the novel he also is struck in awe by the monolithic Alps. This does not give him fear but rather an overwhelming feeling of the size of the mountains and how powerful they seem. After the creation of his monster he is fearful of what abomination he has created. The being is much stronger and taller than the average human. Therefore, throughout the novel there are scenes where Victor is frightened by the powers of science and nature.

Foreshadowing

Early in the novel, the creation of the monster and Victor's reaction towards the hideous creature is the first indicator of bad things to happen in the future. For example, the first major disaster after the monster's birth is the death of Victor's little brother William. He was strangled by an unknown murderer but the reader can easily infer that the killer is indeed the monster. Since the killer is nowhere to be found, authorities blame the murder on Justine, who was recently brought to the Frankenstein family. Because she acted suspiciously and there was no proof to counter the accusations, she is imprisoned and executed. This brings much grief and blame on Victor, who believes this was his fault for creating the monster. Therefore these events will eventually lead to more disaster later in the novel.

Power and Corruption

The phrase by John Dalberg explains a trend that has been seen throughout most of human history. The phrase explains that power becomes progressively more corrosive to society as it grows stronger. For example, when the USSR became a world power, the government became more corrupt as the years passed, especially before and during World War 2. Early in the 30's The Soviet Union starved millions of ethnic Ukrainians because their government progressively cut more and more their food rations. This event is called Holodomor. Also there was the Secret Police, or NKVD, that kidnapped and killed people who were believed to work against the government. All this corruption is most likely a cause of fear of losing power. When a country has stricter laws, it is more difficult for the people to revolt against it. A quote from John Steinbeck explains this: “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.”

Romanticism vs Gothicism

Frankenstein holds Romantic values in which there is a lot of detail in describing the environment and the nature around the protagonist. The novel also has Gothic values in which the atmosphere is dark and there is a clear separation between the killer and the killed or the victor and the loser. There is value in studying Romanticism and Gothicism because they are interesting and famous themes. They describe and interpret the most basic and primal human traits in which everyone can relate to.

Antonyms

Singing---->Crying

Crash---->Repair

Writing---->Talking

Wall---->Ground

Canada Poem

No nation is as wonderful as Canada
With its diverse geography and culture
Dense forests full of green and wildlife
Span from sea to shining sea
Cold rivers and deep, black lakes
Freezing tundras harbor the graceful caribou
Contrasting cultures, both Amerindian and European
All in harmony which creates Canada

Winter Acrostic

Ragout is made for a Christmas meal

Everyone is wearing a coat

The animals have gone to hibernate

No more shorts or T-shirts

Icicles on sides of roofs

Wind that is cold