Journal Entry #4: Chapters 6-8

     The mood and tone of this passage is quite intriguing as it is discovered numerous times of the story moments of melancholy rationalization. Reasons for this cause are both of ignorance and solemnity. In the aspect of ignorance, Victor Frankenstein's relative reveals disturbing behaviors that suggest that she's not only mournful of the murder of her child, but ignorant of the true, devastating cause of the murder, and mistakenly naive of the real murderer at hand. It is semi-ironic, however, that her perpetrator is partially insane in a sense that Victor created a terroristic animal/human who in an mysterious manner, annihilated his creator's relative. Peripeteia is also notated in a few instances in the story. 
    Yet, the most dramatic moment of peripeteia was when Victor received the death letter from home that his cousin, William, was murdered by someone who strangled William, was murdered by someone who strangled William by the neck. Before Victor received the unfortunate news flash from his father, Clerval had just helped Victor recover his sense of dignity, joy, and health. It was a serene period of time that was very significant to Victor. But the turning point in Victor's life is sardonic in how, even though his father requested of him in the death letter Victor be a comforter to the family in this time of great mourning and distress, Victor himself was overwhelmed with guild over the death of William, which also suggested that he was sort of the "accomplice" to the murder from a standpoint. Another moment of rationalization was when Justin, the accused and condemned from weak pints of evidence and witness accounts in the trial for William's death, had to rationalize for her life, in defense, and explain her innocence to the family, the jury, and her accusers. 
    The Frankenstein family tried to rationalize for justice, which demonstrated an advocacy upon her behalf, in explaining Justin's angel-like personality and other reasons why she should not be the suspect and accused of such a treacherous murder. Also, one pertinent moment that emphasized Victor's inner plea for relief and freedom from agony and embarrassment.

Journal Entry #3: Chapters 3-5

     Victor Frankenstein was a young man raised by a strict, educated family, of obvious wealth and privileges, since Victor was able to travel abroad to the University of Ingolstadt, rather than study at a simpler institution, Geneva.Victor's father was rather intrusive upon Victor's liberties as he expected superior diligence and effort in studies of "realistic value." The opposite would be the outdated books which Victor chose to indulge himself in, for instance, Albertus Magnus and Paracelus were inadequate for study in terms of use for studying in most fields of science in those times. Yet, Frankenstein entreated himself with both the old and new age of references and studies and became an expert of the knowledge he had obtained in college. However, the rather abrupt change in behavior and health alludes to the fact that the cause of the change was of hubris. Frankenstein, now preoccupied himself with an impossible task to anyone but him, which, with such ardent intentions and pursuit, spend the vast majority in the creation of life of a human being, which would soon afterwards terrify him, and regret would be his prime enemy.
    The hubris found here numerous of times in this story suggested that Victor was ill both physically and mentally. Intuitively, most reading Victor's narrative would assume that he was a mad man born of ignorant suspicions. Yet, one can never discover what one wonders without pursuit of what is desired. Although Victor was successful in creating a living human being, it now terrorized himself and put him in a state of discomfort. I sensed a lot of imagery used by  the author to convey a sense of anticipation, yet weariness, being that the process of Victor's reasoning and experimentation dragged on endlessly. Although, Frankenstein's pursuit in the eerie quest to do the supernatural, create an image of himself, seemed reckless, and a cause for his brief recession in his life. Because of this arrogance and dauntless courage, frustration, worry, and scoldings aroused from his family and friends who expected excellence from him, and a regular letter received by Victor to his family; particularly Elizabeth, his father, and Clerval. Frankenstein's faith and determination in the inevitable reemphasizes the theme for the quest of human meaning. What are Victor's true intentions in creating a human being? His arrogance towards this goal indicates his lack of knowledge in the Supreme Being overall, alluding to the fact that he is doing something that only God is bestowed with.

Journal Entry #2: Chapters 1-2

     The opening chapters of Victor's narrative reveal a sort of ironic presence that the family emits from their various behaviors towards their society and themselves. They are self-reluctant to allow their children to ever go without their child's most dire wants and necessities of life. Because of the parents' benevolent and rude misfortunes, particularly Caroline, who suffered emotional and dramatic trauma as a child, wished for their children to never go through the same fate as her. I definitely see a lot of examples of Romanticism through Victor's narrative, as the mysterious man shared his daunting history concerning his life and mishaps. The man vividly expresses his feelings of previous years, gratitude, and remorse as he shares how eccentric and childish his mind was along with the rare privileges given unto him from his parents unlike most other families of that time period. Previously, his family was poor and unable to prevent certain causes of death in thei family from innocent neglect of normal human cares. As far as gender is concerned, the parents wanted a girl to accompany their well-beloved son. Of course, you want to have a son so that the name is further carried on. Obviously, the were part of a poor class supported by the rich, who seemed rude not lend a hand to the family in need.
     These attitudes causes my enjoyment and understanding of the novel to spark and understand the gist of the gist of the situation. It creates within me an emotional feeling that's of remorseful or sympathetic observation towards both children. The alchony expressed in this story line reveals an ironic twist when one ponders on the mind of the author and his theories of science and optimistic appeals in information, methods of mathematical, and science education, and literary tools and resources. The fact that the mystery man read books of Cornelius and such authors remains a mystery amongst his family and those who need "reasonable" sources of insight and information. Also, what also grasped my attention was how the parents demonstrated immense love, adoration, and charity in the midst of their own history and present condition of oppression and need. Of course, in this Romantic time period where there were altered classes in gender and race, the theme of chapters one-two suggested classicism through the eyes of the author as I depicted a scene of a homeless man in need, but has no where to turn because there aren't any willing "helping hands" around. Although Romanticism had spirituality ties to it, hypocrisy was suggested as dominant in this region. 

Journal Entry #1: Preface and Letters 1-4

     The opening letters of Robert Walton to his beloved and dear friend, Mrs. Seville of England, reveal this unique character as one who could care less of the luxuries of his world than sojourn into a reality, a mystery that awaits his from beyond. Strong willed, fervent, and caring would humbly describe him in such a time as his. Through fortunes and storms, voyages, and encounters, he continues his search for human meaning in his life beyond the untouched curtains of an icy paradise, the north pole. These letters also reveal Robert as a man of curiosity and perseverance. Nothing will dissuade him, despite unfortunate circumstances. At some points in his letters, he appears homesick. Walton also displays serene behaviors as of a christian disciple, not having a quick temper about him, and is faithful, yet influential in his command on the ship as captain. Lastly, he is a man in search of a genuine friend who has like qualities and ambitions as of Robert Frankenstein. His letters reveal a glorious day for Robert Walton as his dream becomes a reality when the the ship crew loses hope while trapped in a brigade of ice. The mysterious man fills Robert's empty heart with a new spark of curiosity and sympathy as Robert allows himself to follow his hearts desires.
    
     The mysterious man found on ice is, I presume to be, Frankenstein, or a person who has had a close, or personal encounter with Frankenstein. I infer that this mysterious man is a man full of grief and misfortunes, as so of joys and spirit. Obviously, his spirited being is troubled by some luminous, dark history which haunts him within. Sorrow and anguish are his daily meals as he is portrayed as a refugee on the hunt for the one he pursues with vigor. The mysterious man also seems like a man of enlightenment as he befriends the captain of the ship who rescued him from the ice. Robert's letters reveal that the stranger's character is one of astonishment, or awe, as admiration for this mysterious man spreads rapidly about the ship. The letters reveal the mysterious man as "noble," "miserable," "wise," "cultivated," "artistic in language," and more. I concluded that although this man appears seriously burdened and ill, yet recovering well, he also shows unique intelligence as of many others of European descent. This creature, as the author calls him sometimes, loves interaction, and brings no harm or creates dissension or discouragement among the crew and their captain, Robert Waldon. The stranger's character reveals a light that is prudent to the captain as the stranger naively becomes the captain's best friend at heart.