The Summer of Our Discontent--part 26

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"I abstained...neighbouring wood."99

The sustenance that Frankenstein's creation learns to survive on is berries, nuts and roots from the woods nearby where he is staying. The foods that he finds are three of the main things that a civilized man would use if he were trapped in the wilderness without food. The chapter about the creature's development is highly comparative to the development of man. Once again, like the fire, the berries and other naturally provided sustanence represent basic knowledge.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 25

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"Great god...expire." 163

This is the feelings that Victor experiences after he discoveres that his creation has killed his precious Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been his beloved childhood friend and his most cherished person. And finally they had been married and on their wedding night his very own creation comes and kills her. He wants to die because he has lost the one thing that had meaning to him. The experience represents hopelessness, and understanding. It represents understanding because finally he is brought to understand the emptiness that his creation feels.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 24

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley



"'Mont Blanc...aiguilles...'"87


An aiguille is a "a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock." The aguilles surround Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps. The Alps is where Frankenstein's creature chooses to hide away from civilization. The auigilles, being sharp points of rock, suggest protection, as well as being ominous.

"Mont Blanc." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Blanc>




"Aguilles." Merriam-Webster Dictionary. July 2008. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aiguilles>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 23

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"'One night...leathern portmanteau..."111

A portmanteau means two things packed into one word. However it can also mean a kind of suitcase, as it does here. Inside of the portmanteau Frankenstein's creation finds three books which influence him greatly(Paradise Lost, Plutarch's Lives, and The Sorrows of Werter). The word portmanteau comes from the words porter(to take or carry) and manteau which is a cloak or mantle. Here the portmanteau symbolizes hidden knowledge.

"Portmanteau." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmanteau>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 22

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"The sun...oaten cake..." 143

Here Victor satisfies his hunger with an oat cake. The oatcakes symbolizes satisfaction and weariness because he was tired and hungry. The recipe for an oatcake, according to a geocities blogger, is:

"Oatcake Recipe

Makes 12
8 oz fine oatmeal8 oz wholewheat or plain flour1 tsp salt1/2 oz fresh yeast1 1/2 pints warm milk and water, mixed half and half1 tsp sugar(Chris and Pam Ellis, ex-pats in Australia use double the amount of salt and sugar and claim to get excellent results. They should know because they have tasted the original. They even cook them on the barbie!!)Method
1. Add salt to flour and oatmeal.
2. Dissolve yeast with a little warm liquid and add sugar. Allow to become frothy.
3. Mix dry ingredients with yeast and rest of warm liquid to make a batter.
4. Cover with clean cloth and leave in warm place for 1 hour.
5. Bake on well-greased griddle. Put enough batter onto griddle to produce an oatcake about 8 or 9 inches in diameter. The surface will be covered in holes as it cooks. Turn oatcake after 2-3 minutes when upperside appears dry and underside is golden brown, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.Eat as soon as possible. Oatcakes freeze well."

"North Statfordshire Oatcakes Homepage." July 2008. <http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/2333/howmade.htm>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 21

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley



"I sickened...turn from me in disgust?" 113

There is a lot of confusion and anger that Frankenstein's creation feels throughout the novel. He doesn't understand why he was created. He was suddenly brought into the world and from that moment on was just hated by anyone who laid eyes on him. He doesn't understand why his own creator doesn't want to lay eyes on him: "Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?" The creature feels like an abandoned child who keeps trying to reach out to a parent who won't respond. The hatred and disgust that his creator feels towards him symbolize abandonment, and loneliness.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 20

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"I looked...sicken in my bosom." 140

The theme of fear and evil is one of the main themes in this book. Frankenstein has been asked to make a female version of his creation so that it won't be lonely. It is a decision that he has to make to determine his own future as well as his creation's. On one hand he is hopeful but on the other hand he is scared which affects his decisions, making his "heart sicken in [his] bosom." The emotions that overwhelm him affect him emotionally and physically. Fear makes him begin the requested creature and then fear makes him stop. It's like he is caught in a room with spikes on the walls. Whichever wall he chooses to cower against may eventually be his undoing. His emotions control him and affect him greatly.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 19

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"I passed...Lausanne..."71

Lausanne is a city in Romandy. Lausanne was where Victor Frankenstein spent time in a "painful state of mind." He uses nature to calm his senses. The lake in Lausanne is the source of the peace and natural calming: "the waters were placid; all around was calm." Lausanne represents fear, and then peace. The effect of nature on Victor's emotions is a big part of the story. Whenever he needs to relax he chooses to retire to a natural spot.

"Lausanne." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lausanne>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 18

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"We passed...at Oxford" 136

Oxford is a city in the south east of England. The Thames river runs through Oxford. And Oxford is also the location of the well known University of Oxford. Oxford is where Victor Frankenstein spends rather a lot of time sightseeing with his best friend Clerval. Because he was spending time with Clerval there, "rambling among its environs," Oxford comes to represent friendship, leisure, and memory.

"Oxford." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 17

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"He sprung...darkness and distance."185

This is the last passage in the book. It is Frankenstein's creation's departure from Robert's ship. The poor creature mourns over the death of his creator even though his creator hated him and tried to destroy him. The last thing he says to Robert is "Farewell" and off he goes through the window and into the distance. His departure represents mystery, sadness, and emptiness. This is particularly shown where Robert says, "lost in darkness and distance." The last image of the book is the creation floating away and fading away into the darkness on an ice raft like the one that Victor arrives on.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 16

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"When I was...Belrive..."45

Belrive (which is usually known by the spelling Bellerive) is a small area that is located near Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It is very close to Victor Frankenstein's home. He uses it as a reference point when speaking about the location of his home. It is standing at the door of his home where he very first witnesses the wonder of science that urges him to pursue his future endeavors. He sees a tree hit by a bolt of lightning that bursts it into smithereens. Belrive represents home, science, wonder and childhood. Victor almost always refers to Belrive when he's talking about his childhood.

"Belrive." web.bilkent.edu. July 2008. >

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 15

Frankenstein. Mary Shelley

"But it was augmented...race of beings."86

The Alps are a mountain range that stretch through Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Lichtenstein. These mountains are where Victor expects his creation to be hiding. He wants his creation dead more than anything. The mountains represent fear, hiding, and foreboding. Victor wants to kill his creation but he is scared of it. The mountains also symbolize surreal beings and heavenly qualities in this quotation.

"Alps." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 14

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"Several hours passed...quiet moon." 141

This is another graceful example of the romantic language used throughout the book. The description of the "moon" and the"wind" as "quiet," peaceful, and gentle exemplifies(I came up with this word all by myself :D) a very romantic way of thinking. The effect of nature on the senses is a strong influence of the emotions that are evoked through the language in romantic literature.

"Romanticism." Wikipedia. July 2008. >

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 13

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley



"But 'Paradise Lost'...deeper emotions." 113



Paradise Lost is an epic poem that was written in ten books and then seperated into twelve. It was written by John Milton. It is about Adam and Eve and their creation and expulsion from Eden. Frankenstein's creation is filled with interest in the story that is about an all powerful being warring against his creations. He connects to the story because its like his creator warring against him. He also connects with Adam in the fact that he was all alone at the dawn of his creation not knowing anything of what had occurred before. He contrasts himself from the story because he is not being carefully watched over by his creator; he is alone and "wretched." The book inspires feelings of wonder, excitement, and hurt.

"Paradise Lost." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Lost>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 12

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"'The...republics." 112

Plutarch was a Greek historian, essayist, and biographer. He wrote a series of biographies of famous heros and idols. His books were about the "founders of the ancient republics" according to Frankenstein's creation. His biographies helped to teach Frankenstein's creation about the heroes of the past. The book represents education and inspiration as well as the creation's swiftly obtained knowledge.

"Plutarch." classics.mit.edu. July 2008. <http://classics.mit.edu/Browse/index-Plutarch.html>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 11

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"Oh! Stars and clouds...leave me in darkness."127

Victor Frankenstein is the second main narrator in the story. He too has a romantic and poetic way of speaking. He is a genius who has discovered a way to animate inanimate objects. He is obsessed with his work, perhaps a little too much so. After bringing his creature to life, he becomes terribly depressed and ill minded at the thought of what he has created. He tends to talk about the world in a very fearful way. After his creation tells him the tale of the murder of Victor's brother, and asks him to make another creature like himself, Victor begins to break down. He is very sad and poetic, like when he said, "let me become as nought; but if not depart, depart and leave me in darkness," which dramatizes the horror he feels about his creation.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 10

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"I said...brother of my heart."35

Robert Walton is the main narrator in the book Frankenstein. He is traveling to the North Pole to research the earth's magnetic energy. He has a very romantic way of speaking. He uses very graceful words to describe his surroundings. And loving words to describe the people who are close to him. There is a question of homosexuality that is a factor in the story as well. Robert is always talking about wanting a male companion who understands him like no other, "a brother of my heart." But then again he speaks about everyone and everything in a very poetic manner.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 9

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"My papa...punish you."123

A syndic is a person who helps out in a court of justice, like a representative or advocate. Victor Frankenstein's father is a syndic which is a pretty important position in the court. But in this case it does not protect Victor's brother. Poor William is killed anyways by Frankenstein's creation. The Syndic represents justice and false saftey. The child uses his father's name as a shield but accomplishes nothing but getting himself killed. Although in a usual case his father's name would save the child in a heartbeat, in this case his father's name actually ruined him.(Haha irony.) Victor's brother says,"He is M.Frankenstein," and that is the part of the quote where the young boy reveals the name of his father, and the creature realizes that the fact that the man is a syndic is unimportant to him but the fact that he is Victor's little brother is.

"Syndic." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndic>

"Syndic." merriamwebster. July 2008. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syndic>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 8

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"and afterwards...Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus."44

Paracelsus was an alchemist, occultist, physician, and astrologer. He changed his name from Phillip to Philippus Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim then to Paracelsus. Albertus Magnus was a Dominican friar and priest. He supported the coexistence of science and religion. He was considered one of the greatest german philosophers of the middle ages. Both of these men served as inspirations for Victor Frankenstein and therefore they celebrate the same symbolism as Agrippa: inspirations and dreams.

"Albertus Magnus." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertus_Magnus>

"Parcelsus." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 7

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"Restored him to animation...brandy....swallow a small quantity."33

Brandy and other certain alchoholic drinks are known to warm up the body. It is used in the book to revive Victor Frankenstein after he is recovered near Robert's ship. They are in the North Pole so the brandy is a very effective way to help poor Victor Frankenstein. It symbolizes life and warmth. Brandy is made of fermented fruit and pomace. It tends to have a caramel-like color and well known as an after dinner drink.

"Brandy." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandy>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 6

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"I chanced to find...Cornelius Agrippa."44

Cornelius Agrippa was an alchemist, occult writer, astrologer, and magician. He taught at the University of Dole in France. He was mentioned in more than one of Shelley's stories, e.g., Frankenstein and The Mortal Immortal. His book's include: De occulta philosophia libri tres, Three Books Of Occult Philosophy, and Declamation on the Nobility and Preeminence of the Female Sex. He represents inspirations and dreams, as it is he who inspires young Frankenstein to pursue the impossible.

"Cornelius Agrippa." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Cornelius_Agrippa>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 5

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"'And do you dream?'... daemon." 182

This is a question that is meant to bring Robert Walton back into reality. The question, asked by Frankenstein's creature, is not inquiring if he is capable of dreaming. It is telling him in question form to wake up because what is happening is real. Victor is really dead and his creation is really standing there talking to him. Dreams seem to be a large theme in Frankenstein. This question represents reality, and the concept of the difference between waking and dreaming

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 4

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"of the town of **** ...deposited the corpse." 148

The stars that are shown here are either an indication of secrecy or of a forgotten name. The mention of a corpse suggests secrecy but as it's a story, the teller might have forgotten the name of the town. It is Frankenstein's creation that is telling the story. Frankenstein's creation does not seem to have any real reason for not telling his creator where he buried said corpse. The stars symbolize secrets and forgetfulness.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 3

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley



"I felt it ... giver of oblivion." 87

Sleep can be a relief, especially if it has been a stressful day. Or if you have recently bestowed animation upon a patchwork corpse(e.g., Victor Frankenstein). Sleep evokes peace, tranquility, and escape. Sleep is an effective and natural way to escape from the real world in times of sadness, fear, and danger. Dreamless sleep is the most effective form of "oblivion." Sleeping dream free means sleeping stress free.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 2

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"...one of the remotest of the Orkneys" 138





The Orkneys are a group of 70 islands to the south of Scotland. Only about 20 of them are actually inhabited. They have been inhabited for about 5,500 years. They are the location of one the 32 council areas in Scotland. Victor's set destination for the site of his research was one of the Orkneys. The Orkneys allow him to get away physically and mentally from any distractions that might take him from his work. The Orkneys represent travel and how far Frankenstein was willing to go to do his research.


"Orkneys," Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orkney>

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 1

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"One day...at the warmth."93-94

In this scene Frankenstein's creation finds fire. This is probably a reference to man discovering fire. In this case the fire is already there but fire is one of the basics of survival. The fire was "left by some wandering beggars." This part of the quote indicates that he is lower than mere beggars because he must use the remnants of their fire for himself. The thoughts that he had about fire are similar to the thoughts that man first had about fire, which shows his human side. The joy that he first held at the discovery swayed him to thrust his hand into the flames only to withdraw it for the heat. The fire represents curiosity and knowledge.

The Summer of Our Discontent--part 0

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

"It advanced...of the heavens." 45

The Jura mountain range is located on the boundary line between France and Switzerland, although it also extends into Germany. The mountain range separates the Rhine and Rhone rivers. The Juras are one of the three main geographical regions in Switzerland. The mountains represent vastness, and dramatization, as they accentuate an approaching storm, the

"frightful loudness from various quarters of the heavens." This part of the quote shows the drama and the beauty of the storm.

"Jura mountains." Wikipedia. July 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jura_mountains>

"Jura Mountain Range." uk.encarta. July 2008. <http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569422/Jura_(mountain_range).html>