The Great Gatsby: Characterization

"In consequence, I'm inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores." pg. 1

Characterization plays an extremely important role in this novel. Without it, many of the actions in the story would seems average and unexciting. However, knowing each character's background changes the effect that each action has on the overall plot. The characterization of Nick in the above quote is essential in evaluating his actions. It explains his reserved nature and lack of inclination to speak out when it would seem reasonable. For example, his complete lack of reaction to the fact that Tom has a mistress would seem bizarre because Daisy, Tom's wife, is his cousin. It might have even shifted the reader to dislike Nick. However, the above quote gives reason to his lack of action and helps the reader to better understand his logic. Had F. Scott Fitzgerald not included such in depth characterization, delving into each character's personality and ways of thinking, the end product of the Great Gatsby might not have been as successful. However, Fitzgerald's description of how each character functions helps the reader to attach him or herself to one or more of the characters and get a sense of where they're coming from.

Frankenstein: Is Victor to Blame?

" During these last days I have been occupied in examining my past conduct; nor do I find it blameable. In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational creature, and was bound towards him, to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness and well-being. This was my duty; but there was another still paramount to that. My duties towards the beings of my own species had greater claims to my attention, because they included a greater proportion of happiness or misery." pg. 161

So... Victor doesn't feel bad for what's happened? Well, I can't say I'm surprised. He has proven to be nothing but a self-pitying worm for the majority of the book. I'm still pretty annoyed though. The last thing this guy deserves is sympathy. Every terrible situation he has experienced in his life has been by his own cause. But, at the end of his life he's basically taking the easy way out and saying, "Well, there was more important stuff to do than take responsibility for my actions." Let's be honest though, if people other than Walton the idiot knew what really happened in this man's life, they probably wouldn't even give him the satisfaction of having a funeral. My guess is they would just dig the deepest hole possible and throw the body in head first to make sure he would never come back. That would probably be the safest thing to do because, honestly, Victor has been more trouble to the human race than he ever feared the creature could be. And now, he's basically confessing that through all the times he said he felt that it was his fault that his friends died, he was basically lying to make people pity him, and he really doesn't feel bad at all. It's a good thing he dies soon after this because I don't think I could have gotten through much more of this completely revolting man's stories of self-pity and refusal to admit his faults. In my opinion, he's the scum of the earth, so good riddance. And if I didn't make it obvious enough , I THINK VICTOR IS ENTIRELY TO BLAME.

Frankenstein: Victor's Refusal to Tell Walton the Creation Process

"I endeavoured to gain from Frankenstein the particulars of his creature's formation: but on this point he was impenetrable.
'Are you mad, my friend?' said he; 'or whither does your senseless curiosity lead you? Would you also create for yourself and the world a demoniacal enemy? Peace, peace! learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own.'" pg. 156

Well, it turns out Walton's an idiot too. After hearing all of Frankenstein's tale, which surprisingly has a good message about being too ambitious despite Frankenstein's idiocy, Walton still has the nerve to ask him how he created the creature... DID HE LEARN NOTHING?! The entire point behind Frankenstein's story was to guide Walton in the right direction, to make him realize the consequences of being overly ambitious. After his story about the terrible things he had to go through after he created the creature, it seemed to me that the message of his story was evident: that not setting boundaries can lead to more bad than good. The message I didn't get from his story though was, "Hey Walton, you should do exactly what I did and create a creature that will ruin your entire life because it turned out really well for me." Apparently, that's what Walton got out of it though because he still asked him how he created the monster. Victor's response to this request didn't surprise me at all because it seemed pretty similar to how I would respond to Walton if I was in that situation. However, I probably would have used some choice words and not just stopped at the mere accusation that he was "mad". Needless to say, this is one of the rare occasions in the novel where I find that Victor does not act idiotically. I think it was smart of him to not reveal the creation process of the creature. Because if Walton still wanted to know how the creature was created after Victor told his story, he obviously didn't get the message.

Frankenstein: Let's Try That Again Since It Worked So Well the First Time

"'Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness.'" pg. 122

Oh, okay Victor, I get where you're going with this. You're telling the monster go run off by himself again, knowing he will probably kill even more people. That makes sense. Oh wait! NO IT DOESN'T. Victor is a complete idiot. There, I said it. How could he not only let this creature escape by himself, but encourage him?! That obviously worked so well after he created him since William and Justine are dead now! I honestly feel no sympathy for this man who keeps repeating his own mistakes. And then, when Clerval dies, he tries to act like he had no control over it. He tries to make everyone feel bad for him, and does the whole "this is all my fault" routine. I don't think I've ever encountered a character that irks me to my core more than this man. As a compassionate being, I do feel a little bit bad that he's lost his friends, but that feeling is basically completely overshadowed by loathing of his idiocy and cowardice. I honestly think it would be better for him to live in a cave then ever return to society since he has proved to be nothing but a threat to the safety and happiness of others. First he abandons the creature, then he watches Justine die an innocent girl, then he promises the creature a mate and ends up being like "JK! Yeah right! There's no way I'm making you a mate, you disgusting piece of garbage!". OH! And then, he sends the creature off by himself, who in fit of rage that totally couldn't have been expected (sarcasm) kills his best friend. Needless to say, this man is a hazard to the people who surround him. He needs to stop feeling so bad for himself because he's lonely and realize that he's saving the world a whole lot of trouble.

Frankenstein: Foreshadowing

"Pardon this gush of sorrow; these ineffectual words are but a slight tribute to the unexampled worth of Henry, but they soothe my heart, overflowing with the anguish which his remembrance creates." pg. 114

I originally felt bad for Victor, but soon after hearing the monster's tale, my opinion was completely changed. I had felt very bad for this creature who was so benevolent yet so misguided. However, after finishing the novel, I can say, in frustration, that I really have grown to hate both characters. Victor, I detest for his constant selfishness, but on the other hand, who could condone a creature that is constantly trying to ruin Victor's life by taking the lives of others? They both sicken me to say the least. Anyway, the foreshadowing in this excerpt certainly didn't give either of them any redeeming qualities. Before Victor even tells of how Henry dies, he alludes to his death by mentioning "his remembrance". So, the reader knows that Clerval is going to die, and from previous events, one can predict that it will be at the hands of the creature when he seeks vengeance on Victor. When reading this excerpt that revealed future events, I was firstly, extremely disgusted by Victor. He continually let this monster be the cause of death of those he loved, and he really never made any attempt to stop him. The only time he ever showed any concern was after they had been killed, when he wept like a baby. Part of me wants to scream, "WHY DON'T YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THEN?!", and then part of me really just wants to send him soaring off the edge of a cliff so that maybe this monster who used to be so benevolent can return to his old ways. But, no. That wouldn't solve the problem either because the creature is a murderer, despite how good in nature he says he is. There is no cause that justifies a being's killing of another human. Though I still felt some sympathy for him after he killed William, knowing that he was going to kill Clerval just drew the line for me. He was obviously evil, and feeling sorry for himself didn't change that. Because of this foreshadowing, I went into the rest of the tale with my opinions about Victor and the creature already formed. It made me loathe Victor for his cowardice and the creature for his evil nature.

Frankenstein: Author's Voice

"These wonderful narrations inspired me with strange feelings. Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous, and magnificent, yet so vicious and base? He appeared at one time a mere scion of the evil principle, and at another as all that can be conceives as noble and godlike." pg. 84

Though Mary Shelley does not obviously state that her own feelings are integrated into the story, I think she often times uses other characters to express her opinions and observations about life. This one particular incident, I believe, reflects her feelings about man and humanity. It displays her incredulity at man's ambivalent nature when it comes to choosing between good and evil. In the text prior to this excerpt, the creature recollects learning about both negative and positive aspects of history and how he was brought to tears by the whole thing. This part shows how Mary Shelley has obviously considered this idea before and found examples to support her theory of humans being ambiguous to good and evil. At last, after hearing stories of vice and bloodshed, the creature finally turns away from mankind in disgust. I feel this is also a reflection of Mary Shelley's views. By forming her opinions through the creature, she makes a point that man, though supposedly the superior being, has yet to overcome the savageness that lesser creatures possess. Even through all of the knowledge and brainpower of man, there still exists vice and bloodshed in the world. I think Mary Shelley, like the creature is somewhat disgusted with mankind for this. The way she characterizes the creature as one the reader can sympathize with also makes it evident that she does not abhor him like a normal human might, but agrees with him. She uses his strife to make a point about humankind.

Frankenstein: The Creature

"I looked upon them as superior beings, who would be the arbiters of my future destiny. I formed in my imagination a thousand pictures of presenting myself to them, and their reception of me. i imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour, and afterwards their love." pg. 81

Though it may not always be apparent at times, I do have a heart, and listening to the creature tell his story has (dare I say it?) evoked some sort of sensitivity in me! Okay, so maybe he's killed a couple people, but I kind of see it like an innocent little puppy brutally mauling people. I mean, he really doesn't know any better, right? You can't really be mad at him. He's had no guidance in life and all of his attempts to make friends have failed terribly and he's shunned by everyone, even his own creator/father, who basically treats him as a monstrosity and is scared of him. That is just incredibly sad. Just imagining someone so alone in the world almost brings me to tears. I kind of think that people's reaction to the monster is Mary Shelley pointing out society's fear of novelty and difference. Society finds it threatening. I noticed that when the creature was talking about how he wanted to approach the cottagers, he needed to know their language and approach them gently. In other words, he needed to seem as similar to them and as nonthreatening as possible. It's pure proof that people really do judge a book by its cover. People just assumed the creature was evil because he was different, but in reality, he had begun as a benevolent creature, and he tried to do good for others. I just feel so bad that the world was responsible for transforming him into the monster he became. I think this concept can be applied to the real world. I recall one particular quote I heard on retreat that said, "I am the sum of my experiences." I think that is directly applicable here, and in society. The creature became a monster because of his world experiences. I think that most criminals follow a similar path. This quote definitely proves true.