Frankenstein- Monster or Human?

Today the class had a seminar on the famous novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Many questions and arguments arose during our discussion, many of which were never answered. What boggles my mind even more is the fact that this novel was made in accident. A group of college girls had nothing else better to do and decided to write something for fun. Although the book was shut down multiple times by many publishers, Frankenstein nonetheless received the fame that it deserved.
Now back to the novel. A question I had when reading the book was “Who is the monster? Victor or his creation? Additionally, who acts more human or is more human?” Victor had been obsessed with his creation and his new knowledge that he gained. However, once he put that knowledge into use in creating his monster, he is abhorred at what he has created. He even says that he only passionately loves inanimate things such as the sky. Knowledge no longer gives Victor these “sensations” he used to feel. In result, I believe that Victor is the monster. He decides to play GOD and his actions result in the death of two people. Additionally, he abandons his creation in fear and disgust of what it was. This is why the monster became a monster in the first place. He says that ‘I was born good, but you my creator abhor me.’ Because his lonesomeness and isolation, he cannot fit into society, and if he cannot turn to his creator for aid, who is there to turn to? Mary Shelley makes the readers feel sorry for the monster, so can only sympathize with it. Imagine you saying this to your parents or even GOD, or your children saying this to you. What would be running in your mind? I have abandoned my child and only caused torment in this world. I took responsibility in creating it, but took no responsibility in maturing and loving it. Such an event could possibly make me commit suicide. I do not think I could live with myself. Furthermore, Victor begins to take characteristics of the monster more and more after time. For example, “But I, the true murderer, felt the never-dying worm alive in my bosom, which allowed of no hope of consolation.” This is a theme of the monster. Here Victor describes that he feels like he is being eaten like decayed matter, because he feels as if he were the monster in this case. He feels extremely guilty for creating the monster that destroys Justine. This also connects back to what the Creation was made of (decayed matter that had worms eating it).
When reading this book, the quote “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” really comes into play. It is possible that a being with such horrific physical characteristics could have a kind and loving heart. This book ultimately brings us back to our 4 year old selves.

Grendel, my own deeper understanding...

The final chapters of Grendel… a finally ending novel or one to remember? Most students, if not most people, enjoy books and stories that they choose to read casually or for fun. Because most of the books that I have read were school assignments, I cannot say that I have ever had any favorite books except Calvin and Hobbs and maybe Captain Underpants. Despite my lack of passion in reading novels, Grendel has become one that has influenced me in a larger way than any other.
Throughout the novel, Grendel becomes more “mature” through his experiences and observations. Initially, Grendel fears man because he discovers another ‘thing’ that can think rationally and act based off its thoughts. Such a similar trait with Grendel could only take him by surprise. However, later on, Grendel becomes “cursed” with the dragon’s charm. Grendel is invulnerable to any weapon and no longer fears man’s power. Although he still is intimidated by Hrothgar and the Shaper, Grendel calls himself the “Wrecker of Hrothgar” and begins to torture the people. This stage is where Grendel finally understands his purpose in life and what he can commit to the world. Before, he was only an infant mentally, calling for his mother when he was being tortured by Hrothgar’s men. After this rebirth Grendel can no longer depend on any one else shown even through the conversation with the dragon. Even though he went to the dragon for knowledge, he ended up not gaining anything except the fact that the dragon is extremely protective over his belongings. To this point in the novel, Grendel reminded me of my own life.
I was confused, not knowing my purpose in the world. When I entered middle school and high school, I was tortured by other students due to my Korean ethnicity. Ranging from communism in North Korea to the Virginia Tech attack, I was continually made fun of my race. Eventually, I received my own charm and their comments could no longer cut through my skin; I was immortal. When I was trying to understand my place in the world, I also observed life with great intensity trying to learn from others and their actions. Many whom I went to for a deeper understanding or knowledge of life acted similar to the dragon, only obsessed with their own problems or treasures in life. In the end, I felt as I had died, lost to the world still looking for an answer.
Mrs. Clinch, I hope this is not too off topic, but this my response to Grendel and how I was affected by it. I could not help but compare myself and see the similarities between us. I believe that there is a monster in all of us and we mature (still as a monster) just to either hide the monster side or be consumed by it.

Grendel

In Mrs. Clinch class, the students have begun to read a semi-sequel to Beowulf called Grendel, named after the monster that appeared in Beowulf. Even though I was quite dubious on the insight available or the insight possible, I moved with the flow, reading my first reading assignment with no rebellious attitude. As a read, I found something entirely different.
Grendel potentially allows as much insight as its older brother. This novel is a narrative in Grendel’s point of view. Through this, the reader is able to take a much more different approach toward this novel. For example, when told in terms of Grendel, Man, not Grendel, is depicted as evil and Grendel, a somewhat innocent bystander. Man kills his own kin for power, glory, and justice, thus, had someone from another tribe killed a fellow tribe member, it was the duty for the victim’s tribe to honor him through revenge or payment. Because payment did not occur as much, more blood was sacrificed. Additionally, this novel provides an entirely different prospective for Beowulf. In Grendel, Grendel is mortal and easily injurable. How was a beast that could not be penetrated by human spears, bleed from things such as getting stuck in branches? In the novel, it clearly states that Grendel loses a lot of blood. This confused me so much, because I could not see how such a weak tactic could damage a god-like monster so easily. Grendel had more to provide that I thought.
There are also some parts of the novel that are somewhat confusing. Now on the 5th chapter of the novel, I could not understand why Grendel was so fearful of snakes and serpents when he even picked one up the chapter before. Was it because serpents physically resembled the dragon or is there some other answer? Additionally, why did John Gardener go through the trouble of making the dragon a philosophy major? When I attempted to read the 5th chapter, I could not make out what the dragon was trying to say. Was that the purpose of Gardener or am I just too ignorant? Well, then again, Grendel could not understand either, so I guess we are on the same ground. Although a tad bit strange, Grendel is proving to be a novel of success. Relating to multiple scenes in Beowulf, Grendel is accurately and subtly referring to Beowulf that provides the reader with a small adrenaline rush. Sometimes I can actually make out what is happening within the story. (Amazing!)
From Grendel, I have begun to see the monster as a child who whines and complains too much for his own good and has an uncontrollable curiosity. Before, Beowulf’s Grendel was a beast, crazy for blood and life; however, in Grendel, Grendel desires friendship and a purpose in life that is separate from the one ordained by GOD (to live alone). Unfortunately, Grendel so far is unable to do so, but with hope, he may possibly turn the tables.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Today the class did its literature circles for about half the class period. Unfortunately, one member was absent, and as a result, our discussion could not be full-proof. The point of the roles in each lit. circle is to have the widest arrange of discussion possible, but since a vital role was absent, we could not take part in that area of discussion. However, our group continued on, even though it was only for about 15 minutes.
The group had multiple things to talk about and questions that we had. Some were answered, but some could not be answered due to time restraints. For example, I extremely desired to ask why the chapter titles exchanged between Mariam and Laila every other chapter. I saw that the perspective of each chapter changed, but is that all that it is significant for? I am quite sure that there is a higher meaning for this. One topic that our group was able to go a little deeper into was the gender roles with this novel. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini, in many instances, had strange examples depicting the male dominance or superiority over women. We all see the beatings that Mariam and Laila take, but these examples are not the type that I am discussing about. On p. 280, when Aziza is being left at an orphanage, Zalmai does something very strange. “When Aziza was led away, Zalmai began wailing, crying, Ziza! Ziza! He squirmed and kicked in his father’s arms, called for his sister, until his attention was diverted by an organ-grinder’s monkey across the street.” Who would believe that a crying brother who is about to lose his sister would become distracted by a random monkey? Furthermore, why is Rasheed so overly obsessive over his wives? He does not seem to care much for them, yet when they have committed a wrong, Rasheed pulls a belt on them. On p. 271, Rasheed has lost business, and as a result, they are selling everything. “Rasheed’s watch too was sold, his old transistor radio, his pair of neckties, his shoes, and his wedding ring.” To include the “wedding ring” in this list of insignificant items makes it seem as though the marriage is also unimportant. This act shows that Rasheed cannot truly care about his marriage with Laila or Mariam.
Another subject that our lit. circle discussed was the parallel between the Titanic and the characters in this novel. I believe that Mariam accurately represents Jack, because she sacrifices herself to save Laila and the rest of her family just as Jack had with Rose. Also, the ship itself could have been seen through the marriage that it was bound to sink the way it was heading. Rose, on the other hand, is seen through multiple characters, because more than one need saving. This included Laila and her whole family and possibly even Mariam through her redemption. Mariam is her own Jack.