BRITISH LITERATURE
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
THE ROMANTIC AGE (1798-1832)_FRANKENSTEIN
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley’s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf4w8heMmKA
1.
Define Romanticism?
Romanticism which also
called the Romantic era or
the Romantic period, was an
artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward
the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the
approximate period from 1800 to 1850.
2.
Who was Mary Shelley? What were her contributions to Literature?
Mary Shelley was born
in London on August 30, 1797. Her father William Godwin wrote the famous An
Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and her mother, Mary
Wollstonecraft was famous for writing A Vindication of the Rights of Women.
Mary Shelley was an
English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, a travel
writer and a fiction writer. She wrote the world famous ‘Frankenstein’ or ‘The
Modern Prometheus’. The novel was a reflection of Mary’s own sense of
alienation and isolation.
Frankenstein also
proved to be an important mark in making literature contributions by women
acceptable. Although Mary Shelley wrote
more, none of her other works gained the popularity Frankenstein did.
Some of her contributions
to Literature are: Lodore (1835), Faulkner (1937), Mathilde (1959), Valperga or
the Life and Adventures of Castruccia, Prince of Lucca (1823), The Last Man
(1826), and The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck (1830). Also she edited and promoted
the works of her husband the romantic poet and philosopher Percy
Bysshe Shelley.
3.
How did Frankenstein come about?
Frankenstein comes
about from Shelley’s dream/imagination.
When Mary with Percy
and his stepsister arrive to Switzerland, Mary heard a strange story about stealing
dead bodies and to bring back to life but the story take a course in Mary’s
imagination where she go the name for her short story and start to write about
a doctor that brings a body back to life.
4.
Briefly discuss Frankenstein’s plot.
Frankenstein has been
characterized as a real horror and sad story.
Victor Frankenstein
is a guy who has always lived in comfort and love of his family. He has two
brothers and a sister- adoptive cousin. Elizabeth, whose falls in love from a
young age. He enrolled at the University of Ingolstad, where he attended
courses in sciences, chemistry and biology.
He leads numerous
experiments, including the creation of life. So Victor, after sleepless nights,
continued research in ossuaries and creates a being.
As soon as the
monster comes to life, Victor is frightened by his own creation, and he flees.
After some time, Victor learns about the death of his little brother, and
returned to Geneva, where he sees the monster in the park.
He understands that
the murder is the demon that he himself created, but can’t tell anyone. Victor
begins a life tormented by remorse, despair and madness.
The monster then, the
beast with feelings, aims to create a female being equal, so that he had a
companion with whom to stay, not to live in eternal loneliness. At first Victor approves, but then, overcome
by the thought that would be born a progeny of monsters, destroy what has been
done.
The demon then
threats eternal hate, vengeance and slowly Victor remains alone on earth,
losing all his dear. So he decides to hunt the demon to revenge all the
innocent dead, but after extensive research he dies.
At this point, the
monster understands that his life has no meaning without its creator and
decides to jump into the sea.
Due to Victor’s desire
and obsession to know the secret of the life, he becomes as a catastrophe
because he makes that many people die for his decision and also convicts a
monster to live along for the rest of his life.
The plot has been
taken from the following link: http://www.skuola.net/letteratura-inglese-1800-1900/frankenstein-plot.html
5.
What themes are present in this novel? Explain
Dangerous Knowledge:
The pursuits of knowledge is at the heart of Frankenstein, as
Victor attempts to surge beyond accepted human limits and access the secret of
life. Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to surpass previous human explorations
by endeavoring to reach the North Pole. This ruthless pursuit of knowledge, of
the light (see “Light and Fire”), proves dangerous, as Victor’s act of creation
eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him, and Walton finds
himself perilously trapped between sheets of ice. Whereas Victor’s obsessive
hatred of the monster drives him to his death, Walton ultimately pulls back
from his treacherous mission, having learned from Victor’s example how
destructive the thirst for knowledge can be.
Monstrosity:
Obviously, this theme pervades the entire novel, as the monster lies at
the center of the action. Eight feet tall and hideously ugly, the monster is
rejected by society. However, his monstrosity results not only from his
grotesque appearance but also from the unnatural manner of his creation, which
involves the secretive animation of a mix of stolen body parts and strange
chemicals. He is a product not of collaborative scientific effort but of dark,
supernatural workings.
Secrecy:
Victor conceives of science as a mystery to be probed; its secrets, once
discovered, must be jealously guarded. He considers M. Krempe, the natural
philosopher he meets at Ingolstadt, a model scientist: “an uncouth man, but
deeply imbued in the secrets of his science.” Victor’s entire obsession with creating
life is shrouded in secrecy, and his obsession with destroying the monster
remains equally secret until Walton hears his tale.
Light and Fire:
In Frankenstein,
light symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment. The natural world is
a place of dark secrets, hidden passages, and unknown mechanisms; the goal of
the doctor is then to reach light to give life to Frankenstein. The dangerous
and more powerful cousin of light is fire. The monster’s first experience with
a still-smoldering flame reveals the dual nature of fire: he discovers
excitedly that it creates light in the darkness of the night, but also that it
harms him when he touches it.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
THE RESTORATION & 18th CENTURY_GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
Discussion Questions
1. Who was Jonathan Swift? What is he
best known for?
Jonathan Swift was an author, journalist, and political activist best known for his satirical
novel Gulliver's Travels and for his satirical essay on the Irish
famine, "A Modest Proposal” also known as the dean of St. Patrick's
Cathedral in Dublin.
2.
What literary period does he
represent?
He represents the Neoclassic, where they symbolize the 18th
century of the British society.
3.
Define Satire.
Satire is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing
arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to
ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations,
government or society itself, into improvement. Although satire is usually
meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social
criticism, using wit as a weapon and as a tool to draw attention to both
particular and wider issues in society.
4. Why do you think Swift used this
genre?
I can see that Jonathan Swift used the humus and social criticism to
show us how the society was in that period.
5 5. What do you think Swift's view of
humanity is? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
He was realistic and sarcastic when he created the Gulliver’s Travel. He
could see how in those days the people were controlled by politics and
religious (do it and don’t ask why).
I agree with Swift in how he sees humanity because we are not open
minded of how politics and religious controlling the society.
6. What do you think the controversy
between the Big-Endians and the Small-Endians represents?
The Small- Endians represents the Church of England and The Big-Endians
represents the Roman Catholicism.
7. What do we learn about the
Lilliputians with the knowledge that they believe no other kingdoms exist
except those of Lilliput and Blefuscu?
What I understand that each country was thinking about one is the best
from the other. They were fighting for lands or other insignificant things that
they couldn't try at least to work each other to defeat real enemies.
8. Why does Gulliver have such a strong
reaction against the Yahoos when he first sees them?
Because he couldn't believe how selfish, irrational, dumb and evil they
were.
9. Who are the Struldbruggs? Are they
happy to have eternal life? Why or why
not?
They are immortal people, always happy and are not afraid of death.
When Gulliver finally leaves the island after helping the two kings make
peace each other. You can see how Gulliver was happy to help and make then see
that due to them they are making a stupid war for nothing and that they should
thing about the happiness of their children.
Here is the movie of the Gulliver's Travels for you all to know about this amazing story:
17TH CENTURY POETRIES
The poetry or sonnet in that period was important also popular.
I made this sonnet which hope it is okay. Is about someone that I care very much...
My guy is tall and handsome
strong and courteous
friendly and respectful
also gentle and tender
He has so many qualities that amazes me
God did a good job in creating him
and there is more to add in the list
because they are many and
strong and courteous
friendly and respectful
also gentle and tender
He has so many qualities that amazes me
God did a good job in creating him
and there is more to add in the list
because they are many and
it’s just dazzles me only
to think about him
He looks shy but very sexy
kind of serious but not quiet
he’s also straight and very responsible
while clever and cunning too
I like his genius and good thoughts
He looks shy but very sexy
kind of serious but not quiet
he’s also straight and very responsible
while clever and cunning too
I like his genius and good thoughts
not to
mention his intelligence in math
good with history, and I think he knows about art
excellent counselor and good to interact
He's my spoiled and angel too
he is honest and also gentle
good with history, and I think he knows about art
excellent counselor and good to interact
He's my spoiled and angel too
he is honest and also gentle
well dressed and you know he
is unique?
Not to mention his lovely heart.
These are the qualities that fascinates me
I don’t want him to change at all
I'm so happy to have met this guy
and I thank God for giving me this handsome man...
Not to mention his lovely heart.
These are the qualities that fascinates me
I don’t want him to change at all
I'm so happy to have met this guy
and I thank God for giving me this handsome man...
"THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH"
1 Describe Macbeth's character. Is he
completely a villain? Does he have a conscience? Explain.
Macbeth’s character is not a villain in that sense. Is actually a person
that got insane of what the witches told him (about he will be King) and what
Lady Macbeth was persuading him to make the killing. For me he had a conscience
of what he was going just to get he wants power, money, and leadership.
1 What are the forces that determine
Macbeth's destiny? To what degree are the witches responsible for Macbeth's
downfall? What roles do fate and free will play in Macbeth's destruction?
The forces that determine Macbeth’s destiny are the 3 witches. The
witches were some part responsible like partially; they only influence Macbeth’s
fate. Due to that fate that they provided him, he turned ambitious, hunger of
power so he’s the only one responsible for his downfall and play his
destruction and brought about by his own free will.
1 As a psychological symbol, what does
blood represent for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
The blood represents murder and dead for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
2 What is your favorite scene in the
play? Explain why this scene is so
memorable to you and how it will help you remember The Tragedy of Macbeth for
many years to come.
My favorite scene in the play is when Lady Macbeth killed the King by
her own hands which means betrayal and it is so memorable to me because you can
see in real life how people betrayal you even your own family for insignificant
things. Actually Macbeth and his tragedy is and still remembered till many
years because we can relate it as I said before with the real life. In how
people do bad things to get something but at the end you have what you deserve…
3 What do you think are the most
important themes of Macbeth?
The most important themes are: ambitious, appearance and reality, honor,
power, greed.
4 Were you satisfied with the ending
of the play? Explain your answer using
specific evidence from the play.
Is not bad the end of the play but I would like it to be different. I
think it will be better for the ending of the play that Macbeth is in hail for
his crimes and when he’s in bars he sees ghosts of all the people he killed and
then he gets insane and kills himself.
Macbeth_Documentary movie: here you will see everything about the tradegy of Macbeth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q7mrzy3knI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q7mrzy3knI
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