Comments for Exploring the Gothic for A2 http://thegothic.edublogs.org Support for the OCR Synoptic unit Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:02:51 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 Comment on Adding comments by Comments and Analysis | Adventures in Teaching and Learning http://thegothic.edublogs.org/blog-instructions/adding-comments/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Comments and Analysis | Adventures in Teaching and Learning Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:02:51 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/blog-instructions/adding-comments/#comment-24 [...] Perhaps I could start by posting a link to Tessa’s excellent and clear instructions on how to post a comment? This might also be an appropriate place to point out that I do moderate comments, so please [...] [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The comment's server IP (72.34.60.86) doesn't match the comment's URL host IP () and so is spam. [...] Perhaps I could start by posting a link to Tessa’s excellent and clear instructions on how to post a comment? This might also be an appropriate place to point out that I do moderate comments, so please [...]

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]]> Comment on Initial reviews of ‘Frankenstein’ by emma http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/06/01/initial-reviews-of-frankenstein/comment-page-1/#comment-23 emma Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:41:50 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/?p=32#comment-23 My extract, written in 1818 starts off in a slightly obscured manner, stating, 'the novel is a feeble imitation of one that was very popular in its day - The St Leon, Mr Godwin.' This i think slightly alters the authors view, making them highly critical and perhaps bitter throughout the novel because they believe the basis of Frankenstein was an 'imitation' of another novel. The review starts with an opening paragraph mentioning the above but also boldly and immediately stating the problems with the novel, only praising the author of occasionally putting forward tendencies of talent. The review then goes with a long paragraph summing up the beginning and ending of the book, with barely any explanation as to what happens in between. This serious fault hopefully would have been spotted by readers of this review, as without the important middle section, where EVERYTHING happens. The author touches on the fact that the monster kills everyone and ruins everything in Victors life, but only in one sentence, not justifying the importance or relevance of the chase and the torment that Victor experiences with the terrifying and intense build up, a major gothic theme. The wording used is in a slightly mocking manner, like they are telling a child a story, starting, 'The story begins at the end.' Ok, the story begins at the end but why?! They have written no explanation as to why it is important the story is at the end. The author states that the book was written with haste and with no heart, which has let down the authors opportunities to write an extremely good novel. Questionably though as we have read the book in great detail and with slight fascination as the book has gone on, we know that the writing style Shelley has used is what makes the book great, with the feelings and intensity between characters and the underlying messages all adding to the great time and effort it took to get it spot on. However the author of this review has mentioned something we picked up on. The fact that the monster has taken so little time to adapt to human life, with no human teaching it the vital social skills and morals, let alone the faculties that a human must gain to be able to do anything, i.e walk. The author points out as soon as the monster is 'born' he begins to walk, which in our eyes was also a little ridiculous, as technically the monster was literally being born, who on earth taught him how to walk!? And then the quick adjustments to human techniques such as speech and intelligence generally, summed up in chapter 11 by the monsters strange and quick interpretations of birds, calling them 'winged creatures' then 'birds' then by their species in a small paragraph. I think it was harder for the romantic audience to get to grips with this 'flaw' in Shelley's writing, mainly because of the scientific changes happening. If someone could ultimately bring alive a collection of dead bodies, forming one big corpse through electricity as Victor does, the intelligence possessed would be minimal and the readers would want a realistic approach to the science 'part' of the writing, due to the importance of new discoveries, unlike today we just consider it another part of the genre. Shelley probably had a valid reason for doing so, but for HER audience, it was not appreciated. My extract, written in 1818 starts off in a slightly obscured manner, stating, ‘the novel is a feeble imitation of one that was very popular in its day – The St Leon, Mr Godwin.’ This i think slightly alters the authors view, making them highly critical and perhaps bitter throughout the novel because they believe the basis of Frankenstein was an ‘imitation’ of another novel.
The review starts with an opening paragraph mentioning the above but also boldly and immediately stating the problems with the novel, only praising the author of occasionally putting forward tendencies of talent.
The review then goes with a long paragraph summing up the beginning and ending of the book, with barely any explanation as to what happens in between. This serious fault hopefully would have been spotted by readers of this review, as without the important middle section, where EVERYTHING happens. The author touches on the fact that the monster kills everyone and ruins everything in Victors life, but only in one sentence, not justifying the importance or relevance of the chase and the torment that Victor experiences with the terrifying and intense build up, a major gothic theme.
The wording used is in a slightly mocking manner, like they are telling a child a story, starting, ‘The story begins at the end.’
Ok, the story begins at the end but why?! They have written no explanation as to why it is important the story is at the end.
The author states that the book was written with haste and with no heart, which has let down the authors opportunities to write an extremely good novel. Questionably though as we have read the book in great detail and with slight fascination as the book has gone on, we know that the writing style Shelley has used is what makes the book great, with the feelings and intensity between characters and the underlying messages all adding to the great time and effort it took to get it spot on.

However the author of this review has mentioned something we picked up on. The fact that the monster has taken so little time to adapt to human life, with no human teaching it the vital social skills and morals, let alone the faculties that a human must gain to be able to do anything, i.e walk. The author points out as soon as the monster is ‘born’ he begins to walk, which in our eyes was also a little ridiculous, as technically the monster was literally being born, who on earth taught him how to walk!?
And then the quick adjustments to human techniques such as speech and intelligence generally, summed up in chapter 11 by the monsters strange and quick interpretations of birds, calling them ‘winged creatures’ then ‘birds’ then by their species in a small paragraph.
I think it was harder for the romantic audience to get to grips with this ‘flaw’ in Shelley’s writing, mainly because of the scientific changes happening. If someone could ultimately bring alive a collection of dead bodies, forming one big corpse through electricity as Victor does, the intelligence possessed would be minimal and the readers would want a realistic approach to the science ‘part’ of the writing, due to the importance of new discoveries, unlike today we just consider it another part of the genre. Shelley probably had a valid reason for doing so, but for HER audience, it was not appreciated.

]]> Comment on Initial reviews of ‘Frankenstein’ by Samantha http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/06/01/initial-reviews-of-frankenstein/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Samantha Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:04:14 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/?p=32#comment-22 To be honest i didn't fully understand this extract, and felt that it was incredibly critical especially in the last paragraph when they state, 'it inculcates no lesson of conduct, manners, or morality; it cannot mend, and will not even amuse its readers, unless their taste have been deplorably vitiated'. Although when i considered the time in which this piece was written i found that it was fairly typical. However i do not share their view point as i think Shelley fills some aspects of the novel with morals and lessons concerning that of the vanity of society and the effects of a rejected 'child' (i am of course referring to the monster). To be honest i didn’t fully understand this extract, and felt that it was incredibly critical especially in the last paragraph when they state, ‘it inculcates no lesson of conduct, manners, or morality; it cannot mend, and will not even amuse its readers, unless their taste have been deplorably vitiated’. Although when i considered the time in which this piece was written i found that it was fairly typical. However i do not share their view point as i think Shelley fills some aspects of the novel with morals and lessons concerning that of the vanity of society and the effects of a rejected ‘child’ (i am of course referring to the monster).

]]> Comment on Initial reviews of ‘Frankenstein’ by sophie http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/06/01/initial-reviews-of-frankenstein/comment-page-1/#comment-21 sophie Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:42:56 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/?p=32#comment-21 The british critic of Frankenstein is very scathing about the book and is often quite sarcastic about it especially of it's author " The writer of it is, we understand, a female; this is an aggravation of that which is the prevailing fault of the novel; but if our authoress can forget the gentleness of her sex, it is no reason why we should; and we shall therefore dismiss the novel without further comment". The critic does sympathise with the monster "very pitiable and ill-used monster, and are much inclined to join in his request, and ask Frankenstein to make him a wife". The critics points would have been more prevalent at the time, due to higher religiosity and the shocking nature of the creature, "the horror which abounds in them is too grotesque and bizarre ever to approach near the sublime, and when we did not hurry over the pages in disgust, we sometimes paused to laugh outright; and yet we suspect, that the diseased and wandering imagination, which has stepped out of all legitimate bounds, to frame these disjointed combinations and unnatural adventures, might be disciplined into something better". The british critic of Frankenstein is very scathing about the book and is often quite sarcastic about it especially of it’s author ”
The writer of it is, we understand, a female; this is an aggravation of that which is the prevailing fault of the novel; but if our authoress can forget the gentleness of her sex, it is no reason why we should; and we shall therefore dismiss the novel without further comment”. The critic does sympathise with the monster “very pitiable and ill-used monster, and are much inclined to join in his request, and ask Frankenstein to make him a wife”. The critics points would have been more prevalent at the time, due to higher religiosity and the shocking nature of the creature, “the horror which abounds in them is too grotesque and bizarre ever to approach near the sublime, and when we did not hurry over the pages in disgust, we sometimes paused to laugh outright; and yet we suspect, that the diseased and wandering imagination, which has stepped out of all legitimate bounds, to frame these disjointed combinations and unnatural adventures, might be disciplined into something better”.

]]> Comment on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by emma http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/comment-page-1/#comment-20 emma Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:12:36 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/#comment-20 Both settings are extremely similar, the fact that the Antarctica has been chosen represents the isolated and lonely feelings Victor has, and also those of the monster, a pathetic fallacy perhaps. The ideal for knowledge expressed by the wedding guests is that similar to the knowledge needed perhaps by Victor in his science, the monster in his existence and Walton, who just like the wedding guests is being told the fascinating story. When the Mariner kills the albatross and has to wear it, it is like Victors hunt for the monster and the murders of innocent people that are being committed as the search goes on. Just like the Mariner, the monster is Victors albatross, forever the burden around his neck. The use of 'being dead but alive' is also important, because Frankenstein is a reincarnation of random corpses, who wonders the earth with no purpose. The Mariner at one point is also wondering why he must endure life any longer, whilst the rotting corpses of his crew are around him, body parts coming into play again. Both settings are extremely similar, the fact that the Antarctica has been chosen represents the isolated and lonely feelings Victor has, and also those of the monster, a pathetic fallacy perhaps. The ideal for knowledge expressed by the wedding guests is that similar to the knowledge needed perhaps by Victor in his science, the monster in his existence and Walton, who just like the wedding guests is being told the fascinating story. When the Mariner kills the albatross and has to wear it, it is like Victors hunt for the monster and the murders of innocent people that are being committed as the search goes on. Just like the Mariner, the monster is Victors albatross, forever the burden around his neck. The use of ‘being dead but alive’ is also important, because Frankenstein is a reincarnation of random corpses, who wonders the earth with no purpose. The Mariner at one point is also wondering why he must endure life any longer, whilst the rotting corpses of his crew are around him, body parts coming into play again.

]]> Comment on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by vicki http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/comment-page-1/#comment-19 vicki Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:26:16 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/#comment-19 the ancient mariner and victor are similar personalities - there is a desire for knowledge, a sense of their being a quest that links them. Pathetic fallacy is used here and the antartica in the poem and the end of frankenstein where victor is and where walter finds him suggests gothic imagery. The supernatural, another motif of the gothic genre is a strong element in frankenstein and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner - whilst in Frankenstein it links to science and in the Rime it links to spirits there is still a sense of the supernatural being involved in life and death in both texts. The characters appear isolated from others and the lure of knowledge, which is ultimately power ties them both. the ancient mariner and victor are similar personalities – there is a desire for knowledge, a sense of their being a quest that links them. Pathetic fallacy is used here and the antartica in the poem and the end of frankenstein where victor is and where walter finds him suggests gothic imagery. The supernatural, another motif of the gothic genre is a strong element in frankenstein and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner – whilst in Frankenstein it links to science and in the Rime it links to spirits there is still a sense of the supernatural being involved in life and death in both texts. The characters appear isolated from others and the lure of knowledge, which is ultimately power ties them both.

]]> Comment on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by helen http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/comment-page-1/#comment-18 helen Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:02:34 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/#comment-18 Both settings are gothic like, and the horrific storm descriptions could be linked to shelleys descriptions of the mountains, using pathetic fallacy to create an illusiona and scary atmosphere to empasise how the characters are feeling. Both Ancient Mariner seem to again be eager for the power of knowledge, both in a way overcomming them, also this idea of life and death has clearly influenced Shelley, and is a key element 'but life-in-death begins her work on the Ancient Mariner'. This idea then links to a gothic descriptions, the poems tale about souls and skeletons is definatly gothic and links to shelleys descriptions of deformed monsters half human, half another creation. Both settings are gothic like, and the horrific storm descriptions could be linked to shelleys descriptions of the mountains, using pathetic fallacy to create an illusiona and scary atmosphere to empasise how the characters are feeling.
Both Ancient Mariner seem to again be eager for the power of knowledge, both in a way overcomming them, also this idea of life and death has clearly influenced Shelley, and is a key element ‘but life-in-death begins her work on the Ancient Mariner’. This idea then links to a gothic descriptions, the poems tale about souls and skeletons is definatly gothic and links to shelleys descriptions of deformed monsters half human, half another creation.

]]> Comment on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by sophie http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/comment-page-1/#comment-17 sophie Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:53:19 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/#comment-17 Both of the stories seem to consider some of the same themes especially those of the gothic genre. Also both of the stories start with the idea of an adventure for slightly different purposes,while Victor is trying to escape the monster at the beggining compared to the ancient mariner who is searching for knoledge. Furthermore both of the stories contain supernatural elements that a modern reader might question. Both of the stories seem to consider some of the same themes especially those of the gothic genre. Also both of the stories start with the idea of an adventure for slightly different purposes,while Victor is trying to escape the monster at the beggining compared to the ancient mariner who is searching for knoledge. Furthermore both of the stories contain supernatural elements that a modern reader might question.

]]> Comment on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Shomari http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Shomari Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:23:45 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/#comment-16 Both stories seem to have very sublime settings, the ancient mariner which is set in Antartica is similar to Frankenstein as we first meet Victor near the north pole. the ancient Marnier, like Victor seeks knowledge as a result of his isolation from other characters. Both texts posses gothic elements as both the novel and the poem includes elements of the supernatural, fear and isolation. The poem focuses more on the 'supernatural unknown' e.g. the spirits that re to be feared because they persue the ship in anger, whereas frankenstein focuses on the supernatural elements of Science e.g. the creation of life using dead body parts. Both stories seem to have very sublime settings, the ancient mariner which is set in Antartica is similar to Frankenstein as we first meet Victor near the north pole. the ancient Marnier, like Victor seeks knowledge as a result of his isolation from other characters. Both texts posses gothic elements as both the novel and the poem includes elements of the supernatural, fear and isolation. The poem focuses more on the ’supernatural unknown’ e.g. the spirits that re to be feared because they persue the ship in anger, whereas frankenstein focuses on the supernatural elements of Science e.g. the creation of life using dead body parts.

]]> Comment on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by samantha http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/comment-page-1/#comment-15 samantha Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:20:23 +0000 http://thegothic.edublogs.org/2008/03/20/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/#comment-15 Both stories set out with a journey/adventure and have similar sublime settings, victor our main narrator and ancient mariner link closely due to their isolation from other characters and both characters seek knowledge. Gothic features of this poem include many supernatural elements, isolation and fear. Both stories set out with a journey/adventure and have similar sublime settings, victor our main narrator and ancient mariner link closely due to their isolation from other characters and both characters seek knowledge. Gothic features of this poem include many supernatural elements, isolation and fear.

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