This semester flew by! I really liked second quarter. The books that we were assigned to read were very interesting. I really understand the Victorian Era and Romanticism. Digging for the deeper meaning in the text, is something that interests me. I definetly think that you need to read, in order to understand all the themes, and the writing style of the time period. It all comes together and makes sense. I reccomend taking a lot of notes, and trying to interprate the book differently than anyone else. It makes it more interesting, and gives you a variety of topics to write a paper on. I also think that annotating the books is really important. Highlighting major quotes can only benefit you, when its time to study or write a paper. I like the layered project. Its fun and interesting. I like how you break it down into layers. It takes a lot of stress off of me, and gives me time to really work hard and get my point across. I struggled first quarter, because I don’t really understand post modernism/modernism. It really confused me. I like your teaching techniques, and I think that the homework really does help us understand the novels more. It may be a lot, but in the end it only helps us. I really enjoy your class, and I look forward to next semester!

Well, I interpreted this book in many different ways. I found that there were many hidden messages embedded throughout the text. Mary Shelley wants suspense to be obvious, but at the same time, she wants the less known themes to play a significant role as well. Before I read this novel, I thought of Frankenstein as a BIG, immortal green scary monster,that kills. Now, I have a deeper understanding of the novel and of what Shelley is trying to get across to her audience. For example, Frankenstein is actually the creator of the monster that people identify as Frankenstein.

At the beginning, Victor was a man torn between his morals, and personal interests. He is brought up in a very religious background, that does not tolerate scientific discussions of evolution and other concepts that challenge tradition. As the novel goes on, I see multiple changes in Victor. He goes off to school, in hope to study natural philosophy, in which he is infatuated with to the highest degree. his morals change almost immediately when he arrives at the decision to create such a sin. The sin being, to take on the role of God and create life. He creates a monster void of any love-filled emotions.As the story twists, the monster realizes his agonizing want to feel love. He watches Felix’s family, and realizes how happy Felix is, and he thinks that only love can make someone happy. He envies those feelings and demands Victor to create a companion.

The monster can be seen as a child, for he acts as if he has blinders on. He obsesses over the one thing he wants, a companion. Just like any other kid, the monster begins to throw temper tantrums to get what he wants. However, his tantrums are different from a child’s, and goes on a rampage killing Victor’s love ones. He thinks that he will open Victor’s eyes to his feelings of loneliness. The theme, parenting comes into play as Victor attempts to gives in, and begins to create another monster. But, later he realizes what a mass destruction the two could be, and knows that it will only turn out for the worst. He then stops, like a good parent should, and doesn’t give into the tantrum. And then  the text revisits the theme of religion as Victor stops in his tracks of creating another sin. But, in a way, the effect of his decision, causes him to pay for his original wrong doing.

I really enjoyed this novel. I was surprised at the deeper meanings this novel contained. I really like this time period, the style is different and more complex. I enjoyed finding the deeper meanings and really making sense out of the plot and how nature has an effect on the storyline.