Most students approach the Mary Shelley book Frankenstein knowing very little about the story. There are important facts about the novel that show the influence on society. Frankenstein was one of the first horror novels that was made and affected society because this was something different during the time. The novel shows different characteristics of the characters and how in those days responded to certain situations. This story deals with many twists and turns and is an amazing plot that makes the readers expands their imagination. Frankenstein is told from different perspectives of certain individuals and it shows their life experiences that they dealt with during this time of the creation of the monster. The most significant theme in the story is “Dangerous knowledge and secrecy”. Frankenstein who creates the monster keeps it in secrecy, even away from his future wife Elizabeth. He does not accept that what he did is a mistake. His selfish mind does affect the whole society because in the end his selfishness does kill all the people that he loves. Mary Shelley does interpret the symbol of light and fire. Light and fire are symbolic because “What could not be expected in the country of eternal light?” asks Walton, displaying a faith in, and optimism about, science. 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 scientist is then to reach light. 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” (Barnes and Noble, 2006). The Novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is an excellent novel that demonstrates important themes and real life situations. It shows how selfishness can affect your life just like Frankenstein’s decision of creating the monster affected his life. This novel teaches many facts of life that can be pondered on and are valuable lessons. Frankenstein inspires all their readers and is a novel that should be read not only once, but examined thoroughly for significance and daily life situations. Works Cited Unknown. (2006). Barns and Noble. Retrieved November 22, 2007, from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Web site: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/themes.html.
Significance of Wilderness in “Death by Landscape” by Margaret Atwood
The short story “Death by Landscape” by Margaret Atwood does take place in a Canadian setting of wilderness. The character Lois has a fear of nature, and wilderness. Lois goes on a camping trip and is afraid of the atmosphere. In time she does adapt to it. Her friend disappears and the blame is on Lois. Lois cannot accept the fact that the blame has to be taken upon her and knows that the disappearance of their friend is just an excuse. “The protagonist cannot believe that Lucy has died, and for this reason she has been living two lives. At the end of the story, Lois can finally accept the wilderness as part of herself” (Wilderness Tips, 1991). The significance in this story of wilderness is that Lois did spend most of her time painting and drawing pictures about the wilderness eventhough she was afraid of it. She was trying to overcome the fear and hoping that in making this art it would have worked. A significance of wilderness of the act of overcoming fear can be described in the movie “Home alone”. The boy is afraid of being home alone and doing things on his own such as going out shopping for groceries. One day robbers come into his house and he is afraid of them but he overcomes the fear by setting traps. He is also afraid of the man who always shoveled snow because he heard certain rumors about him. He then overcomes his fear by simply associating with him. This benefits him in the end because the older man saves his life. The “Death by Landscape” by Margaret Atwood is a significant story that demonstrates the theme of wilderness and fear that can be overcome by certain characters.
Works Cited
Kellman, Steven G. (September, 2006). Salem Press. Retrieved November 22, 2007, from Magill’s Survey of American Literature Web site: https://salempress.com/Store/samples/survey_american_lit/survey_american_lit_atwood.htm
Blindness Versus Awareness in “Soldier’s Home” November 10, 2007
Hemingway’s short story “Soldier’s Home” explores the theme of “Blindness versus Awareness” through certain events that the character experiences. The story begins with a third person narrator who introduces us Harold Krebs; a soldier who attended the Methodist College in Kansas. Harold then joined the war and this experience led him to change emotionally. When he returns home he is completely aware that his family still loves him but is not able to give back the love, even to his mother. When he is asked by his mother to attend church and to get a job he reluctantly refuses. Harold admits to his mother that he does not love her eventhough he knows in his heart it is a lie. The war leads him to be blind towards reality, and the love that is given to him. His illness interferes with him keeping his dignity and honour after the war. Eventhough his life was hard at the time being he changed. He was a different person referring his mother as “mummy” and listening to her like a child. He respected her and was aware of the situation his life lied upon. However was blinded towards his reality and was not able to succeed in life because of his lack of not wanting to.
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