Frankenstein - What happened to Mel Brooks?!

"Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep." p. 35

"Young Frankenstein" is a movie that I can recall watching at a very young age that easily put me in stitches. Yet, the thought of a completely crazy scientist (no one can deny that Gene Wilder was insane and just a tad creepy) creating a monster from bodies he obtained after an evening of grave robbing was a big pill for me to swallow as a kid. That one movie framed my entire belief on what this classic tale was all about. However, I could not have been more wrong. The differences between the book and the movie parody are numerous. For starters, the creation scene was much of the basis of the movie while Shelley got it over with early on in the book. Further, there was no evil laugh or lightening striking. Frankenstein in the book was even completely terrified of his creation. Another difference, and probably the biggest disappointment, was there was no Igor. I was really looking forward to him. Frankenstein in the book did his experiments in complete secrecy, whereas in the movie there was Igor, his sidekick servant, and various other people who I forget the names of.

Frankenstein - anecdote

"Do you remember on what occasions Justine Moritz entered our family? Probably you do not; her mother, was a widow with four children, of whom Justine was the third. This girl had always been the favourite of her father; but, through a strange perversity, her mother could not endure her, and after the death of M. Moritz, treated her very ill." p. 41

The excerpt that I have found is from Elizabeth's letter to Frankenstein. She is trying to jog his memory about Justine Moritz. With this brief anecdote, Frankenstein, as well as the reader, is able to learn more about the character of Justine. This is important because Justine plays an extremely important role as the story continues regarding Frankenstein's brother and the monster that he had created nearly two years ago. This is not the only anecdote that I have noticed while reading. Nearly every time a new character is introduced, the writer goes into some detail in order to characterize the character (duh!). For example, when the professors are introduced, a brief explanation is given for each of them. This is helpful in the story because I was able to understand more of where the characters were coming from and then I could begin to comprehend the main characters' reactions to each of the minor characters.

Frankenstein - frame story

"Strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful the storm which embraced the gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it-thus!" p. 14

In the novel, there are many different things going on. One of the biggest literary devices being utilized throughout the book is frame stories. The story starts off as a man (Walton) writing a series of letters to his sister while he is on a voyage. He is relaying the tales of his journey, which prompts him to tell his sister about the man he saw chasing after a monstrous creature. This man is Frankenstein, who begins to tell his tale. So that is one story within a story. In the midst of his storytelling, Frankenstein's story is interrupted with the story of his creation. Now, there is a story within a story within a story. Not to mention there are lots of little stories within each of the characters' narrations. The story can be a bit confusing at times. However, I think all of these frame stories make the story seem more real. I know that when I am telling stories I like to give every detail and all the background information. So all of these back stories really make this book more enjoyable to me as a reader, but can make analyzing a bit more difficult because you have all of these different speakers talking about all different characters and events.

Frankenstein - point of view

"But I consented to listen, and seating myself by the fire which my odious companion had lighted, he thus began his tale.

'It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of my being: all the events of that period appear confused and indistinct.' " p. 70

Point of view plays an integral role in the way this story is formed. In order to fully grasp what is happening in the plot, the reader must be able to keep up with exactly who's point of view this is all coming from. The quote that I have selected - and the point I am at in the story- is spoken by the monster. That monster is telling his tale to his creator, Frankenstein. Frankenstein is telling all of this to Walton who is relaying it to his sister in a letter. So as the story continues and changes, so do the storytellers. The changing point of view allows the reader to sort of hear all sides of the story. In a way, it makes it more like a movie or a play, where the viewer can see what is happening to all the characters. The changing voice also gives the reader a chance to understand what is occurring in the thoughts of the different characters. Each is going on his own specific journey and it is very interesting to find out how all of the journeys and stories interlock with one another.

A Raisin In the Sun - Money, Money, Money

"So now it's life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life- now it's money. I guess the world really do change..." - Mama

I think this book was sort of eye opening for a lot of people when it was published. It was for me. I know that there are people out there who never stop to think about the effects money has on the people who have the least of it. The Younger's, for example, have so little of it that they can hardly afford anything. This was most clearly demonstrated when Ruth was going to get an abortion because she didn't think that they could afford another baby. That is one of the saddest things to me. Whenever I think about abortions, I tend to think about young mothers who aren't ready to raise a child and don't want to go through the embarrassment of having to carry one for nine months. However, I never really think about the mothers who simply cannot afford to have a baby. That is something that deeply saddens me. Not only about the poor condition that people are raised in, but it also makes me sad about human dignity in general. I know I'm kind of going off topic here, but what kind of world do we live in that can afford to spend all this money to enhance our lives or make them longer, yet they cannot help those out who cannot simply afford to bring new lives into existence?

Anyways, this reinforced the idea that the family is centered so much around money. That check was the driving force for the plot and allowed all of their dreams to come true. Which raises the question: can money really bring happiness?

A Raisin In the Sun - The Glass Menagerie

"The Younger living room would be a comfortable and well-ordered room if it were not for a number of indestructible contradictions to this state of being..."

This play connected a lot with The Glass Menagerie. The main connection I saw was the integral part that the setting played in both. In each story, the action was centered around an apartment. All the conflicts and struggles each family had took place (for the most part) in the apartment. It was how they hid away from the world and coped with their problems as a single unit. Another similarity is, in each story, there is a mother who drives the plot. Both have set goals that they strive for and they ultimately want the best for their children. Whether that be moving to a new house or finding a husband for her daughter, each mother tries her hardest to do what is right. Finally, there are characters in both plays that desire to overcome obstacles or escape their current situation. Basically all the characters in A Raisin In the Sun want to do their own things but struggle because of a lack of money. Walter wants a liquor store to prove that he is worth something. Mama and Ruth want a nice house of their own. Beneatha wants to make a change in bettering mankind. In The Glass Menagerie, Tom wants to set sails and explore, just like they did in all the adventurous movies he watched. Laura, I think, also wants to escape the confines of her handicap and begin to be the person she always had the potential to be.

A Raisin In the Sun - loneliness

Asagai: (Rather quickly for him) That when it is all over - that you come home with me-

Beneatha: (Staring at him and crossing away with exasperation) Oh-Asagai-at this moment you decide to be romantic!

11. I think that Beneatha is the most lonely character in the play. She is widely set apart from the other young women because she is an African American who is also a feminist. During this time, they did not hold a whole lot of social power. The members in her family and the two men she was involved with basically told her that she was wrong in her feminist ways. I think she is also one of the loneliest members in the family. She is trying to go through college to become a doctor, which is frowned upon by those she is closest to. Also, she is the last one to receive money for her endeavors in the family (even though she never actually receives it because Walter invests the money in the liquor store). Finally, she is lonely because she doesn't think that anyone understands her desire to learn about her heritage. So she is excited about the idea of moving with Asagai to continue on a new journey that will hopefully fill some sort of void in her life.