Mephistopheles character

Mephistopheles Character:

• Act 1, Scene 3- 

• line 25- see how Faustus describes him as first by being 'too ugly'.

• lines 47-52-mephistopheles did not come in answer to Faustus's magic incantations, but simply because he heard some abuse the name of God as he says ' I came now hither of mine own accord.'

• lines 78-84 hell is the absence of God, this makes him a more over powering character we see this through his manipulation.

Act 2, scene 1- 

•  'As before, none of the devil's answers are reassuring... man is tempted only because misery loves company' 

• lines 72 and 83- Mephistopheles asides and creates a new actor - audience relationship, trying Mephistopheles into a cunning plotter.

• He refuses to provide Faustus with a wife, gives him the run down option of a prostitute, would seem more of a wrong doing in religious term. Though this can be M. using his power over Faustus he plays the character of God providing what he wants. 

• Mephistopheles- his motivations are ambiguous: his goal is to catch Faustus’s soul and carry it to hell; on the other hand, he attempts to dissuade Faustus from making a deal with Lucifer by warning him about the horrors of hell. Mephastophilis is ultimately as tragic a figure as Faustus, with his moving, regretful accounts of what the devils have lost in their eternal separation from God and his repeated reflections on the pain that comes with damnation.
• shows hell as being a good place Act 2.3 line 5- 'think'st thou heaven is such a glorious thing? ' Shows Faustus as hell being an easy option to material gains, also how M. questions this too may show his lack of experience of what hell is actually like may get worse.
•  M's. Character acts as the body or 'gut' we could say for why Faustus becomes the way he is. Initially M is the motivation behind most of the acts Faustus decides to do. 
• At first he appears as a weak character as from lines 40-42, Lucifer is the 'God' he is just a servant. 

Act 4

• Faustus's character becomes a celebrity at the beginning of act 4 "as they admired and wondered at his wit. Now is his fame spread forth in every land.'' see his celebrity status grow. This can be question is the celebrity label really credible upon Faustus?
• As in class we were assessing Faustus's character. Faustus's character is viewed as being superior among the rest as coming from a social class of base stock and he has come to the top of his 'game'. Pride has taken over, due to his knowledgeable nature it contradicts his character in previous acts has he becomes ignorant to the idea of going to hell. (becomes a deadly sin himself - too much pride). 
• Power "brass" "silk" as mentioned in the very beginning. Uses his power to advantage. Though it can be argued whether Faustus has become powerful, he hasn't accomplished much in his 24 years whilst selling his soul to the devil.  
• - Faustus becomes power hungry, always strives to be better than what he actually is. 
• Faustus has a character f false ambition. 

Key Quotes from Act 4:

• line 105- "that time doth run with calm client foot, shortening my days and thread of vital life"
• "what art thou, Faustus, but a man condemned to die?"
• act 4 scene 2, line 25-highlights Faustus's knowledge of the world. 

Act 5 

"Feast has ended" metaphor - imagery can't feed of the deadly sins.
- Jesus's last supper
- foreshadows Faustus's death, time (structure) "master means to die shortly"

• Drinking takes place, line 6  "belly cheer" gluttony
• - The language used shows Faustus being from a base stock social class.
• - mother tongue- way down to hell goes back to hell. 
• Faustus brings the most beautiful woman on stage.
• mephistopheles brings the dagger- similar to macbeth.

Significance of Old Man 

-morality/mystery play. 

- line 40"drop blood..." biblical references 

- saviour figure

-assesses the situation, and Faustus agrees with him. 

- form and structure: performs and then has a sobering moment. 

"where art thou Faustus?" forced epiphany

- Faustus "damned" lines 48-50 dramatic. 

- Dagger "and Faustus will come to do thee night" to kill himself? or kill the contract- devil still gets his soul. 

DOCTOR FAUSTUS

Act 1- 

• Introduced to the Character of Faustus, we see a similarity with Frankenstein, both having a passion for knowledge.  Also with Frankenstein "yet art thou still but Faustus, and a man. Wouldst thou make man to live eternally?"This shows Faustus being unsatisfied and a man. As mentioned on lines 23, we can make a connection to Victor's creation of man living eternally being made from other parts as later mentioned "raise to life again?"
• We grasp Faustus being from a base stock form of class, at the lowest of them. This makes me like Faustus more as a character knowing he isn't a character of arrogance. 
• Icarus- References falling from the sky as he flew to close to the sun when for bided by his father. He ended up falling from the sky and drowning. This can depict aspects of Faustus's fall.  
• Some phrases are written in Latin, this shows context as the play would be performed in Churches where Latin was learnt and most spoken. 
• Turns to "black arts".
• Introduced to Mephistopheles and his servant Lucifer, the fallen angel " was not that Lucifer an angel once" . We see how he doesn't force Faustus into temptation of sin, Faustus becomes tempted himself. 
• Hell is appeared to be a state of mind "why this is hell, nor am I out of it"
• Act 1, scene 4- Mainly takes part between Robin and Rafe, this adds a comical aspect to the play. This can be aimed for the audience coming from a class of 'base stock' it makes it relatable for everyone to understand. 
• The comical aspect provides a visual/physical element.
•  The use of miss pronunciation, shows the class division.
• No mention of female characters, this ignored the importance of women; whereas in Frankenstein we see the importance of Elizabeth. Macbeth we see the strong and only female character of Lady Macbeth. 

Act 2 

• Signing the contract with his blood shows a sacrifice. "My blood congeals" Faustus is almost given the chance to stop.
•  He is promised anything and everything. 
• "Homo fuge!"Line 81- 'fly o man' the biblical reference offers Faustus to fly away from sin. 
• The fly of man gives a distraction from the warning. 
• Act 2 scene 1- Faustus demands a wife of Mephistopheles. Does the demand for a wife suggest he wants to repent and do things the right way? or does this show how the wife is directly vowed to him therefore being his object of sexual pleasure. 
• Act 2, scene 2- the comical scene between Robin and Rafe shows a breakdown in structure.
• Sexual innuendo, shows the gender roles of women being seen as objects.  
• Act 2, scene 3 - introduced to the 7 deadly sins:

- Each is introduced as "I am" this gives another voice and view in the play. 

-for example: "I am Wrath...I leaped out of a lion's mouth"-personified 

• The way women are presented as prostitutes, or have sexual references made towards them. As in Act 2, scene 3 "dame' referred to a mother or wife, commonly said that women were worse than the devil, women can be seen as sin of temptation. 

Act 3

• Context Religion and Science.
• Meeting with the pope has the opportunity to redeem himself, initial impressions would be repentance, or a debate upon religion and science. 
• "Olympus' top" highest mountain in Greece. Does this she Faustus trying to reach the heavens but having his fall into temptation each time he rises to the top. 
• Faustus travels to places of great cultural experience- similar to Frankenstein travels a lot. 
• As acting this scene out in class, its a very visual scene. 
• Comical aspect, Faustus using the invisibility robe and plays upon the minds of the pope and friars. 

Last Chapters!

Notes from class discussions:

Chapter 21- Reader is shown more gothic elements again, theme of romanticism drifts away.

• 'young man' 'ten o'clock' ' dark night'- sets gothic imagery gives context.
• Young man of 25 found dead on the shore, strangled, with black finger marks, as in class we discussed shows the creatures corruption of inmnocence; death to a 'handsome young man' by the hands of the murderer Creature.
• Victor feels 'parched with horror, nor can...reflect on that moment without shuddering and agony' as he realises the body is Henry Clerval's - Victor faints. Then lays in a fever for two months, 'close to death'. Melodramatic reaction to what the monster warned him would happen. Coping mechanism with the harshness of reality, going into an unfit state allows Victor to block the world around him.
• - Romantic description of death. It 'snatches away many blooming children, the only hopes of their doting parents'. Also relates to his own mother, who'se happiness rested on Victor's union with Elizabeth.
• 'I was doomed to live' and 'I am sorry that i am still alive to feel this mysery and horror'. 'dream' is repeated constantly in chapter 21 to show victor's confused state of mind. He believes the horrid past events to be all a bad dream, and wishes they were just that when he awakes to find them a reality. Take a Freudian intepreation of this developing dream analysis techniques. 
• 'self satisfaciton' as mentioned in the first volume repeated throughout the novel 'My father...but where is he, why does he not hasten to me?'
• 'a fatality seems to persue you' - irony - 'a gloomy and black melancholy...Clerval was forever before me, ghastly and murdered'. Link to Lady Macbeth's delusions/dreams, or macbeth's ghost of banquo
• Victor's nightmares aboard the ship to Havre-De-Grace about the creature coming to kill him are negated by his father waking him up. Victor finds a 'sense of security' by his father's side.

Chpater 22- Foreshadowing key quotes:

• "may increase your miseries tenfold by being an obstackle to your wishes." makes him more miserable as she dies.
• "tear me from a glimpse of happiness."- death of Elizabeth knows she will die.
• "the apple is already eaten"- Paradise lost references to Eve having the apple, committing sin, Shelleys use of biblical references. 
• "A thousand times would I have shed my own blood, drop by drop, to have saved their live...sacrafice the whole human race." references to Macbeth as well- the motif of blood appearing creates a dramatic atmosphere. 
• "I will be with you on your wedding-night!"
• mentioning mountains brings back romantic as well as gothic elements of peace and dramatical setting. 

Chapter 23- Do we sympathise for Victor in this chapter of the novel?
Do sympathise:

• loosing his loved ones. 
• emotional connection with natures beauty. "the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves ..." the weather affects the mood of Frankensteins stae of mind, the transition from moods. 
• shows remorse. 

Don't sympathise:

• Bought down upon himslef for the creation of the monster. 
• Mellodrmatic the body of Elizabeth- "my love, my wife, so lately living, so dear so worthy."
• Lack of responsibility of controlling the monster. 
• ending of the chapter- " I broke from the house angry and disturbed... other mode of action"- ignorance.

Chapter 24-  Death of Frankenstein and how creature reacts.

• Victor tells walton about the monsters travels, starts in the graveyard in Geneva at his families grave. 
• Asks Walton to killl the monster.
• Frankenstein is feulled by revenge.

Important parts:

• Shelleys use of Location in the chaoter as well as the letters 
• Walton's contuation- shows letters havent been completely finished, readers question the reliability of the novel and points of views. 
• References to paradise lost- "like the arch angel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell."
• "passion" used repetitively.

Creature becomes detached from Frankenstein. Feels "abortion" to feel abandoned. 

Coursework Ideas

I  have thought about focusing on the use of symbolism and how they create meanings in many ways for the reader, also to show whether the use of symbolism is useful in my chosen text. Taking a critical approach I will show how my text may lack symbolism or how symbolism could be portrayed in a better way.

So far my idea for my Critical coursework text is the Poem of Fra Lippo Lippi. The text studied at AS lit came to mind as it shows the symbolism and importance of art as well as the stability of society. Based on the Florentine Monk living in the 15th century will also enable me to explore theories of Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism which can also help provide explanations for how the poem can be critically analysed. If I do focus on symbolism I could explore should art be realistic and true to life or should it be idealistic and didactic? this thought is highlighted a lot throughout the poem.

Chapter 9-Chapter 10
The death of Justine, we see how Frankenstein quickly changes the tense to forget what his creation had done to his family 'Justine's died; she rested'.

• 'The blood flowed freely in my veins, but a weight of despair and remorse pressed on my heart'. Frankensteins worries become almost untangled, the heat has come of his shoulders and the intense atmosphere of Justine's trial. The use of personification emphasis the guilt and pain he truly feels.
• Frankensteins character is shown again 'self-satisfaction'.
• 'I was now free' questions the reader what is he free from? the past is always going to haunt him, Frankenstein is aware of the past coming back.
• page 73- 'I was encompassed ...type of me' describes a reflection of himself the things he has done.
• also on page 73 Shelly's use of pathetic fallacy after the Mountain and surrounding echos the mood of guilt and remorse, though its used throughout the novel.
• the ending of chapter nine shows how Frankenstein has almost found peace with nature which he connects best with. 'sleep crept over me' suggests a new story of the past coming upon him. Or sleep can be seen as a world for him of unconscious desires which are repressed, in which his imaginations are achievable.

The natural world has effects on victor's mood: the beauty of nature enlightens his character. Though nature makes him joyful it also bring him the feelings of regret, guilt and shame. 'The rain depressed me; my old feeling recurred, and i was miserable'. The significance of the connection to nature is purely based upon the creation of the monster. The monster becomes a symbol of Victors madness in trying to emulate the natural forces of his creation.


We see how the monster becomes a verbal and emotional almost human like creature that communicates his past to victor, this gives Victor a fuller understanding of how his creation, now we see the intellect behind the creature. We see how the monster understands his position in the world, and the abandonment by Frankenstein he now seeks revenge. For the first time Frankenstein realises what he has actually made, the creature has needs and demands which are out of control. We see the natural side of the monster, one way in which the monster shows eloquence is similar to the novel Paradise Lost - when the monster tries to convince Victor to listen to his story. “remember, that I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel.” By comparing Victor to God, the monster heaps responsibility for his evil actions upon Victor, scolding him for his neglectful failure to provide a nourishing environment.


Chapter 11-Chapter 12


Chapter 11 summary- Sitting by the fire in his hut, the monster tells Victor of the confusion that he experienced upon being created. He describes his flight from Victor’s apartment into the wilderness and his gradual acclimation to the world through his discovery of the sensations of light, dark, hunger, thirst, and cold. The monster visits a village, where more people flee at the sight of him. As a result of these incidents, he decides to stay away from humans.


chapter 12 summary-
Observing his neighbors for a period of time, the monster notices that they often seem unhappy, though he is unsure why. He eventually realizes however, that their despair results from their poverty, to which he has been contributing by surreptitiously stealing their food. Torn by his guilty conscience, he stops stealing their food and does what he can to reduce their hardship, gathering wood at night to leave at the door for their use.
The monster becomes aware that his neighbors are able to communicate with each other using strange sounds. Learning their language, he tries to match the sounds they make with the actions they perform. He acquires a basic knowledge of the language, including the names of the young man and woman, Felix and Agatha. He admires their graceful forms and is shocked by his ugliness when he catches sight of his reflection in a pool of water. He spends the whole winter in the hovel, unobserved and well protected from the elements, and grows increasingly affectionate toward his unwitting hosts.

• The monster’s growing understanding of the social significance of family is connected to his sense of 'otherness' and solitude. The cottagers’ devotion to each other underscores Victor’s total abandonment of the monster; ironically, observing their kindness actually causes the monster to suffer, as he realises how alone he is. This lack of interaction with others, compounds the monster’s lack of social identity. As a marxist would argue the feeling of being alienated.
• The theme of nature’s sublimity, of the connection between human moods and natural surroundings, relfects the monster’s childlike reaction to springtime. Nature proves as important to the monster as it is to Victor: as the temperature rises and the winter ice melts, the monster takes comfort in a suddenly green and blooming world, glorying in nature’s creation when he cannot enjoy in his own.
• Like Victor, the monster has awareness that knowledge is dangerous, After realizing that he is different from human beings, “Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it has once seized on it, like a lichen on the rock.” Knowledge is permanent and irreversible; once gained, it cannot be dispossessed. Just as the monster, a product of knowledge, spins out of Victor’s control, so too can knowledge itself, once uncovered, create irreversible harm.
• Certain elements of the narrative style change as the perspective transitions from Victor to the monster. Both narrators are emotional, sensitive, aware of nature’s power, and concerned with the dangers of knowledge; both express themselves in an elegant, Romantic tone. The similarity of their tones arises as a function of the filtering inherent in the layered narrative: the monster speaks through Victor, Victor speaks through Walton, and Walton ultimately speaks through the sensitive, Romantic Shelley. However, we can explore whether the structure of the novel itself helps explain these narrative parallels. The growing list of similarities between Victor and the monster suggests that the two characters may not be so different after all.

Chapter 13-Chapter 14


The monster learns to read, and, since Felix uses Ruins of Empires to instruct Safie, he learns a bit of world history in the process. Now able to speak and understand the language perfectly, the monster learns about human society by listening to the cottagers’ conversations. Reflecting on his own situation, he realises that he is deformed and alone. “Was I then a monster,” he asks, “a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?” He also learns about the pleasures and obligations of the family and of human relations in general, which deepens the agony of his own isolation.
The monster is able to reconstruct the history of the cottagers. He realises that their wealth was stripped away.

• A new narrative voice is introduced gives another perspective of the novel. Their story is transmitted from the cottagers to the monster, from the monster to Victor, from Victor to Walton, and from Walton to his sister, at which point the reader finally gains access to it. This layering of stories within stories enables the reworking of familiar ideas in new contexts. For example the sense of “otherness” that many characters in Frankenstein feels. His deformity, his ability to survive extreme conditions, and the grotesque circumstances of his creation all serve to mark him as the ultimate outsider. 
• The monster’s fascination with the relationship between Felix and Safie lies in his desperate desire for Victor to accept him. Felix’s willingness to risk everything for the sake of someone who has been unjustly punished gives the monster hope that Victor will recognize the hurtful injustice of abandoning him. However, just as Felix’s bravery in helping Safie’s father escape stands in stark contrast to Victor’s shameful unwillingness to save Justine, so does Felix’s compassion for Safie underscore Victor’s cold hatred for the monster.

Chapter 15- Chapter 17

• Chapter 15- While searching for food in the woods around the cottage one night, the monster finds an abandoned leather satchel containing some clothes and books. Eager to learn more about the world than he can discover through the chink in the cottage wall, he brings the books back to his hovel and begins to read.
  Chapter 16-In the wake of this rejection, the monster swears to revenge himself against all human beings, his creator in particular. Journeying for months out of sight of others, he makes his way towards Geneva. On the way, he spots a young girl, seemingly alone; the girl slips into a stream and appears to be on the verge of drowning. When the monster rescues the girl from the water, the man accompanying her, suspecting him of having attacked her, shoots him.
  Chapter 17- The monster tells Victor that it is his right to have a female monster companion. Victor refuses at first, but the monster appeals to Victor’s sense of responsibility as his creator. He tells Victor that all of his evil actions have been the result of a desperate loneliness. He promises to take his new mate to South America to hide in the jungle far from human contact. With the sympathy of a fellow monster, he argues, he will no longer be compelled to kill.. Victor becomes skeptical about the creation of a female monster, the monster tells Victor that he will monitor Victor’s progress and that Victor need not worry about contacting him when his work is done.
  Analysis:
  • Paradise Lost, here and throughout the novel, provides development for the monster as he tries to understand his identity. Comparing himself to both Adam and Satan, perceiving himself as both human and demonic, the monster is poised uncomfortably between two realms. “Like Adam,” he says, “I was created apparently united by no link to any other being in existence,” but “many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” Scolded like Adam and cursed like Satan, the monster is painfully aware of his creator’s utter contempt for him.
  • The theme of  nature reappears in the monster’s narrative, and nature’s ability to affect the monster powerfully, as it does Victor, humanizes him.Whereas Victor seeks the high, cold, hard world of the Alps for comfort, as if to freeze his guilt about the murder, the monster finds solace in the soft colors and smells of a springtime forest, symbolizing his desire to reveal himself to the world and interact with others. “Half surprised by the novelty of these sensations, I allowed myself to be borne away by them; and, forgetting my solitude and deformity, dared to be happy,” the monster says. Unlike Victor, he is able to push away, at least temporarily, the negative aspects of his existence.
  
  Chapter 18-  After his fateful meeting with the monster on the glacier, Victor puts off the creation of a new, female creature. He begins to have doubts about the wisdom of agreeing to the monster’s request. He realises that the project will require him to travel to England to gather information. His father notices that his spirits are troubled much of the time Victor, still racked by guilt over the deaths of William and Justine, is now newly horrified by the task in which he is about to engage and asks him if his impending marriage to Elizabeth is the source of his melancholy. Victor assures him that the prospect of marriage to Elizabeth is the only happiness in his life
  Victor and Alphonse arrange a two-year tour, on which Henry Clerval, eager to begin his studies after several years of unpleasant work for his father in Geneva, will accompany Victor. After traveling for a while, they reach London.

  Summary: Chapter 19-Victor and Henry journey through England and Scotland, but Victor grows impatient to begin his work and free himself of his bond to the monster. Victor has an acquaintance in a Scottish town, with whom he urges Henry to stay while he goes alone on a tour of Scotland. Henry becomes reluctant, and Victor leaves for a distant desolate island in the Orkneys to complete his project. Quickly setting up a laboratory in a small shack, Victor devotes many hours to working on his new creature. He often has trouble continuing his work, however, knowing how unsatisfying, even grotesque, the product of his labor will be.

• Analysis: Chapters 18–20

  •  An appreciation of nature is not the only aspect of Victor’s character that Henry seems to have adopted: Henry is now enthusiastic about natural philosophy and eager to explore the world. “In Clerval I saw the image of my former self.” Henry represents the impending ruin of another young, brilliant man by science; this can represent the healthy, safe route to scientific knowledge that Victor never took. In either case, Victor’s emotional outbursts strongly foreshadow Henry’s death: “And where does he now exist?” he asks. “Is this gentle and lovely being lost forever?The theme of the passive, an innocent woman manifested in the mother who sacrifices herself for her daughter, the fiancée who waits endlessly for her future husband, and the orphan girl who is rescued from poverty culminates in this section with the female monster whose creation Victor suddenly aborts after being struck by doubts about the correctness of his actions. Though never alive, the female monster is a powerful presence: to Victor, she represents another crime against humanity and nature; to the monster, she represents his one remaining hope for a life not spent alone.

  • Victor sprinkles his speech with metanarrative comments that remind the reader of the relationship between storyteller and audience, shape the upcoming narrative, and demonstrate the narrator’s deep emotional investment in his story. “I must pause here; for it requires all my fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events which I am about to relate, in proper detail, to my recollection,” Victor says, illustrating that he is overwhelmed by emotion and offering a glimpse of the horrific story that he is about to tell. Victor’s apostrophes to his absent friends serve the same purposes, adding to the emotional impact of his speech, emphasizing his nostalgic memories, and calling attention to the layered narrative. When Victor cries out “Clerval! Beloved Friend! Even now it delights me to record your words,” the reader senses the power of Victor’s emotion and its ultimate uselessness against the force of fate. Additionally, the mention of “record[ing]” Henry’s words underscores the fact that it is only through Walton that the reader has access to the other characters and their narratives.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Frankenstein Chapter Summaries

chapter 1-  Introduced to Frankenstein and his family, gives us context of life he was living (only child). we learn about his Genevese origins. description of his father Alphonso Frankenstein a wealthy and respected benevolent man that rescued Frankenstein's mother.

• Introduced to a loving relationship between Frankenstein's parents- important as relationship between parents can affect a child's experiences as they tend to pass these traits on later. 
• Adoption of an orphan girl Elizabeth being raised by a peasant family. See Frankensteins attachment to his 'more than sister'... 'till death she was to be mine only' - this could be a first insight into control and power before the creation of his creature. creates a protective mind, though we haven't seen the interaction between them yet. 

Theme- Freedom, as a child he has no worries, from a wealthy middle/upper class family has stability. The power of having wealth and opportunities enables him to explore.

• Morality, Shelly presents him as a very self-centered, sheltered.

chapter 2-We see the perfect serenity of his childhood with his family, as two more children are introduced.

• The contrast of characters, Frankenstein being more academic in a sense of having the 'thirst for knowledge'. 
• very independent character 'it was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach my self fervently to a few.' this could then develop as to why he becomes socially incompetent. His lack of social skills makes him impaired to the norms and values of society. 
• ' harmony was the soul of our companionship...drew us nearer together'.Could this be a fascination to Frankenstein to find someone who is opposite to his character but can keep him content. Or is this highlighting his control of independence as well as dependence of a positive character in life. 
• 'natural philosophy' - a break down in structure goes on to talk about learning and the book that he has read, which highlights his thirst for knowledge. Becomes fixated about the world around him and the discoveries of nature and electricity.

• Age of 13- becomes interested in how life evolved on the planet, studies theories of life and human creations. ' the world was to me a secret which i desired to divine.' the knowledge of new information makes him happier, though fate has other plans for him.

Context- 18th century, development of natural philosophy shows how discoveries were coming about, can be seen as motivation or inspiration for Frankenstein. Refers to Cornelus Agripa known to be a sinister magician.

Theme- Knowledge, childhood.

Chapter 3-  At the age of 17, Frankenstein moves away to Ingolstadt for college, when Elizabeth got scarlet fever, as well as the loss of his mother.'the first misfortune of my life occurred- an omen,as it were my future of misery'.

• Loneliness of Frankenstein develops 'I was new to sorrow'. Though we see him more engaged with his studying. See his nervousness of being along from everyone he loved, but finding the Professor which he befriends, see how devoted they are to studying. Another downfall chapter 3, page 34 'the labours of men of genius, however erroneously directed,scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind' M Waldman was wrong. 

chapter 4- See how Frankenstein becomes to determine to figure out the source of where life comes from. He considers going back home because his studies become so advanced.  Frankenstein discovers essence of life, but refuses to reveal it to Walton as he fears that he will follow the idea.  "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."

•  After Frankenstein realises what gives life, he experiments with creating a human being. The construction takes place 'I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life.' 
• the breakdown of interaction with his family begins to fade, his health declines from the constant labour, little rest, poor diet. Refuses to stop working see his obsession and control, which develops the psychological attachment.

Chapter 5-Frankensteins creation comes to life and illusions of grandeur were vanished by the hideousness of the beast. the contrast of the creature having good and bad elements, can be interpreted as complementing Frankensteins personality. As well as an understanding of people and the reality of life people being judgmental. His perfect creation was a frightening disaster. "For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart." Chapter 5, pg. 42 Frankenstein fled his laboratory and collapsed in his room. He woke from a nightmare to see the monster standing over him, smiling with his hideous, black lips.     

  

Chapter 6- In the letter, Elizabeth begs for a letter from Frankenstein to assure his family that he was well. Frankenstein misses out on life, misses the progression with his family. The long description of the hardships of Justine Moritz. Frankenstein avoids his scientific studies as it reminds him of the disastrous experiment. 

• further extension of loneliness. Page 55. 

Chapter 7- Letter is revealed from Alphonso about his brothers murder, found his strangled body in the woods. The locket worn can be seen as a motivation for the murder, leaving Elizabeth feeling responsible fro this- displacing guilt.Frankenstein is well aware of the monster being Williams murderer. though Justine is accused, we see a change in the character of Frankenstein tackling the world on his own has bought him to become selfish, ignorant but guilt is prevalent.

• Pages 62-3 
• Use of letters break down structure, tells story from a different perspective builds imagery of scenes as well as revealing emotions. (pages 56-7). 

Chapter 8 - Justine's trial explains all the evidence but not the evidence of the locket. She is still acquitted and executed. The guilt builds up of two deaths on his conscience. Frankenstein knew then that it was only the beginning of their sorrow and he was responsible for all of it but unaware of how to prevent it. "[He] beheld those [he] loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to [his unhallowed arts." Chapter 8, pg. 73.

• 'Prophetic soul'- echoes Hamlet in Act 1 scene 5 line 41 where the ghost of Hamlets Father tells him of his murder by Claudius ans lays upon his sons the burden of revenge.

Theme- Innocence, confession all linked with religion.

CONTEXT- AO4 

 Prometheus and Paradise Lost
Prometheus is told to create mankind using mud and water. He is a great benefactor to mankind teaching them astrology and architecture etc. Though he stole fire from Zeus and gave it to the mortals, his punishment was to be bounded by a rock and on each day an eagle would come and peck out his liver which it then grew back and this continuously happened.  

    Frankenstein is viewed as the 'Modern Prometheus' stealing fire ffrom the Gods made him an admired figure among writers . Shares similarities with Frankenstein is told by Zeus to make a creation of humanity from mud and water, Victor creates a monster.  Also how he steals fire by harnessing the power of lightening to animate his monster.  Prometheus defies the supreme being and continues to purse knowledge (symbolises fire) until it has its consequences which parallels going against nature the way Frankenstein does.

    Both are given gifts/powers such as Frankenstein is given intelligence and Prometheus is given trust though they both disobey the power given.

Paradise lost- form of a long poem, which tells the story of Adam, Eve and Satan. Satan uses the ability to talk to destroy the Earth.

• God creates the world and Adam and Eve, Frankenstein is the parallel to the character of being 'God'.  He is seen as a more obsessive creator and self centered. The creature ca identify with Satan and Adam to be born perfect creatures but betray by committing sins. 
• The creature being rejected shows the rejection of Adam and Eve.

Mary Shelley- Born in London 1797. Born into a wealthy family her mum being a feminist writer and father a philosopher,her mother died when Shelley was at a young age.

•  she was always trying to come up with ideas for a horror story, had discussions about Darwin's theory of evolution with Lord Byron. She had a nightmare which developed the story of Frankenstein.    
• Wrote the novel at the age of 19, as a woman it was published anonymously. 
• Married Percy Shelley. 
• Died in Bournemouth 1851.

Religious and Philosophical contexts
Christianity- painful or perfect eternal life that awaits after death, meaning heaven or hell.
Frankenstein- After life has been revoked the creation of a new creature.

•  plays God by creating the creature
• monster has a soul whether he goes to heaven or hell though he wasn't born naturally.

Philosophical- 'Origin of species'  Darwin's idea of evolution.
- society became liberal so people stopped going to church.

Scientific- Challenges the view thats God is powerful and challenges human creation.
- Science is being attacked by Mary Shelley because of its arrogance.

Superstition- Dracula, Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde.
-fear of Frankenstein.

Romanticism
- Imagination and emotion over rationality.
- Exciting and mysterious quality.
- Pushing the boundary.
- Marginalised.
- Value nature.

French  Revolution- Due to revolution and deficits. Le roi te touche, dieu te guient- If Kings influences on Britain: Rights of man, social reform, social reform, social class system, Britain constitution.
-Frankenstein unruly passion to chase after something that was out of his control.
-Product of unchecked intellectual ambition which missled him into a hollow existence.
-criticism of slavery and abolition in the 1800's.

Act 5- Reading Journal

Scene 1- Introduced to the the scene of Lady Macbeth being seen by doctors, we see her vulnerable state of the guilt overriding her, where she is constantly motioning her hands 'washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour'. Relating to the film helps build a strong sense of imagery upon Lady Macbeth feeling isolated, guilty almost sick. 'Will these hands ne'erbe clean'. Line 42.
   Lady M. falls into a deep psychological state 'here's the smell of blood still.' Shes mentally and traumatised by the all the killings and bloodshed, though she hasn't committed the acts herself she portrays the guilty mind. As debated in class the psychology of Macbeth and Lady M embodying one character carry different elements Macbeth is the physical part of the crimes, Lady M is the thinking behind all of this.
Structure- The way in which Lady M. speaks appear to be misplaced, jagged she isn't aware of her full surrounding.

Scene 3-
Macbeth's focus on continuing the war as well as trying to handle Lady M, the pressure builds up, Macbeth becomes reckless with his killing doesn't really show much thinking behind who he kills compared to Act one when so much detail was planned and though out logically.

• See the bond between Lady M and Macbeth, once again coming back to the theory of two bodies in one, we see the bond between their communication, see hoe Macbeth relies and needs Lady M as a backbone to his body and conscience. 
• Language- language of sickness, cleansing, repenting.

       ' mind diseased' line 40
        'troubles of the brain' line 42
        'cleanse the stuffed bosom' line 44
        
Scene 4- The prophecy of the witches comes true once again.

Scene 5- See Macbeth's emotional side behind all the drama and killings, a moment of reflection ' I have almost forgot the taste of fears'. See how he becomes careless to all the killings taking place. Linking to sociology theorist 'Katz' mentions how crime is seductive. Killing becomes a thrill to Macbeth the guilt is ignored, the seductiveness becomes a priority to achieve self satisfaction and dominance.

•  Death of Lady M. Lie 25 'Life's but a walking shadow' interpretations:
• the shadow of Lady M, always over powering and having some control over the actions of Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth being the Backbone to Macbeth, her absence makes Macbeth feel empty, life isn't worth living.
• Life can be interpreted as being a quick moment. 
• a candle being blown out.
• 'Signifying nothing'- nihilism, Macbeth rejects the moral and religious values and principles

Macbeth mentions the equivocator, which goes back to Act 2 Scene 3, the ringing of the bell, knows he's going to hell.
  
'There is not flying hence nor tarrying here, I'gin to be aweary of the sun' Line 49 - Greek mythology.

Scene 6- War begins, Macbeth is then Killed with his head in the hands of Malcolm.
See how Macbeth slowly gives himself up.

Overall notes-
Play contradicts how it starts with Macbeth being a a nobleman end with him being a traitor. A key moral thats highlighted is that the course of fate cannot be changed, which is controlled and highlighted by the Witches. Highlights a self fulfilling prophecy all the killings and acts committed that go against his nature, once he believes and sees the person he has become he accepts the label. Lady M, has a key role in this by labeling him as a coward early in the play, adds pressure to become something he isn't.

Act 4- R eading Journal

Act 4,Scene 1

• We realise for a change how Macbeth visits the witches, its been reveres usually we would see the witches overshadowing him. 
• starting of with the charm sets out tension for the rest of the scene.
• Macbeth is in almost in demand to know whats set out for the future, who the next killing is. We see how the witches have control over Macbeth, they may be the trigger to all the killings through manipulation. 
• A set of aspirations a presented by the witches which reveal Macbeth's false sense of security:
• First aspiration is an armed head which warns Macbeth from Macduff. 
• The second is a bloody child, who tells him that 'none of woman born/ shall harm Macbeth' lines 79-80.
• Third aspiration is a crowned child with a tree in its hand lines 91 onwards- 'Macbeth shall never be vanquished...him'. This can also be seen to drive Macbeth even more he knows that no one can move a forest, he then goes on to ask will Banquo's children be kings, a moment of jealousy... though he could be planning who to cut off the scene next
• Language used by Macbeth seems masculine, strong and takes the role of asserting his dominance. Intent to kill portrays it to the reader as sickening.
• Macduff has fled to England, revenge is done by killing his family. We see Macbeth's thought processes as automatically decisive where as at the beginning of the play Lady M. has to encourage him and be the backbone of the killings. 

Act 4, Scene 2

• Lady Macduff is told her children will be fatherless, she tries to inform her son about this though he has a lot more wisdom for his age than what the audience expect.
• 'The liars and swearers are fools; for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang.Line 58- said by Macduff's son, the first child that actually speaks in the play as well as surviving. see child's thought processes of moral understanding- presents child morality and innocence... Later the son is killed. 

Act 4, Scene 3

• Message that Scotland is about to be attacked b ten thousand men.When Macduff meets Malcolm remembering the misplaced trust in Macbeth...comparison is made Malcolm admits his lust, greed ad sin which presents Macbeth as an angel.
• Macduff is unaware of the death of his wife and Children, told they are 'at peace' which triggers to get revenge upon Macbeth urged by Malcolm.

 General Notes: Witches further extend the theme of doubling and equivocation, gives the effect that their speeches have double meanings, paradox and equivocation.

• The aspirations are equivocal messages to Macbeth, and they consciously know that he will only understand half of the words. Doesn't take the aspirations into account as much as he does with the witches prophecies and thinking if they will come true.
• When the murder scene takes place Lady Macduff makes references to the symbol of the bird. 'The poor wren.. the most diminutive of birds, will fight... owl.' Line 10. The metaphor becomes realistic when both are attacked. Also earlier Macbeth being the owl, with Lady Macduff trung to protect her son, becomes the wren. Its a pathos to the audience as wee see Macbeths son acting out the prey to Macbeth's murders.

Act 3 Reading Journal

Act 3,Scene 1- Suspicion of Macbeth killing the King to fulfill the witches prophecy is raised by Banquo.

•  Macbeth sets up to assassinate Banquo and Fleance.  
• Line 48- Macbeth's soliloquy ... 'barren sceptre'- phallic object, unable to have children with Lady Macbeth, which could be seen as a punishment.
• 'Fruitless crown'- having no crown at all, reflecting upon the prophecy of Banqu's children becoming future kings.  
• 'Mark Antony's was by Caesar'- Whilst Macbeth compares him and Banquo to these characters. Octavius Caesar (Banquo) defeated Mark Antony in the civil wars.
• line 66- 'Put rancours in the vessel of my peace'- Rancours- hostility which are poisonous to the soul. Macbeth s actions have poisoned the vessel of peace.

Act 3, Scene 2- 'Naught's had,all's spent, where our desire is got without content.' Her mind is still fixated upon the Killing of Duncan, she confesses that nothing is gained from this, everything is losing their reach.  

•  Line 36- O, full of scorpions is my mind.' See the mental state of Macbeth, the feeling of guilt and confusion takes over as they will have to kill more people to become satisfied and cover up stories.
• Lines 52-55 use of rhyming couplets.

Act 3, Scene 3- Killing of Banquo takes place. Macbeth's state of mind is jagged reflects upon the killing being very unorganised.

Act 3 Scene 4 - Macbeth is the only one to witness Banquo's ghost at the dinner table. Lines 68-70 'Prithee,see there! Behold!Look!Lo!...' His shock and horror is covered up by lady M. saying that Macbeth is going through a lot of stress. 

• See a change in structure and speech patterns each time the ghost appears, Macbeth becomes apprehensive and agitated.
• L.M blames his hallucinations upon the lack of sleep, though its Macbeth producing a guilty conscience as said in previous act 'Macbeth shall sleep no more'.

Act 3, Scene 5-  Hecat- Goddess takes over with the prophecies of Macbeth, they aim to fill him with a false sense of security  line 29 -'draw him on to his confusion'.

• Rhyme scheme becomes consistent again, making a charm for Macbeth.
• Hecat also symbolises the corruption of Scotland's political and moral health.     

Act 3, Scene 6- Both Lennox and another Lord suspect that Macbeth is responsible for the murder of Duncan and Banquo. See Macbeth as a 'tyrant'.

Act 2 Reading Journal

• Act 2, Scene 1-  Macbeth's soliloquy of imaginary daggers builds curiosity upon the audience, this can be seen a a cue/ prod for Macbeth committing the act of killing Duncan.
• Get to see the mental state of Macbeth as he is alone on stage, this tends to be when characters are open to express feelings. ' Heat oppressed brain' interpreted as an act happening 'in the heat of the moment' . Though During Renaissance periods, heat was considered as a fluid that would literally press against the brain causing a fever or delirium. 
• Language- 'Gouts of blood' used in a rich context puts a lot of emphasis when pronouncing as well. Comes from Latin term 'gutta' meaning large droplets or splashes that are gushing or bursting.
• 'wicked dreams abuse' - mind tourmenting, psychological. 
• Structure- Macbeth's soliloquy, has no rhyming structure at all, apart from the last two lines (rhyming couplets). Adds to the effect of not knowing his state of mind. The illusion of daggers is in the unconscious creates a tone of confusion.
• Act 2, Scene 2- Evidence of Lady Macbeth producing a guilty conscience the fast pace of recalling after lines, shows character intensity and anxiety. 
• Lines 43-4 'Murdered sleep'....'Macbeth shall sleep no more' - Macbeth begins to accept what has been done, the idea of him not sleeping is him repenting for his sins. Also, the prophecies will keep delivering, Killing more people to keep secrets safe.
• Act 2, Scene 3- Porter Scene, offers a comical aspect to the play. Breaks down the structure creates a comical situation out of something serious.
• Lady Macbeth diverts the attention from the Killing being exposed by Macbeth. Line 103 onwards... Lady: (swooning).
• Act 2, Scene 4- Discovery of King Duncan's Death.

Biblical References:

• Act2, Scene 1, Lines 72-4 'The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan for it is a knell. That summons thee to heaven or hell.Macbeth is about to send King Duncan to his judgment before God.' In Mathews25.31 were told: ' when the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angles with him, then he shall sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations... to be judged.
• Act 2, Scene 1, Line 56  onwards, shows how Macbeth is unaware of his crimes though the heavens and the earths are aware. References to the Habakkuk 2.10,11 'Thou hast consulted shame to thine own house, by destroying many people, and hast sinned against thine own soule. For the stones shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of his timbre shall answer it'. The Noise reveals Macbeth's intentions.

Animal References:

• Act 2, Scene 2, Line 3 'It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman.' The hoot of an owl flying over someones house was an evil omen and meant impending death for someone inside. The referral to the bellman,shows that it was the bellman's job to ring the Parrish bell when a person was facing death.  
• Act 2, Scene 4, Line 14 'Duncan's horses'- betrayal with the former kings men. Horses are a symbol of loyalty and nobility .
• 'A falcon towering in her pride' representation of Lady M. Shows the power and control she has over Macbeth, but the nobility of such a creature is something she strives for.  

Shakespeare's use of animal imagery tells the play from another view point, used as a motif throughout the play to capture whats happening. Also convey what may happen in future events.

What are the Gothic elements in Act One of Macbeth? (Reading Journal for Act 1)

The first Gothic element we are introduced to is the setting o the play which is a key part as it sets the mood and tone for the audience. Automatically 'Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches.' A ere vibe is given off which leaves the audience to feel uncomfortable and slightly scared. The beginning starts off with the witches which shows mystery an mischief, the way the speak is in a steady rhyming pace which could also suggest the way they connect with each other and it gives the impression of a casting spell. 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair.' The phrase is almost like a tongue twisting spell which conveys death and cruelty. The three witches lurk around like the dark thoughts and temptations to evil. They play upon the ambitions Macbeth has. The audience is left to think at the end of Scene One, are the witches independent agents toying with human life, or agents of fate.

The references to animals are made throughout Act one, though they are animals of strong characters or features. For example in Scene 2, line 36 'As sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion. Then we have the Animal reference to the Raven. The raven is a strong symbol in mythology, art and literature. Though in some beliefs it is seen as the spiritual figure of God. The animal interpretations could be highlighting Macbeth's deep and dark character in the play.

The use of foul bitter language also adds emphasis the Gothic elements. Especially from Lady Macbeth, from a woman in the time that this was written, her status would be very little and she wouldn't be mentioned much in the play. she would be seen as an object not a person. Her strive for power, control take lead of her which reveals her masculine side, though it could be argued that Macbeth and Lady M. could be two sides to one body. For example in Act 1 Scene 5 ' unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty.' Her desire to have the body of a man and fill her with cruelty, yet she doesn't want to feel guilt for her actions. This is a typical Gothic style in literature, the lust for violence and inhumane actions but at the same time characters gain a thrill. 

Key things to remember for this act:

• Introduction to the three witches.
• Macbeth has been given a prophecy by the three witches that he will become king. 
• Lady Macbeth is introduced- we see how she is as a character, shes stronger, ruthless and ambitious than Macbeth. 
• Plan to kill King Duncan.
• Language used by Shakespeare, Language contradiction is used at times with the witches 'fair is foul, and foul is fair'. Also used by Banquo 'Lesser than Macbeth, and greater'. Adds to a sense of moral confusion that their surroundings seem to be obscure.  
• Form- Use of Soliloquy- shows dramatic tension, the focus on one character is a lot more powerful. Portrays more feelings and emotions, especially Lady Macbeth. 
• Gothic Links- Can be compared to Modern day Gothic/horror films which we see how gender role have changed, women are more confrontational and out spoken, where as Lady Macbeth is held back a lot because of her role as a female. She wants to take the role of being masculine. 'unsex me'.

Themes present so far...

Corrupting power and Ambition- Macbeth's character is over ridden by power, Lady Macbeth, the issue of Morals constrains seems to be ignored.
Loyalty- Macbeth being loyal to the king, as well as being a loyal and devoted husband to Lady Macbeth. Feels a sense of pressure to take the role of a man, when being insulted against his manhood by his wife.

Marxist approach to my coursework text :A thousand Splendid Suns

Marxism approach of A Thousand Splendid Suns-

Marxism is an economic and socio-political worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialect view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was found in the early to mid 19th century by two German philosophers, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Marxism encompasses Marxian economic theory, a sociological theory and a revolutionary view of social change that has influenced socialist political movements worldwide.

Marxism sees society as a super structure in which the economic base determines the shape of the super structure of all social institutions.  Society is based on the conflict of inequality and wealth and power, which underpins capitalist society and the conditions with in such a system explain why people turn to crime or act deviant. In the novel we see how society becomes distorted due to the new ruling of the Taliban as well as the change and development of a corrupt government. The decade-long war led to the deaths of over a million mujahedeen fighters and Afghan civilians and 14,000 Russian soldiers before the Soviet withdrawal in 1989. The Taliban regime that came to power, as well as Al-Qaida, originated from the noxious mix of US-sponsored anti-communist foreign policy in the region during this period. This is entirely omitted in Hosseini’s narrative, as he all but erases US complicity in the fate of modern Afghanistan.

  

Society is divided into two different classes the bourgeoisies the ruling class and the proletarians, the working class. The Marxist argue that an imbalance between these classes will always be a problem in society, majority of the working class are set up to fail in a capitalist society and a few will make it to the top. The bourgeoisie is able to keep its power partly through its ability to use the law to criminalise working class activities. The laws are not expressions of value consensus as the functionalist would say, but they a reflection of ruling class ideology. The laws are only made if they are in the interest of the ruling class.

Afghanistan was once a society where women were free to walk in the streets without being guided by a male figure shadowing them. Since the ruling of the Taliban genders become unequal women’s rights banish. This uncovers valuable social truths through the lives of the main characters. The reader gets an impression of the incredibly precarious existence of young people during the most recent period through the fate of Laila and Tariq. But above all, it lays bare the truly horrendous existence of women and girls. The power is passed on to men. Marxism focuses a lot on the strive for ‘power and control’ we see this in the relationships with Mariam and Rasheed. Mariam becomes powerless her status as an illegitimate child stays with her throughout her life, she feels punished for this mistake as she cannot give Rasheed a child. Rasheed becomes an aggressive, controlling violent. The recent attempts by the Afghan parliament with President Hamid Karzai’s initial support to enact a law that would forbid women from leaving their homes without male consent and would sanctify marital rape, recalls Taliban era proclamation.

Theory of alienation- refers to the separation of things that naturally belong together, or to put hate between things that are properly in harmony. In the concept's most important use, it refers to the social alienation of people from aspects of their "human nature" (Gattungswesen, usually translated as 'species-essence' or 'species-being'). He believed that alienation is a systematic result of capitalism. Theory of Alienation is the argument that in modern industrial production under capitalist conditions workers will inevitably lose control of their lives by losing control over their work

Just a bit more on my novelssss :)

 Daughters of Shame- Jasvinder Sanghera

I have started to look into another novel, Daughters Of Shame by Jasvinder Sanghera. I am currently on chapter six, already i feel so engaged in this book. Its about many young asian girls from the age 17 and lower who are forced into arranged marriages. We are told about their experiences and stories of how they escaped these tragic events, as well as how such acts as running away can have an affect upon the family honour, pride and respect. Jasvinder Sanghera was also a victim of having an arranged marriage, we see how she becomes an inspiration to the younger girls, by offering a sign of hope. She runs a help centre in which these girls are able to freely express themselves, and release their pain and sufferings of violent attacks and verbal abuse.

    What interested me about this book was how the stories constantly developed into other characters being introduced and hearing their stories which were all different. It showed the diversity of ages, family backgrounds and cultural differences. What plays a big part is the idea of living in a sexist environment, boys in asian families are always presented as the superior sex. 

   I am really enjoying this novel, but I am still indecisive about using this novel fro coursework as its written very simplistically.

A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini

 Reading through Part Three, I have seen how each chapter focuses on Laila and Mariam seperately but they are both a part of eachothers lives now. Both girls are introduced as Laila is found injured beneath a pile of rubble. Laila becomes  Rasheeds second wife as he begins to think havin an unmarried woman in the house will effect his reputation. Though this can also be an excuse for Rasheed to have children that Mariam could'nt give him.

   We begin to explore the relationship between the three characters and how they survive under the same household.

Mariam and Laila: We see Mariams normal character, caring, loving and putting in all her efforts in to provide and nurture Laila. We can see her discomfort she refers to Laila as 'the girl' though this could reveal her jealousy as Rasheed's attention is adverted towards Laila a lot more. Mariams vicious character is revealetd when Laila and Rasheed become a married couple. 'A thieving whore,that's what you are!'. Mariam's character changes in a light that we havent seen before, jealousy, cruel, and becomes a lot more envious towards Laila.

Laila and Rasheed: We see how Rasheed is alarmed by the appearence of Laila. His character changes to the time when we were first introduced to him. A caring, relaxed person. He is a content man as his wife can provide him with pleasure as well as children. 'Gul' meaning flower is used a lot by him, which shows his appreciation of Mariam and her beauty. 
   Rasheed begins to have doubts in his mind upon their baby Aziza, thinking it is Tariqs child though Laila is oblivious to his interpretations. Hosseini uses Rasheeds comment to Laila about not attaching herself to Aziza as the child death rate in Afghanistan is vey high, we begin to see the condition of Afghanistan since the war has took place. As the theme of poverty is shown throughout the novel there are certain points in which Hossieni uses jarring comparisons between Afghanistan and the western world.
Rasheed and Mariam: Their relationship is the same, Rasheed fails to acknowledge Mariam's presence as his first wife, she is still the same 'harami' girl (bastard child) we how she still experiences neglect as she cannot fulfil the wishes of her husband.

This Novel has developed a lot more, as there is more interaction between the three main characters. Also it develops as Part 1 and Part 2 bring Part 3 together, which I thought was a really clever idea as it breaks the novel down so the reader is able to understand what is happening and how the characters link within eachother. The novel develops with the war and the surroundings, which play a big part as the women become more isolated from society as well as Rasheed. I like the way Hosseini shows the development of peoples surroundings as well as the individuals, it makes the novel seem realistic as society can affect a person in many ways. Women now become afraid as the war has got worse, and innocent women as getting killed as well as raped.

Themes:

Pregancy and Children: Hosseini uses this as a symbol of hope and happiness upon Laila as her character remains positive. As she can see a reflection of Tariq which gives her reassurance that he may be alive. Also Aziza gives Laila hope to run away and find Tariq through stealing money from Rasheed.
  Though fertility and infertility has a traditional meaning upon Afghan women. A womens value in Afghanistan is based upon whether she is able to provide her husband with a family, especially boys.
 Female Bonds: The bond between Mariam and Laila strengthens, when Mariam sees Azia laying down wide awake beside her mother. The grasp of holding a child relaxes the connection that her and Laila have. We see envy and jealousy at first now we see them become companions. This is a key theme as society tries to rule out women it brings them closer as they can share experiences and gain confidence and love of eachother in which none have experienced before.

  The Colour Purple- Alice Walker

Character analysis:

Celie:  Is the main protagonist in the novel as well as the narrator. She is a 14 year old girl married to a man known as MR. She suffers violent beatings, and rape from her step-father. Celie is poor and uneducated girl coming from the rural areas in Georgia. She develops through the characreter of Shug as Celie learns many things about her, which they form an intimate relationship between themselves.
Nettie: Is Celie's younger sister. She is presented as the 'pretty' sister. She is bright, attractive and strong and realises the importance of education from a young age. Nettie often acts as Celie's protector She is thrown out of her house in which she joins two missionaries Samuel and Corrine and falls in love with Samuel.
 Mr: Celie's husband, which he abuses her for many years. Though we see his character change later in the novel as he begins to evaluate himself in tries to correct his eariler wrongs.
Shug Avery: she is presented negatively as a doubtful woman with very little morals. She is presented in a more positive light from Celie's view as she resembles her mother, in which Celie makes constant comparisions between them too. She can be seen as an inspiration as she does not like to be dominated upon by others, she is a strong character behind those repressed feelings she is a warm and compassionate character. 

I am enjoying this book a little as its all written in an epistolary form, which is different to hear from one persons view. I find it interesting how Celie writes her letters to God this is significant as Celie sees God as a helper and listener, yet she doesnt have a clear understanding of who God actually is. I found the use of colours interesting as well used by Waker to represent liberation through the brighter colours, rebirth and purity.The novel has progressed, as Shug Avery and Celie's relationship becomes intimate and she begins to ask Celie questions about sex. She stays with them when she finds out that she is constantly beaten when Shug is not present. Shug brings home a new husband but a secretive realtionship still continues between her and Celie.

Theme:

Female Relationships: Are presented throughout the novel as they allow for characters to open up and share experiences which are similar, these stories allow women to resist opression and dominance. Most importantly the relationship between Celie and Shug allows a sense of belief and trust as Celie begins to understand herself. 

Keeping up with my novels

 Exploring more into my Novels!

A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini

1- The key characters, how are they developing and are they changing?

Mariam- The main character in the novel. An ethnic Tajik, born into a illegitimate wealthy family living in Herat. She continuously tries to seek her father's acceptance as a daughter, though she feels pushed to the boundaries when she faces him. This leads to the heart of her mother's suicide and her own arranged marriage to Rasheed, a man much older than  her. She is a victim of abuse in the many years that she is married to him. Mariam is introduced as a very obidient and vulnerable child in which the audience feels sympathetic for She is looked down upon as a character throughout her childhood as she carries shame in the consequeneces that took place from the day she was born. She is labelled as a 'Harami' bastard child.

  Mariam has developed into a more independent individual in which she begins to understand the World through her own visions and experience. She has changed in a way, that makes it easier for those who have had arranged marriages understand Mariam, and are able to relate to the pain that she suffers in her unfortunate marriage. She begins to wear the full Burqa, she becomes more isolated as a character 'The loss of peripheral vision was unnerving.' 

Jalil- Mariam's Father, who made the mistake to produce her which from having an affair with his wife, with the housecleaner. He is a loving father during Mariam's childhood. She is the object of his shame but his love for her will never leave her feeling neglected despite what happens.

Nana- Mariam's mother, she was the housemaid for Jalil. He provided little shack in which she would stay with Nana. Nana is presented throughout the novel as an individual and casted out of Jalil's life. She becomes a clingy character as Mariam is the only familial connection as Mariam builds a bond with her father her mother kills herself.

Laila-  A very striking, bright young girl. Born into a wealthy modernised family in which a womans education is a top priority. She draws a close relationship with Tariq a childhood friend in which she marries later on.  She holds the reputation and respect among her friends as being on the newspaper one day, as well as her father telling her that she can change Afghanistan one day.

    Laila develops into socitey with more freedom, and appreciation of education than those girls who are less fortunate in a society where marriage and family at a young age is more favoured. Laila's character does begin to change when she is a married woman as she realises the duties as well as the pressure of family life.

Rasheed-The husband of Mariam and Laila. He is a cruel and abussive character in which he verbally and physically causes harm to both of his wives. Rasheed comes from a troubled past in which he as lost both his previous wife and his first son. Rasheed's character changes as once he is married he enforces religion upon Mariam such as forcing her to wear the Burqa. The loss of her children with Rasheed changes the relationship they have as they become more seperated and there is less interaction from when they were first married such as going out as a married couple. 

Tariq- Laila's neighbour, a few years older. He has lost a leg from the war. Despite this he is a character with a strong heart, and dependable. Their friendship grows into a romance in which they produce a child. Unfortunately Tariq moves to Pakistan to avoid the war in Kabul. 

2- Character Motivation...

Mariam- Has a constant drive to feel accepted by her father though she isnt seen as a legitimate family memeber. She feels the need to fulfil the wishes of Nana and to leave her feeling content at all times when she is present. We see Mariams curiosity of not understanding the word 'harami' bastard child. 'Nor was she old enough to appriciate the injustice, to see that it is the creators of the harami who are culpable, not the harami, whose only sin is being born.' She can be seen as a role model to the reader as her endless love and devotion to those that she seeks from (Nana, Jalil and Rasheed) isn't returned but she continues to show the love and respect she has for them.

Laila- Is more driven by her Father to be educated and bought up in a society where women are just as equal as men. She has a drive to recieve the love back that she gives to Tariq as a friend as well as being a romantic couple.She is impacted by dropping out of school as the war and violence leads to the streets becoming a very vulnerable place for any person. The heart breaking news that is given to Laila, impacts her as she finally is with the one she loves but he has to go. The sepration leads to her getting married again to Rasheed Mariam's husband. This also impacts her life as she makes a bond with Mariam in which they both act against the cruelty of Rasheed. 

3- The Plot...

The novel begins upon one character which is Mariam, in which she appears in part one of the book. It is then linked onto Part 2 of the stroy in which Mariam is introduced. Overall the novel has four patrs. Each Part we learn something new about each character, this helps to story progress  as we changes in society, relationships and individuals. We see the story from 2 young women, who experience the three decade war going on between the Jihad, civil war with Taliban. Mariam the first young girl, who has bought shame upon her Fathers name. She is forced to marry Rasheed a who becomes brutal man as she fails to produce children with him. The Parts of the novel are joined when Laila becomes the second wife of Rasheed.The two girls become allies in a battle with Rasheed whose violence is endorsed.
   The Plot is heavily built around the significance of a male figures being in control of women, it shows a side of reality to those who are well aware of forced marriages in countries which are patriarchal. Each woman in the novel comes to acceptance that the path they choose, they will never be content with. For example Mariam choses the path to sacrafice her life inorder to save Laila after she kills Rasheed. Laila has a different story, a young intelligent girl, with a good educational background. She is with the love of her life, though it comes crashing down, she has to find a way to keep the sacrafice Mariam has made from committing a horrible yet relieving act.
  Currently, I have seen the novel develop through many ways such as the culture of women, tend to be more closed of in society, they are seen as objects of pleasure and child production. We also see how boys in these cultures are more favoured as they can go and fight for their country, keep the family name as well as bring a wife home to nurture the family.
  I have also seen the way the country develops and how the people of Afghanistan suffer from the violence, abuse and threats. Though they have a strong belief that peace will arrive one day.
Education, is an important development in the novel, as well for Afghanistan today. The education system is begining to open for women, such as Mariam and her friends coming from a wealthier background. Its not common for women in a society where education as a key facility of life.

                                                                  THEMES!

• Strength Of Women: The young women, Mariam and Laila as well as the other girls mentioned, have grown up to act mature in a way that they are prepared for married life and its duties that come with the role. The forced marriages, bring them a life of misery in which we see their strength and efforts put in to please thier men to the highest ability. These women grow up as young experienced individuals who have the strength to persevere to receive attention, and independence.  Mariam suffers to seek attention from her father to accept her as a daughter and not a shadow of shame. She takes the pain of an abusive husband for the past 27 years but takes her fate and tries to build the best out of what she has. Whereas, Laila's dream of the perfect husband fails, in which she tries to rebuild her life with Rahseed in which she too becomes a victim of abuse. She then faces the challenge to help rebuild her country and to honor the memory of Mariam.
• Overriding power of Men: Power is overriding in the men that are in the war, the Soviets, Mujahideen and the Taliban all share little compassion for human life. The status that power brings is a key motivation in which these men remain evil, and become ignorant to improve the beauty and success of their country. The women are seen as victims in this male dominating society. They aren't given basic rights, such as freedom and speech. If one was to express their feeling a servere punishment would be put in place publicly, whereas men like Rasheed may have killed both Mariam and Laila this wouldn't be looked down upon at all.
• Loyalty and devotion: both women accept the roles of being wives to husbands in which they have been placed with. For example Mariam, she becomes a loyal and devoted wife in serving what Rasheeds wishes for with high standards. Though she fails to give him a child. She is also very loyal to her mother in the beginning, she shows love and attention to her mother, despite Nana not expressing her entire feelings to Mariam. Laila, shows loyalty and devotion towards her father, to have a life of education and to show a change in Afghanistan. 

Other themes are present such as:

• Discrimination
• Outcast
• Hope
• Peace
• War
• Love
• Pride
• Religion

Other Aspects Of Gothic Literature

Gothic Women

Gothic women in the early years were portrayed as weak, vulnderable and were often objects and controlled by men. They were often placed as negative in society as they were corrupted by male power.  

   Where as women in modern gothic literature are presented as more sexual, agressive amongst a male dominated society. There are two catorgories of  women in modern gothic literature. The first is seductive and threatening, theses women tend to be more premiscuous as well as independant. The second type is submissive, these tend to be more humble, lack self confidence and obidient.

Male Gothic Protagonists

The male gothic protagonist is often driven by slefish needs and desires, they turn away from the norms of society, in this way they feel more socially acccepted as they usually work independantly. Their actions and characteristics move the story along and determine the overall outcome of the gothic novel. 

Examples of popular Gothic protagonists.

• Frankenstein- A classic tale of a man-made monster who seeks acceptance from society, despite his unusual apperance and strange upbringing.

• Dracular- A young English lawyer who travels to the Castle of Dracular, to complete a real estate transaction with a nobleman named Count Dracular. The young English man is warned about the destination. He is given charms to work against evil and uttering strange words that is later translated into 'vampire'.

Gothic Settings

It was first found in Sweeden the use of Gothic architecture, Gothic novels were mainly set in deep dark places inwhich buildings were begining to decay. Settings were mainly in Castles which were mysterious, dark and secretive in which the superantural would come to life as well as being set in Graveyard, Churches etc. Castles were mainly used to create a specific mood and atmosphere this cretaed tight intensity between the characters as well as the audience. These mysterious places unraveled the fear of the unknown. 

   Settings were often associated with medieval buildings, they saw them as dark and terrifying as it reflected the times of harsh laws, tourture which had fascinating rituals.

  

Gothic Novels, Short Stories and Poems  

Gothic novels are strongly associated with Catholicism. As characters are introduced they are immediately presented from a religious background. The characters flaws are directly associated with their Catholic beliefs from the readers view.  Many of these novels are Ironic as they underline the message of humanity.

 These are present in novels such as:

• The Castle of Otranto- This short novel, shows the negativity of Catholicism through the character Friar Jerome. Many sinful events take place, For example Manfred, the lord of the Castle of Otranto, wants to divorce his wife so that he can marry the young and beautiful Isabella. Divorce is highly looked down upon in Catholicism.

•  The Monk- This is one of the most anti-Catholic characters in gothic literature.Ambrosio, a monk who falls into sin with Matilda, when her true identity is revealed. The thought of suicide is ingrained in her if she cannot have his love (already we see lust and suicide which are major sins in Catholicism) which leads to his own downfall.

• Zeluco- The novel shows the animosity between Protestants and Catholics. A Sicillian Catholic, who lacks morals and is only interested in himself. He leaves Countess Brunella's niece after impregating her. His first wife dies of a broken spirit once he marries her for her money. Once again this goes against all the beliefs of the Catholic faith.