Chelsea’s Blog

English 101
“that was than this is now…”

Today, there is no question that we live in the technologically advanced world.  The question is however, is technology having a negative impact on society and more specifically the world of print. Take for example, a computer.  Computer’s are becoming so advanced and popular author’s are starting to create novels on a disk(s) which allows the reader to access the material through a monitor instead of by pages. Although some readers believe that the physical sense of a book is more effective than a CD-rom, it depends on the reader to determine which style is more effective for them. Sven Birkerts, the author of The Gutenburg Ellegies, believes that although we are stepping forward with technology, society is becoming technologically dependent and technology has greatly influenced the world of print.

Sven Birkerts, believes that reading something through a computer screen is nowhere as effective as reading from a book or print.  Birkerts points out that, “screen and book may exhibit the same string of words, but the assumptions that underlie their significance are entirely different depending on whether we are staring at a book or a circuit generated text” (Birkerts 128 ).  In other words, one could read the same piece, one on a printed page and the other by following the words on a  computer screen, and

One of the biggest arguments that I believe that Birkerts tries to make is that electronic hypertext is the easy way out.  He believes that the modern day reader may prefer this untraditional way of reading because it is much easier to use. But is that really the case? He touches on the fact that

I have to say that I strongly disagree with Birkerts point of view that.. I think that he misses something in his argument.

When comparing a book to an electronic hypertext, one of the main differences between the two is the interface. Before I even opened Patchwork Girl, I did have to go through a process of downloading it to my computer before I even could start reading.  Even though downloading the disk to my computer may seem like a process, it only took a minute to open so I did not let that bother me.  When Patchwork Girl opened on the screen, I was confronted with a of a picture of a woman. When I clicked on and the woman it than  took me to what looks to be the title page. I was very overwhelmed that there was no set direction or path to read this piece. Instead the reader clicks on what interests them and the reader keeps choosing their own path. After exploring Patchwork Girl I came across the story map.  This looks like a web, which gives a visual depiction of the different paths in novel. I began to wonder, is their an beginning? As far I know Patchwork Girl does not have a beginning let alone an end that I found, which was my first instinct that this media is far from easy.  Patchwork girl challenges the readers mind to put the pieces together, almost like the process of putting a body together. I believe that Shelley Jackson’s purpose of creating this piece was to challenge the mind. She wants readers who are  accustomed of reading a print pieces to have trouble and struggle when first reading Patchwork Girl.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Film

Over the last couple of decades, society has grown to see many film productions which have been based on the legendary 1817 novel “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley. However, numerous of these film productions of Frankenstein have unfortunately ignored the general themes of the novel and not follow closely to Shelly’s original text. However, in the 1994 film titled “Mary Shellys Frankenstein” directed by Kenneth Branagh, is one of the only re-tellings’ of the novel that does stay true to the storyline.

Although in this film, “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” Branagh does display the novel accurately, differences between the two are evident. From the beginning, middle, and end of the movie, scenes of creation and or birthing are emphasized to catch the reader’s attention. In these scenes, Branagh makes changes from the novel which may be because he want to show his interpretation of how he read Frankenstein; therefore, making his own statement. In these particular scenes, Branagh suggest the interest of creation as in the form of labor.

One of the fist scenes from “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” that may catch the viewers eye is that of the birthing scene when Caroline, Victors mother is giving birth to his younger brother William. Here is one a scene that is not in the novel, but does in fact start to set the audience up for the interest of creation as in the form of reproduction. In this bloody and almost frightening scene, Caroline is bleeding to death, blood dispersed throughout the room, when giving birth to William. The few people around in the room seem to be frantic as Caroline is screaming in pain and horror. Although the baby survives, unfortunately Caroline fails to make it through the labor. When analyzing this scene, one may feel that Branagh is not only trying to make a statement that creation comes in the form of reproduction but also creation/life could cause death. This pertains to both the film as well as the novel “Frankenstein” because the monster which Victor created takes many lives. When looking back to the novel, Caroline does pass away though from catching the scarlet fever from Elisabeth. Thus, Branagh had to feel that this was a very important scene that should be added into the film and I believe is an effective way to set the audience up for the scenes to follow.

The birthing shown in the begging of the film leads the audience to another scene that is where the process of the creation of the monster is shown. In this part of the film, once again Branagh emphasizes a different portrayal of creation than in the novel which is creation comes the form of labor. This scene of the movie differs greatly in the film then in the reading. This is because in chapter five of the novel where the creation of the monster actually takes place, one may look at Victor as playing god by creating life though focus on the fact that the creation of the monster takes place because of this laboratory setting. In the film however, although the creation does take place in the laboratory one may look at the creation process of the monster as a form of birthing or labor. Branagh adds much more to the scene than the couple lines that the reader gets in the novel. Instead the film uses the background music as well as references to embryonic fluid to suggest Braaghs interpretation of creation.

The creation scene of the films starts off with very loud suspenseful music while Victor is anxiously running around the laboratory. The background music is a very effective tool that a reader of the novel Frankenstein cannot grasp. The music could in fact being very purposeful and helps may lead the audience to think of the process of birthing. When thinking of labor especially in the time period when the

This is because labor causes much Victor places the monster in a tub like enclosure and then shoots with needles embryonic fluids throughout his body. The embryonic fluid is of

Chelsea Simpson

English

February 2009

Paradise Lost Book Ten vs. Frankenstein

Intertextuality can be described as various relationships that a given text may have within other works of literature. There are several styles of intertexuality that can be placed within writings which include “anagram, allusion, adaptation, translation, parody, pastiche, [and] imitation.” Authors include these separate writings into their own usually to convey a significant message or emphasize a point. Intertexuality aids the reader in understanding the meaning of the work.

Mary Shelly, the author of the 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein, uses intertexuality in her writing when she references a quote from Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost was and still is an especially famous series of writings that were published in the mid 1600’s. The author of the twelve books was a man named John Milton. Milton’s series was based around the biblical reference to Adam and Eve, as well as God the father and Satan. Shelley quotes early on in the novel, “Not only does the meaning of this quote relate to the general idea of Frankenstein; but If one goes back and reads the lines of the Paradise Lost (book ten; lines 720-786) were this particular quote was found, one would see many common traits to Paradise Lost as well as the novel Frankenstein. Thus, Shelley’s usage of Paradise Lost may classify as intertextual adaptation. In Frankenstein, she incorporates the general ideas and principles from Paradise Lost as well as creates her own vision of Paradise Lost in the novel. Shelly uses the biblical reference to Adam and eve to convey and reinstate the themes of creation, dangerous knowledge, and darkness.Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mold me man? Did I solicit thee from darkness to Promote Me?”

The first reference to Paradise Lost in Frankenstein is revealed in the beginning of the novel, thus introducing the reader to the dual-concepts of creation. On the title page, Shelley quotes an excerpt from Paradise Lost: “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mold me man? Did I solicit thee from darkness to Promote Me?”(-Paradise Lost [X.74-75]). This quote generates sympathy for not only Adam; Gods creation, but also for the Monster that was the creation of Viktor Frankenstein. Though one may not pay a great deal of attention to this quote at first, creation is a chief theme in novel. The theme of creation is demonstrated throughout Frankenstein. In chapter five, after Victor spends, Victor’s creation finally came to life. In this version of creation, Victor plays the role of God because he too creates life. But unlike in the story of the creation of Man, Victor abandons the life he created as soon as the Monster is able to draw his first breath.

After further analyzing additional lines in Paradise Lost, book ten, one could see many common traits which could relate to the novel Frankenstein. One quote in particular from Paradise Lost (book ten) which may catch the readers eye is, “Why am I mocked with death, and lengthened out to deathless pain?” Although Shelley did not include this quote in her novel, it sounds very much like something either Frankenstein or the Monster would say. Death is tragically common theme in Frankenstein, whether it was natural or caused by the hands of the Monster. Victor Frankenstein is especially tormented by death, as it was by his hands the creature was created and it was the creature that was killing members of Victor’s family. The morning after Victor creates the monster he quotes;

“The porter opened the gates of the court, which had that night been my asylum, and I issued into the streets, pacing them with quick steps, as if I sought to avoid the wrench whom I feared every turning of the street would present to my view.”

At this point in the novel, Victor begins to realize that he created a monster and is mocked because Victor fears the monster even though he created him. Victor is also mocked with death in a sense that he did not educate him or provide him with knowledge therefore giving the monster no other option except to kill. In Frankenstein, Victor is especially mocked with death when William (Victors youngest brother) is murdered. Victor returns home and he believes that the monster killed William; however, Justine (a young girl that was adopted into the Frankenstein family) is accused of the murder. Justine is convicted and dies. Thus, Victor is mocked with death by having two people which he loved killed. These two incidents do mock death to Victor because he created the monster which lacked knowledge therefore leaving the monster to kill and, Victor is to blame. As you can see in Frankenstein, the themes of death as well as dangerous knowledge parallel each other in the novel.

The theme of darkness is prominent throughout both Frankenstein and Paradise Lost. After reading line 720-866 from Paradise Lost, book ten, one could clearly see that the passage is overwhelmed with darkness. Milton uses words such as misery, death, horrid, dreadful, and gloom to express emotion. “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mold me man? Did I solicit thee from darkness to Promote Me.” The word darkness in this quotation is particularly relevant in both Frankenstein and Paradise Lost book ten….

In conlcusion,

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Writing Assignment One

The skill of reading is not something one is born with or something one can live without. Reading is a concept that one develops overtime; and whether you enjoy it or hate it, reading is imperative for success. I am sure that there are some who would try to argue reading is not important. I think that reading is the foundation of anything and everything. Right now you could be thinking one of two things. First you could be thinking I am obsessed with reading; or here is a girl who is defending the right to be a able to read. Although really I am doing neither. In actuality I do not enjoy reading, and I most certainly would fall in the “non reader” category of society. You may ask yourself how does one become a reader or a non reader? I myself was asked that very same question. If you asked me this question a month or two ago I would say, “because I just don’t like to read, never have and never will.” But, I found that me not liking to read could have resulted in certain events. For example, one event that happened early on in my life as well as another in my teenage years. Looking back on these events now I think they helped shape me into the person I am today.

Ever since I was little girl, my sister, Tulsa, was not only my best friend, but also who I looked up to the most. I believe our closeness in age contributed to our strong relationship. Tulsa and I are only a year and a half apart in age. Although we do have our differences, one thing we both enjoyed was when our mom read to us every night. My mother made sure reading was a huge part of our lives as children and young adults. Though we were not the kids that watched television or played video games, we never once thought that we were missing out on the fun. We loved to do other things like play tag outside, make mud castles and our favorite part of the day was when mom would read to us before we went to bed. I can still hear in my head my mom saying “ Girls, go put on pajamas and pick out a bed time story; its getting late.” We would both run to the book shelf and argue about what book we wanted my mother to read to us. The final decision was always made by Tulsa, and normally she chose Dr Seuss or The Bernstein Bears. My mom would read to us until we both fell asleep. When my sister started elementary school, I begged my mom to let me go with her. She quickly began to read and to write at a very young age, where as I struggled. Bed time stories were not the same when my sister started reading to me instead of mom. I wanted to be able to read just as well as her, and it affected me greatly not being able to do so. Reading was something that made me happy and something that I looked forward to daily. I quickly felt I had to learn how to read just as well as Tulsa, or my mom would look at me as a failure. It was now in my eyes a never ending competition. I pushed myself to learn how to read not because I wanted too, but because I felt like I had too. Even today I still feel like I compete with my sister with reading. She is absolutely infatuated with reading and always has a book in her hand; I still envy her for that. Even at my graduation, I looked up in the seats and saw her biting her nails and diligently reading. Even though I do still feel like I compete with my sister, I can say I am very appreciative that I have a sister whose passion is reading. I appreciate it greatly because I know I will never have what she has with books.

As I got older, wanting to become a better reader was very important to me. I watched my friends enjoy reading through middle school and into high school. I asked myself why can I not just like to read? As I look back, I notice that once again I wanted to read not because I wanted to do it for myself, but I wanted to do it because my friends were doing it. It was not just a competition between sister and sister anymore it was also with my fellow classmates. In eleventh grade I started reading slightly more then before. However, reading was still felt very forced upon to me. I read my first book in the eleventh grade that actually made me cry and I could not put it down. The book was My Sisters Keeper, by Jodi Piccut. I thought that maybe I found the one book that could change my feelings on reading. However, that was not so much the case. My English teacher in eleventh grade was very opinionated; it was “her way or the high way.” I remember the day we were having a class discussion on the book, The Scarlet Letter. This was not one of my favorite books. I decided to state my opinion on the book (which was that I felt it was boring and I just could not connect to it), and when I did, I felt attacked. My teacher did not let me even finish what I was saying before she commented on what I said two seconds before. After that incident, I felt almost afraid to discuss openly on the books we read. I started slacking and not even reading what was assigned for the night. Why read, when I was truly afraid to discuss the book if I did not have such a positive outlook on it? My senior year of high school I do not recall picking up one book that I was not assigned to read. My excuse was that I did not have time to read, but yet I found myself talking on the computer, checking out profiles on facebook, or watching television. Thus, not having time was not a legitimate excuse.

As I look back today, I feel that these two events in my life shaped me who I am today as a reader. Sometimes I think to myself, “will I ever be a reader?” I feel that I could still change my reading habits although it would be extremely difficult. I think that anyone that was not a reader before could learn to be a reader in the future. Reading is something that you need to enjoy as well as practice to develop the skill. Since I never liked to read, it was very challenging for me to get “hooked on books.” I find myself today at college having to work extra hard to because I do struggle with reading. When I am asked by my professors to read for homework, a dread it. I always will put off my reading assessments until the last minute. I do believe one thing however, I have developed a very completive nature for sports especially horseback riding. I ponder if maybe I decided to be involved in sports and other activities because I wanted to be better at something then my sister or my friends. This may sound irrelevant, but I think that I needed that something that made me smile and made me happy. I constantly saw my sister as well as my friends happy when they read but I never felt that way. My sister Tulsa never once played a sport so for me that was something I could beat her in.