Welcome Back!
I hope you are all doing well. I really miss my classes and I have heard from a few of you that the same is true. I will be updating the lessons and posting them on here, two per week. They will require some reading and writing on your part. I will add videos and readings to the class lessons, so check back on Mondays and Wednesdays for all the info you need, including readings, and assignments.
Nevertheless, we will continue on with our course and with our purpose of learning to write and think critically.
We are learning to do these things through the lens of Monsters and Monster Theory. It has been two weeks since we learned about Monster Theory and I want to take this first lesson to review and refresh our understanding of Monster Theory.
Our goal for today is to review Monster Theory and connect it with a Monster, Frankenstein/His Monster.
Class Participation
We will be submitting the class work on the comment section below. Post one comment per class lesson!
The easiest way to do this is to write your quick write and responses on a text document as you follow along. Then copy and paste all the response and quick writes into one comment. I will be reviewing these and approving them as the day goes by. No need to email me to see if I got it.
Quick Write
Lets catch up on what we have all been doing. Answer these questions so we can see what we have been up to.
- What have the last two weeks been like for you?
- What have you been doing to stay productive if at all?
Keep it short! Here is my response as an example.
I have been staying home as much as possible. I go out only to get groceries and essentials. I am lucky in that I love to be home. I have a home gym that I built over the last two years and I have continued to work out and work on my garden. A mole started eating my vegetables so I had to put metal mesh below the raised beds to keep it out.
I have been spending a lot of time with my wife and daughter as we have all been home on spring break. I do miss my students! As you guys know I love teaching and seeing your happy smiling faces. If you need anything email me or send me a text. The info is on the syllabus.
Also, I have been working on grading and changing the class over to online instruction. Hopefully the lessons are informative and helpful for the work we need to continue doing.
Monster Review
Review the last class lesson to refresh what we learned.
Here is a lost of monster notes from previous classes to help.
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus
Watch this crash course video that gives you a good introduction to the work. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. It is one of the best works of literature ever, and it is free because it is old.
What does the title of the book mean? Frankenstein is the name of the Doctor that is telling us the story. What about the second part? What or who is Prometheus? What do you know about him?
Victor Frankenstein: The Narrator, Doctor, Creator. Frankenstein has from the very beginning been confused with his creation, the Monster. Why do you think that is?
Who is Prometheus? In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan who is best known for giving fire to mankind and is punished by Zeus. Prometheus is chained to a rock and an eagle comes everyday to peck out his liver which grows back every night and continues indefinitely.
What does modern Prometheus mean then? Prometheus gave mankind a knowledge that we did not have and is punished for it. Now Dr. Frankenstein gives us a knowledge that we do not have and is punished for it.
Read Frankenstein
I have some selections from Frankenstein for today. They are from Chapter 4 and 5 of the book. Read Frankenstein Selection.
When you are done with the readings return to the lesson. If you already read them, continue on!
The Question
The question I want to consider now is: What does it mean to be human? Arguably, literary texts in charting human actions and emotions and so on, reflect back at us what makes us who we are? What makes us tick?
By looking at the monsters we create, we can learn what it means to be human and/or humane.
I want to focus on a passage from Chapter 5.
How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.
The Creation Scene
Here is a scene from the 1994 film, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Dr. Frankenstein is trying to do a great thing: he wants to save humans from dying. Why then is his greatest achievement, life, an abomination, a creature, a monster?
Why does he call it a monster? It was just created and born by his hands. It has not done anything yet to be considered monstrous. So what makes it a monster? Is it actions that make someone a monster? Or can it be just the way you look?
Why does he turn his back on the monster? What theory from Cohen would help us understand why the creation is a monster?
Who then is the monster? If you had a baby that was born with a physical or mental handicap, would you turn your back? Would you be horrified? Or would you love it just the same or even more because you know that life is hard and people are mean.
What would make you a monster? We just saw that it is not necessarily actions. That is how we usually think of monsters in our modern context. When someone does something that we consider wrong we will call them a monster.
What would it take for you to be born a monster? Could it be your look? Handicap? Disfigurement? Color of your skin? Religion? These are all things we have done to make monsters. What one have you seen?
Monster Theory and Frankenstein
Take a look at the seven monster theories to see which apply to Frankenstein and/or his Monster. Hopefully the lesson today has made you think about what it means to be a monster, and in turn what it means to be a human. Some ideas should be emerging from the monster theories we read last time.
Connect at least two monster theories for today. Find a quote from each of the monster theories that you think apply and connect it to the selections from Frankenstein and the video we watched.
Use the quote sandwich to show the connection.
Quote Sandwich
- Introduce the quote
- Quote, relevant
- Explain Quotation
Example:
The concept of dragons evolved with people’s needs and desires. It follows the first of Cohen’s Monster Theses: The Monster’s Body is a Cultural Body. “The monster is born only at this metaphoric crossroads, as an embodiment of a certain cultural moment…” (Cohen 4). Each individual culture molded the dragon to its own desires and fears, be it Christian fear or Chinese mysticism (Quintero).
Comment below with your two monster theories in quotation sandwich format. Also include the initial quick write from the top.
Homework
Check Back on Wednesday for the next lesson. We will be going over the next essay, Monster Evaluation.
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I am still working on transitioning our class to canvas for submissions, but you can still do everything else on here. Grades will be updated soon.
Professor Ramos' Blog 
Quick Write:
The last two weeks have been ok for me. I’ve only gone out for food and to work because my job is still requiring me to come in, although I don’t have as many hours right now. As much as I initially hated the idea of not going out I’m starting to think it might be a well-needed break. A typical Monday for me was going to work from 6 AM—2 PM, coming home, working out, doing homework and then going to class in the evening.
For the most part, I’ve just been doing stuff I enjoy. I have played an excessive amount of Animal Crossing, have done a bit of sewing, I still work out every day because I think it’s necessary to continue to be active, and have been keeping up with my friends and girlfriend through voice chats and stuff. I’ve also been using my time to cook more often and clean up my consistently messy room, so I guess that’s something good that’s come out of this. I also don’t really miss going to class if I’m being honest. I think having a more flexible schedule to do work might be nice. Mainly, the only thing I really miss is seeing people I care about. Otherwise, I am just vibing in isolation.
Comment:
I think actions are what truly make a monster, while I believe the way you look is just something random we have to accept. Some are lucky when it comes to looks and some draw the short end of the stick and end up looking quite disfigured, that’s just how life is. But I don’t think that is any qualification for being a monster, it just means you look a little different than everyone else. When we do something that goes against other’s morals is when we become a monster. In my opinion, I think one of the most terrifying things is when people stop believing in the importance or significance of human life and become incapable of caring or feeling empathy for loss. I think that’s when people become monsters because they disregard everything around them and fail to recognize or choose to not recognize they are harming others.
Frankenstein’s Monster doesn’t initially start off as a monster but becomes one over time. However, because Frankenstein fails to realize that, the monster falls into the category of Thesis IV: The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference from the very beginning. In the text, Cohen writes, “Any kind of altering can be inscribed across (constricted through the monstrous body, but for the most part monstrous difference tends to be cultural, political, racial, economic, sexual.” Once the creature that Frankenstein creates essentially comes alive, he realizes that while he has created life, it is very different from human life. It is a life that is not natural, thus making the doctor afraid of his own creation.
Frankenstein’s monster also falls into the category of Thesis VI: Fear of the Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire. “This simultaneous repulsion and attraction at the core of the monster’s composition accounts greatly for its continued cultural popularity.” (Cohen) Doctor Frankenstein was very intrigued by the idea of creating life, but once his ideas came to fruition, he terrified himself.
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Quick write:
The last two weeks have been tough for me, as I got sick, despite only going out of the house for essential groceries. I only have one symptom of COVID (a horrible cough), and the rest of my symptoms are flu-like. I had even made a trip to urgent care, as my cough had been getting worse, but the medication they prescribed is not helping. They also won’t test anyone for COVID unless you meet certain requirements, so I will never quite know what it is that I have. I am hoping I recover soon.
To stay productive during this time, I have been cleaning, organizing, and unpacking items around my apartment. I still had some leftover boxes to unpack from when I moved in late January, so I finally got those unpacked. I have also been keeping in touch with family and friends via social media and over the phone, to ensure I stay close to my loved ones during this crazy time we are all going through.
Quote Sandwiches:
Frankenstein’s monster has a unique appearance that is drastically different from the societal “norm”. This follows thesis IV from the monster theory: The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference. “The monster is difference made of flesh, come to dwell among us” (Cohen 7). Frankenstein does not look like a typical man. In the text, Frankenstein is being described as having very peculiar features: yellow skin, black lips, watery eyes, and a shriveled complexion. Frankenstein is different because a monster cannot be the same as us. When we create monsters, we create them as the “other”. We wouldn’t create monsters to represent our own image, since monsters are seen in a negative light.
Frankenstein makes his monster an astonishing 8 feet tall, which follows monster theory V: The Monster Policies the Borders of the Possible. “…the monster of prohibition policies the borders of the possible, interdicting through its grotesque body some behaviors and actions, evaluating others” (Cohen 13). By Frankenstein’s monster being 8 feet tall, it is policing what is and is not possible. It would not normally be possible for a person to be 8 feet tall, but the body of Frankenstein’s monster serves as “proof” (in that story) that it is indeed possible.
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quote sandwich:
Mary Shelley, one of many writers of Frankenstein describes dr Frankenstein as a man who was raised not to believe in superstition, guarded he was raised to be a logical educated man. So the concept of monsters and ghouls where that of nonsense to him. being a man of science he found himself curious to the nature of death, taking it upon himself to find the cure he soon was met with a new monster, one that had never been born before, he creates life and because the life was vastly different from his reality he ran in fear of it. This thesis follows Jeffery Cohens theory that the monster polices the borders of the possible. “The monster stands as a warning against exploration of its uncertain demesnes” (Cohen 12). As Frankenstein was engulfed in his work, growing weaker in health, neglecting the world around him all for his studies and the betterment of science; he created a monster in his image. Pale, drained, beautiful in appearance at first but evil once the awe wore off. Frankenstein knowingly committed unholy and inhumane acts and suffered the consequence after as his monster was an entity of his fears.
Human nature, the need for fulfillment and recognition. Dr. Frankenstein puts life in an inanimate being, pouring himself into his work, what he worked so hard for would be the one thing he would run from for the rest of his life. following Cohens theory fear of the monster is really a kind of desire, “the monster is continually linked to forbidden practices, in order to normalize and to enforce. The monster also attracts.” ( Cohen 16). In connection of this theory and that of Frankenstein we can come to understand the sheer desire to create life and the disposition it holds on society to inhibit such acts. Pouring life into a creature as it drains the life of its creator, sharing in the same fears of rejection and endless pursuit of acceptance and recognition the monster truly does allow the doctor to understand the consequences of his actions.
quick write:
During the beginning phases of the quarantine I was still able to go to work until the governor made it mandatory that only essential workers were to go, so I’ve only been off for one week which I enjoyed thoroughly. I’ve been able to catch up on my sleep and resume my fitness regime, one that I’ve been neglecting due to my hectic schedule of work and school. I am guilty of going on drives just to get out of the house to get some quiet time in but never really leaving my car, trips to the market are a little nerve wrecking due to all the cases but are essential so I try to enjoy my time while doing it but maintaining caution.
I believe I’ve been somewhat productive, I try not to watch so much tv, I get the baby up and doing thinks that will help with her brain development, she can now count to 20 and she’s gotten her ABC’s down; huge improvement, next is spelling her name. other than working with the baby and cleaning the house there’s not much else to do.
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Quick Write:
The last two weeks for me have not been bad at all. I am one of the few who truly like staying home but I do keep eating all of my quarantine snacks too fast. The biggest hit I took was the gyms being closed (I was going 3-5 times a week before the craziness) I have been able to do some at home workouts to hold me down but it’s just not the same. It does also suck being unemployed now too but I’m grateful to still have a home and support system during this time. As far as my productivity just A LOT of spring cleaning and organization around the house. I am not looking forward to having all online classes now, I despise online classes because I feel like I don’t retain as much as I do when in person but just have to take it day by day.
Quote Sandwiches:
Frankenstein himself could not fathom the possibility of creating such an intricate being, it follows Cohen’s third thesis that The Monster is the Harbinger of Category Crisis “In the face of the monster, scientific inquiry and it’s ordered rationality crumble.” (Cohen) A human is only supposed to be born however Frankenstein is defying the complexities of life with his creation.
Doctor Frankenstein was captivated by his own imagination and the idea of creating life, but once those exact ideas actually materialized, he terrified himself which follows Thesis VI: Fear of the Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire. “This simultaneous repulsion and attraction at the core of the monster’s composition accounts greatly for its continued cultural popularity.” (Cohen) What was once a beautiful intention by Frankenstein, then turned into a reality that was too scary to face.
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Quick Write:
The last two weeks for me have not been bad at all. I am one of the few who truly like staying home but I do keep eating all of my quarantine snacks too fast. The biggest hit I took was the gyms being closed (I was going 3-5 times a week before the craziness) I have been able to do some at home workouts to hold me down but it’s just not the same. It does also suck being unemployed now too but I’m grateful to still have a home and support system during this time. As far as my productivity just A LOT of spring cleaning and organization around the house. I am not looking forward to having all online classes now, I despise online classes because I feel like I don’t retain as much as I do when in person but just have to take it day by day.
Quote Sandwiches:
Frankenstein himself could not fathom the possibility of creating such an intricate being, it follows Cohen’s third thesis that The Monster is the Harbinger of Category Crisis “In the face of the monster, scientific inquiry and it’s ordered rationality crumble.” (Cohen) A human is only supposed to be born however Frankenstein is defying the complexities of life with his creation.
Doctor Frankenstein was captivated by his own imagination and the idea of creating life, but once those exact ideas actually materialized, he terrified himself which follows Thesis VI: Fear of the Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire. “This simultaneous repulsion and attraction at the core of the monster’s composition accounts greatly for its continued cultural popularity.” (Cohen) What was once a beautiful intention by Frankenstein, then turned into a reality that was too scary to face.
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Quick write:
Over the past two weeks I have been mostly working, deep cleaning, and sewing. I Was fortunate to see my boyfriend a couple times and we enjoyed our days off with watching movies, cleaning, and playing video games together.
Other than that I’ve been trying to help my manager who is dealing with short staff due to parents of coworkers refusing to let them work in fear of COVID-19, even though they are all 18+. I ended up addicted to Animal Crossing last week and it has been a reliever for a lot of my recent stress over work and quarantine. There isn’t much else that has happened for me personally, especially considering some places I normally would go to are shut down temporarily.
What it means to be Human:
I think being human is a very complex thing often defined by reactions and what we view as normal and necessary. Humans all have the same basic requirements in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but needing extra materials or care (like medical assistance) does not make someone less human. Humans are often curious in nature and can have tendencies to overthink or have negative thoughts that are easy to frown upon. Even if these awful thoughts are subconscious or not purposely brought into someone’s mind, we are capable of suppressing them. Humans have a complex thought process, hopefully from which many of us learn from. We learns about our surroundings like other animals do by observation and experience, but we also have the capability to think of extra outcomes to situations and think of rather creative solutions. Our high intelligence compared to other animals is a major part of what divides humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. We are highly capable of controlling and wisely selecting options and outcomes from our thought process no matter what our intentions may be. But what people consider to be humane would be based more off of moral compass. People often describe humane as being harmless towards yourself and others at bare minimum. It’s being civilized and having self control and being considerate of those around you. Actions like tantrums and yelling are often considered childish or uncivil, while things such as picturing yourself in someone else’s shoes instead of being ignorant or acts of kindness are seen as well thought out and smart. Humans are often praised by intelligence and talents and shamed for harmful behaviors. I think humans define what it is to be human through behaviors we wish to see in order to change for the better of our species.
What is a Monster?:
I think monsters are often defined by characteristics that negatively stick out. They are not always pertaining to physical appearance, for example, unusual behavior can be seen as negative in most cases. I think what defines a monster is mostly the actions taken by that person or thing. We often define people like murders, rapists, and tyrants as monsters, yet physically they are human. However we also see mutants and they often get characterized as monsters despite the possibility they may not have horrid intentions. People see monsters as something to be afraid of and something inhumane in terms of reality. While in stories people define monsters easily as humanoid or beast-like creatures often with destructive desires, real world monsters are all around us. Serial killers and rapists as well as damaging corrupted government leaders can all easily be defined as monsters for doing such inhumane acts of violence or causing mass trauma. We also have people in the world who may come off as scary or unusual in appearance, but they have kind intentions. For example, biker gangs can seem intimidating to most but there are groups out there that rescue abused kids and animals and donate to help those in need. Or a fictional example (but one that is still entirely possible in the real world) is Sloth from the classic movie The Goonies. While Sloth is physically deformed and can look quite terrifying at first, we see that he is still a caring guy who was just mistreated by his family.
Quotation Sandwiches:
Connect two monster theories
In Thesis VI: Fear of the Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire, Cohen says monsters are associated with things we consider unethical and “forbidden.” In paragraph two of this thesis he puts,
“Through the body of a monster fantasies of aggression, domination, and inversion are allowed safe expression in a clearly delimited and permanently liminal space.”
Monsters are viewed as destructive beings that go against what is deemed to be acceptable by people. While lots of cultural and universal morals are pressed onto us, they are often rebelled against by monsters, which exposes dark and harmful desires people may appear to be disgusted by but can also want to experience deep down. We teach ourselves to oppress negative emotions which causes those to be bottled and pent up, often leading to episodes of rage or emotional breakdowns. Often times destructive behaviors cause feelings of relief in moments of heavy negative emotions, which people wish they could let out.
Thesis VII: The Monster Stands at the Threshold… of Becoming discusses how people have created monsters built off of perception. Cohen says, “These monsters ask us how we perceive the world, and how we have misrepresented what we have attempted to place.” Monsters are often creations that are misunderstood or the product of negative perceptions on our surroundings. Culturally speaking, monsters were created as ways to show the world can be a dark place. Urban legends such as La Llorona are still believed by some to this day even though they were tales meant to keep people safe due to potentially dangerous surroundings. Often monster are created out of fears from our worldly perspective, whether that be the monster fears what the creator does or it is what the person fears. Monsters portray concerns we express within our personal lives and also in the world we live in.
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Class: English 102-60 M/W 7pm class
3/30/20
What have the last two weeks been like for you?
What have you been doing to stay productive if at all?
The last two weeks there had been quite a few changes. We have reduced hours at our therapy clinic and having most of our children use zoom for therapy. I have had a lot of down time on the weekend so I try to fill it with cleaning, reading, and watching Downton Abby. I have been spending tons of quality time with my husband playing board games Or Watching the documentaries such a as The Tiger King on Netflix. Overall, trying to make the best of our current pandemic; whether praying or doing a small act of kindness for someone.
Connect at least two monster theories for today. Find a quote from each of the monster theories that you think apply and connect it to the selections from Frankenstein and the video we watched.
The concept of the monster[s] being our children and the values we question in our society demonstrates Cohen’s Theory: The Monster stands on the threshold of becoming. “The thing of darkness I acknowledge mine. Monsters are our children. They can be pushed To the farthest margins of geography and discourse, Hidden away at the edges of the world And in the forbidden recesses of our mind, they always return.” Victor realizes the creation he provide life to is horrific and runs away to forget what he just did. He questions himself and eventually comes to face the new reality he created.
The concept of being enticed by monsters because they allow for fantasies escapism is linked to Cohen’s Monster VI: The Fear of the Monster is really kind of a desire. ”The monster is continually linked to forbidden practices in order to normalize and enforce…” Dr. Frankenstein describes his creation before he gives it life as “beautiful,” but after he give the creation life he describes it as horrific realizing the consequences of his particular culture not ready for the resurrection of life. He romanized the idea of creating life to be this beautiful thing in which he created but in reality it wasn’t as fulfilling as he anticipated prior. Now you see the connections between the Romanticized idea of the creation of life which his creature posses, but conflicts with the morals of bringing the dead back to life.
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Quick write:
The last two weeks for me have been pretty slow but good as I have been able to stay home and spend time with my family. I’ve stayed home and only left to go to work, because I work at a hotel so we are still open since we provide shelter.
I’ve been spending most of my time playing video games online with my friends, doing lots of yard work, watching movies, and going to work.
Quote Sandwiches:
The height and physical stature of Frankensteins creation immediately evokes fears in him as it is nothing like he has ever seen before. This is a great example of a point made in Monster Thesis I “The Monster’s Body is a Cultural Body” as it says “Like a letter on a page, the monster signifies something other than itself: it is always a displacement, always inhabits the gap between the time of upheaval that created it and the moment into which it is received, to be born again” (Cohen 4). Even though Frankenstein wanted to create life the shock of what became was to difficult for him to fully comprehend.
Frankenstein creates this creature to bring life out of death, his intentions are in the right place until he finally accomplishes his goal. This os why his story can relate the to Thesis V of the Monster theory “The Monster Polices the Borders of the Possible” as it states “Curiosity is more often punished than rewarded, that one is better off safely contained within one’s domestic sphere than abroad, away from the watchful eyes of the state” (Cohen 12). This coincides directly to Frankenstein and his creation as his final product didn’t meet his expectations so to him the failure turned it into a monster. Frankenstein attempting to create life was punished with how it turned out.
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Over the past two weeks it seems that work has been put into over-drive. Working for an essential business will do that, but the nice thing is they are giving incentives and bonuses during this time. But during this time of chaos that seems to be surrounding us with this virus to give me a chance to to think and see how we as people react to certain things. I always thought that the whole stocking up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer was crazy, and I believe that if we were to have but our normal amount of items we would be better off. I’ve seen some of the news posts of how crazy people have turned on each other ,over some of these items,and have even lost their lives over it. but it really made me think of Class, especially when we talked about Frankenstein and how he is one of the monsters that fits into all the categories. Then I thought to myself, the way some people have decided to act and have created them selves into “ monsters “.
To stay productive I’ve been more conscious and aware of the things that I touch and continue to wash my hands and sanitize more often due to easiness of the spread of this virus. I feel that work keeps me pretty productive to where I’m constantly moving and using social distancing and in the end,is keeping me out of the public, even though I work in a public place. I do miss our class, because the way it’s structured and how we interact and that being combined , has enabled me to broaden my perspective and how I think about things as well as new topics and subjects. I’ve taken many online classesBut I feel a little discouraged because I know the class will be the same but that just means I need to buckle down and dive deeper.
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Quick Write: I also have I also have been trying to stay home as much as possible, but occasionally have left home for groceries or medications. I have been choosing to walk to both the store and to the pharmacy to act as exercise in place of going to the gym. Right before spring break I moved in with my boyfriend, so I am keeping myself busy during this quarantine buy unpacking and organizing. I also in my free time and trying to do arts and crafts like make bracelets or paint. I spend most of my time alone at home because my boyfriend works at a hospital and is doing normal hours unlike most people during this time. I enjoy being home, but I also really enjoyed going to campus for classes. I only hope I am able to adapt well to the new online format. I usually do not take online classes because I find them difficult without face-to-face instruction.
Lesson Response: I do not personally believe that people are born monsters. I think people are born with a lack of understanding of right and wrong or good and bad. It is after they are taught this and understand this and choose to do wrong that their actions are then considered monstrous or against social norms. I believe that dr. Frankenstein only calls his creation a monster because of his appearance this caused the doctor to be fearful and reject his creation. Frankenstein’s monster is a monster that reflects the time and place it was born in this correlates to Thesis I: The monsters body is a cultural body. “The monsters body quite literally incorporates fear, desire, anxiety, and fantasy, giving them life and uncanny Independence” (Cohen). Frankenstein’s monster reflects Frankenstein monster reflects the fear of technological and medical advances going too far which was a very irrational fear for the time the story was written. People believe that science edged on playing God when they looked too much into life and death. People are born with handicap SanDisk figure mints, but that does not make the monsters. When appearances are not of the social Norm it can cost fear and people who do not understand. This fear in the minds of the ignorant cause them to erroneously call different, monstrous. This correlates to thesis VIII: the monster stands at the threshold… Of becoming. “These monsters ask us how we perceive the world, and how we have misrepresented what we have attempted to place period. They asked us to re-evaluate our cultural assumptions about race, gender, sexuality, our perceptions of different, our tolerance towards its expression”(Cohen). This is to say that monster stem from the differences that aren’t considered normal when appearances shouldn’t be what defines someone as a monster. What what makes a monster is their actions, so Frankenstein’s monster didn’t become a monster until he started doing evil things like murdering people.
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Quick Write:
These past two weeks have been terrible and great at the same time. While everyone is at home on quarantine im stuck at work aka stater bros. The madness has died down but that first week was ridiculous. Where the extra ours of working overtime that week worth it? hell nooooo. it really sucks that out of all jobs i could have, i have to have an essential job while everyone has mini vacations. We got a 2$ raise but honestly i think we need more lol.
To stay productive on my days off i have been working out like crazy. just like everyone else in my neighborhood. ive never seen so many people out on my street before. its kind of sad that it took an quarantine to drag people out to start working out.
What it means to be human:
To be human means that you are living breathing and not cold blooded. being human means that you care about others. being human means that you have. being human means that you will do the right thing over the wrong thing.
What it means to be a monster:
To be a monster means that you are cold blooded. something probably made the monster. monsters are usually feared of and hated, leaving the monsters all alone and causes them to hate humans and or try to end humans. monsters don’t always have to be human it could be a disease, or a fable, a weapon, a animal, a hallucination, a drug, etc.
Quotation Sandwich:
Thesis I: The monsters body is a cultural body.
Jeffery Cohen says that ” The monster is born at this metaphoric crossroads, as an embodiment of a certain cultural moment– of time, feeling, and a place”. This quote is relevant to Frankenstein because when he is made the Dr is overcome with excitement for his being. when he is born the Dr starts shouting with excitement this shows the feeling of the moment.
Thesis IV: The Monster Dwells at The Gates of Difference.
Every monster in every story is always the outcast either its ugly, mean, defiant. Cohen states ” For the most part monstrous difference tends to be cultural, political, racial, economical, sexual”. Frankenstein is considered cultural difference because no one at the time had been born scientifically.
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These last two weeks have been really well actually. I’ve been going out for food (takeout of course) a good bit and its been nice. Being able to just relax was very needed personally and now I feel refreshed. I really liked how roads have been empty even during rush hour and how so many people have been out and about in their neighborhoods. I’ve been staying productive mainly by finishing some goals that I set out for myself from months ago along with exercising more, however I’ve also been more of a bum I’d say and been thinking of getting a job during this time.
I’d say what it means to be human is to have faults and limits. We pass those limits however and try to hid those faults however we always have more limits and we are only masking our faults. It’s important to embrace our faults and to only chase limits that we’d call moral. Space travel is moral and a limit that should be broken, immortality on the otherhand and reanimating the dead, I don’t know about that.
A monster is something that breaks what’s right and wrong and commits evil actions that goes against morality, and sometimes without remorse. Monsters can come in any different forms, humans can be monsters but so can many other things. Commiting an evil act that goes against proper morality generally defines what a monster is. For example with Frankenstein’s monster, he wasn’t always evil in the beginning, however as the story progressed, the monster became wicked and evil trying and succeeding in ruining Victor Frankensteins life.
Frankensteins monster falls under thesis 3, monster looks somewhat human yet extremely grotesque when he has “yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes”.
And I don’t have a quote for this but when I read Frankenstein and now the monster theories, Frankenstein’s monster also falls under theory 2, the monster always escapes. The monster escapes the lab in England at the beginning of the conflict, escapes after killing Dr. Frankenstein’s younger brother William, after killing Frankenstein’s best friend Henry Clerval and many others. Victor was legitimately chasing the monster constantly after Elizabeth’s death and kept taunting and escaping every time Victor was close.
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Abel Gaytan
3/30/20
Spring Break!
Canceled Break. While the family is off for 2 weeks we had vacation plans, all canceled.
Cost of gas is low we can drive anywhere, all canceled, no where to go thats open.
Spend some time outside!, Canceled thanks to Rain.
My family has now had a lot of time to play family games, cook deserts, and now with clear skies, go outside and explore. We have been to Crafton Hills Ridge a few times now, with my girls we climbed up to the towers at Little Mountain in San Bernardino, and plenty of neighborhood walks.
I have had some inside the house time to start a workout routine again, and time to dust off my bike (Road & Mountain bike) and go out on a few adventures.
I took the time on a few of the rainy days to explore with welding some Bicycle parts like Chain/Keychains, cranks and sprockets etc. I even played with Micro/Tig Welding (.02 tungsten)
My work continues, however social distancing and rain days has allowed me to spend majority of my time working from home, Calling customers, emailing, and maintaining contact without having to be face to face.
TP……. Yes my family has some.. Why TP?
Today we rode in a makeshift Parade in REDLANDS with the teachers from Kingsbury Elementary, visiting kids houses, honking, waving, and the kids were outside for the scheduled drive by with posters. It was quite the event, and brought a sense of community, even for those who did not know what was going on, they waved, smiled, cheered! There were some tears from parents, teachers, as we are what could be the middle of this corona virus crisis.
We all want things to go back to normal, but have to be safe, and understand that quarantine, social distancing, excessive hand washing and hand sanitizer is an important part of fighting the virus, slowing the virus, and allowing our world to get a standing foundation to stand on, for this fight.
Sandwiches:
Dr. Frankenstein is sharing with the reader his inner thoughts about bringing life into a lifeless body. He goes on in great detail to share how he is consumed in his work neglecting all in the world even himself. In the following quote once he achieves his life’s work, he instantly is met with disgust and I believe regret. “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” (Shelley). I believe that Dr. Frankenstein is a man that was consumed by his desire to meet his goal, against knowing maybe he should not have, and dismissing knowing that his creation was a freak of nature. I believe that his goal was in the dream, not so much the reality. Once he achieved the dream, and made it a reality, he was disgusted. I think it was one thing to see the lifeless body on the table, but when it was alive and what he once that was beautiful, was now a horrid contrast.
Dr. Frankenstein was aware that he had been neglectful of himself. He knew that he had become somewhat of an outcast, and socially distant. Once Dr. Frankenstein had achieved his long desired goal, the world that he had created for himself in his pursuit to bring life to the lifeless was instantly dead.
“Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete” (Shelley)! Saying mean important. I believe that Dr. Frankenstein was sharing how he instantly could instantly see that he no longer had purpose now that he had achieved his goal. While many stories are told with a lesson, and this story may be as simple as to explain why his creation is a monster. I believe there may be an important and simple message to not be consumed by your work, and or to not work so feverishly in your dream that once achieved may leave you lost.
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For spring break it really has not been a break at all. I was looking forward to hanging with family and friends and enjoying it but there is no where to go and people that I can not see because of quarantine. It is better for everyone though so I want to do all I can to help so I have been keeping myself busy reading ,scrolling through Netflix and browsing social media. I like to think of the positive things when times get tough so on a positive note there is more time for self reflection and personal growth. Also the earth is reacting in beautiful ways such as growth in animals and decline in pollution.So just praying for other family’s and people being infected (:
Monsters are a genre in literature that combines good with evil. Which sparks the emotion of terror and or horror which presents evil side in the form of a monster it goes back all the way into time. Monsters are told in stories to usually teach a lesson in a story. Although it may not seem realistic it is easy for people to be spooked by their imagination m and the ‘what if’ factor.
Frankstein was written in a time where new technology was unexplored in the time period and was hard to understand by people so it was untrustworthy. When the story brings the idea of creating life through technology by a scientist that made a monster it was seen as a possibility but at the same time impossible so there was always a what if factor that thrilled the audience watching the movie. Monsters bring excitement and thrills that an audience is comfortable with but still has thoughts on why it was created. Cohen addresses monsters as being associated with impossible or unethical and not to be done.
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Quick Write:
What have the last two weeks been like for you?
-The last two weeks have been weird. With everything that has happened and getting an extended week for spring break feels like I’ve been done with the semester. It sucked these past couple of weeks because I couldn’t do much but stay at home and not see my best friend.
What have you been doing to stay productive if at all?
-In order to keep my sanity and stay productive, I began reading “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves. I also did home workouts, did deep cleaning, drew more, spent time with my family and went on hikes. Didn’t do any kind of homework because I completely forgot about homework.
Question:
What does it mean to be human?
-To me, being human means being able to have the ability to communicate regularly using words, symbols, body gestures or posture, and facial expressions, also being able to make our own decisions and deal with the consequences of those decisions. Being human is being flawed. We have emotions while some wear it on their sleeves or others hide it.
Quote Sandwich:
– Thesis I: “The Monster’s Body is a Cultural Body”
Jeffery Cohen says that ” The monster is born at this metaphoric crossroads, as an embodiment of a certain cultural moment– of time, feeling, and a place”. This quote has relevance because in Frankenstein, the man who created him, the doctor, was overcome with this excitement for what he had created. This means that he was proud of his accomplishment because it was something that never thought would be done.
-Thesis II: “The Monster Always Escapes”
In every scary story told the monster always escapes. Cohen states “… but the monster itself turns immaterial and vanishes, too reappear someplace else…” The relevance of this quote is that in Frankenstein, when Victor and his bride Elizabeth had went on vacation the monster had followed them. Victor sent Elizabeth on her way to their room for the night when he heard a scream and once he rushed in he saw her lifeless body on the bed and says “The shutters had been thrown back, and with a sensation of horror not to be described, I saw at the open window a figure the most hideous and abhorred. A grin was on the face of the monster; he seemed to jeer, as with his fiendish finger he pointed towards the corpse of my wife. I rushed towards the window, and drawing a pistol from my bosom, fired; but he eluded me, leaped from his station, and running with the swiftness of lightning, plunged into the lake.” This shows that any monsters created will manage to destroy any shred of happiness no matter what they destroy in the end.
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Quick Write
During these last two weeks, I was supposed to be on spring break for my school and Crafton College. My family had planned on going to France, Italy, and Greece for a week but those plans were cancelled due to the coronavirus. So instead I got to take time off to hang out with my family! I went hiking or biking most days, but since my parents are both doctors at the clinic, and my dad is screening people for covid19, they did not want me to expose any of my friends. Because of this, I have only left my house to enjoy nature.
I have been doing many things to stay productive, including reading books and practicing my instruments. I have also been helping my family spring clean our house.
Quote sandwiches:
In Frankenstein, after Frankenstein creates life in a human body in Chapter 5, he is overcome by fear and anxiety. He sees this creation as a monster, because this monster is unlike any other human. This highly corresponds with Cohen’s Thesis IV, which states that the monster dwells at the gates of difference. One passage states that “people who are different are viewed as monsters”, page 7. The belief that Frankenstein’s monster is a monster has a huge impact on the monster, who had never done anything wrong to be cast out by his maker.
Another way to describe Frankenstein’s monster would be that he is an outcast of society. By crossing the boundaries of normality, the monster is shown to bring fear to others. This idea is reflected in another one of Cohen’s Monster Theories, specifically Thesis III: the Monster is the Harbinger of Category Crisis. Cohen says that monsters tend to “refuse categorization” and that is what makes them so scary to society. Because society cannot understand them, they are outcast, just as Frankenstein casted the monster out.
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Quick Write: These past 2 weeks have been great, I didn’t really have any plans that were canceled on me. Yeah we were in quarantine but there’s always something to learn from this experience that we all have to go through. The first thing is that this has never been done before so we have to take it seriously but we also need to workout because Covid19 attacks the lungs. Yeah I was bummed that the gyms were closed but resistance training can be done by body weight too so I’ve been doing a lot of home workouts here and luckily my dad has a few weights lying around or if it’s not heavy enough I make use of the stuff around me.
These 2 weeks have been somewhat productive as I can clean up my house and try to organize it everyday because my family isn’t very organized except my dad. I also went to my friend’s property and helped him with his road that he’s making and a few trails for his quads so we can go 4 wheeling. Overall I’ve been working to get things to be productive around me
Quote Sandwich: Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster has a different appearance to most people’s eye, In Monster Culture Thesis IV: The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference. “…little stature, i’ll fetured of limmes, croke back, his left shoulder much higher than his right, hard favoured of visage…” Another quote reads “From birth, more declares, Richard was a monster, his deformed body was a readable text” (Cohen 8-9). Frankenstein’s monster was described as “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.” Now as all of us normal people we don’t have black lips or yellow skin/eyes as he described his monster. He also described him as a God’s creation and had shown love to him in that moment but later on when he had his nightmarish dream he was scared of what he had created and ran away.
Another thesis I saw was when Frankenstein went to bed and had a dream about his mother. In Thesis III: The monster is the harbinger of category crisis, it states, “…the monster notoriously appears at times of crisis as a kind of third term that problematizes the clash of extremes…” (Cohen 6). In this sense when Frankenstein was having a nightmare of his mother and woke up he realized that he was being watched by his creation and realized that he created a monster. I’m sure the monster was just trying to help but after having a nightmare and finally having some rest his mind was able to come to what he has created.
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QUICKWRITE: The past two weeks have been surreal. Like many people my job as a real estate transaction coordinator is considered nonessential and I had to file for unemployment for the time being. I’ve been staying home as much as possible only going out for essentials and walks around the neighborhood. I’ve also been cooking a lot more then I usually do. In order to stay productive I finished my official TC certification from home, and have been getting ahead in my already online religion class.
The Question: To me being human doesn’t necessarily depend on just the anatomical features, 2 legs, 2 arms, 1 heart… etc. Humans are complex emotionally, and can think in complex ways. We can invent tools to make our lives easier. We can also love and fear different things thus creating monsters as a way to cope with our realities.
Quote Sandwich:
Theory 2: the monster always escapes, is relevant to Frankenstein. Frankenstein throughout the story is constantly escaping and not getting caught. The story of Frankenstein has been told and retold again and again for years and years to come hes a monster that doesn’t die “metaphorically” and won’t go away. Another theory that is relevant to Frankenstein is Thesis 1: Monsters are a reflection of our uncertainty. Many people develop fears because they are ignorant about something. With Frankenstein people are afraid of how he came to be and that he looks different then typical humans.
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Josie DuSold
Quick Write:
The last two weeks seem like it’s been a long MONTH. I have acclimated to working from home for the past week, but I miss my PEOPLE. I am very social and have a lot of activities during and after work which have all HALTED. I thrive off of personal interaction and miss my family, my friends, and my coworkers. I am thankful I get to work from home, however I rather be AT work. I am going through a bit of depression, but am following the quarantine rules and not going out unless I absolutely need to.
I have been staying productive by working, cleaning up our closets, and cleaning our garage. I am getting stuff sorted and in order so when we are all cleared of this virus, I can have a huge yard sale. (lol) The benefits of working from home is I get to wear sweats, I do not have to wear makeup, and I am saving all sorts of gas money.
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Quick write
These last two weeks have taken a huge effect in my life in the aspects of my work, school and social life. Since I work at a warehouse it is deemed non essential so I had to apply for unemployment which I never did before. Yet I feel it’s a blessing since I can spend more time with my family as well as learning how to manage my money better for unpredictable situations like this. It also has been an eye open to enjoy the things in life that we often overlook and how much those little things can affect our day to day lives.
In order to keep my sanity I have been binge watching shows on netflix to having bonfires with my girlfriend and spending time with her . I also try to stay active by going on walks with my dog and doing in-home workouts to stay fit while the gyms are closed. Also I’ve been spending more time with my niece and family since my schedule is very packed. It’s nice to be able to all be together enjoying one other company.
Quote Sandwich
It’s difficult to categorize what is deemed to be a monster which is why theory 3 is used in the story of frankenstein.“the monstrous offers an escape from its hermetic path, an invitation to explore new spirals, new and interconnected methods of perceiving the world.” The monster always escapes and returns to its habitation at the margins of the world. In the story the doctor felt what he did was monstrous and turned his back on the monster which created the monster escape from his home. Then in the video it discusses that the monster would learn to read and write then returns to his creator home. Yet the doctor still perceives him as a monster rather than viewing him as human.
When we view what a monster is we typically think the appearance of the monster as well as the actions of it.Theory 4 explains Going against what was considered the norm of the culture was considered monstrous. This included sexual orientation , race, economic status, and political preference.; this allowed actions against these “monsters’ ‘, or “not normal” individuals to be justified. This is connected in frankenstein because in the video the monster was made of human and different animal parts which by reading that can sound horrifying. In addition in the book it also talks about his yellow colored eyes and flesh which gives the appearance of a monster. However this is not the case as stated before the monster learns to read and write but is still viewed as a monster. People regardless of his positive actions still view him as bad. It’s not till he commits horrible actions when he actually becomes a monster.
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Quick Write
• The past two weeks have certainly been a change in daily life as shopping centers have closed, and school has now transitioned to be 100% online. Staying at home for the large majority of my time surprisingly hasn’t been all that boring, it has been a much-needed short break away from the day-to-day busy schedule I have been used to. In order to stay productive and make the most out of all of the extra time I now have on my hands, I have taken up working out at home, going on hikes, and spending time with my family. Additionally, I purchased a Nintendo switch, I haven’t found myself bored quite yet.
Quote Sandwich
• Frankenstein’s creation became a “monster” the moment it regained “life”, despite not speaking a single word, nor committing any morally wrong actions. This is an example of number four: The Monster Dwells at the Gate of Difference in the seven monster culture thesis’ provided by Jeffrey Cohens’ “Monster Culture”, “Distant and distinct, but originate within… created through a process of fragmentation and recombination… They then claim an independent identity of radical difference” (Cohen 9). Frankenstein’s creation was intended to be a human brought back to life and to appear as every other human on this earth. Although this monster appeared as human, he was “ugly” in Frankenstein’s eyes, likely because it lacked real consciousness and Frankenstein knew it was like nothing anyone has seen before… claiming its radical independence from every other being on earth.
• The entire Frankenstein horror narrative is Jeffery Cohens thesis number five out of his seven Monster Culture thesis’: The Monster polices the Borders of Possible. Life and death are long debated concepts that humans typically fear because what happens after death lies the unknown. “The monster stands as a warning against exploration of its uncertain demesnes” (Cohen 12). Frankenstein brought the dead back to life- what he did was unthinkable and beyond unacceptable to human culture, no one knows what he may have disrupted creating the undead, and may have been something that is left untouched.
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Quick Write
• The past two weeks have certainly been a change in daily life as shopping centers have closed, and school has now transitioned to be 100% online. Staying at home for the large majority of my time surprisingly hasn’t been all that boring, it has been a much-needed short break away from the day-to-day busy schedule I have been used to. In order to stay productive and make the most out of all of the extra time I now have on my hands, I have taken up working out at home, going on hikes, and spending time with my family. Additionally, I purchased a Nintendo switch, I haven’t found myself bored quite yet.
Quote Sandwich
• Frankenstein’s creation became a “monster” the moment it regained “life”, despite not speaking a single word, nor committing any morally wrong actions. This is an example of number four: The Monster Dwells at the Gate of Difference in the seven monster culture thesis’ provided by Jeffrey Cohens’ “Monster Culture”, “Distant and distinct, but originate within… created through a process of fragmentation and recombination… They then claim an independent identity of radical difference” (Cohen 9). Frankenstein’s creation was intended to be a human brought back to life and to appear as every other human on this earth. Although this monster appeared as human, he was “ugly” in Frankenstein’s eyes, likely because it lacked real consciousness and Frankenstein knew it was like nothing anyone has seen before… claiming its radical independence from every other being on earth.
• The entire Frankenstein horror narrative is Jeffery Cohens thesis number five out of his seven Monster Culture thesis’: The Monster polices the Borders of Possible. Life and death are long debated concepts that humans typically fear because what happens after death lies the unknown. “The monster stands as a warning against exploration of its uncertain demesnes” (Cohen 12). Frankenstein brought the dead back to life- what he did was unthinkable and beyond unacceptable to human culture, no one knows what he may have disrupted creating the undead, and may have been something that is left untouched. The unknown is nearly synonymous with fear.
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Quick-write (2 min)
The last two weeks were pretty peaceful, I did was able to catch up on some reading and be able to get active. I have been productive by reading for at least 30 min a day. Also, just going to the park to shoot some hoops with a few acquaintances. I have been making a schedule of things I would like to do, so I can keep myself from being lazy all day.
Comment/quote sandwich:
Marry Wollstone Shelley created “Frankenstein” and was able to comprehend the monster theory because she was able to write a book about a monster she created. In her book, she quotes,” A new species would bless me as its creator and source” this was said by the character named Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein said this because he was trying to give life to something that is not living; in other words, he was trying to give life as if he were to be a god. This quote is important because he is creating a new species, not knowing whether the consequence would be worthy of his actions.
This follows thesis IV because a monster dwells at the gates of difference. Victor Frankenstein and his creation (the monster) are two different living beings. Victor views his creation as a monster, even though his creation has done no harm whatsoever. With this given point, the only reason for Victor Frankenstein to view his creation as a monster would be due to Frankenstein not being able to comprehend the monster; the two of them are living things, however, Frankenstein can not comprehend his creation; which is what makes the creation known as a monster.
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Quick Write
The last two weeks have been surreal. It hasn’t completely hit me that we have a pandemic going around. I am one of the lucky few that is still able to work due to my job being considered essential. It has been frustrating to buy groceries since a lot of people panicked and decided to empty out the shelves. However, most essential stores have now limited customers when buying groceries so its made it easier to just get what I need for the day.
Most days I stay at home and just read comics. I try to catch up on stories that I have missed. It is nice to just stay at home and do things that I enjoy. Now that I don’t have to go to class, I am able to take a nap after work and catch up on things that I need to do. Most of my time was spent on calculus homework and a chapter test that I had a week to do. Each problem was time consuming so I was occupied with my other class.
The Question:
To be human is to be able to express all sorts of emotion in order to have some type of communication with others. Sometimes acting out on emotions can cause people to make mistakes. For example, if a person is acting out of anger, they might regret some of their actions. Making mistakes is part of being human. Furthermore, being compassionate towards others and learning how to work together in a peaceful fashion makes us human. Compassion is one of the stronger emotions that we can experience that makes us human. It defines our character and our way of life.
Monster Theory and Frankenstein/Quote Sandwich:
In “Frankenstein,” Mary Wollstonecraft introduces the creation of Dr. Frankenstein’s monster and how the doctor views his creation as his child. This passage from chapter 4 introduces one of Jeffrey Cohens’ monster theories, thesis VII: The Monster Stands at the Threshold… of Becoming, “Monsters are our children. They can be pushed to the farthest margins of geography and discourse, hidden away at the edges of the world” (Cohen 20). Through the initial experiment, the doctor is feeling a sense of accomplishment as he is about to bring this dead creature back to life, claiming it as his own. He creates a monster that is hidden away from society and only the doctor is aware of its existence. The monster is a thing of darkness.
In chapter 5, the doctor finally gives life to the creature only to regret the outcome of his success. The creature looks different physically and therefore is considered a monster in societies point of view. It follows thesis IV: The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference. “The monster is different made flesh, come to dwell among us” (Cohen 7). Anyone that looks outside the norm is considered beyond this world. It makes people feel afraid of the unknown. Already by default, the creature is considered a monster.
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Quick Write:
I quite enjoy being home, this is a nice time for me to catch up with family and friends as I have been sending letters and postcards out to check on the safety of my loved ones. It has been swell cleaning, watching shows and writing essays for other classes that were supposed to be due after spring break. I am from a family of very energetic, outgoing, extroverts who are struggling with the quarantine. I am wishing everyone well in this time, hope you all are doing okay despite funds.
Quote Sandwich:
In thesis 1: The Monster’s Body is a Cultural Body, Frankenstein is attempting to give life to his fantasy. His goal is to make his dream a reality. “The monstrous body is pure culture.” The cultures; fears, desires, anxieties, and fantasies are being given a physical body. The desire could be the idea we may be able to bring back people we’ve lost, the fear could be we are giving trust to science we do not know, the anxiety could stem from not knowing how they will come back, the fantasy would be to have an end product that made people feel good and fill them with hope. Within thesis 6: Fear of the Monster Is Really a Kind of Desire, “For this, I had deprived myself of rest and health.” Frankenstein had become so obsessed with his desire to bring his fantasy to reality. “…a domain of unlivability and unintelligibility that bounds the domains of intelligible effects.” This place of obession of Frankenstein’s desire is not a place he can stay sanely.
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Quick write -I attempted top most this last night but had some complications . The last two weeks i have just been working on gardening and hydroponics and taking it easy . I did get the experience of what it’s like to ride in an ambulance because i was experiencing high blood pressure and went to the urgent care where i was transported to the hospital . My outcome was a left bundle branch block which basically is a disruption in the arrival of electrical impulses to the left ventricle of the heart. What was somewhat surprising to me was that at both the urgent care and hospital i noticed were not all that busy for a pandemic and the hospital was set up outside to receive Cv-19 cases yet not one person was in line.
Question- I think Dr Frankenstein in my opinion wanted to know what it felt like to “play God” failing to consider the outcomes of his experiment and so because he saw the creature as hideous he left without caring about it’s welfare. The creature i feel did not go on his rampage of murder because he was a monster invented but because he was abandoned and rejected with no companionship sentenced to loneliness. It is my opinion that Dr Frankenstein is the true monster not his creation.
quote- “All men hate the wretched;how then, must i be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! yet you , my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature ,to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us.”
The creature is stating this to Dr frankenstein in reference to being rejected by him even though he made him and mistreated by the De Lacey family so he begins to feel the need for revenge leading him to become the monster society see’s him as already by committing murder.
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I had some trouble posting the other day.I work at an assisted living home in Yucaipa so I have been working and staying home as much as possible. I spend a lot of time with my daughter since we are unable to go anywhere. We watch movies, specifically Frozen 1 and 2. Work has been a bit hectic since the outbreak in Yucaipa. Our facility has not yet been hit with the virus and all we can do is continue to maintain distance and good hygiene. One good thing about this quarantine is that I am eating more at home instead of fast food and spending more quality time with the family.
I believe that actions are what makes a monster. Looks are just another part we have to accept as not everyone looks the same. Frankenstein’s monster has a horrific unique appearance which is one of the reasons Frankenstein ultimately becomes afraid of it. This goes along with thesis IV from the monster theory: The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference. “The monster is difference made flesh, come to dwell among us” (Cohen 7). Frankenstein’s monster clearly does not look normal, as in the text he was described as having black lips, yellow skin, watery eyes, and so on. Monsters are seen negatively and cannot be seen like us.
Frankenstein is going against human nature to create his monster. This follows theory VI: Fear of the Monster is Really a Kind of Desire. ” The monster is continually linked to forbidden practices in order to normalize and to enforce ” (Cohen 16). Frankenstein creates his monster with the intentions of helping humans from death and has become fascinated with the process that it took him 2 years to create but after seeing his creation come alive he becomes terrified of it but with a sense of curiosity and interest.
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Quick Write
In the last two weeks I had my 31st birthday on March 21st which sucked because all my plans were cancel from going to brunch with some friends to my san Francisco trip that I won from my job because I was a top performer all year for the bank and it was canceled. I did cry only because I realized how spoiled I was for my past birthdays that everything being cancelled sucked but I’m over it now and I’m living and healthy. I work for the bank, so we been here trying to stay positive and safe, my hands are dry like sand paper. So, staying at home and doing a lot of spring cleaning these last few weeks, and I mean a lot of cleaning, also making up different activities for my daughter that is two we spend a lot of days in our trampoline and going on walks around our neighborhood. I do have a gym membership but I’m lucky to have been growing my little gym at home and, I’ve been doing a 100-day challenge called the 100-morning meltdown and I’m currently on day 90 so I’m almost done with this.
Comment
I think thesis IV The Monster Dwells at the Gates of Difference is one that would go for Frankenstein story because the creation of him and how he evolved and the cultural and political, racial, economic, sexual page 7. For example, People who are different are viewed as monster inside or outside. Soon the doctor realized how he was able to create a life that wasn’t so humanin and more terrifying.
Thesis 6 Fear of the Monster Is really a kind of Desire the forbidden practices and it attracts or is desired or manufactured to haunt. It also says, “the monster us ab objected fragment that enables formation of all kinds of identities-personal, national, cultural, economic, sexual psychological”. Doctor Frankenstein was really impressed about creating a monster by electricity and energy, he would be nothing like any other monsters or human.
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I unfortunately got an upper respiratory infection last week so I was in bed for a couple days trying to get better. It was really hard to breathe and talk due to the URI that I had to get on very strong medication and had to constantly use a steamer to help me breathe. It was hard having to cancel all my plans for my birthday but I still made the best of it with my family. The days just feel long and I find it hard to find something new to do every day.
I’ve been staying at home the whole time I’ve only gone to the grocery store maybe three times to buy groceries that I really needed. I spent my birthday inside which sucked but made the best of it! I have a gym at home so I’ve been keeping busy doing some small workouts. I do a lot of yoga, I clean a lot around my house, I help my mom garden sometimes, and I nap a lot.
Quote Sandwich response:
Thesis I: The monsters body is a cultural body.
Jeffery Cohen says that ” The monster is born at this metaphoric crossroads, as an embodiment of a certain cultural moment– of time, feeling, and a place”. But I believe that Frankenstein refers to his creation as a monster because of its appearance and his creation was different and I hadn’t been seen before so he was different than the normal the people were used to. Frankenstein’s monster was very tall had very dark lips and just very different characteristics then what the normal was. When the monster is created it is based on your imagination of what you see as scary or uniquely different.
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Quick Write:
These past two weeks have been very interesting. It’s crazy to see how quickly things can change, and how in the past I took simple things for granite. Overall the past two weeks have not been too bad. I’m keeping busy by working out at home and still working as well, as my job is an essential job which I’m very grateful for as well. What I’ve been doing to stay productive is going to work everyday still, working out at home with my brother. We have a home gym luckily, taking my dogs for a walk, and also going on hikes with my brother.
The Question:
Quote Sandwich:
“The monster is born only at this metamorphic crossroads, as an embodiment of a certain cultural moment” The monster’s body is a Cultural Body. This quote explains how frankenstein is seen as a monster due to how he looks and the fact that he isn’t made from god makes him a monster as well and it can relate to most cultures as seeing Frankenstein’s creation as an abomination due to not being from a higher being
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Quick Write:
I’ve been home for pretty much the entirety of the last four weeks. The only times I left the house was to film homes for real estate videos I do for work. All of my groceries have been from instacart. I’ve been shut in the house with my mom, sister, and father. Not going to lie, a lot of hours have been spent on binging television, podcasts, and movies.
I’ve kept productive by trying to be consistent with working on videos. I’m a film major so I’ve just been trying to work on my craft in writing, filming, and editing. Not gonna lie, the last weeks have been kind of hard. Trying to be productive and dealing with social isolation is a bit tough. My heart goes out to those less fortunate however. I hope the pandemic subsides soon.
Quote Sandwich (Thesis V: The Monster Polices the Borders of the Possible):
Frankenstein, the scientist, is in many ways more of the monster than the actual monster he creates. By playing God and creating life, he brings death and destruction upon those close to him. This is talked about in Thesis V of “Monster Culture.” Cohen states, “From its position at the limits of knowing, the monster stands as a warning against exploration of its uncertain demesnes” (12). The story of Frankenstein exemplifies this profoundly. Frankenstein gets too far ahead of himself in using science to create life and is punished in consequence. The story shows that creation of life is an ability best left to God himself. The story shows that there must be limits to what we choose to use science for.
Quote Sandwich (Thesis I: The Monster’s Body is a Cultural Body):
Mary Shelley’s story of Frankenstein was supposedly constructed partly in fascination to the invention of electricity and its possibility to animate limbs. Cohen argues that the construction of a monster is correlated to the historical context that monster is constructed in. This would seem to be the case for Frankestien as Cohen says, “The monster is born only at this metaphoric crossroads, as an embodiment of a certain cultural moment – of a time, a feeling, and a place” (4). It can be argued that the monster of Frankenstein was born partly out of Shelley’s fear of the technological innovations of the time. In many ways, Shelley is pleading that we shouldn’t be so concerned about if we can do something and rather concern ourselves with the question of should we do something. In this way, just as the theory implies, the story of Frankenstien is a result of the time it was constructed in.
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