British Literature

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Final Reflection

This has been a very nice semester for me. British Literature was a welcome break between the more scientific and work intensive classes. I have never really done anything close to keeping a commonplace book so I really did not know what to expect. It was definitely something that fell into the back burner of my to-do list each week. Most times I would forget to write in it for a week or so and then would have to write for a few hours to catch up. I will admit that I was a few weeks behind as our readings end for the semester.

Despite my procrastination, I am able to see the benefit of keeping a commonplace book. For starters it makes you dig a little deeper into whatever text you are reading. During every story I was looking for any quotes or ideas that I would be able to include within my book. I would also look for any minute details that I could connect to other things. I am generally a pretty fast reader, so thinking about all of this forced me to slow it down and truly reflect on what I was reading. Another benefit was that I found myself thinking about the texts even when I wasn’t reading them. I would find myself absentmindedly trying to find connections between whatever I was doing and our most recent texts. This was my favorite part of keeping up with the book. Trying to find those small connections between works, almost like solving a puzzle. I loved being able to find a song that fit a book nicely. One time I was listening to music as I was reading Jekyll and Hyde and a song came on that fit the themes of The Mortal Immortal so nicely. Music is a big part of my life so it was fun to mix it with the commonplace book. Another benefit was that I never felt pressured to write the most detailed analysis. That may seem like a negative but it kept my writing loose and made the whole process much more enjoyable. I felt like I was able to be a little more casual when compared to something like Yellowdig. A commonplace book is a personal thing so I was able to relax a bit more when I wrote in it. 

It was weird to go through the commonplace book now that it is finished. I feel like I improved in my analysis throughout the semester. Looking back, my analysis of Frankenstein does not seem too in depth. I could have gone deeper into the themes of the novel. But throughout the semester, I was able to dig deeper into these texts. I wrote a lot more analysis for the Invisible Man when compared to Frankenstein. I feel like that most likely boils down to me becoming more comfortable with the whole process of keeping up with a commonplace book. As the semester progressed, I gained a better understanding of what was expected of me and that showed through with my writing. 

Overall this has been a nice experience. I did struggle to prioritize keeping up but tried to never let it get overwhelming. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the classes where we could have got peer feedback. I did look over the documents used during the feedback secession to make sure that I included everything that was expected of me. During this time I decided better organize this blog to make for a better presentation. Thank you for hosting a wonderful class and I hope you have a great summer!

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A Few More Brotherhood of the Seven Kings Quotes

“One of our first cares was to examine the boat. We then perceived what Madame's fiendish cruelty really meant. A hole had been made in the bottom in such a way that the boat would take several hours to sink. Thus Valentia was also to be the victim of a lingering death. The name of the yacht to which the boat belonged had been carefully scraped off the side, thus obliterating any chance of obtaining evidence against Madame” (Meade Chapter 7)

This quote shows that absolute brutality that Koluchy possesses, she is willing to kill anyone who stands in her way. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are in Koluchy’s way she will get past you.

“’Did you expect me to come?’ I replied quietly. There was something in my tone which caused the blood to mount to her face. She raised her eyes, gave me a bold, full glance of open defiance, and then said, in a soft voice, which scarcely rose above a whisper” (Meade Chapter 8)

This quote shows the new woman qualities of Koluchy. She is not just some fair woman, subservient to man. She is a strong and independent woman. She gives Norman this strong look of defiance, standing up to him. But at the same time, she is able to weaponize her femininity to manipulate people.

“’You won't find her,’ she muttered. ‘Ah, you may look as long as you like, but you'll never find her. The likes of her ain't for the likes of you. She ain't like other women. She's more spirit than woman, and the Evil One himself is a friend to her. You won't find her, never, never!’” (Meade Chapter 9)

This quote capture the spirt of Koluchy. She is the smartest person in the room. She is always two steps ahead of everyone around her. The description of being a spirit is interesting. It is almost as if Koluchy is a mythological presence. 

“At the bottom of the well lay a small heap of smouldering ashes. These were all the earthly remains of the brain that had conceived and the body that had executed some of the most malignant designs against mankind that the history of the world has ever shown” (Meade Chapter 10)

I would argue that Koluchy does win in the end. She manages the evade Norman for all of this time. When they try to take her, she thwarts their attempt and goes out on her own terms. Koluchy could of ran but she decided to face her enemies head on and win one final time.

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A Deal with the Devil

Many of the scientists we have read about make a “deal with the devil.” They give up so much to achieve whatever they are trying to do. Victor gives up his life to bring life. Jekyll literally brings his devil to life. All of this makes me think of the song “Walk with the devil.” 

Now I'm all alone

And the shots are deafening

So I walk with the the Devil

I shook hands with the Devil

Ah, this town best be careful --- Karliene

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The Female Villiain

All these talks of a female mad scientist makes me think of song called Trust Me Not. The song is basically an argument between a hero and a villain who were in a previous relationship. Both people feel betrayed by the other as the argue back and forth. The villiain feels as though the hero has always had a hero complex, thinking herself above the villiain. The hero is devoted to the world, but what about their relationship. It is a really good song and would recommend

You are not my hero! You don't know how it felt What else could I do with The cards that I've been dealt?

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What if I were Invisible

I would definitely be pretty cool to be invisible. You could sneak into places like amusement parks or movie theaters for free. You could also simply be yourself in public without any fears of judgmental stares. I wouldn't have to shave so often which is another bonus to my time and wallet. Though I would no like always being invisible as that sounds like a lonely life. If I go to chose I would definitely chose to have the ability to turn visible whenever I wished. All the stories shows that always being invisible does weird things to your head.

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A Couple More Brotherhood of Seven Kings Quotes

“Yes, Mr. Head; Mme. Koluchy, the best and dearest friend we have in the world. She was attending mother professionally at the time of the murder, and since then has been with her daily. On that first terrible day she scarcely left us. I don't know what we should have done were it not for her great tact and kindness. She is full of suggestions, too, for the capture of the wretch who took my dear father's life” (Meade Chapter 4)

Koluchy was already connected to the family when Delacour was stabbed to death. Is this a coincidence? I do not believe so. Koluchy most likely had Delacour killed so that she could get closer to the family. We know that she wanted whatever the goblet possessed so perhaps it was all a grand plan to get it.

“You are both marked by the Brotherhood, and Mr. Dufrayer is to be the first victim. No human laws can protect him. Even here, in this great and guarded city, he cannot possibly escape” (Meade Chapter 5)

This quote shows the power that the Brotherhood, and by extension Koluchy, possesses. This woman believes that nothing will be able to save Dufrayer and Norman now that the brotherhood has marked them. Not even the city can stand up to protect them.

“I went straight then to Mme. Koluchy, and told her that I had seen a child the very same as my own child. She then thought out the scheme which has ended so disastrously. She assured me it only needed courage on my part to carry it through” (Meade Chapter 6)

I believe that this quote shows Koluchy at her worst. She isn’t just killing a horse or killing men that are in her way. She is helping to kidnap and innocent child. She also manipulates a grieving mother of help her achieve her plan of killing Durham.

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The Brotherhood of the Seven Kings Quotes

“A scientist of no mean attainments herself, with beauty beyond that of ordinary mortals, she had appealed not only to my head, but also to my heart” (Meade Chapter 1)

This quote shows Madame Koluchy‘s second most important skill, behind her intelligence. She is beautiful and charismatic. She draws people to her, allowing themselves to be easily manipulated. No one would suspect a beautiful woman capable of plotting murder

“’It is not only her beauty which impresses one,’ she said, ‘it is also her power--she draws you out of yourself completely. When I am away from her I must confess I am restless--it is as though she hypnotized me, and yet she has never done so. I long to go back to her even when---’ She hesitated and trembled” (Meade Chapter 2)

This quote shows the absolute power Koluchy has over people. I would venture to guess that she is actually using some kind of hypnosis technique to achieve her goals. She is able to hide her dark side behind this mask of femininity. She is able to wrap everyone she meets around her finger, ensuring that she can continue with her business 

"There was now little doubt that Mme. Koluchy knew herself to be in personal danger. On the Derby Day I had thrown down the gauntlet with a vengeance--her object henceforth would be to put me out of the way. I lived in an atmosphere of intangible mystery, which was all the darker and more horrible because it was felt, not seen” (Meade Chapter 3)

Koluchy is not a stupid character. She knows that Norman is after her, and has actually thwarted a few of her crimes. She recognizes the threat that Norman provides and has decided that he needs to be eliminated.

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Couple More Blue Laboratory Quotes

"By means of the bodily frame of his I have been able to peer deeper into certain secrets of Nature than any other man of my day. Yes, Miss Rennick, I am the greatest scientist at present in existence. What are the tortures of one man in comparison with so stupendous a result?" (Meade 34)

This is a very dangerous mindset to have. Once you excuse one man’s torture for the greater good, it becomes much easier to hurt even more people. Other scientists we have read about share this same sentiment. Dr. Jekyll cares not for the nefarious acts of Hyde but lets them continue as he enjoys the result. The doctor from the Third Drug has kidnapped and killed multiple people before the events of the story. All of these mad scientists become blinded by their ambitions. They must achieve their goals, no matter how high the cost

“It would interfere vastly with my experiments were you to proclaim my secret to anybody else. Women, even the best women, are not to be trusted with such an important matter. I have no intention of having the grand dream of my life destroyed by the caprice of a girl” (Meade 36)

Here Dr. Chance overlooks the dangers that Madeline provides to his plans. He believes that his is vastly superior to this girl, even going as far as monologuing to her about his entire plan. A woman can’t be expected to handle his plan, how would she be able to thwart it?

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The Blue Laboratory Quotes

“’Did I hear alright?’ he said. ‘Is it possible that you, a young lady, are interested in science?’ ‘I like it immensely,’ I replied” (Meade 17)

Back in the day, men were thought to be vastly superior in the realm of science. There were some women scientists but men greatly outnumbered them. But not only does Madeline love science, she is also able to outsmart Dr. Chance himself. He claims that he knew her curiosity and her plan the entire time. That nothing she did was not thought out by him beforehand. Despite these boastful claims, Madeline still leaves the victor. She was smart enough to call in backup for herself. Not only was Madeline a smart woman, she was able to outsmart the mad scientist himself.

“I sat down and thought. No danger should now deter me on the course which I had marked out for myself. The miserable victim of Dr Chance’s cruelty should be rescued, even if my life were the penalty” (Meade 23)

Madeline serves as a foil to Dr. Chance in the short story. They are both smart and scientific people. But where Chance isolates himself and looks to use the pain of other to further his goals, Madeline is a kind soul. She gets help when she needs it and will even put her life in harms way to save a man she has never met

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Scientific Curiosity

I find it interesting how many of the stories warn against too much scientific curiosity. In the Blue Laboratory, Madeline’s curiosity of Dr. Chance’s experiments nearly results in her death. In Frankenstein, Victor’s curiosity of natural science and death leads him to create a creature that kills his entire family. In the Five Senses, Thompson’s curiosity of science, almost leads to a long and lonely death in a coffin. The doctor in the Third Drug wishes to create a super being, and this does lead to his death. All of these scientists put themselves on a dark and dangerous path in the pursuits of their curiosity

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A Handful of Invisible Man Quotes

“‘We will have him!’ he said; ‘and i am the bait. He will come too far’“ (Wells 158)

Wells demonstrates the differences between Kemp and Griffin again. Kemp is a good man. He is respected and he is kind. He is willing to put himself in harms way to protect the rest of the town. Protect them from the monster that is Griffin. 

“There was, I am afraid, some savage kicking. Then suddenly a wild scream of ‘Mercy! Mercy’ that died down swiftly to a sound like choking” (Wells 168)

It is very ironic that Griffin’s last words are mercy. He was just going on his so called reign of terror throughout the town. He had just struck down Adye and was trying to do the same to Kemp. Yet when he is in the same position he cries out for mercy, something he would of never given anyone else.

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The Invisible Man Quotes!!!!!!

“‘Knocked him on the head?’ exclaimed Kemp. “Yes - stunned him - as he was going downstairs. hit him from behind with a stool that stood on the landing. He went downstairs like a bag of old boots’“ (Wells 144)

This interaction once again highlights the differences between Kemp and Griffin. Kemp is horrified by the actions that Griffin describes. He is very much the ‘good scientist’ between the pair. Griffin appears to be psychopathic in his description of the events. He expresses no remorse and speaks very matter of factly.  

“I made a mistake, Kemp, a huge mistake, in carrying this thing through alone. I have wasted strength, time, opportunities. Alone- it is wonderful how little a man can do alone! To rob a little, to hurt a little, and there is the end” (Wells 149)

This feels like the first logical thing Griffin has said in a long time. But even in admitting his faults, he still shows that he has gone mad. He only wishes for a companion to further his wants and desires. Griffin acknowledges that he has isolated himself for the worst. He needs someone to help him out.

“Why dream of playing a game against the race? How can you hope to find happiness? Don’t be a lone wolf. Publish your results; take the world -- take the nation at least -- into your confidence. Think what you might do with a million helpers” (Wells 150)

Kemp once again proves to be a foil to Griffin and mad scientists in general. He believes that Griffin should simply publish his results so that he may receive good help. Kemp is the cool and logical scientist. Griffin has been misusing his scientific mind and Kemp begs him to change his course.

“He is pure selfishness. He thinks of nothing but his own advantage, his own safety. I have listened to such a story this morning of brutal self-seeking” (Wells 151)

Just the perfect summary of Griffin’s character.

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Invisible Man Quotes...? Yes!

“You haven’t changed much, Kemp, these dozen years. You fair men don’t. Cool and methodical” (Wells 113)

Kemp is a foil to Griffin in the novel. Both are young men of science with brilliant minds. But where Griffin is quick to anger and rash decisions, Kemp is able to be cool and methodical. There will surely only be more differences as the novel continues 

“I could be invisible! I said, suddenly realising what it meant to be an albino with such knowledge” (Wells 121).

This is where Griffin learns that he can becomes invisible. What I find most interesting about this section is that Wells is actually explaining the science Griffin used to make himself invisible. Neither of the other two books we have read cared to explain the processes, so it was really nice to see. 

“And soon, for the money I had almost exhausted” (Wells 126)

Griffin does not have the benefit of a high social standing to help him with his experiments. He was not born into wealth as Frankenstein and Jekyll had been. Griffin had to work for every cent he had. I feel a little remorse for him, perhaps thats why he was so secretive with his work. Perhaps if he had been able to fund his research, the whole novel would not of taken place.

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Even More Invisible Man Quotes

“I am just a human being-- solid, needing food and drink, needing covering too -- But I’m invisible. You see? Invisible. Simple idea. Invisible” (Wells 84).

Griffin is treating Marvel as though he was a child. Griffin obviously believes himself to be the smartest man in the room and is unafraid to show you. He has far too much pride in himself

“Some of it’s mathematical and some of it’s Russian or some such language (to judge by the letters), and some of it’s Greek” (Wells 89)

Griffin is a very paranoid man. He is paranoid that some will steal his work and attempt to pass it off as their own. Like many mad scientists, Griffin wishes to keep his work for himself

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More Invisible Man Quotes

“He rarely went abroad by day, but at twilight he would go out muffled up invisibly” (Wells 62)

How close the towns people were to revealing the truth. 

“You said it was an empty sleeve? he said. Certainly, I said. At staring and saying nothing a barefaced man, unspectacled, starts scratch. The very quietly he pulled his sleeve out of his pockets again, and raised his arm towards me as though he would show it to me again” (Wells 66)

This passage confuses me. I thought Griffin was trying to keep his condition a secret. Trying to hide from the world so he could explore his ‘gift’ more. If that was the case then why reveal yourself now? It feels counterintuitive

“Then he put his open palm over his face and withdrew it. The centre of his face became a black cavity” (Wells 75)

Another counterintuitive action. He just straight up reveals his secret to Mrs. Hall. It would appear the Griffin has a serious anger management issue. She finally stands up to him and he just crumples under the pressure. He is certainly putting the mad in mad scientist. 

“’Stuff and nonsense!’ said the Invisible Man” (Wells 78)

This is the first time the novel refers to Griffin as the invisible man which I find very interesting. He has just revealed himself to be invisible to the people of Iping. It’s as if any semblance to humanity he had with his disguise is gone. He has truly gone off the deep end and has become the invisible man

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The Invisible Man Quotes

“My reason for coming to Iping, he proceeded, with a certain deliberation of manner, was... a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work” (Wells 53)

This quote is Griffin’s excuse for coming to Iping. The quote also highlights the isolation that so many mad scientists subject themselves to. Griffin desires to be alone so no one can steal his work.

“No sooner had Fearenside’s dog caught sight of him, however, than it began to bristle and growl savagely” (Wells 57)

This is a smart dog. It is almost like he can smell the evil within Griffin’s soul. Dogs are often great judges of character. This also immediately sets Griffin up as an unlikable character. If the dog doesn’t like a character, then neither will the reader.

“I can’t go on,” he was raving. I can’t go on. Three hundred thousand, four hundred thousand! The huge multitude! Cheated! All my life it may take me!” (Wells 60)

Here Griffin is screaming to himself inside his room. It is clear that he is not pleased by his current state. What good is invisibility when you can never be seen?

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Invisibility in Comics

I do find it very odd how all the stories we have read describe invisibility as a negative thing. It seems to corrupt the user. But this does not appear to be the case in many comic books. Superheroes from the Marvel universe like the Invisible Woman and Miles Morales Spider-Man are both capable to turning invisible and use this power for good. Martian Man-Hunter from DC is also capable of invisibility and is equally heroic. He is often stated to be the heart of the Justice League. I can only think of one example of someone using invisibility for a nefarious purpose and it is a technicality. One of the Antmen used his shrinking ability to sneak into a woman's house and watch her do some private activities. Though he was only small, we may of well of been invisible. Just thought that this was an interesting connection