Notes 4: Review and Reflection on Analysis 1
In Analysis 1, I analyzed a line from Frankenstein in which Victor describes the magistrate treating him almost as if he were a child lost in a delirium. In analyzing the quote, I created a child/adult binary in which I likened Victor as the child and the creature as an adult.
A shortcoming in this analysis, like with some of my other English essays in the past, was the focus on description and observation rather than on word-by-word analysis. Because I took the observation that Victor was childlike as the stepping tool for my analysis, I ended up with a child/adult binary comparing Victor and his creation. With Karolyn's detailed feedback and reflection, I realize that I failed to recognize the creature as childlike as well, for he truly was thrust into the world without any moral/parental upbringing.
If I had to analyze the quote again or extend it, I would edit out the child/adult binary but take the idea of the magistrate treating Victor as he would a child and tie it into the insanity/sanity binary. Victor's own need to point out the possibility of delirium shows that he himself is not truly convinced of his sanity; the magistrate's "soothing" treatment of Victor arises from Victor's defensive attitude about the validity of his story. Further, the hierarchy in this instance positions the magistrate above Victor; thus Victor is "childlike" in the sense that he lacks power, a point which makes Victor even more aware and afraid that he may be mad. After all, the creature was a product of Victor's obsessive and inquisitive nature, which others might label as "madness" and which Victor himself later regrets. Being aware of how others may perceive this, Victor is frantic to put an end to the creature's life, almost as if by doing so he would get rid of the evidence of "madness"; however, he does this by seeking out people with power. In the end, the fear and the need to rid the monster's existence, and thus an end to the result of "madness," is what gives Victor the resolve to say that he himself will go after the creature; it is not that he shows responsibility in the end, but rather that he wants to assure a normal life without the possibility of being considered insane.