Other+–+Otherness

**Theme: Otherness** (Charlotte Jeffrey) **(Wordle & Cycle of Violence: Allison Bornstein) ** **(Poll: Sarah Drumm) ** cccccccccccc media type="custom" key="12216340" align="center"

** Things to be on the lookout for: ** ** 1.Moments of “the marvelous” or mysterious – why might these be included? ** "As I said this, I suddenly beheld the figure of a man, at some distance, advancing towards me with superhuman speed. He bounded over the crevices in the ice, among which I had walked with caution; his stature also, as he approached, seemed to exceed that of man" (65).

This quote precedes Victor's interaction with the creature. As Victor sees the large figure advancing towards him, he does not use derogatory terms; Victor seems to be in awe of the "superhuman." He compares himself to the creature, and marvels at the fact that while the creature could leap through the ice, Victor had to pace himself for fear of hurting himself. This moment of Victor's approval of the creature represents the importance of preconception of "the other" in the novel. Victor only becomes fearful when he realizes that the "superhuman" figure is actually the "monster" he had created. Shelley includes this mysterious moment to highlight Victor's inability to take time to understand the "wretch" whom he never accepted as his own creation. ** (Sarah Drumm) **

** 2.Descriptions of the creature, and all the characters’ differing responses to him throughout the novel. ** “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 underneath; 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 the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion, and straight black lips.” (34). **(Tara Hammonds)**

** 3.The creature’s narrative, esp. his relationships with those in society. ** Throughout the creature's narrative, it becomes evident over and over again that the creature is "the other", both in the eyes of others and in his own eyes. He is spurned by everyone who meets him and sees what he physically looks like. The first time this happened was when Victor himself ran from his creation because of the horrid appearance. This cowardice is only a shadow of what torture is to come. Shortly after his "birth", the creature ventured into a town to find food, only to be chased away by the missiles of the villagers (70). He then resides in a hovel connected to a cottage, where he believes to have found a "shelter... from the barbarity of man" (71). However, even after staying there for over a year, when he finally reveals himself to the cottagers they, too, push him away (91). If a person is told something over and over again, they begin to believe it. This is what happens in the creature's case. After all the tortuous incidents with society, he begins to call himself a wretch. When he sees his appearance in a puddle or pond, he is terrified of himself, and believes himself to be a monster. He hates himself, no doubt because of others' reactions to his appearance. His "otherness" is observed both by others and himself, and is eventually the cause of the creature's transformation into a monster. **(Tara Hammonds)**

** 4.Perspective and point of view. Look closely at who is telling the story, and how the “otherness” shifts as a result of perspective. **

** 5.Victor’s relationship to the creature. The creature’s relationship to Victor, especially the creature’s final words (his monologue) to Walton (152-156). ** Due to the appearance of the creature, Victor makes it obvious that he has no intention of an emotional connection with this being. Victor realizes that he does not want to partake in this creature's life, thus leaving him to fend for himself in the wilderness. Because the creature is an infant, despite his enormous size, all he wants is love. At first the creature wanted to find love, but not necessarily from the person responsible for creating him. However, as the novel progresses and the being discovers the reactions that humans have to him, he makes it his goal to find his creator. Victor wants no part in the creature's life, but as the creature comes to realize who is responsible for his pain, it is clear that Victor must be found. The relationship is very complicated between these two men, and it is difficult understand what it was like for the creature to not be loved by his creator, and for Victor to not love his creation. **(Charlotte Jeffrey)**

** General questions: ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 1.What is the “other…” What do we mean/what is meant and understood by this term? ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The characters that represent the "other" are defined as such because they go outside the mainstream and accepted social protocol. Victor Frankenstein is first depicted as the 'other' when he studies the works of Agrippa. His father, Alphonse, pronounces the book to be "sad trash" (21), unknowingly encouraging his son to pursue the study of alchemy. Victor's otherness is shown in a very different way than the creature. The creature, in fact, is very intelligent and only wants to be accepted. He craves positive attention from Victor, his creator and father figure. The only way he is really 'other' is his appearance. The way he looks and his massive size sets him clearly apart from every other living thing on the earth, making him the ideal representation of the “other”. For both Victor and his creation, “otherness” is a derogatory term showing how they are weird and different. However, being other is not bad. Humans project their hatred on those who are different, subjecting all who are “other” to harsh and constant judgment. This judgment is what makes Victor and the creature become monsters. **(Helen Ziminsky)** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 2 According to Shelley, how/why do we react to the “other”? ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">When we see something that may look different or abnormal as humans we instinctively assume the worst. In this novel Victor Frankenstein views his creation as a monster, but why? This is because the creature does not look like a normal being, therefore Victor assumes that it is a monster. Because of this it is evident that Victor and many other people base their reaction to this being on his appearance. However, if one were to examine these reactions from the perspective of the creature we would see that he is not only in search for love, but he is a nonviolent creature who just wants someone to accept him for the way he is. In many ways everyone always strives to be accepted by people because according to others they are different. However, in this case how do we know that humans are not the monsters and Frankenstein's creation is not normal? (Charlotte Jeffrey)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Shelley suggests that the correct way to treat the other is not to shun at first sight, but to give them a chance, as Robert Walton does towards the end of the novel. Everyone else has chased the creature away because of his “otherness” and acted with violence, but Walton does something that amazes even the creature: he asks him to stay. He approaches it, with eyes averted, it’s true, but he does more than anyone else has. Furthermore, he converses with the creature and gives it a chance to explain and speak up for itself. Through this tolerant and patient character, Shelley shows, not how most people act towards the other, but the morally right reaction towards someone or something that appears different. **(Tara Hammonds)**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 2. How do we understand the “other,” and why do we desire this knowledge? ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Due to the fact that "otherness" is defined by appearance and not being "normal," people create a pre-conceived notion and assume that that person or being is monstrous. This is why people never try and seek knowledge about someone or something that is different. Maybe fear is what is driving these people and causing them to refrain from further examining that being; in the text, many people in fear attack the creature of Victor Frankenstein instead of trying to understand him. "He dashed me to the ground, and struck me violently with a stick,"(91) is something said by the creature speaking of one of his encounters with the cottagers. They are scared of him and therefore have no desire to understand what he truly wants. Through this example and many others in the novel, it is evident that people never try to learn more about something or someone that is different. **(Charlotte Jeffrey)**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 3. What are the connections between the individual and the “other”? ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Perception is a major theme in this text, with the characters frequently acting judgmental and critical. When someone appears to be different, we are quick to judge and immediately believe that they are “the other”. However, sometimes we encounter someone who is unique, and we appreciate his or her talent. “Other” implies a kind of strangeness or out of the norm, often gaining some insulting reaction, whereas “individual” implies a unique or one-of-a-kind quality that is appreciated. However, is there really a difference between the two? Uniqueness and otherness is truly in the eye of the beholder and it is all about how one perceives things. Beyond the idea that one has a more positive implication than the other, there is a true connection. Regardless of what the dissimilarities are, everyone is different in his or her own way and those distinctions are common grounds. What distinguishes the two words are what one makes of them, and do not necessarily have to be good or bad, since after all we all have something to contribute to the world.**(Lexie Miller)**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 4. What separates characters, and what connects them? ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Characters, like Frankenstein and Walton, are brought together or connected through common interests and goals. Both Frankenstein and Walton are scientists who strive to separate themselves from their respective fields, by transgressing boundaries. The two men bond over a shared pursuit of knowledge and a vaulting ambition that drives them to delve deeper into their fields. Walton acts as a companion and friend to Frankenstein, and comforts him in his time of need. However, not even Walton is able to comfort the creature, who abhors himself more than any living creature on earth. The creature is completely and utterly alone in the world. His hideous appearance and abnormal strength and stature set him apart from the world. Despite a common interest in politics, government and culture, the creature is rejected by his protectors and educators, the De Lacey family. He is further rejected by Frankenstein, William, the villagers, and a young woman. Humanity rejects the creature because of his appearance, therefore undermining the accepted belief that common interests bring characters together. Mary Shelley suggests that humanity's moral compass is skewed because it alienates people who have a different appearance. **(Christie Huchro)**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 5. Work at defining “otherness”... ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Otherness, in Mary Shelley's //Frankenstein//, is a term used to describe the many characters who are separated from the norm of society and seen as social outcasts. Quite obviously Victor, the creature, and Justine and can be seen as characters who are separated and judged by others. These characters watch life from the sidelines, sometimes wishing and sometimes not, to be on the other end. This for example is seen in the contrast between Justine and Victor. Victor is a character who brings his "other-ness" upon himself by separating from society and investing all his time and energy into something removed from his everyday life. He displays a lack of desire to enter into life with the rest. Justine is similarly rejected from others but has not self-inflicted this situation. She is known by the Frankenstein family as a reliable and honest girl, so much so that they defend her in the trial involving their son William's murder. Some people just have a desire to be more isolated, which then portrays them to outsiders as strange and removed. "Other-ness" is a phenomenon to many. Why is one considered an "other" and one is not. Although it may not be understood and there is no true explanation to the cause of such a trait, it is a common theme in today's life and Mary Shelley most appropriately explores it through her characters in //Frankenstein//. **(Jane Mikus)**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 6. How we treat “the other” is often a defining ethical characteristic of a civilization|culture|society? why? How? and so..what is shelley getting at... ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Victor isolates himself for months in his secluded lab, working towards the day when his "gigantic" creation will awaken. Victor is horrified when the creature is born and he immediately forgets about his hours spent trying to create it. He immediately profiles the creature. He becomes scared of what the creature is capable of doing, just because he is divergent from the rest of society. Victor escapes, to save himself from the creature's imaginary destruction that he has conjectured based on his physical appearance. Why do people shy away from things that are not congruent with "normal" society? Society has been programmed throughout evolution to reject these outcasts. The fear of the unknown plays an important role in understanding why society can not seem to equate with the "other." Humans group together in friendships as an attempt to find people with whom they can relate. It is why humans fight, cry, terrorize and ostracize; they have trouble dealing with people who defy social "normality". Victor runs away because he doesn't know how to deal with the unprecedented giant. Patience and communication allows society to learn how to accept the "other." Victor's body was conquered by fear, the human's natural response to uncertainty, in the moment of the creature's awakening. Isn't Victor only human?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">(Sarah Drumm) **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** Specific questions: ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 1.What is the creature’s deepest desire? Look closely at his monologues, and his words to Victor, and to Walton at the end of the novel. How does Victor see this desire of the creature’s? ** ====<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Ever since the creature opens his innocent, extraordinary yellow eyes he only wishes for one thing: to be loved. From the moment he is born, this creature is deprived of affection and everything an individual needs. He is abandoned, forgotten and despised by his creator. Victor is the one person obligated to care for his creature and by rejecting him, he only makes matters incredibly worse. Victor is fully responsible for the evil transformation of his creature. This alien was once an affectionate, pure and naïve being who, because of his irresponsible creator, has become loathed, feared and cursed. ==== ====<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The creature deeply desires to be accepted by Victor, who carelessly deserts him for many years. Every person, being and thing is born innocent. However, the way they are treated, whether they are adored or ignored, will tremendously affect the outcome of that beings life. The creature never asks Victor of too much. He rationally wants what everyone on this earth desires. In a world of rejection, fear and detestation the creature wished that his creator would be the supporting, loving and accepting person he needs. This alien struggles to make Victor understand that he “was benevolent and good; misery made me a friend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous” (66). While Victor only sees the external appearance of the alien he constructed, he fails to see the innocent and affectionate being his creature truly is. Instead of taking control of his actions, he rejects his creature, calling him wretch, devil, monster and eventually accuses him of murder. Thus, Victor is fully responsible for the wicked transformation of the creature he recklessly abandons. **(Allison Bornstein)** ====

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 2. How and why does Victor become the outcast…There has been a reversal of fortune. Relate Victor’s situation to that of Justine. What is MS getting at… ** ====<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Victor has one mission that includes breaking boundaries and being the first scientist to successfully recreate life. He is determined to do whatever it may take in order to reach his ultimate and extensive goal, including isolating himself from the rest of humanity. As a result, the effect seclusion has on Victor is intensely severe. Overtime he rejects everything and everyone he ever loved. In this frantic and reckless mindset, Victor becomes an outcast. Not only does he strive foolishly for perfection, but also once he realizes his creature’s faults, he carelessly abandons his innocent and harmless “monster”. Not until Victors close friend, Henry Clerval, discovers the severity of his illness, does Victor begin to recover. ==== ====<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The way in which Victor’s life unfolds after rejecting the obligation he has to his creature revolves around how he uses his free will. Once Frankenstein’s youngest brother William is murdered, Justine Moritz, an underclass servant girl, is accused and blamed. However, Victor has a strong inclination that his creature is responsible for William’s death. Selfishly Victor does not hold himself accountable for his creature’s actions and would rather see an innocent girl be executed than face the consequences of telling the truth. Because of Justine’s place in society she holds no power over her own future. After everything Victor has done including rejecting both his family and his responsibility to his scientific enviers for years, Justine is still blamed. Mary Shelley highlights the significant division in the treatment between the aristocratic community and the poor. **(Allison Bornstein)** ====

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 3.Notice how the distinctions between Victor-creature are now blurred? How? Why? And so …what is MS suggesting? ** ====<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Towards the end of Volume 1, the distinctions between Victor and the creature become blurred and hard to differentiate. The creature, believed to be the real “monster” of the text and only have evil and corrupt motives, proves to have honest and good intentions. However, Victor’s character becomes childish, immature, and violent. Victor immediately begins name-calling when the creature approaches him. The creature replies to Victor’s rage with a philosophical response, “All men hate the wretched…”(65). Ironically, Victor is acting like the true “monster” of the text. Unlike Victor, the creature is able to reason with emotions, giving a calm and mature response to his rage. The creature demonstrates that he is benevolent, caring and in touch with his emotions, while Victor reveals how he is ill tempered, immature and judgmental. He is not willing to have a conventional relationship with his creation and is excessively aggressive. Mary Shelley is ultimately suggesting that how we treat each other is a mark of our civility. Society corrupts man with the idea of having something against the “other”, shown in the rejection, violence and abuse towards the creature, who ironically is the good in a society of evil. **(Lexie Miller)** ====

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 4.How is Victor’s “otherness” reflected in his return home? Comment on his place in society now. Who is his last chance … **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 5.What is problematic about the Victor-Elizabeth relationship. ** ====<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Although Victor and Elizabeth have a strong relationship and they are are fond of each other as siblings, there is a crucial problem between them that could quite possibly lead to a downfall. There is a significant lack of honesty between the two, mostly originating from Victor's side of the relationship. He refuses to share the truth with her. Even when she is extremely honest during the trial with Justine, openly admitting she believes the girl is innocent, Victor sits quietly in his seat containing valuable information in side his mind. This is where the relationship breaks down, even if only slightly at this point. It allows Elizabeth to clear her mind and be open while Victor must hold in information he //knows// would save an innocent child's life. Now that Victor has instilled this significant detachment from Elizabeth, he will never be able to communicate with her in the same way. His mind is polluted and confused, ruining the strong connection that was once present. Victor separates himself from Elizabeth with this refusal to share truth and he becomes an "other." **(Jane Mikus)** ====

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">** 6.How why is Victor so emotionally detached? Who has made him so? The creature…or himself? ** ====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">When Victor creates his monster, he goes into an emotional frenzy and is completely detached from the people and the world around him. He is unable to physically function and unable to think with a clear and stable mind. Through making a creature characterized by "other-ness" and "marginalization", he in fact separated himself as well. But instead of the creature causing this to him, Victor indeed causes this to himself. He spent the law two years of his life in solitude without any connection to the outside world. This weakened his ability to function therefore he completely shuts down when encountering a problem. If he worked harder on moderating his time working on the project, he could have prevented this emotional breakdown. Although it is important to spend serious time working towards a goal, it is unhealthy to invest oneself completely in it, thus sacrificing moderation. This shows the contrast between his classical education and romantic execution. **(Jane Mikus)** ====