Thursday, 26 November 2015

How does Shelley evoke feelings of sympathy for the monster?

Shelley uses a string of questions near the start of the extract to create feelings of sympathy as they show the Monsters struggle and confusion which his own 'father' left him to deal with by himself. Shelley also creates a semantic field of destruction which in turns creates sympathy for the Monster. She does this by using words such as "bleak", "whirlwind", "condemned", "evil", and "wretchedness". Also this is when the Monster confronts Frankenstein and finally realizes what he thinks of him, for example Shelley uses the word "wretchedness", when the Monster is describing himself, this creates sympathy as all the way through the book so far, we have heard Victor Frankenstein called the Monster a "wretch", and it is the Monsters way of accepting that he isn't what his father wanted, this makes you feel sorry for him.
Shelley also uses commanding sentences to create sympathy; The Monster is constantly asking Frankenstein to listen to him, "But hear me", "listen to me", "Listen to my tale", this creates sympathy because we can see as the reader that all the Monster wants Frankenstein to do is just listen to what he wants to say, this is because Victor abandoned him and before he kills his own creation, the Monster wishes for Frankenstein to what he has done to him and take responsibility for it.

"How can I move thee? Will no entreaties cause thee to turn a favourable eye upon thy creature, who implores thy goodness and compassion? Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but I am not alone, miserably alone? You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing? they spurn and hate me. The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me, and the only one which man des not grudge. These bleak skies I hail, for they are kinder to me than your fellow-beings. If the multitude of mankind knew my existence, they would do as you do, and arm themselves for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me? I will keep no terms with my enemies. I am miserable, and they hall share my wretchedness. Yet it is in your power to recompense me, and deliver them from an evil which it only remains for youto make so great that not only youu and your family, but thousands of others, shall be swallowed up in the whirlwinds of its rage. Let your compassion be moved, and do not distain me"

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