Beowulf: Selfish or Not?

There is a fine line between a demeanor with bold confidence and just acting plain selfish. Without a doubt, Beowulf is flirting with this line. According to Beowulf, "He who can earn it should fight for the glory of his name; fame after death is the noblest of goals,"(1387-1389). At first glance this remark may seem to only perpetuate selfishness. However, we must remember that this story is set in a time period much different from ours. Fame and glory were two keystones to life that people set out to achieve. In actuality, Beowulf is not that much different than other people during this period. At times, Beowulf absolutely pushes the limit of confidence, but he is not acting selfishly.
Another aspect of this scenario we must consider is that Beowulf is putting himself in danger to ensure the safety of people he does not even know. Is bravery is unparalleled. People should envy his courageousness, and be thankful for it; for if Beowulf did not come to Hrothgar's kingdom, people's lives would still be at risk. Beowulf's actions of bravery, like when he battled Grendel without any weapons, nearly contradicts the definition of selfish. Although he is definitely confident, Beowulf is not selfish.

The Best Cover

The Fifth Child is best represented by the cover with the mysterious blue child. Several key characterists of Ben are depicted. The first thing that catches your eye will be the alien physical appearance of the child. His blue skin certainly will be of glaring interest to the audience. In conjunction with the skin, the strange yellow eyes almost sends a shock of fright down your spine. Ben, in the novel, is often described as being something foreign. "'Well, you saw him, didn't you? How do we know what kinds of people--races, I mean-- creatures different from us, haved lived on this planet?" (Lessing 105) Here his mother Harriet is trying to convince Dr. Gilly that Ben is a throwback of some sort; possibly a goblin. This cover is a great represenation of that idea. Also, the demeanor of the character on the cover is parallel to that of Ben's throughout the novel, confused. You can tell through his expression that he is struggling to find acceptance in this world. This is a key point in the book.

The True Message Behind Frankenstein

"Mary Shelley was not writing about the evils of science and progress...but suffering and loss and pain, the feeling of being ostracized-" (Whitty)
I do agree with Whitty's opinion. Of course, Frankenstein was a tremendous horror story, containing bone shivering events, and other outrageous instances. The novel was unique and written very well. However, what was the true message behind Frankenstein? There, in fact, was an underlying message, and Mr. Whitty nailed it on the head.
Victor's creation was born into isolation. Mankind would not accept the 'monster' for who he was, and thus, was cast into leprosy. "Increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was. I cherished hope, it is true, but it vanished when I beheld my person reflected in water or my shadow in the moonshine, even as that frail image and that inconstant shade," (Shelley, 119).
The creation tried hard to be accepted. His first attempt was to try to get along with the De Lacey family. He confronted the old blind man in the cottage, but was soon chased out when the rest of the family. Failure. The creature then confronted Victor, manipulating him into creating a companion. Unfortunately, this also did not work.
All of the actions the monster was making was for a single idea; acceptance. He yearned for some kind of companion; someone he could communicate and relate to. Mr. Whitty explains how children on the set of a Frankenstein movie could "see through the makeup, and relate to his confusion. They were able to recognize that the creature was the victim, not the perpetrator." I think that we all can relate to the feelings of the creature. Everyone, at one point in their lives, has had the desire to be well-liked and accepted. "There's a little of the monster in all of us." (Whitty)

Reaction to Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, ranks near the top of my favorite books read thus far in high school. I enjoy reading it because there are so many different facets in the story, and the book becomes harder and harder to put down. The beginning of the novel focused on Victor's mental struggle after creating the monster. "I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. 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 43). I, personally, was bewildered by Victor's response. Why would he poor his heart and soul into a project, and then be disgusted by it? Another controversial topic in this novel, as discovered through an intense class debate, was whether or not Victor should create a companion for the creature. Both sides have valid arguments. Contrary to what I proclaimed in class, I do not think Victor should create another monster. He should actually dispose of the present creation, and save man from further destruction.
In the early 1800's people were intrigued by the possibility of creating life from an inanimate object. To be more specific, bringing the dead back to life. This practice was called Galvanism, and was extremely popular. "In March 1815, Mary Shelley dreamed of her dead infant daughter held before a fire, rubbed vigorously, and restored to life. At the time, scientists would not have wholly dismissed such a possibility," (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/frankenstein/frank_birth.html). Mary Shelley's life was full of tragedy, which could have been the basis for her novel, Frankenstein.

Cool New Blog

This is my first 'blogspot' thing ever. It seems pretty cool; especially because I have two votes on my poll so far (thanks Alan). I still have no idea what I am doing and how to work this. Alan is copying exactly what I am saying because he is sitting right next to me.