"Me and Mike, ve vork in mine....." - pg. 155
I'll let you research the rest of that poem. What entertained me was how out-of-the-blew this little poem came. It was funny despite its serious theme and serious message. That is what this entire book was. At times I felt guilty laughing at the situations, but I couldn't help it! At other times, I felt terrible for Billy and for the people in war in general. I thought it was a masterpiece that took control of me as I read. I haven't read a book so fast all four years of high school english. It easily is my favorite book I've ever been forced to read. I love it!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Imaaaaaagination
"Trout, incidentally, had written a book about a money tree. It had twenty-dollar bills for leaves. Its flowers were government bonds. Its fruit was diamonds. It attracted human beings who killed each other around the roots and made very good fertilizer. So it goes." - pg. 167
I just love the nature of this book. I love how it talks about this man named Kilgore Trout. I think I might have been interested in the crazy ideas of this writer. He seems to be very creative, though weak at writing. I just laugh at some of his story lines like the one above. I appreciate the humor despite his odd character. This is one of the reasons I loved the book. I just couldn't handle the awesome creativity it held! I'm jealous!
I just love the nature of this book. I love how it talks about this man named Kilgore Trout. I think I might have been interested in the crazy ideas of this writer. He seems to be very creative, though weak at writing. I just laugh at some of his story lines like the one above. I appreciate the humor despite his odd character. This is one of the reasons I loved the book. I just couldn't handle the awesome creativity it held! I'm jealous!
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Personification/Onomatopoeia
"Birds were talking. One bird said to Billy Pilgrim, 'Poo-tee-weet?'" - pg. 215
First, I was surprised that the bird talked. Second, I was surprised by odd choice of words to form the bird sound. I'm saying it to myself, and I don't sound like a bird. And finally, I realized it was a question. WHY IS IT A QUESTION?! How did Vonnegut decide that it was a question? This blog post is analyzing the confusion. Analyze! I've got nothing significant. But, I'm very creative, so I'll give it a shot. The birds might be asking the audience "Savvy?" It could be Vonnegut's way of discreetly asking the reader if he/she understands. Or the bird could be asking why humans make war? The bird is in a setting of complete destruction of its habitat. It could be asking Billy, "Why?" This would be another way for Vonnegut to pound home his point.
First, I was surprised that the bird talked. Second, I was surprised by odd choice of words to form the bird sound. I'm saying it to myself, and I don't sound like a bird. And finally, I realized it was a question. WHY IS IT A QUESTION?! How did Vonnegut decide that it was a question? This blog post is analyzing the confusion. Analyze! I've got nothing significant. But, I'm very creative, so I'll give it a shot. The birds might be asking the audience "Savvy?" It could be Vonnegut's way of discreetly asking the reader if he/she understands. Or the bird could be asking why humans make war? The bird is in a setting of complete destruction of its habitat. It could be asking Billy, "Why?" This would be another way for Vonnegut to pound home his point.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - 1st person
"Somebody behind him in the boxcar said, 'Oz.' That was I. That was me. The only other city I'd ever seen was Indianapolis, Indiana." - pg. 148
Suddenly, the perspective from which the book is told changes. Why would the author interrupt the story that he has been telling since the beginning of chapter two and go back to the style of chapter one? It serves as a reminder to the reader that the story that is ongoing may be fiction, but it is rooted in fact. Most lies have some truth at the heart of them. That is the way I see this story. Vonnegut has no intentions of trying to convince us that Billy Pilgrim's story actually happened, and he directly states that. However, he does base the story in fact. His little clips fromt he war reflect how it actually was. He just uses a fictional character to portray what goes on.
Suddenly, the perspective from which the book is told changes. Why would the author interrupt the story that he has been telling since the beginning of chapter two and go back to the style of chapter one? It serves as a reminder to the reader that the story that is ongoing may be fiction, but it is rooted in fact. Most lies have some truth at the heart of them. That is the way I see this story. Vonnegut has no intentions of trying to convince us that Billy Pilgrim's story actually happened, and he directly states that. However, he does base the story in fact. His little clips fromt he war reflect how it actually was. He just uses a fictional character to portray what goes on.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Anecdote
"He looked so peculiar that several people commented on it solicitously when the song was done. They thought he might have been having a heart attack, and Billy seemed to confirm this by going to a chair and sitting down haggardly." - pg. 173
This book is riddled with anecdotes. In fact, the anecdotes are very different and varied and come in no logical order. What can be the purpose of these stories? For one, they fit the style of the book perfectly, since Billy Pilgrim jumps around in time. Secondly, they help to portray the attitude towards war that Vonnegut wants them to feel. The anecdotes single out events in Billy's life that directly relate to how he became so messed up later in life. They are the quintessential way to move the story along and impact the readers. It helps make the book more conversational and easy to follow, despite the illogical order.
This book is riddled with anecdotes. In fact, the anecdotes are very different and varied and come in no logical order. What can be the purpose of these stories? For one, they fit the style of the book perfectly, since Billy Pilgrim jumps around in time. Secondly, they help to portray the attitude towards war that Vonnegut wants them to feel. The anecdotes single out events in Billy's life that directly relate to how he became so messed up later in life. They are the quintessential way to move the story along and impact the readers. It helps make the book more conversational and easy to follow, despite the illogical order.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - The Children's Crusade
"And war will look just wonderful, so we'll have a lot more of them. And they'll be fought by babies like the babies upstairs." - pg. 14
I agree with O'Hare's wifes' attitude towards war. It is glorified through the media when it is finished. Most of the time, during war, though, the horrors are present. But, people prefer to watch movies that show the "cool" side of war. It makes them feel like they will be important if they are able to kill and be a part of a war. War does tend to include younger people, like she says. It is fought by young adults, or even worse, children are sent to battle because they are unsuspecting and more challenging emotionally to kill. I understand at times in our history, war was necessary. But at this point, I don't see any sort of logical reason for war. Our world is becoming extremely interconnected, and it seems senseless attack another part when other means are more effective and less dangerous. I hope we are able to keep fascists out and keep world on fairly peaceful terms. We need more solidarity!
I agree with O'Hare's wifes' attitude towards war. It is glorified through the media when it is finished. Most of the time, during war, though, the horrors are present. But, people prefer to watch movies that show the "cool" side of war. It makes them feel like they will be important if they are able to kill and be a part of a war. War does tend to include younger people, like she says. It is fought by young adults, or even worse, children are sent to battle because they are unsuspecting and more challenging emotionally to kill. I understand at times in our history, war was necessary. But at this point, I don't see any sort of logical reason for war. Our world is becoming extremely interconnected, and it seems senseless attack another part when other means are more effective and less dangerous. I hope we are able to keep fascists out and keep world on fairly peaceful terms. We need more solidarity!
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Tralfamadore Paradox
"'If I hadn't spent so much time studying Earthlings,' said the Tralfamadorian, 'I wouldn't have any idea what was meant by 'free will.''" - pg. 86
This is the argument that many people use against Catholicism. How can God be all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good and humans still have free will? How is it possible for God to allow free will but still have power over everything? St. Augustine teaches us, first of all, that God, like the Tralfamadorians, is not stuck in time. He is able not subject to time. This causes people to think that everything is pre-determined and we have no free choices in life. It's already set to end the way God set it to end. But this is not the case. It is impossible for our human minds to grasp the concept of God not being subject to time. So, no human can perfectly explain this seeming paradox. However, what we can understand is that God is not subject to time. He is simply "unstuck in time." We then must understand that God enters into time for us. He, like the Tralfamadorians, is able to enter into time to be with us. Jesus lived trapped in human time for 33 human years. We must also not forfeit our concept of free will. One of the oldest truths in the Bible is that God gave humans the freedomt to choose as they please. We do not have to listen to God. We can do whatever we want, although it does come with repurcussions later. We have the free choice to choose God and that is the essence of human nature.
This is the argument that many people use against Catholicism. How can God be all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good and humans still have free will? How is it possible for God to allow free will but still have power over everything? St. Augustine teaches us, first of all, that God, like the Tralfamadorians, is not stuck in time. He is able not subject to time. This causes people to think that everything is pre-determined and we have no free choices in life. It's already set to end the way God set it to end. But this is not the case. It is impossible for our human minds to grasp the concept of God not being subject to time. So, no human can perfectly explain this seeming paradox. However, what we can understand is that God is not subject to time. He is simply "unstuck in time." We then must understand that God enters into time for us. He, like the Tralfamadorians, is able to enter into time to be with us. Jesus lived trapped in human time for 33 human years. We must also not forfeit our concept of free will. One of the oldest truths in the Bible is that God gave humans the freedomt to choose as they please. We do not have to listen to God. We can do whatever we want, although it does come with repurcussions later. We have the free choice to choose God and that is the essence of human nature.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Flashback
"This was when Billy first came unstuck in time. His attention began to swing grandly through the full arc of his life, passing into death, which was violet light. There wasn't anybody else there, or any thing. There was just violet light- and a hum. And then Billy sung into life again, going backwards until he was in pre-birth, which was red light and bubbling sounds. And then he swung into life again and stopped. He was a little boy taking a shower with his hairy father at Ilium Y.M.C.A." pg. 43
This could be called a flashback, even though it includes a flashforward (?). I guess that's what I'd call it. Vonnegut bases much of his storyline through the use of twisted flashbacks. It's not the standard flashbacks used by authors, but rather one that stems from Billy's alleged coming unstuck in time. It is an incredible way for Vonnegut to show many different periods of Billy's life. It helps him show how Billy connected events in his life, and how he changed from situation to situation. It initially causes the reader confusion, but it clears up as the reader gathers more of the story. It helps give Billy's background in light of his actions done during and after the war. The reader can see where Billy gets his ideas, and why he thinks the way he does.
This could be called a flashback, even though it includes a flashforward (?). I guess that's what I'd call it. Vonnegut bases much of his storyline through the use of twisted flashbacks. It's not the standard flashbacks used by authors, but rather one that stems from Billy's alleged coming unstuck in time. It is an incredible way for Vonnegut to show many different periods of Billy's life. It helps him show how Billy connected events in his life, and how he changed from situation to situation. It initially causes the reader confusion, but it clears up as the reader gathers more of the story. It helps give Billy's background in light of his actions done during and after the war. The reader can see where Billy gets his ideas, and why he thinks the way he does.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Paragraph Structure
"Frames are where the money is." pg. 24 "This can be useful in rocketry." pg. 80
The paragraph lengths Vonnegut uses vary from a few sentences to short, one-sentence paragraphs. I don't fully understand why he chooses to use choppy paragraphs, but I do know that it sets a certain tone over the whole book. Not much detail is given to any particular subject. This causes his descriptions to seem very matter-of-fact. He says what happened, and there are no questions asked. This adds to the anti-war sentiment of the book. Events like Billy speaking of crazy interactions with aliens are said so that it seems like it did happen. It shows that Billy is convinced he truly met these aliens. This helps Vonnegut portray the mental issues that follow the time spent at war.
The paragraph lengths Vonnegut uses vary from a few sentences to short, one-sentence paragraphs. I don't fully understand why he chooses to use choppy paragraphs, but I do know that it sets a certain tone over the whole book. Not much detail is given to any particular subject. This causes his descriptions to seem very matter-of-fact. He says what happened, and there are no questions asked. This adds to the anti-war sentiment of the book. Events like Billy speaking of crazy interactions with aliens are said so that it seems like it did happen. It shows that Billy is convinced he truly met these aliens. This helps Vonnegut portray the mental issues that follow the time spent at war.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut - Most effective literary technique in the book
"So it goes." pg. 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 45, etc.
Now, some people may question the obssesive repitition of this phrase. However, this phrase is the author's purpose of writing the book. The book is an anti-war book. It's point is to show people the horrors of war and how terrible it is. Using the phrase "So it goes" after every death in the book shows the attitude that people acquire after going through war. They lose sensibility to death. However, the average person does not know that this happens to soldiers. So, he conveys the attitude the soldiers feel, due to no fault of their own. We recognize that this is a terrible attitude, and it opens our eyes to recognize how much war messes up people's minds.
Now, some people may question the obssesive repitition of this phrase. However, this phrase is the author's purpose of writing the book. The book is an anti-war book. It's point is to show people the horrors of war and how terrible it is. Using the phrase "So it goes" after every death in the book shows the attitude that people acquire after going through war. They lose sensibility to death. However, the average person does not know that this happens to soldiers. So, he conveys the attitude the soldiers feel, due to no fault of their own. We recognize that this is a terrible attitude, and it opens our eyes to recognize how much war messes up people's minds.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - CREATUUUURE!
"the fiend..." pg. 139
CAN WE PLEASE GIVE THE CREATURE A NAME?! I think at the very least he deserves the dignity of a name. Creature, monster, and fiend do not qualify as names. I think the creature deserves some respect. If I were the creature, I'd give myself a name. That way using the terms creature, monster, and fiend would be like the use of "He-who-must-not-be named." That would at least give the creature the respect of fear. I understand that he was created, but he is so important and intelligent that I think he deserves a name. However, no name I give will suffice, it must come from the creator - Mary Shelley. I'm disappointed in her not naming the creature.
CAN WE PLEASE GIVE THE CREATURE A NAME?! I think at the very least he deserves the dignity of a name. Creature, monster, and fiend do not qualify as names. I think the creature deserves some respect. If I were the creature, I'd give myself a name. That way using the terms creature, monster, and fiend would be like the use of "He-who-must-not-be named." That would at least give the creature the respect of fear. I understand that he was created, but he is so important and intelligent that I think he deserves a name. However, no name I give will suffice, it must come from the creator - Mary Shelley. I'm disappointed in her not naming the creature.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Depravity
"'Man,' I cried, 'how ignorant art thou in they pride of wisdom! Cease; you know not what it is you say.'" - pg. 149
This novel is filled with sin. From the beginning through the end. It all stems from the deadliest sin of all - that which is stated above...pride. The evil of pride drove Victor to create the terrible monster which sinned and murdered numerous people. The sin simply built upon itself, and it's a terrible cycle which is very hard to get out of. The monster actually showed earlier signs than Victor in getting out of it. But, his peers forced him into the terrible cycle again. The pride continues with Walton and is leading to his downfall. Thanks to the example of Victor, he is able to salvage his sorry state of sin. This novel speaks much to the terrible cycle of sinning and how it builds upon itself.
This novel is filled with sin. From the beginning through the end. It all stems from the deadliest sin of all - that which is stated above...pride. The evil of pride drove Victor to create the terrible monster which sinned and murdered numerous people. The sin simply built upon itself, and it's a terrible cycle which is very hard to get out of. The monster actually showed earlier signs than Victor in getting out of it. But, his peers forced him into the terrible cycle again. The pride continues with Walton and is leading to his downfall. Thanks to the example of Victor, he is able to salvage his sorry state of sin. This novel speaks much to the terrible cycle of sinning and how it builds upon itself.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Repetition
"I will be with you on your wedding-night." - pg. 123 among others
This phrase is one of the most repeated throughout the novel as it is very important. The repitition foreshadows an important happening on the wedding-night. What could happen is open to interpretation, and Victor had the wrong interpretation. He didn't realize until too late that the creature was going to attack him indirectly. He wasn't looking where he needed to and Elizabeth lost her life. This shows the intelligence of the creature. He is able to deceive and essentially defeat his creator, though he feels sorry for it later. The repititon is a telling clue that the creature knows what he is doing and is essentially unstopable. This gives the reader a sense of helplessness. The creature has the power to do whatever he wills.
This phrase is one of the most repeated throughout the novel as it is very important. The repitition foreshadows an important happening on the wedding-night. What could happen is open to interpretation, and Victor had the wrong interpretation. He didn't realize until too late that the creature was going to attack him indirectly. He wasn't looking where he needed to and Elizabeth lost her life. This shows the intelligence of the creature. He is able to deceive and essentially defeat his creator, though he feels sorry for it later. The repititon is a telling clue that the creature knows what he is doing and is essentially unstopable. This gives the reader a sense of helplessness. The creature has the power to do whatever he wills.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Theme
"'But soon,' he cried, with sad and solemn enthusiasm, 'I shall die and what I now feel be no longer felt. Soon these burning miseries will be extinct.'" - pg. 166
William dies; Henry dies; Elizabeth dies; Victor's father dies; Victor dies; and eventually the creature will die. Death, death, death. It is prevalent throughout the work of the novel. But death itself is not the theme. The theme is the effects that come from death. The results are sadness, depression, and more death. The death of William puts Victor into depression. The death of Elizabeth leads to Victor's father's death. The death of Victor leaves Walton sad and alone. This novel is teaching us that death is an evil that should be avoided at all costs; however, death is unavoidable, and we are bound to suffer through other's deaths. While I don't agree with this theme, that is what the author is teaching us. Clearly the rain is making her depressed; unfortunately, she can't enjoy good weather on her vacation.
William dies; Henry dies; Elizabeth dies; Victor's father dies; Victor dies; and eventually the creature will die. Death, death, death. It is prevalent throughout the work of the novel. But death itself is not the theme. The theme is the effects that come from death. The results are sadness, depression, and more death. The death of William puts Victor into depression. The death of Elizabeth leads to Victor's father's death. The death of Victor leaves Walton sad and alone. This novel is teaching us that death is an evil that should be avoided at all costs; however, death is unavoidable, and we are bound to suffer through other's deaths. While I don't agree with this theme, that is what the author is teaching us. Clearly the rain is making her depressed; unfortunately, she can't enjoy good weather on her vacation.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Frame Story
"You have read this strange and terrific story, Margaret; and do you not feel your blood congeal with horror like that which even now curdles mine?" - pg. 155
The entire story is told as frames within frames within frames. In the middle of the book, I tended to forget that it was being told to Walton which in turn was being written in letters to Margaret. This quote was the major transition out of the storing being told by Victor. Coming out of that story caused suspense. As the reader, I began to feel nervous as to what may happen next since I didn't know the end result like I did before. However, I forgot that it was being told in letters! When I recalled this, I new that the ending couldn't be all terrible since Walton had to write it down. The frame story creates layers of suspense and ingenuity that causes the reader to stay entranced in the novel.
The entire story is told as frames within frames within frames. In the middle of the book, I tended to forget that it was being told to Walton which in turn was being written in letters to Margaret. This quote was the major transition out of the storing being told by Victor. Coming out of that story caused suspense. As the reader, I began to feel nervous as to what may happen next since I didn't know the end result like I did before. However, I forgot that it was being told in letters! When I recalled this, I new that the ending couldn't be all terrible since Walton had to write it down. The frame story creates layers of suspense and ingenuity that causes the reader to stay entranced in the novel.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Friendly!
"When I returned, as often as it was necessary, I cleared their path from the snow and performed those offices that I had seen done by Felix." - pg. 80
This part reminded me of Shrek. The poor creature was shunned by all of humanity before he was even given a chance. But, he is not intrinsically evil as some had believed. In fact, he appears to be intrinsically kind. He goes out of his way to help out the family he is living adjacent to. Shrek, in a similar way, was shunned from the fairy tale creatures and humans and left to his swamp. Both of them were prejudged and not given a chance to show their goodness. I believe that everything is naturally good, but is either turned evil or abused to the extent that its ends become evil. I feel sympathy for the creature and how he has been treated.
This part reminded me of Shrek. The poor creature was shunned by all of humanity before he was even given a chance. But, he is not intrinsically evil as some had believed. In fact, he appears to be intrinsically kind. He goes out of his way to help out the family he is living adjacent to. Shrek, in a similar way, was shunned from the fairy tale creatures and humans and left to his swamp. Both of them were prejudged and not given a chance to show their goodness. I believe that everything is naturally good, but is either turned evil or abused to the extent that its ends become evil. I feel sympathy for the creature and how he has been treated.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Just?
"And on the morrow Justine died. Elizabeth's heart-rending eloquence failed to move the judges from their settled conviction in the criminality of the saintly sufferer." - pg. 60
First, I find irony in Justine's name. I find it funny that her name has the word just in it and she seems to have been unjustly accused. The evidence incriminating her is fairly circumstantial and besides the locket, not much can incriminate her. Even Elizabeth begged to let her off innocent, but for some reason, not even this could move the judges. I was appalled at their lack of thoroughness in the matter. She was clearly judged prematurely. I have yet to learn if she did murder or not, but either way it was a premature decision. I found it particularly rash that they jumped straight to capital punishment. Poor Justine didn't stand a chance against an unjust legal system. Unfortunately, since she is dead, there is no way to reverse the judgement.
First, I find irony in Justine's name. I find it funny that her name has the word just in it and she seems to have been unjustly accused. The evidence incriminating her is fairly circumstantial and besides the locket, not much can incriminate her. Even Elizabeth begged to let her off innocent, but for some reason, not even this could move the judges. I was appalled at their lack of thoroughness in the matter. She was clearly judged prematurely. I have yet to learn if she did murder or not, but either way it was a premature decision. I found it particularly rash that they jumped straight to capital punishment. Poor Justine didn't stand a chance against an unjust legal system. Unfortunately, since she is dead, there is no way to reverse the judgement.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Personification
"We were soon joined by Elizabeth. Time had altered her since I last beheld her; it had endowed her with loveliness surpassing the beauty of her childish years." - pg. 53
The literary technique so cleverly used above is a very interesting form of personification. I hesitate calling it anthropomorphism as that generally pertains to giving human like qualities to gods. Time in this sense is given the quality of altering and endowing. Time doesn't have hands or the brain to alter or endow. However, its perceived existence seems to result in people changing over time. It is a very clever way to explain the differences in people. I particularly like this use of personification. I find that it is very effective in explaining both her changed countenance and how long it had been since the characters had last seen each other. The funny thing though, is the human concept of time. Some people do treat it as a god because they feel like they are held under its grasp. But time itself is relative and the true God exists outside of time and its effects. The way Shelley uses it is the common way for humans to explain time.
The literary technique so cleverly used above is a very interesting form of personification. I hesitate calling it anthropomorphism as that generally pertains to giving human like qualities to gods. Time in this sense is given the quality of altering and endowing. Time doesn't have hands or the brain to alter or endow. However, its perceived existence seems to result in people changing over time. It is a very clever way to explain the differences in people. I particularly like this use of personification. I find that it is very effective in explaining both her changed countenance and how long it had been since the characters had last seen each other. The funny thing though, is the human concept of time. Some people do treat it as a god because they feel like they are held under its grasp. But time itself is relative and the true God exists outside of time and its effects. The way Shelley uses it is the common way for humans to explain time.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Juxtaposition
"We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile; a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature, sat in the sledge, and guided the dogs." - pg. 8
The literary technique used here didn't need an English major to utilize. Such a way of describing the creature is necessary for the reader to begin to understand. It only makes sense to compare the creature to something we know in order that we can better visualize the creature. In this juxtaposition of the creature and regular humans, we learn already that the creature is quite large. He also seems to be advanced when we learn that he guided the dogsled at a much faster rate than the regular human who was two hours behind. This juxtaposition is continually used to describe the creature, and it helps the reader to understand who the characters in the story are up against. Juxtaposition is a very simple, yet effective, way of explaining objects that readers have no prior knowledge of. Without it, it is like trying to explain the color red to a person blind from birth.
The literary technique used here didn't need an English major to utilize. Such a way of describing the creature is necessary for the reader to begin to understand. It only makes sense to compare the creature to something we know in order that we can better visualize the creature. In this juxtaposition of the creature and regular humans, we learn already that the creature is quite large. He also seems to be advanced when we learn that he guided the dogsled at a much faster rate than the regular human who was two hours behind. This juxtaposition is continually used to describe the creature, and it helps the reader to understand who the characters in the story are up against. Juxtaposition is a very simple, yet effective, way of explaining objects that readers have no prior knowledge of. Without it, it is like trying to explain the color red to a person blind from birth.
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - Foreshadowing
"It was a strong effort of the spirit of good; but it was ineffectual. Destiny was too potent, and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and terrible destruction." - Page 23
This quote is a very early sign of a very dark ending for a story which has yet to be told. From those circumstances, I like to call it foreshadowing. Whereas most foreshadowing tends to give more specific hints towards specific endings, this simply gives the end behavior. Unfortunately, as english students and not mathematicians studying chaos theory, we are not so interested in the end behavior as we are in the way to get there. So what Shelley does here is quite cunning to me. She pretends like she is revealing something very telling, when in fact it makes the reader desire even more to continue to read. She does give away that it doesn't end well, but the reader is left to wonder: What doesn't end well? and Why doesn't it end well? I find that these lines propelled me to read ahead moreso than any other in the book, hence why it has been given the honor of blog #100.
This quote is a very early sign of a very dark ending for a story which has yet to be told. From those circumstances, I like to call it foreshadowing. Whereas most foreshadowing tends to give more specific hints towards specific endings, this simply gives the end behavior. Unfortunately, as english students and not mathematicians studying chaos theory, we are not so interested in the end behavior as we are in the way to get there. So what Shelley does here is quite cunning to me. She pretends like she is revealing something very telling, when in fact it makes the reader desire even more to continue to read. She does give away that it doesn't end well, but the reader is left to wonder: What doesn't end well? and Why doesn't it end well? I find that these lines propelled me to read ahead moreso than any other in the book, hence why it has been given the honor of blog #100.
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