whia foil is a character whose traits, by their differences or similarities to the protagonist, help to clarify the protagonists character. in a well written response, argue whether robert walton or the creature is the more effective foil for victor frankenstain, and describe what the presence of this foil contributes to the overall structure and meaning of the book. make sure to use specific examples from the text, quotes should be accompanied by a book citation.
in order to receive credit you must first answer the question, then provide examples from th for e book, and lastly comment on someone elses response for more extra credit.
due sunday, november fifth by midnight
sorry for the incorrect format and grammar, i could only post from my phone
I believe that Robert Walton is a more effective foil for Victor Frankenstein than the creature. Both Robert and Victor are very similar to each other, they both are very adventurous and want to be the first ones to do something or accomplish something for the first time. But, Robert isn't going through the same than that Victor is going through (the disasters that the creature is bringing to him). My belief that Robert wants to be the first one to accomplish something new is because of the following, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man"(Letter I, pg.1). Victor is like this too, because he is the first one to "succeed in discovering the cause of generation and life"(Chapter 4, pg.31). But Victor faces the disasters that the creature brings him and Robert does not, and this is proven throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteManny Ibarra 5/6pd
ReplyDeleteI believe that Robert Walton is a more effective foil for Victor Frankenstein than the creature. Both Robert and Victor are very similar to each other, they both are very adventurous and want to be the first ones to do something or accomplish something for the first time. But, Robert isn't going through the same than that Victor is going through (the disasters that the creature is bringing to him). My belief that Robert wants to be the first one to accomplish something new is because of the following, "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man"(Letter I, pg.1). Victor is like this too, because he is the first one to "succeed in discovering the cause of generation and life"(Chapter 4, pg.31). But Victor faces the disasters that the creature brings him and Robert does not, and this is proven throughout the book.
I agree with Manny that Robert Walton compared to the monster is a more effective foil for Frankenstein. Like a younger Frankenstein, Walton seeks knowledge during his voyage in a "country of eternal light" (p.1). Frankenstein notices the parallel between Walton and himself as he relates his story as a warning to Walton about the dangers of knowledge. Walton soon gives up his quest after Victor's death and loses his "hopes of glory and utility" (p.206), thus we are able to see a contrast between them. Through Walton's initial thirst for knowledge, we are able to catch a glimpse of a younger Frankenstein. And the Frankenstein of the present is a monster created through his own relentless pursuit. Walton as a foil enables us to see this.
ReplyDelete^ Erika Puente (1/2)
ReplyDeleteThomas Ray Garcia 5/6
ReplyDeleteI believe the monster is a more effective foil for Victor Frankenstein. The confrontation between the two demonstrates Victor's weaknesses as an individual. Although Victor is the monster's creator, he refers to his creation as an "abhorred monster" (page 68) and is willing to "extinguish the spark which [he] so negligently bestowed" (page 68) upon him. This demonstrates Victor's lack of responsibility. His goal was to create life, essentially to play God. Once the monster began to murder those dearest to Victor, he failed to take responsibility for the creature's actions. Another weakness in Victor's character is revealed through the dialogue exchanged between creator and creation. Instead of calmly trying to reason with the monster, Victor lashes back at his creation He even suggests that the two "try [their] strength in a fight in which one must fall." (page 69) The monster, however, maturely and eloquently urges Victor's "compassion [to] be moved." (page 69) The confrontation and the exchange of dialogue between the two bring up an important question: who is the real monster in the story? The misguided murderer or the irresponsible man who created him? This reveals much about Victor's character and allows the reader to understand him better.
Although I believe the monster is a more effective foil for Victor, I agree with Manny and Erika that Robert Walton also serves as an adequate foil. Robert is described as ambitious, even "one man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of knowledge." (page 11) Robert's purpose in the novel is to serve as a man who could have failed in his quest just as Victor did. Robert and Victor's perspectives on ambition are contrasted at the beginning of the novel in order to emphasize Victor's grown awareness.
ReplyDeleteWhitney Arnold 1/2
ReplyDeleteBoth characters Robert Walton and the Creature exemplify great foil traits to Victor Frankenstein, but I believe Robert Walton provides a slightly stronger argument due to the fact that his character is set to parallel that of Frankenstein. Majority of the novel is even told either through Walton himself or by Frankenstein directed towards Walton due to the fact that they share a common view and a common story. This is shown directly when Frankenstein speaks to Walton about his quest for knowledge in chapter four saying , “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” Because he said this, it is plain to see that these two characters are placed where they are merely to enhance the other and amplify the major conflict and theme in the novel.
Krystal Hernandez 5/6
ReplyDeleteI agree with Whitney, because both the Creature and Robert Walton show foil traits to Victor Frankenstein. However, the Creature is the better example because physically and characteristically he is the opposite of Frankenstein. Just with looks "the monster" is presented as gruesome and Frankenstein has an every day face. As for character wise they ironically needed each other to show their differences. Victor Frankenstein needed to create the monster in order to abandon it. Then, readers know he was a coward that didn't take responsibility. And the monster needed Victor to create him and abandon him for us to know that the monster wasn't a monster at all but a newborn who was inquisitive and yearned for guidance. "Did I request thee, maker, from my clay to mould me man, did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me?"
Larissa 1/2
ReplyDeleteI agree with krystal and whitney, although both characters show foil characteristics to Frankenstein, in my opinion, the creatures character helps clarify Frankensteins character more clearly. The protagonist's true characteristics dont show until the creature comes to life and the readers see Frankenstein turn his back and abandon it. "The porter opened the gates of the court...and I issued into the streets, pacing them with quick steps, as if I sought to avoid the wretch whom I feared every turning of the street would present to my view" (chpt. 5) Shows how disgusted he was by the monster and how he couldnt wait to get away.
Brenda Rodriguez... 1/2
ReplyDeleteI agree with Whitney and krystal, both the creature and Walton can be seen as foil characters to Victor Frankenstein. Because Robert is most similar to Victor in his drive to explore the world. He is also similar to the monster in his feelings of utter aloneness and his desire to have some kind of friend. And the monster, well he is a foil character because he is Frankenstein's creation and you have that strong connection there because with no creation you have no real conflict in the story.And just like Thomas mentioned the monster creates a good foil character because after Victor's actions and lack of responsability then the reader can ask the question of who really is the monster, the creator for bringing to life a monster and not taking care of him or the creation who didnt know better because he was rejected and didnt have a father figure to look up to.
Larissa 1/2:
ReplyDeletei agree with erikas answer. i like how she compared waltons "thirst for knowledge" to a "younger frankenstein" it really helped me understand her point of view in a way i hadnt even thought of.
i liked thomas' answer, it made me see the question in a different point of view. i like the way he elaborated and the quotes he used, it helped me see his answer more clearly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lari that Frankenstein's true identity isn't shown until the creature is born. The creature seems to be the opposite of how Frankenstein's character is. However, Frankenstein attempts to murder the creature just like the creature resorts to killing off all of Frankenstien's loved ones. For example, when Frankenstein meetes face to face with the creature before the creature tells him his story Frankenstein says, "I may trample you to dust!...I could, with the extinction of your miserable existence, restore those victims whom you have so diabolically murdered!" (Ch 10) The creature, in how opposite he is to Frankenstein, ironically reveils many truths about how Frankenstein's character thinks and reacts towards different scenarios.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Flores 7/8
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas, i believe that the monster comepared to Robert Walton is the best effective foil for Victor Frankenstein. Victor refers to the monsters as "unearthly" pg 68 which ironicly he created the monster. The monster just wants to be accepted into society but instead is tunned out of everyone because of his appearance. Once Victors creations starts going mad and starts lashing out and killing people then the similarities come in play. The monster wants peace with everyone as well as a companion and victor wants him to stop hurting and killing people as well as the love of his beloved Elizabeth. The monster wants to make sure he gets what he wants even though their confrontation backlashed and Victor called the monster a "Wrethched devil" and a "Abhorred monster" (pg.68) both vitor and the monsters rage backlash onto eachother. Another similarity is on page 69 the monster quotes "You accuse me of murder, and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature." The similarity is that the monsters foil like charater is comparing how it wouldnt be right. All victor frankenstein wanted was to recreated humans as like god did but he did it in a wrong matter, and the monster has no mistake besides trying to fend for himself now that he is alive. Both are showing signs or irrisponsibility because of the fact that Victor created the monster and the monster is going around killing innocent people. In my eyes Victor was wrong for creating the monster but his curiosity took over him as well as the monster being wrong for taking the blame because he shouldnt whip out and start killing innocent people.
Samantha Flores 7/8
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas, i belive the monster is a more effective foil for Victor Frankenstein rather than Robert Walton. Victor refers to the monster as "unearthly" pg68 which ironically he was the creator of the monster. All the monster wanted was to be accepted into society instead he is tuned out and scares people by his appearence. Once victor creation starts going mad and lashing out on people then their similarities come in play. The monster wants to make peace and be accepted into society while victor wants war to kill the monster for all the people that the monster has killed and hurt. Victor refers to the monster as "Wretched Devil...Abhorred monster" (pg 68). Similarly, the monster state "You accuse me of murder, and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature" (pg69). Because Victor is full of "rage and horror" he wants to destroy his own creation even though victor is playing god in recreation of humanity (or should i say a monster). They both are to blame due to the fact that Victor created the creature as well as the signs of irrisponsibility between the two for the monster killing people and for victor trying to recreate humanity. So in this case i believe the best effective foil for Victor is his own creation...the monster.
Both Robert Walton and the creature are excellent foil characters in their own right, no question about that. However, if we were to compare the two, the creature would be the better foil character. Sure, Walton shares the same ardent passion for science that Frankenstein once showed in his early life. And Mary Shelley does use this connection to introduce and foreshadow Frankenstein's story. This, nonetheless, is irrelevant when compared to the many details revealed by the creature's actions. To begin with, when the monster comes to life we can immediately sense changes within Frankenstein as he finally reveals his true self. Perhaps the most obvious and important change that we see is his lack of responsibility. He was capable of depriving himself of "rest and health" (pg.55) for two years to create the monster, but when he finally achieved his goal––he ran away. Furthermore, with every encounter, clash that Frankenstein and his creation had, the more the reader could decipher. Very much like Thomas Garcia responded, every time the eloquent monster and the confused victor exchanged words, one could only stop and ponder: "Who is the true monster?"
ReplyDeleteI agree with most responses given, as I do believe that Robert Walton was a rather elegant foil character. If I had to choose one, I would say Thomas Garcia's response comes closest to mine. For we both believe that through the dialogue and interactions that victor and the monster had, we could figure out who Frankenstein truly was.