So I ask again: how does one review a classic?
I ask this because obviously, a classic is good. It has passed through the hands of thousands of readers over time and has gained a Reputation, capital R. It leaves little room for critique. Also, I would feel weird critiquing the work of someone who is dead.
However, I CAN talk about what I thought of the book, and different themes I thought it had...
So I had to read FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley for the second time for school. I was both looking forward to it and dreading it. I was looking forward to it because I had read it once already; I knew what it was about and therefore would not have to spend too much time picking through the details. I was dreading it because from what I could remember, there was a lot of DESCRIPTION, and I was right in that remembrance. If you are looking to read this for fun and aren't one for long, drawn out details (and I mean three straight pages talking about how depressed Dr. Frankenstein is, then save yourself and don't read it).
For those who don't know, FRANKENSTEIN is NOT the name of the monster. Good lord, it frustrates me when people make that assumption. In fact, throughout the entire book, the monster is simply referred to as that, or "the creature", or "the wretch". He, apparently, is undeserving of a name. FRANKENSTEIN, rather, refers to Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who created the monster. You know, "IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIIIIVVVEEEEE!!!" That's him.
So when I read this book, for the particular class I am taking (Classical Myths and Literature), I had to relate this book to the ancient tale of Prometheus. The subtitle of FRANKENSTEIN is actually "The Modern Prometheus", and a fun fact for you: Mary Shelley's husband wrote an amazing poem called "Prometheus on his Crag".
So in searching for links between FRANKENSTEIN and Prometheus, I started to feel that Shelley intended for Victor to represent Prometheus: Prometheus had provided man with fire and this final straw against Zeus resulted in eternal punishment; Victor gave life to the monster and thus endured lifelong torment by his own creation. Perhaps there was a man vs. God dichotomy there in the sense that only God (or Zeus) should be the one providing life (or fire) to man and therefore others that attempt it will be punished. Huh.
However, in FRANKENSTEIN, the monster is punished almost as much and for no apparent reason. I had previously made a connection between the monster, inflicting lifelong torment on Victor, and the vulture that eternally pecks out Prometheus's liver. However, I am now not so sure. I wonder if he also represents mankind in the Prometheus story, forever being punished by Zeus out of his rage at Prometheus. Perhaps I could argue both sides.
I would love to hear somebody else's opinion on this. I know this is nothing close to how I would normally blog, but like I said, how can you review a classic? If you have opinions on that or would like to send me a review of a classic, please do. I am honestly so curious. Or just leave a comment saying hi. I know I have viewers out there. :)
Oh, and what do people have to read for school? I'm interested.
-Victoria
Source for cover image: http://www.google.ca/imgres?hl=en&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=-bLj3Z20TPnKIM:&imgrefurl=http://sethlindberg.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html&docid=_gOKkOSLYIjxkM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfUY3OFPM12SmcvkhzAixmXkhGJ-v_J7Peo_UqnjY8UQIlc0bKHDiG__S1e21r_iuC7LbMjNXisEeQqqIj3eiJX_HnBvib87H5oqVtMVoyF-x_fG9YdJ3WROGQ4m7dgkJS2yx1uOD_6s/s1600/muses_frankensteinCover.jpg&w=329&h=500&ei=1Y5rUP2ICKuB0QGmxYDgAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=180&vpy=252&dur=660&hovh=277&hovw=182&tx=95&ty=157&sig=101342462150338071778&page=2&tbnh=143&tbnw=105&start=26&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:26,i:198
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