These two sessions explored how Shelley represents Victor after the creature's narrative. The focus of the first session was the significance of THE ORKNEYS and how this location allows Shelley to explore the theme of ISOLATION. The nature of the 'desolate and appalling landscape' is also important and class discussion moved around the idea that this 'miserable' landscape populated by 'gaunt and scraggy' human figures is like a hell on earth. This idea of Victor suffering a form of hell on earth was linked to the gothic idea of crime and punishment. THIS ORKNEY MOMENT IS SIGNIFICANT AND STUDENTS NEED TO CONSIDER HOW THIS MOMENT IS USED BY SHELLEY TO REINFORCE KEY THEMES AND IDEAS.
The second lesson considered the significance of Victor's experience in IRELAND after the death of Clerval. Chapter 21 is a very significant chapter as Victor struggles to discern between dreams and reality. This distorted perception of reality is a feature of the gothic tradition. Victor is enslaved by nightmares and wakes to find himself imprisoned. This chapter is important as Victor's punishment becomes intense and violent..' THE WHOLE SERIES OF MY LIFE APPEARED TO ME AS A DREAM; I SOMETIMES DOUBTED IF INDEED IT WERE ALL TRUE, FOR IT NEVER PRESENTED ITSELF TO MY MIND WITH THE FORCE OF REALITY...I WAS ABSORBED BY A GLOOMY AND BLACK MELANCHOLY THAT NOTHING COULD DISSIPATE......THE CUP OF LIFE WAS POISONED FOREVER...I WAS A SHATTERED WRECK...THE SHADOW OF A HUMAN BEING...'
Victor's experience in The Orkneys and Ireland are significant moments because they allow Shelley to reinforce the intensity and agony of Victor's suffering. STUDENTS NEED TO CONSIDER HOW VICTOR IS BEING PUNISHED. HOW CAN THIS SUFFERING BE COMPARED TO THE SUFFERING OF PROMETHEUS? TO WHAT EXTENT IS VICTOR THE MODERN PROMETHEUS?
Homework: We are moving towards the essay question posted on the last blog entry. Students need to prepare for this essay. We will be discussing possible content in Thursday's lesson and the completion of this essay will be Thursday's homework task. Students need to consider how they will answer this question.
In today's session I attempted to wear a chair as a hat and I made reference to the skeleton fighting scene in Jason and the Argonauts, a film that mesmerised me when i was a child. Here is the clip. Feel free to be cynical digital kids but this inspired many a Richardson nightmare. And you wonder why i'm a bit odd! Feel free to mock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOZK4MiIMZM
DON'T FORGET THE BRILLIANT GOTHIC RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE VIA THE BBC I-PLAYER. STUDENTS NEED TO ENGAGE WITH THESE RESOURCES:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04nqpz3/the-art-of-gothic-britains-midnight-hour-3-blood-for-sale-gothic-goes-global
The Strange affair of Frankenstein:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p027w85f/the-strange-affair-of-frankenstein
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