Frankenstein reading journal: Preface - Letter IV

Preface

• Says its written by P.B. Shelley - instead of Mary Shelly - is there a reason for this???
• Says what will happen 'is not of impossible occurrence' which will make the novel, and its subject more real, and therefore more scary and Gothic.
• Describes the content as 'supernatural terrors' - Gothic nature
• Set in a 'cold and rainy' season - pathetic fallacy creating a Gothic mood immediately
• Similarly, claims it is based on 'German stories of ghosts' creating the Gothic atmosphere setting the story up to be one that is scary and haunting.

Letter I

• Says his enterprise has been regarded with 'evil forebodings' First mention of evil. When used with the fact he says 'no disaster' has happen reader gets the idea that he is on a dangerous expedition were disaster and evil is expected so his supposedly reassuring words have the opposite effect.
• 'Cold northerly breeze' suggests danger, as the cold is dangerous. Also could reflect the mood of these first few letters.
• Writer has 'daydreams' which have become 'more fervent and vivid'. Hint of madness in his personality??? Gothic trait of dreams and madness hinted at.
• Reference to 'heavenly bodies' could be paralleled to Frankenstein's dream to create the perfect human with the perfect body.
• R. Walton, the writer could be paralleled to Victor Frankenstein because of his 'ardent curiosity' - hamartia and downfall???
• 'Fear of danger or death' - the fact that his mission could prove to be fatal is repeated again to stress the point, and to create a dangerous and nervous atmosphere for the reader.
• Compares his joy to that which 'a child feels' - gives the writer a scene of naivety which could be paralleled to the monster in future chapters.
• We learn that the writer is a 'failure' or at least in his own eyes has failed at some point in his life. This gives him and his expedition a new scene of ambition, also creates sympathy towards the writer, and deepen the relationship between him and the reader because of the knowledge they share.
• We learn he 'voluntarily endured cold, famine, thirst and want of sleep' because of his dream that he is pursuing. emphasises how strong his ambition is, again bringing back his curiosity and how bad it could be. also could be paralleled to Victor who also suffers from things like lack of sleep to create his monster, which was his dream - hints that similarly, Walton's exhibition could also fail.
• Walton 'preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in (his) path' like Victor. Hinting again that perhaps his exhibition won't go to well just like Victors.
• 'If I fail, you will see me again soon, or never' - sadness is created as a bother willingly acknowledges the fact he could did and never see his family again - will it be reflected in the rest of the novel????
• The question 'who is 'R. Walton' is created and what impact will he have on the novel??????

Letter II

• Describes men that are 'possessed with dauntless courage' - possessed is a very strong word to use, perhaps highlighting the strength in the men, and to get the reader prepared for the Gothic themes later on.
• Describes having no friend as 'the most sever evil', the Gothic is brought out again. Also can be compared to the creature which is created later in the novel because of his loneliness. all the creature wanted was a friend, just like Walton.
• 'My day dreams are more extended and magnificent' the theme of day dreams is brought up again highlighting its importance??? or maybe just the Gothic theme of madness is being slowly introduced?
• Claims his lieutenant is 'madly desirous of glory', links back to his and Victor's lust for glory, suggesting that it could be a common theme. Also reiterating the theme of ambition=Gothic! 
• Repeats the idea that he is on a perilous exhibition 'should you never here from me again'

Letter III

• Ambition, the fatal Gothic trend, is brought up again in this letter 'what can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?' Its common appearance in these first letters hints that it will play a major part of the novel.
• Again the sense of hopelessness of his voyage is reiterated , but there seems to be a more hopeful tone to his writing as he says 'I, who may not see my native land, for many years' instead of saying he will never see it again - suggests that he has a new found hope? 

Letter IV

• The 'ice' and 'very thick fog' has made his exhibition very 'dangerous'. The extremes of weather reflect the Gothic atmosphere. Maybe could reflect the extremes of morals and actions which are taken later in the novel?????
• Includes the first sighting of the creature, described as 'a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic structure'. Hints at the supernatural (Gothic theme) because this creature is clearly not human. Foreshadows the failure that Frankenstein's creature will turn out to be.
• Describe Victor as a 'savage' a hint of his true personality??? Also an be used to reflect Walton's prejudice of strangers, which is repeated in the novel.
• Victor is perceived as 'on the brink of destruction', his body in  a 'wretched condition', foreshadowing the failings which we are yet to learn of but tell the reader that his life does not end up well. It reflects what the monster has done to him.
•  This is reinforced by the idea that he asked where the ship 'was bound' before staying on it' This suggests that his ambition to get to where ever he wants to go is so strong it is mad as it could most likely result in death - The bad, Gothic side to ambition is reflected again.
• 'His eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness' The description of Victor brings back the subtle hints of madness which have been hinted at in previous letters, but in a much stronger light. Also a form of prolepsis as it hints at how much the monster will destroy the great person which were are to learn Victor was. His broken status could be compared to that of the creature.
• Victor call the inhuman figure a 'daemon'. hints at deepest evil in this figure. makes the reader wonder what exactly this thing has done to be labeled this Gothic images of evil and hell???
• Victors 'curiosity' is mentioned again.
• Victor claims he has been 'restored to life' - bringing up the theme of restoring life to that which had none, like what victor does to the creature.
• Who is the stranger????? An element of mystery is in the air.
• Walton begins to 'love him as a brother' Ironic when it is the monster who has brought this love, and yet the monster who has destroyed all the other people Victor had ever loved.
• Walton's affection for Victor is explained through his description of him 'gentle...wise; his mind is so cultivated'. The first description we receive of his personality, which makes the mad being which we have seen in him so much more sad.
• Comparison between Victor an Walton - Victor 'excited (Walton's) curiosity' - Victor's flaw! Victor also compares him to himself  'do you share my madness'. these themes of curiosity and madness can both be linked to the Gothic theme of ambition which seemingly overrides the novel, curiosity feeding the ambition and madness being the outcome.
• Victor describes him and Walton as 'unfashioned creatures'. perhaps a link to his creature and what he has learned of life throughout the process of his?
• We learn Victor has 'lost everything', but why????? Curiosity is installed in the reader too!!! The reader is very keen to read on and find out what has made the stranger the way he is. A clever writing device from Shelley
• Question of morality is brought up 'you may deduce an apt moral from my tale' hinting at the lack of it in the tale.
• 'wild and mysterious regions' Victor is setting the Gothic scene for his tale, which is very suitable!
• Walton is turned in to the reader, he has the same want to hear the tale as us 'I felt the greatest eagerness to hear the promised narrative, partly from curiosity, and partly from a strong desire to ameliorate his fate'.
• 'strange and harrowing must be his story, frightful the storm which embraces the gallant vessel on its course and wrecked it thus' - warning the reader of what they are about to read, building the suspense!

The Witches in Macbeth; Why are they in it and what do they add to our understanding of the play?

Morality
The witches are key figures when it comes to Morality in Macbeth. Firstly they appear as completely immoral through there murderous actions ( I, III, 18-20) and their outer worldly superstitious actions (building the cauldron). This provides a useful example of immoral figures which produces a direct contrast to that of Duncan, highlighting his grace. It also highlights and explains Macbeth's downfall to immorality, as it gives the audience something to compare him to.
Their actions also question the moral actions of Macbeth and humans themselves. This is because the way in which the witches gain power is so similar to Macbeth. When the 1st witch is annoyed by a sailor calling her 'a witch' and 'mounch'ing she kills her husband 'I'll drain him dry as hay:/ sleep shall neither night nor day/ hang upon his penthouse lid' (act I, III 18-20). This proves that in order for the witches to gain power, which is the fear that others have of them, they kill people. This is similar to Macbeth who feels that in order to gain power he must kill the king, along with with many others.

Structural and Propleptic Devices
Including Act III scene V, the witches are in four scenes. The first acts as an introduction, both  to their characters and to the play as it is the first scene. They are the first to mention Macbeth which tells the audience of their omniscient qualities. They also introduce the idea of nature being turned on its head through 'fair is fouls, and foul is fair'. The second scene they are in, Act I scene III, is where they prophesies to Macbeth and Banquo, and some would argue that without this scene Macbeth would have never thought about killing the king. The next scene with Hecate, act III scene V, is arguably not written by Shakespeare, therefore cannot always be considered when trying to answer the question of the witches impact of the play. Their final scene, Act IV scene I, is the scene with the apparitions and the famous cauldron making. All of the scenes that the witches are in act as proleptic episodes, which foretell the play. This device gives the witches some of their power.
This device is gives them a similar role to that of the chorus in Greek plays. The chorus acted as the neutral figures, who were often had powers, like 'the clouds' by Aristophanes who were a deity. However the witches represent almost a 'backwards chorus' because rather than summing up what has happened in they play, which is often their role, they foretell it. There supernatural power could also be used to liken the to the fates.

Supernatural influence
Macbeth is often cast as a 'gothic' play, and this is partly because of the supernatural in the play. The witches are Shakespeare's main link to supernatural in the play. They seem to possess foresight as they predict Macbeth's reign and thane-ship 'hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/... that shalt be king hereafter' (I, III, 49-50). Also the basic fact that they are described as witches associates them with evil and the devil. This belief was even stronger at the time Shakespeare wrote the play because many people, including the king believed that they were real.
I could be argued that the witches in Macbeth don't actually posses any real power, rather that Macbeth gives them their power. This is because if he did not take their words so readily for truth and killed the king, there is a chance that he would not have become king. In this way it is his actions, not those of the witches that give them their supernatural power.

The question of fate
When assessing the witches influence in the play it is key to imagine the play without them at all. Without them Macbeth would never have heard their prophecy claiming he would be king, which brings forth the question would he still kill Duncan? If you believe that he wouldn't then you would have to conclude that it is the witches fault that Duncan dies and hold them responsible for the downfall of Macbeth.
If you conclude that Macbeth would have done it anyway because of his crazy ambition, we have to conclude that the witches act only as a prompt to Macbeth. This reduces their power and influence in the whole play greatly because it suggest that the play could be complete without them.
However this is debatable as many people would argue the first and many the second point.

Macbeth Act IV

Scene I:

• Imgery is very powerful tool in this scene. The witches use graphic and horrific images in there 'cauldron' like 'birth strangled babe' which creates a sense of the supernautral in this scene. The images that they use are very evil - this reflects thier nature and provees that it is not wise for Macbeth to trust them threrfore proving no good can come out of his endevours. also the withces refer to Macbeth as 'Wicked' so he must be evil.  As supernatural is a common theme in the Gothic - this scene is a key footstone in this genre.
• The witches talk in rhyming couplets which gives the language a recitive and chant like feel. Macbeth also starts speaking like this in line 94 which could reflect how his charcter has changed to become more like the witches.
• Each apparition is signifcant to Macbeths down fall and relate to his life. The first, an armed head,

How has the Gothic nature of the play been used to heighten tragedy in Macbeth by the end of act three?

The Gothic nature of Macbeth is highlighted in act three and is used to heighten the tragedy. It is argued that Act Three hosts the Gothic centre of the play. I the next following paragraphs, I will be investigating the main themes of the Gothic which are present in Act Three; mainly morality, ambition and insanity.  


Morality:
Morality is a theme which is quite hard to define. The general definition is ‘The concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct' - but this definition itself depends greatly on the view of good and evil at the time. Shakespeare wrote 'Macbeth' in the early 17th century. At this time Christianity had a major influence over the view of morality, which effects the view you must take when analysing it. Also, the King at the time of writing, James I, was obsessed with witches and hunting them. He wrote the ‘Daemonologie’ which inspired Shakespeare in Macbeth.

Act three is almost the turning point in Macbeth's morality. He performs many 'immoral' actions like consorting with murderers and easily ordering the murder of Banquo and announcing 'Banquo is your enemy' 3,1, 114. Originally Macbeth and Banquo were close friends - we were first introduced to Macbeth with Banquo. This makes his murder particularly immoral on Macbeth's part because of his original attachment with Banquo. However Macbeth sees a ghost of Banquo which suggests that Macbeth's morals are  starting to 'fight back' or perhaps Macbeth is getting a conscience.


However, did Macbeth have moral standards to begin with? True, he is described as ‘brave’ and ‘noble’ by the king in Act 1, but this description is not backed up by his actions. He consorts with the witches, which is against the Christian religion and therefore against his morals. He also considers regicide before he even encounters Lady Macbeth (1.4 lines 49-54) which suggests he is not ‘full o’ the milk of human kindness’ as Lady Macbeth suggests. It is wrong in the eyes of Christianity to kill kings because of the belief in the ‘Divine Right'. This does suggest that Macbeth has been a immoral character from the beginning. 


Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are presented to have an understanding of morality as they clearly recognise they are doing wrong. This is shown through the constant portrayal of light and dark 'let light not see my black and deep desires' 1,4, 51. This would mean that they are actively choosing to be immoral, which would make them classic Gothic figures. Macbeth seems to develop a moral conscience after his actions as shown through the apparition of Banquo and his lack of sleep 'you lack the season of all natures; sleep' 3, 5, 140. This is also reflected in the actions of lady Macbeth who starts to sleep walk. Because sleep is almost seen as a 'natural gift', the absence of it in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's lives reflects there conscience and nature ridding them of this gift because it realises the impact of there moral actions.

Morality is presented in a similar way in other works by Shakespeare. 

• Richard III: Richard is the epitome of immoral character because he aims to ‘prove a villain’. Throughout the play he has not even a scene of morals, which makes his sudden realisation more effective and surprising. In the same way as in Macbeth, Richard develops a conscience a little too late, and, as in Macbeth, this is shown through the apparitions he sees. 
• Hamlet: Hamlet experiences a conflict in moral duties in the play; the need to avenge his father, but the fact that killing a king is against religious views. However, it can be argued that Hamlet’s crime of regicide is more morally correct than Macbeth, who murders Duncan for his own ends. 

Ambition:

Ambition is a common theme in Gothic literature as it evidences the essence of insanity in a person because it can almost guide them to perform immoral actions. It is commonly used as the 'motive' behind the tragedy of the play or even an excuse for it. Ambition is commonly the Hamartia or downfall of the Gothic figure. An example of Ambition in Gothic literature would be in 'Frankenstein' where it could be argues that Victor's ambition to create life and to obtain knowledge goes too far. Shakespeare has also used this before, for example in Richard III where Richards ambition to 'prove a villain' and to gain the throne conquers everything else. It is though gothic that Ambition is presented as a failing rather than a gift. Characters are presented with too much of it, and it is this overbalance which leads to fatal results. perhaps it is the sense of 'overbalance' and how it doesn't fit with nature that creates the tragedy in the Gothic? 

In 'Macbeth', Macbeth's ambition to become king, it could be argued, is the reason for his downfall and therefore it would represent his hamartia. Act three represents his ambition becoming out of control. he orders the death of his friend because he doesn't want his children to take 'his' thrown. This can evidence ambition leading to insanity because Macbeth turns a friend into an 'enemy' and he goes against what is guiding him to do this in the first place - the words of the witches. If they said that Banquo 'shalt get kings' then surely if Macbeth believed what they said to him was true then he is challenging the supernatural, an insane move for a mere mortal. 

Ambition can be evidenced in Macbeth through his actions throughout the play. By killing Duncan and ordering the death of many, including his friend and children, Macbeth goes against the original image we are given of him; the 'brave' and 'noble' solider who fought for his country. This evidences how ambition has corrupted Macbeth and made him lose sight of his morals, his sanity and his self.

Lady Macbeth - up to act III scene 2 - my opinion

At the start of the play 'Macbeth' we first are introduced to lady Macbeth through the letter, written to her by her husband. This produces the idea that she is very close to her husband, and that he values her, and her opinion very highly, because a letter is alot of trouble to go to when Macbeth is on his way to see her anyway.

During the first interactions between Lady Macbeth and her husband, lady Macbeth is presented as very domineering and over powering, as she seemingly takes control of  'operation King Macbeth'. This could seem unusual as she is a woman, but because the audience would have been used to he likes of Queen Elizabeth, female authoirity might not be too surprising.

Here, she is also presented with supernatural tendencies. She call upon spirits to 'unsex her' and seems to be filled constantly with violent thoughts. She is in fact presented unlike a woman or as one who wants to lose all sense of femininity. this idea is created through the images she uses, like the pulling her baby from her nipple and 'gashing its brains out', which is not what a mother would be expected to do.

She is also very deceptive. She comes across to Duncan as  'the perfect hostess', and yet she is planning to kill him that very night. Also, when the king is discovered dead, she 'swoons'. In this way she is presented to the rest of the court as a 'typical' woman, and only the audience and her husband understand her true tendencies.

During the murder of Duncan Lady Macbeth is presented as a very strong character. She gets annoyed at her husband when he does not full fill her plans exactly as she has planned them and so she has top hid the daggers. she even claims that she would have killed the king if he didn't resemble her father. The image of a Strong women, unaffected by guilt is reinforced when she say 'a little water will wash us of this deed' in comparision to Macbeth's opinion that the whole of the ocean won't wash the blood from his hands.

In act 3, however, Lady Macbeth seems to have lost some of the control over her husband. she is now asking him 'whats to be done' rather than instructing him. This makes it seem like she has lost control over 'operation King Macbeth' because Macbeth has become confident because of his 'trimph' over his murder of the king.

Marxism in 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell

'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell can easily be analysed by the Marxist theory.  Gaskell's both conforms and questions the criticism of Marx, which makes it intriguing to study and creates an interesting accompaniment to the theory. 

In the literary theory it argues that 'social circumstances determine much, if not all, of your life'. This can be applied to the character of Mr Boucher. He is a worker at 'Mulbourgh Mill's' who has to strike because of the force of the union. He then has not enough money to support his wife, his seven children or himself. This drives him to violence at one of the strike protests where he hits Margret Hale with a stone. Finally he drowns himself in the river. Marx would argue that this is because his birth circumstances were low class, and that they was no way he could have escaped his fate.

The marxist theory argues that 'the way we think and the way we experience the world around us are either wholly or largely conditioned by the way the economy is organised.' This can be evidence in 'North and South' through the two characters 'Bessy Higgins' and 'Margret Hale'. Both characters are women of a similar age and daughters to strong fathers. the only difference is their place in economy. Margret is the daughter of a former vicar and professor, who teaches for a living. She as inherits a wealthy sum at the end of the book and it can be argued that, because of all these factors, she ends up marring 'Mr Thornton' the master of a mill. Bessy, however, is the daughter of a low class factory worker, and consequently ends up as one herself. this leads to her lung disease, which then leads to her death. This can successfully be applied to the marxist theory as it is only their difference in circumstance which leads to the different life outcomes in these two characters.

However, Gaskell challenges this theory by writing these two characters as dearest friends. If this were to completely agree with Marx's views then the two women wouldn't want to mix, and if they were to be friends it would because of 'economy'. However the characters are friends because of a mutual respect shared between each other, and therefore it questions the marxist theory.  Gaskell clearly recognises the difference between the effect of the social status on a person, and the person themselves:

'if Mr Thornton would be patient enough to listen with his human heart, not with his masters ears-'

And this supports the idea that questions if Marxism can completely be applied to 'North and South'.

Macbeth Act 2

Scene 1

• the significance of Banquo's presence: It is important because it reminds the audience that Banquo was present at the scene of the witches which proves that Macbeth is not mad and that he did not hallucinate the witches. It also shows evidence of another man that has been affected by the words of the witches as Banquo cannot sleep 'I would not sleep' line 7. this lack of sleeplessness links to later in the play, the effect that murder has on both Macbeth and his wife.
• The significance of Fleance's Presence: Produces slight irony as both of the witches predicted Kings are on the stage. Introduces the Character of Banquo's son which is important for the end of the play.
• Macbeth attempts to deceive Banquo on his feelings towards the witches and what they had said. Doesn't realise that Banquo has been equally worried by the foresight.
• Irony is created in Banquos' words 'He has been in unusual pleasure' referring to the king. because Macbeth is on his way to kill him.

   Macbeth's soliloquy:

• hallusiantion - is he seeing a dagger??? it is odvisous that he isn't but is it a supernatural vision 'fatal vision' or his mind playing tircks 'a false creaton'.

Macbeth and the Gothic act 1

Scene 1

• The description of the setting is the first to produce a Gothic element. 'An open place' gives the first scene an eerie an empty setting which perhaps reflects the emptiness of the weird sisters and there words. It is Gothic because of the absence of things like people, therefore creating a secluded setting.
• Weather - 'thunder and lightning'  stereotypical Gothic weather - dark
• Witches - Anther typical Gothic character. produces an evil an supernatural element to the play straight from the start which implies that the play will be heavily influenced by this.
• The witches 'familiars'; 'greymalkin' and 'paddock' are traditional 'pets' of witches which strengthens there characters

Scene 2

• Battle is produced to the audience through gory and heavily descriptive language lines 17-20. This gives the audience a literal version of the Battle that will leave a visual impression.
• Comparison of the battle to 'Golgotha' which produces religious comparisons to a place of darkness and evil as it was where Jesus was crucifies. This would link to the Gothic because of its links to both religion and death.
• Macbeth is described as 'Brave' line 16 and 'Nobel' line 69. This gives the audience a positive image of Macbeth. This is Gothic when you link it to his downfall and look back at how great he was.

Scene 3

• Begins, again with thunder and witches. This perhaps suggests a link between the witches and the weather, as the weather seems to reflect how the witches could upset the balance of nature. Both the weather and the witches are Gothic elements.
• The actions and plans that the witches have (killing pigs and the sailor - line 10) prove that they are truly a classic evil.
• The day is described as 'foul and fair' this proves that the witches do have power as it is an echo of their line in scene 1. It also reflects how even nature has been corrupted - an element of the Gothic.
• Banquo creates a grotesque physical image of the witches 'wither'd an wild... not like th' inhabitants o' th' earth'. This, again evidences a clash with the ways of nature and creates the image of something supernatural which is Gothic.
• The first hint of ambition - a key feature of Gothic - is introduced by Macbeth 'line 70 stay... tell me more'. 
• Witches are linked with the devil 'can the devil speak true?' line 108 and this is supported by there outer worldly action 'witches vanish'.
• Banquo suggests that he and Macbeth could have been hallucination 'have we eaten on the insane root' hallucination are common in Gothic literature, and are sometimes used to show the ulterior motive of the person in the dream.

Scene 4

• Macbeth is presented as courteous towards Duncan 'the service and loyalty I owe' line 22, however, later in the seen another, darker side to Macbeth is created 'let not light see my black and deep desires'. these two sides to Macbeth could be seen as the Gothic feature of a doppelganger, the two sides to Macbeth's personality.
• The difference between light and dark is highlighted also 'et not light see my black and deep desires'. This feature is a common way of distinguishing good and evil in the Gothic.
• Duncan reflects on how the old thane of Cawdor was a 'gentleman on whom I built my trust' just as Macbeth, this creates irony, and perhaps is a hint of prolepsis, a common feature of Gothic literature.

Scene 5

• Lady Macbeth seemingly stops herself repeating the words of the witches ' and shalt be/ what thou art promised'. By not mentioning the actual word 'king' it shows that she has knowledge that her husbands ambitions aren't morally correct. This reflects the themes of great ambition, and of evil corrupting the good in people.
• Lady Macbeth's speech draws on such things as 'spirts' which reinforces the strength of the supernatural in the play as one of the main characters is associated with it.
• The image of the 'raven' line 38, is one of death which is an image of foresight into the rest of the play - a Gothic element. Also the fact that death is included in the play is itself Gothic.
• There is another hint of prolepsis in Lady Macbeth's speech 'from the crown'. By referring to her head as a crown she is suggesting that she will one day be queen.
• The difference between light and dark is highlighted again line 53 'nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark'.
• The language used by Lady Macbeth is so unfeminine 'unsex me ... take my milk for gall' . this again suggests a conflict with nature and the characters in the play.
• The language used by Lady Macbeth is similar, and at times the same as the witches.
• Macbeth is instructed to have two side to his nature - the doppelganger theme 'look like the innocent flower/ but be the serpent under't' the reference to serpent could be said to link to the actions of the serpent in the bible, who is evil. This link to religious images is linked also to Gothic.

Scene 6

• A double side to Lady Macbeth is introduces in this scene. e are aware of her true intentions but she appears as the perfect hostess 'lines 14 - 19' and the king buys this ' fair and noble hostess'.

Scene 7

• Macbeth doubts weather he should kill the king because he is his guest and not worthy of death lines 14 - 20. This proves to the audience that Macbeth knows that morally killing the king is the wrong thing to do. so we know that if Macbeth does in fact choose to kill the king his strong ambition has overpowered his sense of morals, and that his own actions conflict with what he knows is right.
• Their is conflict between the images of purity 'cherub' and 'new -born babe' and the images of evil ' deep damantion' 'murder' and posion'. These images are juxtaposed together, creating the sense of Gothic.

• Lady Macbeth uses shocking imagery '..have pluck'd my nipple from its boneless gums,/ and dash'd the brains out' to shock the audience. This also gives her a supernatural air as her described actions are so evil, they conflict with nature - a mother killer her child. the image of the supernatural is reinforced. 

Coursework Outline - Free Writing

In my Coursework I plan to use the book 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell. I aim to focus on women and there place in the novel, and hope to come to some conclusion that suggests and reflects the idea that Gaskell was one of the first writers to introduce heroism in female characters and that effect on novels written after her time.

I will compare mainly the main character 'Margaret Hale'. She is a strong-willed, independent woman. This is presented both through her role and her actions. Her role is more that of a matriarch as her mother is very sick and her father, a former vicar, and therefore quite naive to the ways of northern England. This means Margaret has to do things like house hunting in a new society on her own. she is presented as Strong willed through her actions which include refusing a proposal from Mr Thornton, a master of 'Malbourgh Mills' and therefore a higher class than her. This presentation was quite uncommon for a 19th century writer, and yet has become more common since. So, Gaskell, through her novels and those of others like Austen, succeeded in created the literary female hero.

I am not entirely sure which Book to compare with this but it will be either 'Tess of the D'urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy, 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte or 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. All these novels Have strong female figures which I aim to compare with those in 'North and South'.

I would also be able to compare the dominating figure of 'Mrs Thornton', Mr Thornton's mother. She is very controlling in the novel and has raised her son through the suicide of her husband. This would make a good comparison with the character 'Rebecca' as they are similar in actions.

In conclusion, I am to write my course work on the female figures in 'North and South' and probably those in 'Rebecca'. I aim to come to a conclusion looking at the difference between the presentation of 19th and 20th centry women and to question the idea that Gaskell was one of the reasons for the change.

Coursework plans :)

I am not entirley sure what to do for my coursework. I have read 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell and really enjoyed it, so want to include it as one of my books. Jon advised me to read 'The French Leiutenants Woman' by John Fowles which I did not enjoy as much. I was planning to do something along the lines of the different presentations of 19th century women, but I am open to other suggestions and to other books to compare with 'North and South'

I am now going to read 'Hard Times' by Charles Dickens a focus on comparing something to do with social affairs in 19th centry England.