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!