Victorian Blog #1: Relationship: Dorian Gray and Lord Henry

The relationship between Dorian Gray and Lord Henry is very significant to theplot of the story. It is the reason that the real story began in the first place. It is Henry who inspires Dorian to wish for the switch with the picture. Throughout the story, Dorian is controlled by the opinions of Lord Henry. Even his decision about sibyl Vane can be attributed to one of Henry's opinions. This relationship is very important to the story because it is influencing Dorian act in a way that he would not have acted before. This relationship is also important because, i believe, it will soon be the cause downfall.

Victorian bolg #1: Historical Context: Poor and Rich Differences

In the novel there seems to be a big problem when it can to wealth. For example, when Dorian Gray wanted to marry a poorer girl, Sibyl Vane, there was some unhappiness in his circle of friends about how poor she was. Since he discovered her in a greasy performance hall, her intelligence and refinement is questioned.  In the Victorian era, the gap between the rich and the poor was greatly increasing. While members of the middle class were becoming more prosperous, the poor were getting poorer. So the situation with Vane is accurate to the actual Victorian times because "marrying up" and not down was preferable. This also shows the callousness of the upper class towards the lower classes of this era. Lord Henry and Dorian Gray didn't even seem to care that the little poor girl has just sacrificed herself for love.

Victorian blogs #1: Romance: Dorian and Sibyl Vane

         The romance between Dorian and the lovely Sibyl Vane starts of beautiful and true. They are together in love forever but as soon as Vane behaved in a way that Dorian saw as embarrassing he turns his back on her. Dorian is not truly in love as Vane is. He simply uses her as an adventure and as his adventure came to an end, so does her life. This romance helped me realize what a horrible person Dorian and Lord Henry are. They don't even care that she is dead; they simply see it as an adventure. Lord Henry even wishes that he had a chance to go on the same adventure. As a result of his cruelty to Vane, Dorian for the first time notices some major changes to his picture.

Victorian Blog #1: Literary Elements: Paradox

"I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable." -Lord Henry Chap. 3 Pg. 40

A paradox is a contradicting statement that when examined in reality can prove logical. When Lord Henry states that he can bare brute force but not brute reason, one has to wonder why he can stand an actual action but not a trick of the mind. I think this statement is used to explain the overall personality of Lord Henry and foretell some upcoming situations. This paradox means that he is strong enough to stand brute force but he can never stand for brute reason, which I take to mean ignorance of the mind.

The Death of Frankenstein: Chapter 24

I have killed him. I endeavored to ruin him mentally but I never meant to kill him. I wished to make him as miserable as I, not destroy him completely. When I say his lifeless body lying limp, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I might have killed before but this was my creator. I killed my own creator. When I entered the room, one of his friends caught me in the act of looking at his corpse. He asked me to stay but I could see that he meant to cause harm to me. I talked him into letting me go and left. No life is worth living with no creator and nobody to accept me. What kind of life is lived with no one to believe in me?

I Killed Elizabeth: Chapter 23

I told him that I would be with him on his wedding day, did he not believe me? I was there and ready to kill. He denied me of my bride, why should he have his? The beautiful Elizabeth, she was so kindhearted and sweet. That was until of course I choked the life from her kind bones. He thought I came for his life and in fact I did. By taking life from her, I took his life as well. She was his last hope for happiness and with one movement of my gigantic hands I took it away from him completely. This game is only beginning. I can see his misery unfolding. I have witnessed hi rage of madness. How easily the human mind is destroyed of all commonsense.

The Death of Clerval: Chapter 21

I killed Clerval, Frankenstein's little pal. Since he refuses me my happiness, why should his happy little pal make him happy? So in rage I decided that it was time for Clerval to go. He went the same way that little William went. I grasped his neck as he begged for his life and I laughed. It was hilarious how he went, begging like a common animal. How miserable this will make Frankenstein. I can't wait to see his surprise when his little friend doesn't come home to him. Who will make him smile while in misery now? Murder is sublime to the crooked murderer.

My Madness Begins: Chapter 20

I was watching Frankenstein as usual when he acted quite stupidly. As soon as he caught sight of me, he destroyed the creation before him. I entered the room and questioned him about his disobedience. I asked him why he destroyed his creation and he told me that he would "never create another like [myself]" (Shelley 123). I was furious so I threatened him, but still he refused to abide by my warnings. I told him " I shall be with [him] on [his] wedding night" and I plan to be (Shelley 124). That stupid slave, how dare he not listen to me? If he refuses to help me to become happy, then why should he be happy? 

Waiting for Eve: Chapter 18

I'm waiting for my lady love. I wonder what she will be like as a person, or rather a monster. Will she love me the way that I desire or will she rebuke me the way that man had decided I deserve?  I wonder if she will prefer the beauty of man to my course features. Will she be like me in any way or will she be stronger and much more deceptive? I wonder as I wait.  I follow victor around because I fear that he is not going to hold his promise. I threatened him with the destruction of everyone he holds near but does he have the nerves to still decide against his promise? I follow him around in the bushes and the trees to make sure that he knows of his very important promise and the consequences of my wishes not being completed. I can't wait for my lady love.

My Eve: Chapter 17

I told master that I wanted a mate. I told him that "[he] must create a female for me"(Shelley 106). I spent some time explaining it to him and at first he refused. He was afraid that with two creatures as me, human race would be under great devastation. I took some time to assure him that if he granted my wishes, then I would flee with her to some uninhabited place and leave the human race alone. After a few moments he agreed. He said, after some treats on my behalf, that he would begin to build me a woman. I was very happy when he changed his mind. Even though I live an unhappy existence it glorified my heart that I would soon have someone to call my own. She will love me in a way that mankind would never, and together we will live happily ever after.

I killed William: Chapter 16

I told master of how I killed the child. As the child cursed me "I grasped his throat to silence him" and as soon as my hands reached his throat, he was dead at my feet (Shelley 104). I told him how happy I was to see him dead. He was my first victim and I laughed in the glory of my conquest. The child rebuked me. As a child I thought that he wouldn't be consumed by the love of beauty but I was wrong. I also told him about the young lady I met in the barn. I told him how I put the picture in her pocket. I watched him as the fury burned in his eyes. After my story, he again rebuked me. I thought that he accepted me, but now he hated me. I know I killed his brother and caused his much pain, but how can a human mind be so ever changing.

My encounter with the cottagers: Chapter 15

            On day while Felix, Safie and Agatha were in town and the father was alone, I went to meet him. I thought that since the man was blind, my exterior wouldn't terrify him.  I entered and he greeted me. This was the day I have waited for. He didn't run or scream as I neared. This elated me; it made me so very happy. As we further spoke he reassured my grief and unhappiness by telling me that "to be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate; but the heart of man, when unprejudiced by and obvious self-interest" are full of love and charity (Shelley 96).
            We were getting along just fine, and then I panicked. I heard the children arriving home and I reacted quite badly. I "[seized] the hand of the old man" and begged him to protect me (Shelley 97). He clenched away from me in fear like all humans do and at that moment I knew all hope had been lost. At that moment, Felix entered and at the moment he saw me by his father, he lunged at me and beat me mercilessly. I could have torn him inch from inch but I didn't. I let him beat me; there was no use of killing him. I quitted the cottage and escaped to my hovel in despair.

My speaking abilities: Chapter 13

I used my friends to help learn how to talk. As they taught their visitor, Safie, i also learned as she learned. I was s o proud of myself because I learned faster and understood more than the "Arabian, who understood very little" (Shelley 85).  While I improved in speech, I also "learned the science of letters " (Shelley 85). I can't wait to introduce myself to them, I'm sure that if i learned to speak and talk like them, they won't rebuke me the way that the villagers did earlier. I'm really looking forward to being a part of their family soon. I also listen to narrations that Felix reads to Safie. These stories inspire me. They make me think and sometimes I compare myself to the men that I hear about. I wondered about laws and punishments and why they were necessary in a world of man. I wondered how one man can kill and the other can give life. I can't wait to learn more from my friends.

Frankenstein: Chapter 10

My Thoughts: The Monster

I tried to talk to my creator today. When we first started talking, he called me many cruel names. He called me monster, devil, and a creature from hell. Even though all I wanted to do was talk to him; he told me that "the tortures of hell are too mild a vengeance for [my] crimes" (Shelley 69). I reminded him that he created me to be more powerful than man, and that fighting me would only bring forth his own doom. Still he continued with his hatred of me. Once, he even lunged at me. I eluded him easily and told him to calm himself down. I asked him to "hear me, before [he] give event to [his] hatred on my devoted head" (Shelley 69). Towards the end of our conversation I convinced him to follow me and hear me out.

Frankenstein 2: Chapter 11

My Thoughts: The Monster 2


I spent most of the time telling him my story. I told him about the first night that I woke. I told him about the chill I felt as i rose in loneliness. I told him about how feeling this was was instinctive, "finding myself so desolate" (Shelley 72). He listened as I told him about the people I watched in order to learn. Their names were Agatha, Felix, and Father. I told him how I watched them daily and delighted them by leaving a big pill of wood in front of their door so Felix wouldn't have to go into the woods to get them. I wondered about these people. My thoughts had become more active and I "longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures" (Shelley 81). I wanted to be part of their family. Although at times they seemed sad and unhappy, their family seemed to be enough to make me happy. I helped them, one day they I would be accepted by them.