lit. bryt. ćwiczenia

FRANKENSTEIN (Mary Shelley, 1818)

2/235 General atmosphere

The atmosphere at the very beginning was just depressing but after a short moment it become more unsettling and scary. We can describe the atmosphere as that of disgust, horror, anxiety and emotional pain. Frankenstein regrets having created the creature.

3/235 Words refering to atmoshere and their effect

Life: breathed, life, infusing life into, created, in the bloom of health, given life, animation, motion, Death: lifeless, burned out, shrivelled, black lips, inanimate, deprived, vanished, breathless, hue of death, corpse, shroud, grave-worms, mortal, mummy, Body: yellow eye, limbs, yellow skin, muscles, arteries, hair, teeth, complexion, lips, body, jaws, hand, cheeks, joints

Using so many words gave us a very detailed picture of was was happening there and how monstrous the creature was. Reading that passage was pretty hard for me, because I hate horror, I am easy to scare. I also think that using words both connected to Life and Death was supposed to show us that its unnatural. There is something that should never happen. In normal word order there is either life OR death but not both. It seems that the cumulative effect is a demonstration of how ghastly and horrific death is..

4/235 adverbs/adjectives relating to visual nature of horror

convulsive, infinite pains, horrid, shrivelled, black, breathless, lassitude, wildest, livid, with horror, cold dew, dim and yellow light, miserable, inarticulate, daemonical, miserably, hideous, unfinished, ugly

1/238 Why is the creature so bitter

I think he is disappointed in humankind. He just wanted love and friendship. He tried, he asked for it repeatedly, and he was denied it. After trying and after taking part in all of those crimes, he decided to give up and die. After a while in his shoes, everybody would be bitter.

3/238 Parallel with social injustice and suffering

The first thing that came up to my mind was injustice towards disabled and mentally ill people. I think that nowadays this is not as problematic issue as it used to be, but still. They are discriminated at some descent.

5/238 Sth noble about creature’s single-mindedness and perservance

I’ve found this question very difficult and I don’t really know what to say… I would rather call Victor a single-minded person, due to his unstoppable urge to create a monster, despite all of the expected consequences. Creature seems to be rather peaceful, he is ready to die, after leading a very sad and violent life. Maybe we could call him noble because of the way he went through and his character development. He overcome many, many difficulties and became very self- aware in a good way.

6/238 What happiness does creature expect to find

“Light, feeling and sense will pass away; in this condition must I find my happiness.” He is expecting to find some sort of soothing emptiness. Yes, the creature expects that death will bring him relief. He hopes that his pain will disappear when he dies.

7/238 Why was Doctor’s death necessary?

I think he had to die, because he wasn’t able to learn from his own mistakes. He repeated them again and again and that leads to his death. Also, the death of Frankenstein means that no one will ever create a similar monster.

8/238 What is appropriate about the natural setting of final scene?

The scene is set in the middle of arctic ocean. After a little research I agree that it was supposed to show that “not everything in nature is safe for humans to discover or experience” which is a reference to Frankenstein’s actions. It also seems that there is a suggestion that the monster will return to the earth (he will be lifeless again). Additionally, he will separate himself from people, who were hostile towards him.

T.S. ELIOT (The love song of J.Alfred Prufrock, 1915)

Why is Count Guido da Montefeltro willing to talk to Dante in the quote which begins this poem?

Count Guido thinks that it is impossible for Dante to go back to the world and repeat Guido’s words.

The quote comes from the Inferno of Dante's Divine Comedy, a story about journey to Hell. I guess it gives us the idea about a man who says that. He must feel like is he living in Hell. I am not sure why is he saying it. I was trying to understand but the only idea I have is that since Count is already condemned, he has nothing to lose and he can speak about his wrongdoings freely. He has lost already anyway.

Is Prufrock alone?

Because Prufrock says ‘Let us go then, you and I’, we can assume that he is not alone. It is an open question whether he is speaking to the reader or to another person.

I am not sure. I've noticed that he is trying to connect to the reader ("let us go then, you and I", "let us go and make our visit") like we are with him. On the other hand he may be talking to himslef, or his alter-ego or someone else. He also mentioned some women talking about Michelangelo, but I don't know he is just imagining them or he actually is in the room with them.

Where does it seem that the poem takes place? In the country? In the city? Elsewhere?

It seems that the poem takes place in a city (the references to streets, restaurants, hotels, chimneys, smoke).

He mentioned streets, restaurants and hotels so my guess is that action takes place in a city. It may be a small town, because hotels are cheap and streets deserted.

Is Prufrock an impatient man?

I don't think so. He is often repeating a phrase "there will be time" and similar ones, like he doesn't have to rush.

Does Prufrock tell us what the ‘overwhelming question‘ is?

Prufrock does not reveal what the ‘overwhelming question’ is. It is uncertain what he means by that.

How old does Prufrock seem to be, more or less?

Well, it is said that he is growing bald so maybe something about 40 years old? It is for sure a (past)middle-aged man.

Does Prufrock see himself as an important man?

He repeats ‘how should I presume?’ and ‘do I dare’, which suggests that he is rather self-effacing.

I don't think so. He is very insecure, he is afraid what other people think about him. He even says that he pictures himself as an insect on a pin in social situations. In my opinion he would be braver and more confident if he actualy believed that he is someone important.

Why doesn't Prufrock reveal to the world his ‘overwhelming question’ like Lazarus?

He is extremely indecisive, because he is afraid of a negetive answer. He is analyzing and overthinking if risking is actually a good choice. And in the end he decided that it is not worth it. That it would destoyed him, if he heard negative response.

How does Prufrock describe himself?

He is thin and has a bald spot; he is well dressed.

Well, he doesn't see himself as someone handsome. He rather describes himself as old, thin and balding man that no younger woman would love. He isn't satisfied with himself in both visual and personality aspects. He knows he is afraid of what other people think about him. He is worried constantly.

What ‘daring’ things is Prufrock undecided about?

It seems that he has some problem with life in general. For instance, he mentions that he has to ‘prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet’ and has ‘a hundred indecisions’ and ‘a hundred visions and revisions’.

He doesn't want to "disturb the universe". Maybe it is about breaking the pattern of his behavior. He is unsure about every single one of his actions. He wonders if he should do and say things. What is going to happen if he will do it. He isn't even sure if mermaids would sing to him.

Much in the tradition of John Donne, Eliot adopts some incredible metaphors and metaphoric language to describe different things. This metaphors instead of giving us a clearer idea of the thing described seem to give us more an idea of the emotions they excite in Prufrock. (For example, how could a sky resemble a patient etherized upon a table? Certainly, the emotional content is very striking.)

Find the metaphors or metaphoric language Prufrock uses to describe:

a) the evening; b) the streets; c) the telling of his life story; d) the afternoon and the evening; e) how the world has judged him.

a) the evening – ‘spread out […] [l]ike a patient etherized upon a table’

b) the streets – ‘a tedious argument’

c) the telling of his life story – disturbing the universe

d) the afternoon and the evening – yellow smoke that is similar to a cat that is rubbing its back against the window panes, curling up and then falling asleep.

e) how the world has judged him – here we can mention the remark concerning his arms and legs, and the image of a crab at the end of the poem. It is not certain whether these images have been created by Prufrock or by other people.

ELIOT: The wasteland (1922) The burial of the Dead

a) What aspects of spring does Eliot isolate as being ‘cruel’?

b) Why might these images of life be undesirable?

a) Spring causes that old memories are brought to life again.

b) They may be undesirable because they are painful.

How does Eliot‘s description of winter contradict traditional views? Why might it be better to ‘forget’?

The contradiction is connected with the words ‘Winter kept us warm’. The memories are painful and the snow, which is ‘forgetful’, covers them up.

He describes winter as something that keeps us safe and warm. Winter is forgetful and I can only assum that this is about fresh snow covering traces. Sometimes it is better to forget, because living your past may not be healthy. Overanalyzing your actions and regrets over and over is not always good for you.

Go through the poem marking the points where you consider there has been an abrupt transition. (The first might be at line 8.)

For instance, check lines 13, 35, 44 and 53.

Match the following allusions to lines in the poem:

a) My Past: a volume of recollections by Countess Marie Larisch, related to the mad King Ludwig of Bavaria. Eliot once met the Countess at the Starnbergersee, a lake near Munich.

b) The Book of Job, chapter 8:

‘He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.’

c) Ezekiel 6:6

‘In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down and your works may be abolished.’

d) Donne Devotions (I624) ‘Meditation 4’

‘consumes himself to a handful of dust’.

e) Sailor‘s song from Tristan und Isolde:

Translation: ‘The wind blows fresh to the homeland. My Irish child, where do you wait? Waste and empty the sea.’

a) lines 8-17

b) lines 19-20

c) lines 21-23

d) line 30

e) lines 31-34

How does communication between the two figures break down in this section?

Communication between the two breaks down because of the inability to speak (lines 38-39).

Emily Bronte(Ellis Bell) (Wuthering Heights, 1847)

Text 1: Lockwood’s Dream (pp. 460-463)

In this extract the ‘wuthering’ nature of the environment is particularly evident. Give the words referring to stormy weather. What impression does this create?

The words referring to stormy weather: ‘gusty wind’, ‘the driving of the snow’, the fir bough knocking against the window (lines 2-3), ‘the snow and wind whirl[ing] wildly’ (lines 138-139). This weather perfectly serves as a terrifying background for Lockwood’s nightmare.

At this point in the story, the flashback to the time of Heathcliff and Catherine has not yet occurred. What can you deduce about their relationship from the passage?

We can assume that their relationship was close and strong.

Comment on Emily Brontë’s psychological insight into the nature of passion. How does she convey this to the reader?

In this passage, there are several examples of Heathcliff’s passionate behaviour: he ‘[strikes] his forehead with rage’ (98), ‘thunders’ ‘with savage vehemence’ (95-96), ‘wrenche[s] open the lattice’ (134), ‘suppress[es] a groan’ (114), ‘bursts’ ‘into an uncontrollable passion of tears’ (134-135), ‘struggle[s] to vanquish an excess of violent emotion’ (107-108). He behaves almost like an animal.

Text 2: Cathy’s Dream of Heaven (pp. 464-466)

What is your opinion on Catherine’s reasons for marrying Edgar Linton?

Catherine's reasons to marry Edgar makes me sad actually. She says that Heathcliff (who she loves dearly) is too por and low born to be her husband. I think the times were different back then and these things were actually important. Today your social and financial status is not that crucial. So I kind of understand her. But it is still sad. Sad that she had to choose it. Also, I can't stop thinking about future marriage of Catherine and Edgar. Was it happy even though she loved another man. What did Edgar feel?

Text 3: Heathcliff’s Death (pp. 467-469)

What are the parallels with Lockwood’s nightmare?

Both scenes are set in the same place. In both cases the weather is nasty and ‘breaks’ into the house.

Text 3: Heathcliff’s Death (pp. 467-469)

Explain the symbolic significance of the final scene in the churchyard.

Catherine and Heathcliff are together and it seems that it is peaceful now.

The ending of a novel israther peaceful. Heathcliff and Catherince united after all, not the way they wanted, but still - they are together at the cementary.

I was trying to find any symbolism but I am not good at it. The only thing I can think of is that the death of Heathcliff might symbolize that the evil is gone too. Since the house is empty now, there story got its ending.

Charles Dickens (Great Expectations, 1860-1861)

Read Chapter I of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Answer the following questions.

How did Pip get his name?

In his early years, when speaking, the boy put together his name, Philip, and his surname, Pirrip. The new version (Pip) was easier for him to pronounce.

What details are we given about his family?

Both his mother and his father are dead. His five brothers died as well. Now he lives with his sister and her husband, who is a blacksmith.

- his parents are dead (Phillip and Georgiana), there are descriptions of them but only from imagination,

- his five little brothers are dead (Alexander, Bartholomew, Abraham, Tobias, and Roger)

- his sister married a blacksmith named Joe Gargery

What childish impression does he have of his dead relations?

Pip’s idea what his relations were like comes from their tombstones. On the basis of ‘[t]he shape of the letters on [his] father’s’ gravestone and the inscription on his mother’s, the boy believes that his father was ‘a square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair’, whereas his mother was ‘freckled and sickly’.

His brothers’ gravestones make Pip believe that ‘they had all been born on their backs with their hands in their trousers-pockets’.

The description of the setting is quite frightening on its own. What are the salient characteristics of the area?

It is very cold. The surroundings are gloomy and rather dreary.

The churchyard is located near the river. The action is set near the evening, so I can imagine that the sky is getting dark and maybe there is even a fog coming from the river. There is "dark flat wilderness beyond", "distant savage lair from which the wind was rushing was the sea" and at the end of that paragraph there is a mention of Pip being very scared of these surroundings.

How does Dickens build up a picture of the child’s terror of the convict? Which are the most frightening details?

The convict is aggressive and threatening. He uses his physical force and turns Pip upside down. He threatens to cut the boy’s throat and to kill him. He says that Pip’s ‘heart and […] liver shall be [torn] out, roasted and ate’.

Well, first we have an image of Pip being alone at the scary cementary in front of his parents' grave. And then, suddenly, there's that terrible voice theating him to cut his throat. Whole description of a man is frightful. And later, the dialog between the characters is scary too. It is easy to feel it all like I am right there, watching it from behind a tree.

Read Chapter XXXIX of Great Expectations and do the following exercise. Your answers in the form of points will do.

Compare Chapter I and Chapter XXXIX. What similarities and differences between the situations described in the two chapters do you notice? Consider, for instance, the following issues:

- setting

- the characters’ behaviour

- the characters’ feelings towards each other

- the current situation of each character

There are both similarities and differences between the two situations. When it comes to the setting, in both scenes it is cold, and the weather is unfriendly. In both situations, the characters are alone, and it is important for them to keep their contact secret. In both cases it is Magwitch who enters Pip’s world. In both scenes, Magwitch seems to be stronger than Pip, but strangely enough, it is Magwitch who eats (and in the second passage drinks) what Pip gives him. In the first passage, Pip is frightened, whereas in the second, his main feeling towards Magwitch is ‘abhorrence’. In some respects, both characters are now in completely different situations. Magwitch is rich, successful, free (to some extent) and.. much more polite, and Pip is mature, well-read and well-dressed. This is a very good question, however, whether their positions are really different from those described in the first chapter..

And the last question – who is the giver and who is the receiver? What do you think?

+ Pip is somewhere near the river at the moment,

+ the weather

+ he is alone again,

+ two characters meets: Pip and Magwitch

+ Magwitch asks Pip about a favor, let's say. In chapter 1 its's food, in the otehr - a place to sleep

- Pip's sister is dead,

- Magwitch isn't so terryfying anymore, moreover he acts friendly towards Pip. He welcomes him with his arms open. He is dressed nicely,

- Pip isn't scared anymore, also I feel like the way he tells the story changed. Senteces he creates are different, more complex,

- Magwitch has a job now, he is a farmer in a New World

- many years has passed between these two chapters and Pip has a lot more things to think of. He analyzes, notices his mistakes, real motives of other people

Read Chapter LVI.

Do you notice any changes in the narrator’s attitude towards Magwitch? What are they?

The narrator’s attitude towards Magwitch has changed radically. Pip is now much more sensitive to Magwitch’s suffering. He is compassionate, attentive and helpful. Pip’s descriptions of Magwitch’s situation and condition are highly detailed. Interestingly, the motif that frequently recurs is Pip and Magwitch’s close physical contact (‘I again stood outside it at the corner with his hand in mine’, ‘[…] and he held my hand’, ‘I pressed his hand in silence’, ‘he raised my hand to his lips’). It is a strikingly different situation to that from the previous passage, in which only Magwitch initiated some kind of physical interaction (Magwitch ‘held out both his hands’ […] I reluctantly gave him my hands. He grasped them heartily […]’ - Chapter 39). In fact, the two have developed a father-son relationship.

I think that it may have something to do with (as you say) Pip's personality and/or, I would call it, his 'mode of reporting'. As the narrator, Pip wants to provide many details concerning the reality of the prison/trial/infirmary/death sentence. Maybe because of that he sometimes appears to be a bit detached or distant. But this issue is open and defnitely worth exploring.

Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice, 1813)

How would you describe the meaning of the opening two sentences? Comment on the tone of the narration in these sentences.

The meaning of the opening two sentences is that a young wealthy man is perceived as somebody who is in need of a wife, regardless of whether it is true or not. This opinion is held by other people (i.e. by the families with the daughters who are in need of a husband).

These sentences are ironic in tone.

In my opinion it means that every neighbor will expect a new, wealthy, single man to marry one of their daughters. Like it is a law. They want it so bad, that they can’t think about this man as a person who decides about himself.

I think the beginning of the novel is funny, I already like Jane Austen’s sense of humor. It is a great introduction for this story. We can get an idea of what it is about.

What is the difference between the reactions of Mrs Bennet and Mr Bennet to the arrival of Mr Bingley in the neighbourhood?

Mrs Bennet is very excited. She clearly loves gossips and romances. The first thing she thought about Mr Bingle is that he should Marry one of her daughter.

Mr Bennet is much more reserved. He says that "Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.” Which means he has a romantic sould too, but in a bit different way than his wife. He treats Mr Bingley as person, who will choose a wife (or not) himself.

What is Mrs Bennet’s attitude to her daughters and marriage?

The reader can have an impression that the daughters are in a way objectified. It is Mrs Bennet’s focus to marry them off.

What personality traits do the characters display? Identify at least one trait for each character.

(In this point, I’m referring only to Chapter 2)

Elizabeth – quick in replying, down-to-earth

Mary – not as quick as Elizabeth, well-read (not a personality trait, but worth noting)

Lydia – self-assured, conceited

Mrs Bennet – hysterical, superficial, cocky, rather domineering

Mr Bennet – has a sense of humour (sarcastic at times), witty, a bit unpredictableMrs Bennet - emotional, temperamental

Mr Benner - reserved, patient

Mary - quiet, intelligent (she reads a lot, as her father said)

Lydia - confident,

Kitty - she seems to be a bit ironic here: “I do not cough for my own amusement,”

Elizabeth - I don't know what to say about her for now... The seems to be calm, rather quiet but able to speak without question asked

What kind of oppositions do you observe in Chapter 3?

The basic opposition is that between Mr Bingley’s and Mr Darcy’s personalities.

(Mr Bingley – ‘a pleasant countenance’, easy-going, ‘easy, unaffected manners’, ‘lively and unreserved’, sociable; Mr Darcy – ‘a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance’, ‘proud’, ‘above his company, and above being pleased’, ‘speaking occasionally’, ‘fastidious’)

Other oppositions can be found between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth and between Mr and Mrs Bennet.

Mr Bingley looking like gentleman with great manners - his brother-in-law Mr. Hurst looks nothing like gentleman

Mr Bingley is very communicative person, he is talking with everyone and dancing - Mr Darcy danced only once, he seems to be very reserved and proud

Identify the themes that are touched upon in Chapters 1-4.

The themes that are touched upon in Chapters 1-4 are as follows: marriage, money, family, age, pride, class, marital relationship, also parenthood and friendship.

- marriage

- family

- love

- friendship

- wealth

Identify Elizabeth’s and Mr Darcy’s feelings they express and/or experience in Chapter 34.

Elizabeth – surprised, confused, compassionate, feels resentment, angry, offended, insulted, agitated;

Mr Darcy – satisfied, proud, superior, hopeful, self-assured, surprised, angry, disturbed, incredulous, upset, hurt, humiliated, rejected.

Elizabeth seems to hate Mr Darcy, she is upset and mad with his actions and his attitude. She claims that she would never marry him. But after all she said to him, expained why he despides him, she cries... So maybe her subconscious has different feelings towards Mr Darcy.

Mr Darcy is surprised when she declined his offer. He was sure that she would agree but why? He admitted that he have done everything Elizabeth said he did. And yet he is surprised she said no? But in the end he acted like a gentleman, he wished her best and left.

Joseph Conrad “(Heart of Darkness”, 1899)

What is so special about Marlow as a seaman? How does he differ from other seamen?

Marlow is both a seaman and a ‘wanderer’. He is not one of those seamen whose ‘minds are of the stay-at-home order’. We can assume that he is not ignorant; he is rather curious. The thing that he shares with other seamen is ‘his propensity to spin yarns’. For him, however, the meaning is hidden ‘outside’, not ‘inside’.

"He was the only man of us who still “followed the sea.”"

He is a wanderer and adventurer, he seeks to discover new places and doesn't have a home that he would constalny think about like other seamen. He is interested in other cultures.

Can you find one specific motif that recurs throughout the passage? What is it?

The motif that recurs throughout the passage is ‘gloom’: ‘a mournful gloom, brooding motionless’, ‘the brooding gloom’, ‘the gloom to the west, brooding […]’, ‘that gloom brooding over […]’, ‘a brooding gloom in sunshine’.

Can you find any link between this recurring motif and some other motif or thing, something that is inseparably connected with the novella?

What is Marlow’s general definition of imperialism?

According to Marlow, imperialism is ‘[t]he conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves’.

Marlow's opinion on imperaizlism is very negative. He believes that taking away a land from its true owners isn't right. There is the fragment of Marlow's speech down below

"They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force—nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind—as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness. The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea—something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to.…”

In Marlow’s view, what can redeem imperialism?

In Marlow’s opinion, the thing that redeems imperialism is ‘the idea only’ – ‘not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea’. It is possible to understand this idea as civilizing the world.

"What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea—something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to...”

Wordsworth:

English romantic poet, nature poet

Together Wordsworth and Coleridge (with insights from Dorothy) produced Lyrical Ballads (1798)

Wordsworth's most famous work, The Prelude (Edward Moxon, 1850),

He held a firm faith that nature could enlighten the kindheartedness and universal brotherhood of human being, and only existing in harmony with nature where man could get true happiness.

The main idea of "Prelude" is that as we grow older we grow more sophisticated in our views about the world. This poem is autobiographical, and was intended to be Wordsworth's views on life when he was younger and the changes in his views as he got older.