Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Percy Shelley reference (Frankenstein)


"We rest; A dream has power to poison sleep. We rise; One wandering thought pollutes the day. We feel, conceive or reason, laugh or weep, Embrace fond foe, or cast our cares away; It is the same: For, be it joy or sorrow, The path of its departure still is free. Man's yesterday may ne'er be like his morrow; Nought may endure but Mutability!" (71)

Mary Shelley makes a reference to the poem Mutability by Percy Shelley. Rumour has it that part of the reason this poem is included in the novel was to sort of advertise it. Percy Shelley's work was not doing well at this time, and Mary Shelley thought the reference may help out his works. However, I believe the fragment of the poem was for more than advertisement piece. The poem talks about how fast life goes by and how it is ever changing. Throughout Frankenstein there are many changes within Victor as well as his creature, as well as many events along a normal life journey.

"Mutability Analysis Percy Bysshe Shelley : Summary Explanation Meaning Overview Essay Writing Critique Peer Review Literary Criticism Synopsis Online Education." Writing Workshop, or something. Web. 07 Sept. 2009. http://www.eliteskills.com/analysis_poetry/Mutability_by_Percy_Bysshe_Shelley_analysis.php.

1 comment:

  1. strong -- very strong -- connects the poem to the novel and a bigger sense of purpose to Shelley's choice

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