Buddhism

“Marlow sat crossed-legged right aft…resembled an idol.” (pg. 4)

Conrad uses the iconic figure of the Buddha to describe Marlow not only because of his physical resemblance, but because Marlow has an inclination to tell stories of his past much like the Buddha does through his spiritual teachings. Buddhism is based on the teachings of its founder, Siddhartha Gautama. Gautama, who became enlightened after years of suffering, passed on his knowledge much like Marlow does when recounting his journey into the Congo. Conrad furthers the parallelism between Marlow and the Buddha when describing Kurtz. Marlow is essentially enlightened through his observation of Kurtz’s suffering (due to his attachment to ivory) which is similar to Gautama’s enlightenment after his years of suffering.

"What Is - An Introduction to Buddhism for Beginners." Buddhism. Web. 11 Aug. 2009. http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhistteachings/a/basicshub.htm

Photo Credit: Siddhartha Gautama. Digital image. Web. 11 Aug. 2009. http://ttsworld.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/buddha.jpg

Gravesend

“The air was dark above Gravesend..." (pg. 3)

Gravesend is a town located on the southern bank of the River Thames in the English county of Kent. Due to its orientation along the highly trafficked river and its existence dating as far back as 1086, Gravesend has become historically renowned as a shipping port. For centuries it was a center for tourism and commerce as seafaring travelers made their way east from London. Conrad references this town probably because of its foreboding sounding name. If broken into two parts, grave-send, the town becomes a foreshadowing device saying that those who travel to the Congo are journeying toward their graves.

"History Of Gravesend." Kent Business Directory - Free Business Listings. Web. 11 Aug. 2009. http://www.kentfind.co.uk/about/gravesend/history.php

Photos Cited - Frankenstein

Adam and Eve. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/Adam&Eve.jpg

Albertus Magnus. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/images/geuu_02_img0253.jpg

The Ancient Mariner and the Albatross. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Ancient_mariner_statue.jpg/180px-Ancient_mariner_statue.jpg

Cato the Younger. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/G/C/h/2/Marcus_Porcius_Cato_Major.jpg

Chimera. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/archives/04-05/images/chimera.jpg

Cornelius Agrippa. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/images/geuu_02_img0266.jpg

The Garden of Eden. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.oilpaintingshop.com/janbrueghel/4.jpg

Homer. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/170830981_979827d318_m.jpg

The Hypocrites - Dante's Inferno. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://davelafferty.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/hypocrites.jpg

King Charles II. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2008/02/charles_ii_of_england.jpg

Lycurgus of Sparta. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Lycurgus.jpg

Numa Pompilius. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.crystalinks.com/numa.jpg

Pandemonium. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://roma.theoffside.com/files/2007/10/pandemonium2.JPG

Paracelsus. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://ar.utmb.edu/ar/Portals/5/images/blocker/Portraits/paracelsus.jpg

The Rhine River. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.castle-liebenstein.com/pictures/maps/rhine-valley-map400.jpg

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Satan. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-3/satan.jpg>.

Solon. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.schillerinstitute.org/graphics/photos/hist_other/Solon.jpg

Theseus. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/legends/greece/minotaur-theseus.jpg

William Shakespeare. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://william-shakespeare.classic-literature.co.uk/william-shakespeare.jpg

Works Cited - Frankenstein

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"Albatrosses, Albatross Pictures, Albatross Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/albatross.html

"Albertus Magnus - Crystalinks." Crystalinks Metaphysical and Science Website. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.crystalinks.com/mangus.html

"Amadis de Gaule: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.answers.com/topic/amadis-de-gaule

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"CE 397 Transboundary Water Resources." Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/mckinney/ce397/Topics/Rhine/Rhine.htm

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Lucifer, the Archangel

“…the archangel who aspired to omnipotence…chained in an eternal hell.” (pg. 261)

An archangel is a high ranking celestial being. In this quote, the archangel being alluded to is Lucifer who was exiled from Heaven after his uprising against God and sent to the depths of Hell. Although he was banished from Heaven, he “aspired to omnipotence,” or rose to power, as the ruler of the underworld. Since his fall, the former archangel has become more commonly referred to as Satan or the Devil. Shelley compares Frankenstein to Satan because both were formerly reputable men, but because both defied the natural state of being they were forced to live lives of misery.

"LUCIFER." JewishEncyclopedia.com. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=612&letter=L

Photo Credit: Satan. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-3/satan.jpg

Martyrdom

“…that haughty fierceness, which the martyrs of old are said to have possessed.” (pg. 248)

A martyr is a person who willingly suffers death as an alternative to renouncing his or her religious beliefs. Throughout history there have been numerous martyrs all testifying to a range of different religions. Martyrdom doesn’t necessarily have to be affiliated with religion, but can involve sacrifice for a certain cause. Some of the most recognizable martyrs in history include Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. Shelley classifies Frankenstein as a martyr after he changes his life around and devotes himself to the pursuit of the Creature.

"Martyr Definition." Dictionary.com. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/martyr

King Charles II

“The memory of that unfortunate king…” (pg. 195)

Charles II was the king of Great Britain and Ireland following his father’s, King Charles I, execution. He is referred to as the “unfortunate king” because of the struggles he encountered during his reign. He presided as king during the Restoration period when the British monarchies were reestablished following the failure of the English Commonwealth. His reign was also beset by conflicts between the Anglicans, Catholics, and nonconformists as well as the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London. The misfortunes of this king can be compared to those of Frankenstein; his intentions were of good nature, but they regrettably came at a price. Shelley references Charles II not only to make a comparison with Frankenstein, but also to add depth and realism to the story.

"Charles II (king of Great Britain and Ireland)." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/106788/Charles-II

"Charles II of England." Wikipedia. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_of_England#Great_Plague_and_Fire

Photo Credit: King Charles II. Digital image. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2008/02/charles_ii_of_england.jpg