Genius | Song Lyrics & Knowledge

The wind, which had fallen in the south, now rose with great violence in the west. The moon had reached her summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend; the clouds swept across it swifter than the flight of the vulture and dimmed her rays, while the lake reflected the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves that were beginning to rise. Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended. Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Chap. 23)

Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

It would be crazy not to expect the wretch to appear soon.

The moon has often been associated with the wretch, as it was during the wretch’s creation in chapter 4:

and the moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding-places.

And storms, of course. Here’s one from chapter 5, again near the wretch’s creation:

It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Look also at the innumerable fish that are swimming in the clear waters, where we can distinguish every pebble that lies at the bottom. What a divine day! How happy and serene all nature appears! Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Chap. 22)

Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Elizabeth is appreciating the creatures of the sea– directly evocative of “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”.

Within the shadow of the ship
I watched their rich attire:
Blue, glossy green, and velvet black,
They coiled and swam; and every track
Was a flash of golden fire.
O happy living things! no tongue
Their beauty might declare:

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Memory brought madness with it, and when I thought of what had passed, a real insanity possessed me; Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Chap. 22)

Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

We wondered about Frankenstein’s sanity earlier…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkT5dVJsnYk
Apparently he is indeed going slightly mad.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Marked this as missing something ?

3 years

show Mary Shelley was influenced by Shakespeare this seem very familiar to Macbeth.

Upvote +0 Downvote

Show all improvement suggestions

Sweet and beloved Elizabeth! I read and reread her letter, and some softened feelings stole into my heart and dared to whisper paradisiacal dreams of love and joy; but the apple was already eaten, and the angel's arm bared to drive me from all hope. Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Chap. 22)

Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

This is an allusion to Genesis.

Adam and Eve were cast out of Genesis by an angel after eating from the tree.

So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Marked this as missing something ?

3 years

but the apple was already eaten refers to the deed being done in this case the creation of the monster and his destruction

Upvote +1 Downvote

Show all improvement suggestions

I avoided explanation and maintained a continual silence concerning the wretch I had created. I had a persuasion that I should be supposed mad, and this in itself would forever have chained my tongue. Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Chap. 22)

Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

This is evocative of Hamlet:

I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is
Southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Both Frankenstein and Hamlet attempt to solve their problems to some extent by feigning madness, and in both cases the reader wonders whether or not the character is actually mad.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

I abhorred the face of man. Oh, not abhorred! They were my brethren, my fellow beings, and I felt attracted even to the most repulsive among them, as to creatures of an angelic nature and celestial mechanism. Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Chap. 22)

Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Frankenstein feels a connection to his fellow creatures. He is in a catch-22, for he neither can create another creature in order to satiate the wretch, nor can he dismiss the wretch because he knows the solace to be found in fellow creatures.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse