Endurance of the Arthurian Legend.

The legend of King Arthur has lived through many, many generations. It has great characters, wonderful adventures, and perfect displays of chivalry. It shows all the great aspects of a medieval romance. One character, Sir Launcelot, is a great example of a knight who displays chivalry. "Of all the knights one was supreme, both in prowess at arms and in nobility of bearing, and this was Sir Launcelot, who was also the favorite of Queen Gwynevere, to whom he had sworn oaths of fidelity," (Sir Launcelot du Lake, 118). The great characters in this legend is the reason it has lived on for so long.
In "The Sword in the Stone", by T.H. White, a great tale is told. This tells the tale of Wart, soon to be King Arthur, and his quest to become the king. It is a perfect tale of the underdog becoming the victor and that is what an audience loves to see. "I shall crave the privilege of being the very first of your subjects to address you with it-as my dear liege lord, King Arthur,"(White, 209). This is when Merlin is addressing Wart as King Arthur for the first time. This is a very epic moment and is the beginning of King Arthur's reign.
Although the legend of King Arthur is a very serious, epic tale, there is also a humorous approach to it. Monty Python and the Holy Grail takes a parody approach to the legend of King Arthur. Satire is used to make the characters in the tale seem foolish and not worthy of being knights. This movie is quite popular and although it may make fun at some of the characters, it is quite humorous. When the knights are in battle they run away from their opponents and act like cowards, "CHARGE! RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY," (Holy Grail). This comic approach to the tale helps attract a different audience, therefore making the legend well-known to everyone!

Medieval Romance!

I think these tales of chivalry and romance are very romantic. These men will stop at nothing to have the woman of their dreams and I think that is a great thing. They will complete all the tasks handed to them and they always come out on top. Even if they are doubted, they still will chase after the woman they're wishing for. "She is certainly as beautiful as one could wish, and if indeed you are set on making her your queen, I suppose that you must do so, although many more as beautiful, and more happily destined, could be found," (Le Monte D'Arthur, 57). I love this quote because it is explaining how much Arthur wants to be with Gwynevere but it would be extremely hard for him to be with her. Merlin suggests Arthur to find another woman but Arthur knows that she is the only one he wants, no matter what it takes. This is what true love really is!

Beowulf and Fame.

I do not think Beowulf is selfish in his quest for fame. If he is willing to go where no man is brave enough to go then he deserves the rewards and the fame. He is braver then any man will be and he should be rewarded and he should love the fame. "For the glory of his name; fame after death is the noblest of goals," (67). This is one quote that shows how much Beowulf strides for fame. It is almost a life or death goal that he is trying to achieve. I like that Beowulf is striding for this goal and if he continues to be the man he is being and helping the people in this city then he deserves this fame. "But Beowulf longed only for fame, leaped back into battle," (71). This is another quote that shows even when Beowulf might seem like he has been knocked down he will always get back up and rise to fame. I commend Beowulf for his great efforts and he is famous in my eye.

The Fifth Child Cover

The cover I chose was the second cover down. I've always enjoyed covers for books because you might not notice it at first but there might be something that is being hidden in the picture. In this photo there are many hidden images. The way the shadow is being portrayed, it makes it look like the eyes and mouth of an evil face. Also, the figure in the front looks like it is Ben crouching down with his fingers on the floor. Ben is made to look like he is a monster because of his enormous size. This picture seems to me that Ben is dominating this room and he seems to be taking over. This is just like how Ben is whenever he is around the family and basically throughout the whole story. He is also alone in this cover, just like he is exiled from the other children. Unfortunately I do not have my book with me so I could not include a quote but I know my wondeful teacher Mrs. White is the best and might let me slide :)!

Schildt Article

In Christopher Schildt's article he makes a very valid point when explaining Mary Shelley's reasoning behind Frankenstein. Mary Shelley has had a very depressing childhood and has lived with death her entire life. It has surrounded her since the moment she was born and these events definitely could have influenced her when she was writing this story. Since death has surrounded her throughout her life, she wanted to be able to create life instead of taking it away. "...suffering and loss and pain, the feeling of being ostracized- that I think she knew very well," (Schildt). This quote from Schildt's article describes why Mary Shelley would write Frankenstein the way she did.
I believe that Mary Shelley used some of her personal experiences to write Frankenstein but I also believe that this wasn't her only motive. There were probably many other reasons for the creation of this truly horrific story and not depending entirely on her personal life. Some writers let their personal life affect the way they write their stories or what their stories may be about and I believe Mary Shelley does do this to an extent in Frankenstein. Mary Shelley might have some anger inside of her that she felt was easy to express in this book. "There's a bit of the creature in all of us," (Schildt).

Frankenstein Reaction

Frankenstein was not the story that I thought of it to be. It is scary, surprising, and emotional. I thought this story would be a boring horror novel but it was not that at all. Frankenstein made me feel upset for an 8 foot tall hideous creation. The struggles that this creature goes through is truly upset and Mary Shelley does a great job at making the reader feel the pain for this creature. I also like how Victor's emotions and well-being is so strongly influenced by the creature's emotions and actions. Since he has put so much time into creating this creature, he feels that the creature needs to be doing well and not causing trouble in order for him to be happy.
"I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me," (Shelley 133). I like this quote from the creature because it really shows how mature he has become since he was created. All he wants is a companion to spend his life with and someone who won't judge him for his looks. Frankenstein is much more then one of the first horror novels to become famous. It tells a great story of acceptance and has really made me very happy to have read it.