Author Background: Mary Shelley

 Mary Shelley, born on August 30, 1797, into an intellectually charged

environment.
 Father: William Godwin, a prominent political writer and radical thinker.
 Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft, a woman who stands for women's rights
and political ideals.
 Exceptional childhood due to her parents' influential backgrounds.
Marriage to Percy Shelley:
 Married Percy Shelley in 1812, adopting his last name.
 Percy Shelley, a renowned poet and free thinker, engaged in scientific
experiments and held anarchist views.
 Percy had a reputation for naughty behavior, with multiple relationships
before marrying Mary in 1816.
 The couple eloped to the continent in July to avoid English societal
judgments and persecution for Percy's political views.
Family Life:
 Their first child died shortly after birth in 1815.
 Moved to Geneva in 1816, where they gave birth to a son named
William.
 Met Lord Byron, a significant poet known for his looks and numerous
relationships with women.
 The inspiration for "Frankenstein" came during a friendly competition to
create the scariest story after a night of storytelling in 1816.
 Completed "Frankenstein" in 1817 and gave birth to
a new daughter, Clara.
 Published "Frankenstein" in 1818 while staying in Italy.
 Birthed another son, Percy, who became the only surviving child of the
couple.
Tragedies and Legacy:
 In 1822, Percy Shelley died at a young age, causing shockwaves in
British society.
 Percy's untimely death, reportedly drowning in a lake during a storm, left
Mary a widow.
 Mary Shelley lived on Percy's legacy and passed away in 1851, she got
buried in South England.
 The book
Title: The Modern Prometheus.
Prometheus Myth Parallel:
 The narrative in "Frankenstein" refers to the ancient myth of Prometheus,
who, for stealing fire from the gods to benefit humans, faced a severe
punishment. Victor Frankenstein's creation of life reflects against the
natural order, leading to disastrous consequences.
 Prometheus, in Greek mythology, endured a lifetime punishment: being
bound while an eagle devoured his liver daily, only for it to regrow each
night. This myth serves as a thematic foundation for the consequences of
tampering with the natural order in "Frankenstein."
Maurice Hindle's Influence:
 Mary Shelley draws on the words of Maurice Hindle, one of the greatest
poets, to enrich her narrative. Hindle's question, "Why was I born?"
becomes a motif in "Frankenstein.”
Quotations as Introduction:
 Maurice Hindle's quotations used as the introduction subtitle of
"Frankenstein." This choice by Mary Shelley sets the tone for the novel,
inviting readers to join the broader philosophical questions surrounding
existence and the consequences of playing with the forces of creation.
 Questions on the James Whale film Frankenstein.
1. Political tensions with Germany so Frankenstein was not a good idea
2. Swiss location, the clothes and the village.
3. To entertain people in some kind of love story. Highlighting the contrast
between the celebration of life and the darker.
4. The operating table went to the roof and lightning hit the creature. In the
book he goes to a graveyard and takes body parts together with chemicals
and electricity.
5. He isn’t oriented and confused, it creates suspends.
6. The abandoned castle, rainy, dark= the Gothic setting makes the creature
scary.
7. He found someone he could bully because he gets bullied.
8. Frankenstein is unaware of the consequences and thinks it’s good,
playful.
9. Witch-hunts
10.It suggests some kind of link between Frankenstein and the Creature.
11.
12.Because the photos being projected by the machines create a still life
effect and make it look like a video.

Frankenstein and Romanticism + The

Gothic Novel Features -) See sheets

FRANKENSTEIN
Some Questions To Begin With...
1. Mary Shelley opens her novel with Walton’s letters to his sister to frame the
narrative, allows the reader to experience Victor Frankenstein’s tale through
Walton’s perspective. The letters also create a realistic effect to the story, so
people take her seriously.
2. Walton is hoping to discover the magnetism of the north pole.
3. Walton is portrayed as ambitious, driven, and curious.
4. He has no friends. He is ambitious, intellectual, curious, and wants to be a
poet. Like Mary Shelley’s dead husband.
5. Two explicit uses of Coleridge's poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
occur when Victor Frankenstein relates his tale to Walton. Mary Shelley
incorporates these references to draw parallels between Victor and the mariner,
emphasizing the consequences of messing with nature and the isolation that
follows.
6. Walton doesn’t describe the creature as unpleasant because it still looks
human, and it would kill the suspense. Frankenstein is a being with the shape of
a human.
7. In Frankenstein the subtitle “The Modern Prometheus” compares victor to a
figure from Greek mythology who defied the gods. This shows that his actions
will have serious consequences. The quote “Paradise Lost” adds to this as a
justification of relation between God and men.

Volume 1
Epistolary Letter:
The narrative is presented in epistolary form through letters. The narrator,
Walter, recounts an encounter with a mysterious figure.
Why is Frankenstein in a very cold place refusing the invitation to the boat?
Frankenstein turns down the invitation to join the boat because he's determined
to find and face the Creature he created. He knows he's responsible for the
Creature because he made it and then abandoned it. The tragic result of this
abandonment is the death of two innocent people—a young boy and his
caretaker. This highlights the serious consequences of Frankenstein's actions
and the heavy moral burden he carries as the one who brought the Creature into
existence.
Chapters 1 and 2 Summary :
Introduction of Frankenstein,
Detailing his happy childhood. The Frankenstein family adopts his cousin,
Elizabeth, with whom Frankenstein believes he is destined to marry.
Frankenstein shares his early life with Walton.
Frankenstein's reading habits include unusual books on philosophy, religion,
and magic. Mary Shelley incorporates alchemical themes in the narrative,
connecting them to the Enlightenment.
Almeny: The search for the philosophic form. Marry Shelley was aware of
alchemy and the Enlightenment, integrating these concepts into Frankenstein's
story.
Frankenstein witnesses an electrical storm, observing a tree struck by lightning,
leading to his realization about the destructive power of nature, which becomes
crucial later in the narrative.
The narrative uses a "frame within a frame within a frame" structure, with
Walter writing, Shelley adjusting, and Frankenstein narrating.
Frankenstein proceeds to university, where he encounters professors who
challenge and mock his pursuits.

Chapter 3 Summary:
Frankenstein shares with Walton his fascination with life, discussing his own
discovery of the secret of life. He warns Walton about the consequences of his
pursuit and details the preparations involved in creating life.
Chapter 4 and 5 Summary:
In November, Frankenstein's creation comes to life, distinct from the creature
portrayed in films. Overwhelmed by what he witnesses, Frankenstein
effectively abandons the creature, unable to bear the sight of it.
Chapter 6 and 7 Summary:
Frankenstein receives a letter from his father, delivering the tragic news of his
beloved younger brother William's murder and the loss of a cherished picture of
his deceased mother. Returning to Geneva on a dark, gothic night, Frankenstein
encounters the Creature near a lightning strike. In that moment, he concludes
that the Creature killed his brother. Despite suspicions falling on a servant due
to the missing photo being found with her, she is unable to defend herself.
Consequently, she is wrongly put on trial and sentenced to death. The deaths of
Frankenstein's brothers and the innocent servant highlight Frankenstein's
responsibility, shows the consequences one must face when attempting to
transcend the boundaries of nature.

Chapter 3 Guiding Questions:

P52- P53: "One of the phaenomena... astonishing a secret?"
What fascinates Frankenstein?
Frankenstein is fascinated by the structure of the human frame and any living
creature.

What has limited scientific research according to Frankenstein?

Scientific research is limited by cowardice or carelessness. Additionally, there is
an implication that religious restrictions, influenced by Enlightenment thinking,
should not hinder scientific exploration.

Why does Frankenstein feel suited to pursue this research?

Frankenstein feels suited to pursue this research because his father raised him
too not be afraid. He is not afraid to explore dark and unconventional areas of
study. His mother and brother death makes him want to create new life.

What inspires Frankenstein to pursue this research?

Frankenstein is inspired by a profound curiosity about the origins of life and the
mysteries of the human frame. His enthusiasm leads him to study anatomy and
the decay of the human body. The mention of a "sudden light" breaking upon
him suggests a divine or extraordinary inspiration, driving him toward the
creation of his brilliant idea.
What is his discovery? Why does Mary Shelley present it in this way?
Creating life, it shapes the readers understanding of his character
(foreshadowing)

Chapter IV PP 54-55 ‘’ I see by your eagerness... I began’’

What is Frankenstein’s advice to Walton?

Why does Frankenstein initially hesitate before beginning to work? What
are the problems facing him?
What is his solution?

Chapter IV PP 55-56 ‘’ No one can conceive... equally neglected’.

What are the reasons Frankenstein gives for justifying his work?
- Life and dead appeared to Frankenstein as ideal bounds.
- “A new species...source”. He will be creating a new species, and they will
worship him. Like he creates the new Adam and Eve -) narcissistic traits.
 - “No father...theirs” Like a father and child. -) Again, a narcissistically
trait. If he is obsessed with new life and fatherhood. Oh, Frankenstein
wouldn't be more logical to marry Elisabeth, what would be the perfect
normal way in our society. -) Mary Shelley reflects on the male’s attitude.
She understands that her society is dominated by men.

- “And a pour of torrent of light into our dark world.’ -) Another

justification that light comes into life like God did in the bible=
egotistical

What do these reasons reveal about his character?

That he is ambitious, and hubris.

How does the figurative language used by Frankenstein affect the reader's
attitude towards his work?
- “no one can conceive... hurricane”. It is not completely by his own force;
it is someone who pulls him that is driving this.
- He says it is something from nature
(Marry Shelley uses the words hurricane, because it insinuates the destructive
force of it.

How does Frankenstein describe his work, the changes he undergoes and
the world outside of his laboratory?
Why do these seem to suggest that this is an unnatural way of working?

Physical Changes:
Frankenstein notes that "my cheek had grown pale with study" and "my person
had become emaciated." These observations indicate that he has become
malnourished and neglectful of his well-being, suggesting an obsessive focus on
his laboratory work.

Secrecy and Horror:

Frankenstein expresses concern about conceiving the "horrors" of his work,
emphasizing secrecy in his endeavors. He speaks of the "horrors of my secret
toil," indicating a morally troubling aspect to his actions. This secrecy is
reinforced by his exploration of graves, mortuaries, and the use of animal
torture to obtain materials.
Addiction to Unnatural Actions:
Frankenstein's admission that he experiences a "resistless... forward" impulse
suggests an addiction to his unnatural experiments. Collecting bones against
religious principles and engaging in solitary, prison work further underscores
his unhealthy fixation.

Filthy Creation:
Describing his workshop as a "filthy creation" creates an oxymoron, filthiness
with the concept of creating life.

Repetitive and Addictive Actions:

The repetition of "stenting the creature again and again" indicates a compulsive
need to continue his experiments.

Contrast with Nature:

Frankenstein's appreciation for the beauty of nature, as seen in "the summer
months... vintage," suggests a contrast with his unnatural work. Mary Shelley
uses this contrast to convey a message that nature is beautiful and should be
respected, implying a critique of Frankenstein's disregard for the natural order.

Chapter V Pp 58 – 59 "It was on a dreary night ... even Dante could have
conceived."

In contrast to the film version, how different are the circumstances in

which the Creature comes alive?
In the movie the Creature comes alive through lighting, in the book dismally
dreary dull.

Why does Mary Shelley set it this way?

Because Frankenstein’s experiment lacks importance, no cool lightning like in
the films

What had Frankenstein intended for the Creature to look like as against
what he sees before him?
Catastrophic, wretch, for it to look sublime.

Why is the Creature so hideous? Give details and explain.

Just look at his appearance. He didn’t want to create a monster.
“Dull yellow eyes’’, “Shrivelled complexion” and “horrid contrast”.

What is so disturbing about Frankenstein's dream?

Frankenstein's dream is disturbing as it involves him kissing his love, who then
transforms into his deceased mother, and her lips turn into worms. This
nightmare refers again to Oedipus and Greek mythology =fundamental
abnormality
Frankenstein perceives his father as an antagonist but feels attachment to his
mother.

How do you judge Frankenstein's behavior once the Creature comes alive?
- He abandons the creature
- It doesn’t have a name

What does "a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived" mean?

The saying "something so scary that even Dante couldn't think it up" means that
what Frankenstein made is incredibly monstrous and unnatural. Dante, who
described the terrors of Hell in "La Divina Commedia Inferno," couldn't have
imagined something as awful. Frankenstein is showing how horrifying and
abnormal his creation is, suggesting it's worse than the tormented souls and
punishments Dante wrote about in Hell. This shows how unnatural
Frankenstein's experiment, and its results are.
 Semester 2
Volume II
Chapter I

 Frankenstein's desires are ironic. He initially sought to overcome death

but now wishes to end his own life, completely abandoning the creature
he created.

Chapter II

 The Creature engages Frankenstein in articulate and reasonable

conversation, managing to convince him to listen to his story.

Chapter III

 The narrative structure is layered: Mary Shelley writes letters from

Walton to his sister, which then transition into Frankenstein's perspective,
and finally the Creature's.

Chapter IV

 The Creature resides adjacent to a family. Through observation, he learns

their language, and how to read and write.

Chapter V

 A mysterious woman arrives at the cottage.

Chapter VI

 The Creature shares intricate details about the family's life.

Chapter VII

 In the woods, the Creature finds a bag containing three books: "Paradise
Lost," "Plutarch's Lives," and "The Sorrows of Werter." He shares his
experiences of reading these books with Frankenstein.
 Upon finding Frankenstein's journal, the Creature realizes his creator's
horror at his own creation.
Chapter VIII

 After revealing himself to the cottage dwellers and being rejected, the
Creature, in a fit of anger, destroys the cottage.
 He saves a little girl from drowning, only to be attacked by hunters. This
reinforces his belief that humans will always hate him.

Chapter IX

 The Creature kidnaps a child, hoping to raise him to show affection

towards him. However, when the child reveals his surname as
Frankenstein, the Creature unintentionally chokes him.
 To frame the child's caretaker, the Creature places a stolen portrait among
her belongings, leading to her execution.

End of Volume II Summary

 Two innocents are dead due to the Creature's actions. The Creature makes
a request to Frankenstein to create a female companion for him, to which
Frankenstein agrees.

Extract One

 The extract illustrates Frankenstein's struggle to comprehend what he sees

in the creature, his horror, and his rage.
 The Creature, on the other hand, is rational, self-controlled, and eloquent.
He acknowledges his violent nature and is prepared to use it in defense.
 The text suggests a powerful connection between Frankenstein and the
Creature, with the setting of the mountains serving as a shared preference,
a nod to Romanticism.

Extract one
The selected extract from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" presents a
critical confrontation between Frankenstein and his creation - the
Creature. Their interaction is characterized by intense emotions,
revealing the complexity of their relationship and the themes of
creator and creation, responsibility, and denial.
1) - ‘ Trembled with rage and horror’
- ‘ sight tremendous and abhorred’
- ‘superhuman speed’ -) abnormal

2) ‘ Devil, vile insect’

- -) He is trying to find a way to comprehend what he is seeing
‘ That I may trample you to dust!’
-) Frankenstein is enraged, in a high state of emotion
3) ‘ I expected this reception’
-) He speaks eloquently
-) He is rational, reasonable and self-controlled
-) He isn’t shouting and insulting like Frankenstein
‘ But if you refuse... Friends’
-) He is also aware of his violence, and he is ready to use it as his defends.
5) Personification of death
-) His animalic implication
-) Insinuates the pleasure of the killing
-) Glut, gives it all the added force
6) ‘ I was benevolent’
‘ Life... anguish’
‘ my natural lord and king’
-) implies respect
‘ I ought... angel’. -) I am rejected -) sympathie
‘ The desert....refuge’ -) where he lived
7. - Setting is Frankenstein and the Creature -) a meeting between the creator
and the creater.
- They have a powerfull connection that they like the mountains
-) romanticism
- Let’s us completely revise an idea about the Creature

Extract 2
The selected extract from Mary Shelley's
"Frankenstein" takes us on a journey through the
Creature's early experiences and discoveries. As he
navigates the world around him for the first time, we
witness his struggle to understand his senses, his
instinctive responses to basic needs, and his initial
encounters with the natural world. This section of the
novel not only emphasizes the Creature's human-like
qualities but also underscores the universal process of
learning and discovery, set against a backdrop of
isolation and survival.
1. (pharagraph 1 In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," the Creature goes
through a journey where he learns about himself and the world around
him. Along the way, he discovers a few important things that shape how
he sees his existence. One key finding is the way how the creature
discovers the senses. ‘ I saw, felt, heard and smelt at the same time’. He
also discovers light ‘ I remember... nerves.’ and he discovers hunger and
thirst ‘ until I felt tormented by hunger and thirst.’.
2.
Following the Creature's journey, there are moments that make elicits sympathy
from the reader. He describes himself as ‘finding myself desolate’ He is lost,
frightened . “ I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; “This makes the reader
feel bad for the Creature and the tough situations he goes through. He talks like
a human being.
3.
The radiant form in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the sun. The Creature's
reaction to this glowing form is one of joy and happiness: "Soon a gentle light
stole over the heavens and gave me a sensation of pleasure. I started up and
beheld a radiant form rise from among the trees."
4.
The "little winged animals" are birds. The creature feels happy when it
discovers that the pleasant sounds it hears come from these birds. This shows
that the creature wants to connect with others and likes beautiful things.
The creature tries to copy the birds singing because it wants to communicate
and express itself. But since it can't make pleasant sounds, it becomes upset,
showing that it feels lonely and isolated again. “But the uncouth (uneducated,
refined language) ... again”. He fears himself of his voice.
5.
The creature’s emotion, the setting of nature in the forest, the several things the
Creature is responding to, such as birds, trees and the responds to the sun and
moon. The Creature is embedded by the natural setting. He was in the forest
because he was rejected.
-) social outcast, spending time with nature, imagination and the Creature seems
to possess some of it= romanticism
6. The Creature essentially like a child, doing everything like a child. The idea
he can drink and pick berries to eat. The creature is second hand.
You could compare him to Jesus because he is “reborn” , Adam “he is the
only of his kind and still needs his Eve.
He is primitive, he is going through these kinds of discoveries like our
ancestors, what took our ancestors millennia, took him 1 day. He is a fast
learner.
Mary Shelley shows how morals work. Romantics believe in their imagination.
She shows how society corrupts us and let’s Frankenstein's be free

Extract 3
 1.The Creature's character is further developed through his encounters
with literature. His connection with Goethe's 'The Sorrows of Werter'
demonstrates his capacity for romantic sentiments and longing for
companionship, leading to his request for Frankenstein to create a female
creature.
 2.The Creature's rapid intellectual development is highlighted through his
understanding of complex philosophical concepts like existentialism, as
represented by philosophers such as Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich
Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Heidegger.

 His reading of 'Plutarch's Lives' provides him with an understanding of

human society and its norms.

 'Paradise Lost' by John Milton has a profound effect on the Creature's

self-perception. He initially identifies with Adam but soon realizes his
closer resemblance to Satan, who, like him, is rejected and alone.

 Mary Shelley's wider ambitions for her novel are reflected in the use of
these books as symbols for the Creature's journey of self-discovery and
struggle to understand his place in the world, offering a deeper
exploration of humanity and societal norms.

 3.The use of 'intertextuality' and its relation to Mary Shelley's frame

narrative technique is evident as Frankenstein explicitly references other
texts. This allows the reader to create their story and interpretation,
echoing the novel's themes of creation and life.

 'Frankenstein' can be seen as a feminist text as it uses the Creature to

represent the perspective of women in the 19th-century society who, like
the Creature, felt excluded and unsupported. The frozen settings in the
novel can be seen as a metaphor for women's marginalization during
Shelley's time.

 The novel employs a 'story within a story' structure, adding layers of

narrative that mirror the theme of 'life within life'. This structure, often
associated with Gothic literature, contributes to the powerful metaphor of
creation and life that underlies the novel.
Volume 3
In the book "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, the main character, Victor
Frankenstein, creates another creature. He also considers marrying his friend
Elisabeth. he goes on a trip with his friend, Henry Clerval. This change in the
story's structure, from letter-writing to a travel diary, is cleverly done. Shelley's
personal experiences are neatly folded into the story, comparing Frankenstein's
deep thoughts to her own.

In England, Frankenstein has a moment of deep thought in the city of London.

He thinks about his past dreams while watching the excitement of passionate
students. However, he feels separate from the lively enthusiasm around him,
weighed down by the outcomes of his past creation. This is a typical feature of
Romantic literature.

Moving to Scotland, Frankenstein isolates himself on the barren Orkney Islands

to do his experiment alone. As he starts his work, he suddenly realizes the moral
implications of giving life to another being like the one that previously caused
him a lot of pain. Frankenstein takes apart the unfinished creature, unaware that
his original creation has seen his actions, which sparks its desire for revenge.

Haunted by the scary threat of the Creature, Frankenstein tries to destroy the
remaining parts in the North Sea before returning to Scotland. However, he
finds himself blamed for a murder when he comes back, only to find out the
victim is his close friend Henry Clerval—killed by the revenge-seeking
Creature. Even though he avoids punishment with his father's help, Frankenstein
is tortured by deep guilt and regret.

Upon returning to Geneva and preparing to marry Elisabeth, Victor's wedding

day is tragically marred by her death, sending shockwaves through his family.
Overwhelmed by grief, Victor vows to avenge the deaths caused by the
Creature.

The pursuit escalates as Victor chases the Creature northward, eventually

confiding his story to Robert Walton, who records it in letters to his sister.
Approaching death, Victor implores Walton to continue his mission,
acknowledging his responsibility for the fate of both himself and the Creature.
In a poignant culmination, the Creature mourns Victor's death and decides to
end his own existence, symbolically closing the chapter on their tumultuous
relationship with a funeral pyre.

Unit 2.
Genre: Type of a literary work, determined by its content, style, or form.
Examples of genres include drama, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc.

Audience: The intended readers or consumers of a particular text.

Purpose: This is the reason or intent behind a piece of writing or text. It could
be to inform, entertain, persuade, or a combination of these.

Authorship: Who produced the text. Ghost writers. There can be collaborative
writing

Contexts: This refers to the circumstances or setting in which a text is written.

It includes the historical, cultural, and social conditions during the time of
writing.

-) set-up

Layout and structure: This refers to the way a text is organized or arranged,
including its chapters, paragraphs, sentences, and visual elements. It greatly
influences how the reader interacts with the text.

Tone: This is the attitude or feeling that the author conveys through their
writing. It could be serious, humorous, sarcastic, etc.,

Imagery: This is the use of descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures
or sensations for the reader. It can be visual (related to sight), auditory (sound),
tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), or gustatory (taste).

- Visual: This refers to anything that can be seen or observed. In a text, this
could include images, diagrams, or visual descriptions.
- Verbal: This refers to anything related to words or language. In a text,
this could include dialogue, narration, or descriptive language,
metaphors...

-) detailed analysis

Non-literacy Unit / Song lyrics

Big Yellow Taxi/ Joni Mitchell (1970)

Genre

1. Give THREE features that suggest that this is a song lyric

There are several features that suggest this is a song lyric. The lyrics have
verses, there's a repetition of certain phrases and rhymes (e.g., "They paved
paradise, put up a parking lot"), and the language is more figurative and
emotional than literal or narrative.

2. What style/ sub-genre of song is this?

This appears to be a folk or pop song, based on the style of the language and the
themes it addresses.

Audience

3. Who is this song aimed at?

This song seems to be aimed at young adult audiences, hippies and opposite
people against this, as it deals with themes of nostalgia and environmental
concern.

4. How would its original listeners get to hear it?

Its original listeners likely heard it on albums, radio, in concerts.

Purpose

5. What are the main communicative purposes for this song?

The main communicative purposes of this song are to entertain, express the
songwriter's feelings, and critique the destruction of nature for urban
development.

Contexts

6. What are some relevant contexts for this song?

Some relevant contexts for this song include its release during the 1960s, a time
of growing environmental awareness, urbanization, rise of agribusiness and the
use of chemicals in agriculture, everything becoming monetized and increment
of sexual stuff
Authorship

7. This song is written by Joni Mitchell but why might authorship

not be so simple for song lyrics?
While Joni Mitchell is the songwriter, the song's authorship isn't that simple.
The performance and production by various musicians and technicians also
contribute to the final version of the song that listeners hear.

Structure

8. What is effective in the way the song is structured?

The song's structure is effective due to its repeated phrases. This repetition
makes the song catchy and memorable, reinforcing its message each time the
phrases are sung.

Imagery

9. How is imagery used effectively in this song?

“They paved paradise” it's like taking a bulldozer and using it in the garden of
Eden. Shocking, (blastemes). “Pink hotel” looking out of place like a big, hotel
that is pink it looks awful, only has 1 syllable. Purple color has a more mooding
kind of colour and more syllables.

“ A dollar and a half just to see’em”

“ give me spots in my appels” bc apples are supposed to be like that if it would

be grown in nature, it shouldn’t be perfect”

“but leave me the birds and bees” sexual reproduction

“ and a big yellow taxi took away my old man”

10. What are some other ways that Joni Mitchell’s use of
language make this song effective?
Tone exemple: ‘hey farmeer... ddt now’ angry. ‘Please!) =pleading
 “Late last night I heard the screen door slam and a big yellow
taxi”

= grieving, regretful.

Alliteration to emphasis, They-) we don’t who the person is the pronounce gives
a more force to it : First 2 verses

Hotspot= slang, nowadays it means wifi. Old man= meant boyfriend in that
time. “They paved paradise”-) is allusion “Don’t it always seem to go that you
don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” -) it's like the singer is singing to you
because of the change of pronounce from we to you, she uses the language i use

“ don’t it” -) it should be doesn’t it

“ DDT” pesticide, -) abbreviation

“ birds and the bees”-) eufemisme of sexual reproduction, why? She is maybe
cheeky. In the 60s you got to be careful with the language you use.

Performance

11. What does the actual performance of the song add to the
printed text?
The actual performance of the song, with its melody and Joni Mitchell's vocal
interpretation, adds emotional depth to the lyrics. This depth can't be fully
appreciated just by reading the lyrics; it's the combination of words, melody,
and performance that fully realizes the song's potential.

(verses discussed ask notes)

While each verse in "Big Yellow Taxi" has a unique focus, they all consistently
revolve around the central theme of environmental conservation and the regret
associated with the loss of natural beauty due to human activities.
 The first verse talks about urban development ("They paved paradise and put up
a parking lot / With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot") and sets
the stage for the theme of environmental loss.
 The second verse carries forward this theme but shifts the focus to the
commodification of nature ("They took all the trees, put 'em in a tree museum /
And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em").
 The third verse changes the theme slightly to discuss the harmful effects with
pesticides in agriculture ("Hey farmer, farmer, put away the DDT now / Give me
spots on my apples / But leave me the birds and the bees, please").
 Finally, the last verse adds a personal touch to the ongoing theme, symbolizing
personal loss through the metaphor of a departing taxi ("Late last night, I heard
the screen door slam / And a big yellow taxi took away my old man").
So, while the focus shifts slightly in each verse, the overarching theme of
environmental conservation and the consequences of its neglect remain
consistent throughout the song.

(ABCB) treading each other and creating a cumulative express

Eleanor Rigby ( Lennon and McCartney)

Genre: pop
Audience: females and males,
Purpose: To entertain
Authorship: The authors of these lyrics are the members of The Beatles, a
famous British rock band.
Contexts: (1960`s) post war Britain= recovery period of WWII. The church is
losing the power of the people. Society become more loosens + immigrants
because post war Britain needed jobs for people to do. British people couldn’t
do or wouldn’t do.

Layout and Structure: Greek chorous

Tone: Melancholic
Imagery: “Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream” -) time of celebration and happiness. Eleanor is picking up the leftovers,
sad.
“Waits at the window” -) Waiting for something that will never come. Gives some kind of
expectation

“Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door”-) Fake, Surrealism

Father McKenzie ”Darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there”-) idea of keeping up
your appearances.

“Father McKenzie
Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved” -) washing his hands-) He wants nothing to do with it -) Pontius Pilatus

Visual:
Verbal:

Shakespear
Shakespeare's works often encompassed common themes that gave depth to his
stories.

Potential pairs, a recurring element in his plays, often hint at the prospect of
love or alliances. Characters are introduced who may complement each other in
their ambitions or desires.

Obstacles are another fundamental aspect of his narratives. These challenges,

often born out of conflicts, misunderstandings, or external pressures, provide a
platform for character growth and plot progression.

The 'little world of self' refers to the introspective journey that Shakespeare's
characters often undertake. This self-exploration and growth play a significant
role in their decisions and actions throughout the play.

Disguises, plots, and strategies are tools used by characters to overcome

obstacles or achieve their objectives. These elements add intrigue and suspense
to the narrative.

The concept of falling in love is central to many Shakespeare plays, driving the
plot and influencing character actions. It is often portrayed as a powerful,
transformative force.
Marriage, as a social and personal milestone, is frequently used as a resolution
in Shakespeare's comedies. It symbolizes harmony, union, and societal approval.

Finally, dance, both literal and metaphorical, is used to express joy, celebration,
or the rhythm of life. It often symbolizes harmony and unity.

Shakespeare, the unwavering luminary of literary world, often utilized humor

as a tool for education, unearthing profound truths about humanity through
laughter. His works echo the interconnectedness of mind and body, suggesting
that laughter, a physical manifestation, can enlighten the mind.

His plays often use nature as a backdrop, underscoring the inherent wisdom of
natural order. The garden, a recurring motif in his works, serves as a symbol for
growth, transformation and the cycles of life.

Shakespeare's use of Italy as a setting not only adds cultural depth, but also taps
into the rich history and literature of ancient Rome. The works of ancient
Roman writers, known for their keen observations of human nature, likely
influenced Shakespeare's own explorations of character and motivation. By
setting his plays in Italy, Shakespeare draws a parallel between the timeless
wisdom of ancient Roman literature and his own work, further enriching the
cultural and historical context of his plays. But also, of its dark sides of
corruption.

Much to do about nothing

William Shakespeare