Frankenstein Reader Response Essay

Eddie Heinrich

Mrs. Bosch

AP English Literature

10 December 2008

Reader Response to Frankenstein

Literary criticism is an institution based on the evaluation and analysis of a text, and ultimately helps to find the meaning and effect of a work of literature. While most literary critiques traditionally focus on the work at hand, Reader Response Criticism studies the reader in the process of reading and interpreting a text. Emerging in the late 1960s (although having been informally applied in the late 20s by Louise Rosenblatt), Reader Response gained significant recognition in the early 1970s through promotion by literary analysts such as Stanley Fish and Wolfgang Iser. This theorist has put more importance on the reader's experience with a text rather than just on the text itself. The interesting thing about Reader Response is that in researching any other criticism, a student is utilizing the opinion of someone else while in Reader Response, it is his opinion that matters. Reader Response has general and typical classifications for a variety of readers and how they tend to interpret what they are reading. Often referred to as “interpretive communities,” these classifications include Character-Action-Moral Style who treat literature as coextensive with experience, Diggers for Secrets who find the hidden meanings in literature and discover the motives of characters, and the Anthropologists who look for cultural patterns, values, and normalities. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has been found to be a book very prone to analysis, but the real importance lies in how the actual readers interpret the text. Throughout the novel, the protagonist Victor Frankenstein meets misfortune after misfortune, all beginning with the mistake of reanimating life. Victor's obsession with gaining knowledge drove him mad and, in turn, he created a deformed being. The novel calls forth social issues in an almost satirical manner, forces the readers to take a moral stand on behalf of the characters, and relate to the encompassing misery of the characters as well. Through a series of questions followed by the evaluations of the responses of four readers, it is clear that Frankenstein appeals to and challenges all three reader classifications.

The readers falling under the category of Character-Action-Moral tend to relate what they read to their own life which further judges the direction they take when drawing conclusions. The questioned subject, Johana, was found to fall under the Character-Action-Moral style in her responses. When asked what theme or element most stuck out to Johana throughout the novel, she replied, “Loneliness.” Johana continued to say that there are “moments where you feel disconnected from the world, but it was that way for the being at all times.” It is obvious that Johana based this conclusion off of a feeling that she has experienced, which became her focus throughout the entire novel. Also, when questioned on her feelings concerning Justine's execution for a crime she didn't commit while Victor, who knew the truth, sat by silently, Johana replied in a similar manner. Johana stated that Justine was “noble” in an obvious sense, but “really overall not noble at all” for having succumbed to her unfair fate so easily. She then argued that Justine “Paid Victor a favor that he didn't deserve.” It is obvious, that with such an odd and unique response to the question that Johana was making a connection to her experiences in drawing her conclusions. Through Johana, it is clear how Frankenstein appeals to Character-Action-Moral readers.

Readers classified as Diggers for Secrets are always looking for the meaning and reason of everything throughout the novel. The subject Eddie best fit in this category. When asked his opinion on the being's demand for a female counterpart from Victor, Eddie began his response by stating that he “ figured the monster saw this as a key to a decent life after having already lived so horribly.” Initially, Eddie speculated on the monster's reasoning behind his demands, illustrating his search for the reasons of the character's actions. When asked what he felt about the being's numerous murders, Eddie responded that “ the monster was a product of his environment – hate toward him by people made him hate people; killing wasn't his first impulse, but became his last through his misery.” He initially thought of the deep reasoning behind the monster's actions which were, in this case, unintended and almost instinctive. Frankenstein clearly represents Digging for Secrets readers as shown through Eddie.

Anthropologists enjoy bot consciously and unconsciously observing and analyzing the social and cultural elements of a text. Two questioned subjects, both Maggie and Anthony, were classified as Anthropologists. In each of their responses, they related the text most prominently to some aspect of society and its common normalities. When asked what major character flaw most struck his attention, Anthony replied that “Frankenstein not working with anybody (like a lab assistant)” was the biggest flaw that caught his eye. Anthony's response follows a social norm that scientists generally have assistants, but also criticizes the fact that Frankenstein entered a socially awkward state. When Maggie was inquired on the element of the novel that most caught her attention, she replied with “Monstrosity” as well, but took a different spin on it than Eddie. Maggie feels that “ What makes you human is your connection to the world and your relationships to people.” She continued to say that “Once Victor had no one left, he was a monster.” In this instance, Maggie sees social interaction as the basis of humanity, and used this reasoning to draw her conclusions on the novel. It is clear how Mary Shelley's novel challenges the mindset of Anthropologists as well through Anthony and Maggie.

All aspects of literature have much to offer, but really have no significance without a reader. A text has no meaning until it is read. This is why Reader Response is so important; it brings the importance of a novel back on the reader and their opinion on the work. Through a study of common readers of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, it is evident how this novel challenges the common mindsets through which people generally read in. Although not a very thrilling book to read, Frankenstein does a spectacular job in forcing its readers to draw conclusions on the novel based on what they feel is important.

Works Cited

"Reader Response Criticism." The College of New Rochelle. October 1998. 7 December 2008

<http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/readercrit.html>.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York, New York: Bantam Books, 2003.

"What Is Reader Response Criticism?" WiseGeek. 7 December 2008. 7 December 2008 <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-reader-response-criticism.htm >. 

Frankenstein Reader Response Reflections

Frankenstein Reader Response Reflections

Frankenstein Reader Response Journals

Analytical Questions:

a. What was your initial thought on the monster demanding a female? What did you think when Frankenstein refused?

b. How did you feel about Justine's fate, how she dealt with it, and how Victor dealt with the situation?

c. What do you think about the monster's murders?

d. What is the biggest flaw you saw in the society of the novel, a specific character, or Mary Shelley herself?

e. Most importantly, what theme/element of the book most stuck out to you and why?

Johana

1. a. Understood his needs but didn't think much of it. Thought it was a fair request. Thought Victor was rational because the monster was impulsive and dangerous and another being would be the same way.

2. b. Thought she was stupid. She was noble in some sense, but was really overall not noble at all. Payed Victor a favor that he didn't deserve.

3. c. Thought the monster wanted attention and that he wanted to get a message across to Victor that he shouldn't be underestimated. Was throwing the “failure” of Victor's experiment in his face. Was saying that Victor didn't know the extent of his might.

4. d. Victor was trying to play God, but humans have limits that he was trying to overlook. The being doesn't come out how Victor planned, but God's creations always come out as expected.

5. e. Loneliness. Everyone understood the monster was lonely but no one cared. There are moments where you feel disconnected from the world, bit it was that way for the being at all times, and the only thing he had was revenge. Victor ended up the same way, which is very tragic.

Anthony

6. a. Thought that he just wanted to have sex with her. Could he reproduce? Thought he was high and mighty with creating life and found it was horrible. Felt he needed to take responsibility and create the female.

7. b. Women are nice about Justine's situation and rational, but really can't do anything about their fates because they are women. Victor is a wimp and could have tried harder to save her, even if he had to make up a convincing lie to do it.

8. c. Revenge out of confusion and angst and loneliness. He doesn't know any better, but begins to. Believes he doesn't have enough life experience to know the pain he is causing and to stop.

9. d. Frankenstein not working with anybody (like a lab assistant) to be his rational advisor and witness to what happened, but he was too obsessed with his experiment.

10. e. How stupid Victor is, like with how obvious it was that Elizabeth was the target. The decisions he makes are very bad. He's supposed to be this smart scientist is that he is really stupid.

Maggie

11. a. It was rational – Victor should have made her because the monster had no one, and it would have gotten the monster off his back. She thought Victor was being selfish and only thinking about what has happened to him and his family over the welfare of the being. However, after hearing Victor's explanation, she thought he made a rational decision. She was left undecided on who was wrong in this instance.

12. b. Reminded her of the Salem Witch Trials. Thought Justine shouldn't have given up and thought less of her for not fighting. Victor was monstrous in letting her die when he knew she was innocent, but he was thinking about only himself.

13. c. Because the monster's connection is only Victor and since Victor has people in his life, the monster wanted to make Victor more like himself through killing his family. It was the being's way of getting back at Victor.

14. d. The biggest flaw she saw was Victor never trying to accept the monster, assumed the being was evil, and judged him solely on his outer appearance. Victor was more at fault in rejecting the monster than the rest of society because he was the monster's creator. Victor should have connected with him and nurtured him and the monster would have turned out different. Victor was being narrow-minded.

15. e. The issue of monstrosity – the fact that Victor becomes more of a monster than the being. What makes you human is your connection to the world and your relationships to people. Once Victor had no one left, he was a monster. But the being was this way because he had no one to begin with which was in a way Victor's fault. So the being made Victor more like himself.

Eddie

16. a. I figured the monster saw it as the key to a decent life after living so horribly. I though it was fair and would the the solution to the monster's loneliness. I thought Frankenstein was being selfish and irrational in refusing.

17. b. I thought Justine was brave but too religious in her decision. I thought she was a victim and Victor was stupid and selfish in letting her meet that fate.

18. c. I think the monster was a product of his environment – hate toward him by people made him hate people; killing wasn't his first impulse, but became his last through his misery. It was Victor's fault.

19. d. I saw ignorance as the biggest flaw – the fact that people were so judgmental based on appearance alone. Especially with Victor who should have been the being's father in a way, as the creator. The lack of understanding or ability to relate was a major flaw in everyone.

20. e. I felt that the most outstanding theme was monstrosity. That people are altered by their experiences and environment. With all the misery the being went through by no real fault of his own and no other options, he still learned from his experiences and mistakes and even repented in a way at the end. Victor, however, was ignorant until the very end, ultimately making him the monster.

Reader Response Criticism

Reader Response Criticism

While most literary critiques traditionally focus on the work at hand, Reader Response Criticism studies the reader in the process of reading and interpreting a text. Emerging in the late 1960s (although having been informally applied in the late 20s by Louise Rosenblatt) while gaining recognition in the early 1970s and promoted by Stanley Fish and Wolfgang Iser, this theorist has put more importance on the reader's experience with a text rather than just on the text itself.

Reader Response has general and typical classifications for a variety of readers and how they tend to interpret what they are reading. Often referred to as “interpretive communities,” these classifications include Character-Action-Moral Style who treat literature as coextensive with experience, Diggers for Secrets who find the hidden meanings in literature and discover the motives of characters, and the Anthropologists who look for cultural patterns, values, and normalities (which includes Feminists). As a few of the common communities, all these categories focus on is how ideally alike individuals interpret texts similarly.

On a more romantic note, Reader Response looks at literature as a work of art that is completed with the interpretation of the reader – without one, the other is incomplete. This relationship only seems natural, because without a reader a book fulfills no purpose.

A series of works have been published on the topic of Reader Response Criticism. These include C. S. Lewis's published “An Experiment in Criticism” (1965), Stanley Fish's “Surprised by Sin” (1967), and Norman Holland's “The Dynamics of Literary Response” (1968). Although each work is of Reader Response, they focus on different branches including the psychology behind the works initially chosen by readers, a sentence-by-sentence interpretation of a work, and even in the likeness of readers' responses to be classified into the various categories.

Reader Response also heavily concentrates on the idea of affective fallacy, or what texts do to the minds of readers. This is simply the study of the basic, yet complicated, phenomena where a text has no meaning other than that created by the mind of the reader. If a work was created in a language that no one knew, what effect would it have? Absolutely none at all.

It has been found, to no surprise, that interpretations of as well as incentives to read certain texts are related to the experiences of the readers. This is both direct and indirect, however, as these can be influenced either consciously or unconsciously.

Studies concerning this criticism have also taken place since the 1960s. For example, the Copenhagen Studies in Reader Response aimed at specific interpretations by readers. In the study, scientists examined responses to rhythm in poetry, esthetic experience, meanings in texts, tension, the “ram” study, and cross-cultural, interdisciplinary experiences in literature.

Reader Response is unique from other criticisms because it is implemented by all readers whether they know about it or not. Simply reading and experiencing a text and drawing something psychological from it qualifies as Reader Response. However it is required that an individual be studied on their interpretations by a third party for this criticism to be fully employed.

Sources:

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED339020&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED339020

http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/readercrit.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-reader-response-criticism.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/reader.crit.html

Jane Eyre Reflections

Jane Eyre Reflections
“...I was termed naughty and tiresome, sullen and sneaking, from morning to noon, and from noon to night.” ... “I could not answer the ceaseless inward question–why I thus suffered...” Pg. 17
In reading the novel, I understand that Jane is not a bad child – any rebellion in her is a reaction to unfair mistreatment. How bad could she really be at ten years old, anyway? Yet, we see that she is deemed an unwanted nuisance, and not truly through her actions or behavior, but only because her Aunt Reed simply does not feel a maternal connection to Jane. This is no excuse to treat a child poorly whether publicly or not. It would seem that sympathy toward children was much different back then as compared to now. Jane is then forced to question why she must suffer; why she of all children must be exposed to such cruel treatment. That is not a question that a child should ask. And, as people are most impressionable as young children, I am sure this will play a big part in who Jane becomes with long-term effects in her life that we will witness later on in the novel.

“I felt an inexpressible relief, a soothing conviction of protection and security, when I knew that there was a stranger in the room...” Pg 21
Here, Jane states that she feels protected and relieved when there is a stranger in the room. This is probably contrary to what most children would feel in the presence of a stranger. However, since Jane is subject to such cruel treatment by her Aunt Reed, Jane feels that she will be spared this one time as Mrs. Reed wouldn’t dare seem cruel to someone of the public. This however caught me as surprisingly similar to today’s society (in some circles). We might watch on TV a show where someone is cruel to their children save under the public eye. As TV is our common form of entertainment today, books were during the time of Charlotte Bronte; yet with the vast difference in years, some elements of our entertainment remain the same.

“I could not see how poor people had the means of being kind” Pg. 26
This statement just struck me as odd. The ten year old Jane did not believe that poor people could be nice based on that very fact, therefore did not wish to live with them. This shows the power of social class at the time. The elite of society did not associate with the poor, even to the extent in educating their children on their basic human qualities; such as “being nice.” This also adds to the notion that Jane did not have a chance to be innocent, being ruined early on in her life. In a way, her innocence made her guilty on the matter that she could only learn off of what she was exposed to, which wasn’t very nice.

“If she were a nice, pretty child, one might compassionate her forlornness; but one really cannot care for such a little toad as that.” Pg. 28
This is a statement by Mrs. Reed. This is unbelievably cruel and strange to say. That a child can only be loved if she is attractive – and one cannot receive compassion if they are ugly. In this case, Mrs. Reed cannot sympathize for Jane’s orphan situation because she does not appeal to the eye. I do not think nowadays, an adult (especially an established one) would think such a thing, let alone think it. Such a woman should not be left to care for a child. Treatment based on such thinking could not be good. Such an ill attitude toward Jane will surely affect her in her later years – to maybe be extra compassionate toward children.

Knowing that she is about to be sent of to Lowood school, Jane speaks her mind as truthful as she likes to her aunt Reed. Jane boldly tells Mrs. Reed that her parents along with her uncle watch how horribly Mrs. Reed treats her and says she will tell anyone that asks of her life at Gateshead Hall likewise. Pg. 30
This shows Jane’s maturity and independence at such an early age. Jane had practically no one, therefore feels that she shouldn’t need to really try to establish a false connection with her aunt. So Jane speaks her truthful mind about her, and very boldly so. We can be sure that Jane will grow up strong, and not only strong, but a strong woman. This is important, considering the feminist viewpoint from which this is written. Strong, independent women were not encouraged during that time, yet we can already see that Jane will become one. Will this lead to a harder life? Or will her innate stubbornness and independence make being a woman that much easier?

“...if Bessie had been kind and companionable, I should have deemed it a treat to spend the evenings quietly with her, instead of passing them under the formidable eye of Mrs. Reed, in a room full of ladies and gentlemen.” Pg. 30
Jane Eyre was born into “high society.” Even with her parents death, Jane went to live on with her Aunt Reed to almost an even higher society. Point being, she was part of that blood and lifestyle. However, Jane was outcast by her Aunt Reed. She wasn’t really allowed to live that kind of life, being shunned by all who were a part of it. In turn, she finds solace in a servant, who should be “beneath her.” It is clear, with this, that Jane does not really see herself as part of that lifestyle or social class at all. This may be a good thing, as she won’t become spoiled. However, was Jane, in a way, cheated out of a life that she should have had?
“Little girl, here is a book entitled the ‘Child’s Guide’; read it with prayer, especially that part containing ‘an account of the awfully sudden death of Martha G—, a naughty child addicted to falsehood and deceit.;’” Pg. 37
How crazy must these people have been to even make such a ‘Child’s Guide.’ And then what it contains is even more crazy. It is insane to frighten a child from lying with death, and saying that the one will be the cause of the other. Will going to this school be beneficial for Jane? If this kind of ideology is what will surround her in the school, will it be more or less bearable than Gateshead? I do not bode well with religious fanatics, and this is a reason why. I bet Mr. Brockelhurst is a huge hypocrite, just as Mrs. Reed. Again I would like to think how Jane will grow up to be.

“I saw each girl taster her food and try to swallow it, bit in most cases the effort was soon relinquished. Breakfast was over, and none had breakfasted.” Pg. 48
The condition at Lowood school are horrible. They don’t even have food to feed the children. In this quote, Jane explains how the breakfast porridge was burnt and spoiled beyond edibility, and they were left with nothing else. Nowadays, there are regulations that every establishment must accommodate, and such a thing would not happen. However, back then, they could obviously get away with it. I bet that Jane does not have high hopes for the rest of her time at Lowood if this is her first breakfast and she cannot even eat it. It is horrible what Mr. Brockelhurst thinks of children, and then in return this is what he puts them through. And it is even more ridiculous that this is quite normal to everyone else.

Burns is a quite exceptional student, yet is only seen by Miss Scatcherd by her “flaws.” (These include untidiness and not being able to pay attention for the most part). In the quote, Burns correctly answered a question and did so very thoroughly, however all Miss Scatcherd could see was that Burn did not wash her fingernails in the morning (however only so because the water was frozen). Burns just sat there and took the criticism to Jane’s surprise.

“...when you put bread and cheese, instead of burnt porridge, into these children’s mouths, you may indeed feed their vile bodies, but little you think how you starve their immortal souls!” Pg. 65
This is how we know Mr. Brockelhurst is crazy – when he relates something as tiny as bread and cheese to the eternal damnation of a soul. How could someone believe that replacing a spoiled meal with bread and cheese (which I suppose was a luxury back then) could corrupt a child? I’m also led to assume that such thinking actually took place in Bronte’s time; I do not think she would have written such a thing if it wasn’t a possible reality. This makes the statement just that much more ludicrous. This is also ironic when upon this very visit, Mr. Brockelhurst brought with him his very lavishly dressed female relatives. Obviously, these guested women live spoiled lives, however the girls in Lowood school cannot even eat some cheese without being cast into hell. I believe that Bronte was a Christian, however this is an example of her criticism of the church in Jane Eyre. However, I feel she only wished to criticize the fanatics and some of the corrupt institutions that took place under the church’s name.

“‘...This world is pleasant – it would be dreary to be called from it, and to have to go who knows where?’
And then my mind made its first earnest effort to comprehend what had been infused into it concerning heaven and hell...” Pg. 82
Most children would have the conceivably undeniable notion of God drilled into their brains from the moment they gain consciousness until they are old. Yet, it took her until she was ten years old for Jane to attempt to grasp or believe in the concept. What could be Bronte’s reason for this exceptional child to be her protagonist? Maybe it is to establish that women, even as children, can be free thinkers and judge for themselves. Or maybe it is again a criticism of the church in the sense that although the institution is corrupt in many aspects, one can find self-salvation still (ultimately being the correct path). Maybe Bronte once questioned or couldn’t put full faith into the concept of a god. And, I wonder, how would this element of the story be received during the time of its publication? It would seem to be a touchy subject.

“... I tired of routine of eight years in one afternoon. I desired liberty; for liberty I gasped; for liberty I uttered a prayer; it seemed scattered on the wind then faintly blowing.” Pg. 88
All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Jane is tired of the routine at Lowood. Not just that, but the urge to take a different path in life is overwhelming to her. Jane demands freedom – something which generally women couldn’t pursue. So, as a woman, will she find this desired liberty that she so desperately yearns for? This also leads me to question how Jane would be in marriage. As with Lowood, Jane was content with her lifestyle until “one afternoon” where routine became unbearable to her. So, if Jane was to marry, and she was pretty much forced indoors, bearing and caring for children, would she be able to last? What if, one day, she couldn’t stand the wife lifestyle any longer? Maybe Jane will never be able to conform to society.

“‘So I think: you have no ghost, then?’” Pg. 109
I just believe this to be very funny. Jane has just moved in to Thornfield Hall, and is inquiring Mrs. Fairfax about ghost stories and/or encounters concerning the house. This is obviously a question triggered by Jane’s experience with the “ghost of her uncle” in Gateshead. But, the fact that it is one of the first thing Jane brings up about her new residence, and pushes the issue so fervently as to be one hundred percent sure that there are not ghosts in the building is just hilarious. Any reader, with the above quote, can be sure that Jane has developed an irrational fear of ghosts from her childhood “encounter” with one. And if Mrs. Fairfax said there was a ghost said to be living in the hall, what would Jane do then? Not live there? I wonder if this will come up again later in the book as an issue for our protagonist.

“Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do...” Pg. 112
I feel that this single, solitary quote expresses the theme of the novel. It is almost as if Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre just so that she could state this in the book; as if she had not other outlet, but was dying to cry this out to the world and found the best way she could get away with it. To me, this statement has so much passion, so much feeling behind it, like Charlotte was on the brink of feminist explosion when she wrote these words out. It also makes me wonder how well a quote like this was received by its male readers of the past. I do not know why, but I believe that Charlotte Bronte lived a very depressing, unfulfilled life, as she was a woman and therefore was limited greatly. I believe this one statement to be the gateway to Charlotte’s passion, her drive, her self. Charlotte cried for equality, but didn’t live to see it. Therefore, let us recognize those who didn’t have a chance to be recognized.

In the quote, Mr. Rochester teases Jane, saying that she is a witch who was waiting for her “little green men” and bewitched his horse so that it would fall over with him on it. Pg. 125
This is another funny quote. It’s old-fashioned flirting haha. I guess it’s like today, where a guy will teasingly insult a girl to flirt in a way. Only back then it was hilarious because the men called the women witches who were waiting for little green men. I think it is obvious that he in interested in Jane, to some degree, and she is also interested in him maybe just a little bit. Honestly, I do not think she will do much about it, especially at first, having no real experience with men let alone in a romantic way. I think it will develop into something of a relationship, though, being that the novel is a romance story. How will it work out?

“‘...since happiness is irrevocably denied me, I have a right to get pleasure out of life: and I WILL get it, cost what it may.’" Pg 139
This seems like a sort of dark statement by Mr. Rochester. Maybe he will turn out to be a narcissistic ass. When he talks like this, I would think that it would turn Jane off, however she likes to listen to him. But he seems like he would only care about himself at this point in his life. This is truly a speed bump in the novel for me; I do no know what to expect of this character. He does have strange habits and an odd character. But perhaps maybe he has just had bad experiences in his past and is emotionally overwhelmed. Then Jane would be there to console him...

“‘...you fear in the presence of a man and a brother--or father, or master, or what you will--to smile too gaily, speak too freely, or move too quickly: but, in time, I think you will learn to be natural with me, as I find it impossible to be conventional with you...’” Pg. 142
This was a nice statement. Mr. Rochester states that he realizes Jane’s fear, or conformity, in the presence of a man, and calls her out on it. He then states that she will learn to be natural with him, as that is what he hopes he can be and she will be. He is, in effect, calling her an equal; of course this is not the status quo relationship for a man and a woman. It is beautiful really, that she yearns for liberty, and here is a man that will give it to her. However, this quote is also kind of sad when it comes to Charlotte Bronte. This, perhaps, is a statement of her dream through the mouth of Mr. Rochester. In life, Charlotte probably yearned to have a companion to whom she could feel equal to, not inferior as was demanded.

“Tongues of flame darted round the bed: the curtains were on fire. In the midst of blaze and vapour, Mr. Rochester lay stretched motionless, in deep sleep.” Pg. 151
What a surprising turn of events! Such a dull book with such an interesting and mysterious loophole in its plot. Who caught the bed on fire? Mr. Rochester established that it wasn’t him, and Jane seems to think that it was the odd Grace Poole. On what grounds would Grace do such a thing? With so much of the novel left to read, and Mr. Rochester’s failure to elaborate on Grace’s story, I do not believe that this mystery will be solved anytime soon. That is a disgrace, but I suppose it will keep me reading with something to look forward to. It would have been crazy if Mr. Rochester died.

“The strangest thing of all was, that not a soul in the house, except me, noticed her habits, or seemed to marvel at them...” Pg. 166
Here, Jane is referring to Grace Poole. Jane cannot fathom how obvious Grace’s odd behavior is, yet no one else notices them but her. Now, I am forced to believe that maybe Grace’s behavior isn’t all that strange, but merely exaggerated by Jane. I think this because of one of Jane’s former notions that the distinct relationship between Grace and Mr. Rochester and the idea that maybe Grace was once pretty and maybe of interest to him. This quote would then be one out of jealousy, which is easily believable. So, I do not know how crazy Grace really is, but I will probably soon find out.

“I have told you, reader, that I had learnt to love Mr. Rochester: I could not unlove him now, merely because I found that he had ceased to notice me--because I might pass hours in his presence, and he would never once turn his eyes in my direction--because I saw all his attentions appropriated by a great lady, who scorned to touch me with the hem of her robes as she passed...” Pg. 187
Here is another sad quote. Jane realizes that she is so deeply in love with Mr. Rochester, but he doesn’t even notice her; his eye is drawn to the more beautiful Miss Ingram. In turn, Miss Ingram treats Jane like crap. It is a typical female rivalry over the attention of one male. It’s crazy that this is still ever-present today especially in forms of entertainment like TV shows or movies. I cannot say that I am sure that Jane is in the right mind here, however. I believe that she is just too self conscious to think that with Miss Ingram in the room, there is not way Mr. Rochester could be interested in her. But I do believe that is the ironic case.

“‘You could scarcely find me one. If you knew it, you are peculiarly situated: very near happiness; yes, within reach of it. The materials are all prepared; there only wants a movement to combine them. Chance laid them somewhat apart; let them be once approached and bliss results.’” Pg. 199
This is Jane’s fortune as told by a gypsy that we find out to really be Mr. Rochester in disguise. Knowing it is Mr. Rochester, I don’t know whether to really see this as foreshadowing or not. I do believe that happiness will be found in the end, but there is still a lot of the book to read. So I do not think it will be very soon as the fortune tells. And the fact that Mr. Rochester is the one saying this, I believe that he will propose to Jane or something. I mean how could he not it seems so obvious. I wonder what will happen to Miss Ingram also, if Mr. Rochester will just kick her out of the house, or will she just leave all on her own.

“‘Doing well! He could not do worse: he ruined his health and his estate amongst the worst men and the worst women. He got into debt and into jail: his mother helped him out twice, but as soon as he was free he returned to his old companions and habits... How he died, God knows!--they say he killed himself.’” Pg. 223
This quote is concerning John Reed. I feel like this John got what was owed to him; kind of like Karma caught up with him and he was destined to lead a miserable, corrupt life. It is almost necessary that he lived such a life, considering how he treated Jane when they were children. John was an innately corrupt person, and there was no way to escape such a lifestyle. It is kind of funny and ironic on John’s part and also Mrs. Reed, whose golden child lived a horrible life and caused nothing but trouble for his mother. They both had it coming to them. This is too appropriate also, that the pieces of Jane’s life fall so nicely into place (assuming the two Reeds’ fates are justified on Jane’s part).

“‘Love me, then, or hate me, as you will,’ I said at last, ‘you have my full and free forgiveness: ask now for God's, and be at peace.’
Poor, suffering woman! it was too late for her to make now the effort to change her habitual frame of mind: living, she had ever hated me--dying, she must hate me still.” Pg 242
Here, Jane Eyre fully forgives Mrs. Reed for the wrongs that the old woman has done to her. However, although Mrs. Reed owned up to the extremeness of her actions toward Jane, she never really changes her mind about the whole situation. This seems too surreal. The fact that Jane seems to be so perfect as she’s gotten older and matured isn’t really believable. It would have been wise for Bronte to maybe leave this as one of Jane’s only and major flaws – that she couldn’t forget about Mrs. Reed’s actions enough to forgive her. That might have made Jane a little bit more believable as a character. Then again, Jane does seem to be the woman who lived the most ideal life according to Bronte and would want every aspect of the protagonist to be perfectly laid out.

“‘Thank you, Mr. Rochester, for your great kindness. I am strangely glad to get back again to you: and wherever you are is my home--my only home.’” Pg. 248
Wtf is with this beezy. It’s a sort of feminist, empowering (in a way) novel yet Jane is like every other “typical” woman at the time to so expectedly pour her soul into a man. I guess, as a reader, we know what Jane truly wants now. However, as readers, we are still led to believe that Mr. Rochester plans to marry Miss Ingram (at least that is what is implied). I know that will not be the case – the ending wasn’t kept a secret very well. Jane believes that Mr. Rochester’s intentions lie in Miss Ingram as well, though, so I wonder what her reason is for stating this to him. Or maybe she just couldn’t hold it in. Maybe Mr. Rochester was waiting for such a statement to start making his move? Lol.

“‘My bride is here,’ he said, again drawing me to him, ‘because my equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?’” Pg. 256
Ooooh finally the proposal. I saw it coming, it was obvious; inevitable. The most outstanding part of this quote is the word “equal.” Not only is Jane getting the man her heart truly desires, but he establishes her as his equal. This makes it just a little too perfect. And I do not know what to expect with their engagement since, again, there is still so much left to read. I foresee something bad to happen. So far, Jane’s life seems just a little too perfect for a woman of the time period. This is another reason I see a turn for the worse, because nothing is ever really that perfect.

“Yet after all my task was not an easy one; often I would rather have pleased than teased him. My future husband was becoming to me my whole world; and more than the world: almost my hope of heaven. He stood between me and every thought of religion, as an eclipse intervenes between man and the broad sun. I could not, in those days, see God for His creature: of whom I had made an idol.” Pg. 276
Jane now practically worships Mr. Rochester like a god. He has “become her whole world.” So, I would like to wonder what would happen if he were to disappear? Maybe that is what is bound to happen and this is a very depressing novel in the end. I do not know if it would surprise me, seeing as Charlotte Bronte was kind of depressing. This novel could be her bitter attack on the world. Haha. Again I believe it ironic that Jane has put all her faith in a man. And even worse than that, that she really wasn’t happy UNTIL she found a man. Maybe it only makes her happy, because they can be equals in the relationship.

The quote has to do with the time of Jane’s and Mr. Rochester’s wedding. Mr. Mason claims to be the brother of Mr. Rochester’s wife and says the wedding cannot go on. Mr. Rochester then says that it is true he is married, and Jane is pretty much torn apart. Pg.294
So, this is a big slap in the face for Jane; her beloved is already married. As Rochester says he will explain the situation back at Thornfield, they all go to the Hall to be enlightened. Mr. Rochester explains how he was tricked into marrying a very wealthy, yet insane, woman. She really is crazy and is taken care of by Grace Poole at that very Hall. Mr. Rochester then asks if they will force him to stay faithful to something almost inhuman. I do feel sorry for Mr. Rochester, but even worse for Jane. What will she do? I know she has a big conscience, and will probably be very torn in what her heart wants and her final decision.

“‘Mr. Rochester, I will not be yours.’” Pg. 318
This is a short quote, yet very powerful all the same. I feel like I have been very serious in all of my reflections so far, but I don’t know how seriously I really want to take this book. I guess the story is sort of interesting... Hmm.... Anyways, I cannot take this seriously. Honestly, no crazy in love woman could force herself to do that. Wouldn’t it be reasonable for her to ask Mr. Rochester to divorce his wife? I mean, divorce is acceptable in the Church of England.... Which they are a part of.... So why doesn’t he just do that instead of Jane leaving his ass? Her conscience is too overwhelming I suppose. BS.

“‘All men must die,’ said a voice quite close at hand; ‘but all are not condemned to meet a lingering and premature doom, such as yours would be if you perished here of want.’
...’Is it you, Mr. St. John?’ cried Hannah.” Pg. 338
The females inside of the house Jane was begging at would have left her to starve and die. However, the gracious St. John came by to her rescue. He seems like a decent man. I do not know how they get along calling him a saint while he is still alive though; that is a mystery to me considering what I was taught a saint to be. Anyways, St. John seems very nice, I wonder if he will stay that way. And I wonder how long he will allow Jane to stay with them. Maybe he will have other intentions. Maybe Jane will cater to these intentions, since her first love is no longer available. How happy would Jane really be though? At least she didn’t die I guess.

“‘No; I want only one companion this morning, and that must be you. Put on your things; go out by the kitchen-door: take the road towards the head of Marsh Glen: I will join you in a moment.’” Pg. 403
Here, St. John declares that he wants Jane as a wife. Not only that, he demands that she go with him to India. Not only that or that, but they are cousins. This is one messed up situation. Jane seems to admire St. John’s values in a way, however it is obvious she doesn’t love him. She kindly denies his “proposal” (quotes because it wasn’t really a question but a command), and he persists. St. John really isn’t very nice as I thought he would be, and it is good that Jane doesn’t feel obligated to marry just because Mr. Rochester is out of the question now. I wonder how extreme St. John’s reaction to this will be; he seems like he would not take the refusal nicely.

Summer Work: Essay

Eddie Heinrich
Mrs. Bosch
AP English Lit
9 August 2008

Carroll and Wonderland

Charles Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was born on January 27, 1832 to parents Charles (an Anglican clergyman) and Frances in Cheshire. He was the fourth born, but the first boy of eleven Dodgson children – four boys and seven girls (Lewis Carroll). The family moved to Yorkshire when Dodgson was eleven years old, yet young Charles went away to a private school in Richmond when he was twelve. Only a couple years later, though, he was moved to Rugby school where he was less happy. Throughout his scholastic career, however, Dodgson excelled with ease (Lewis Carroll).
As a child, young Charles loved to read. It wasn’t long before he advanced to books of much greater difficulty than expected of his age group. The boy also loved to entertain, frequently acting and reciting for his family and friends. Charles, however, developed an irritable stammer when he was young which plagued him throughout his whole life (in some circles, it is believed that “he stammered only in adult company and was free and fluent with children, but there is no evidence to support this idea”) (Lewis Carroll, Leach 91).
The young Dodgson grew up to be an adult “about six feet tall, slender and handsome, with curling brown hair and blue or grey eyes” however “carrying himself rather stiffly and awkwardly” (Lewis Carroll). At the age of seventeen, he attended Christ Church college at Oxford and his mother died only two days after his transfer. Although possessing lousy study habits, the young genius worked through college almost effortlessly. After graduation, Dodgson was offered a job at Christ Church as a mathematics lecturer; the pay was substantial, however the work was a drab (Lewis Carroll).
Dodgson began writing as early as 1854 as his works (mostly short stories) were published in various newspapers and magazines. The author also had many literary friends including George McDonald, whose family Charles grew very fond of. Dodgson published Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1866 and its sequel Through the Looking Glass in 1871 – his most successful works. The main character, Alice, was derived from Alice McDonald (to whom Dodgson is controversially said to have had a pedofilic attraction to, however there is no evidence to confirm such a claim) (Lewis Carroll).
During his life, Dodgson took up the hobby of photography. Most of his pictures were of children, including nudes, which has brought up controversy over the possibility of pedofilia among various scholars. Dodgson did little traveling in his lifetime, never left his job at Christ Church until retirement, and never moved. The writer died in 1898, thirteen days before his birthday (Lewis Carroll).
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland begins with a little girl, Alice, sitting by a brook under a tree with her sister who was caught up in a book that didn’t appeal to the little protagonist. Alice is an extremely imaginative thirteen year-old girl who is coming of age and learning about life. As she sits by the brook, a white rabbit passes by, only this rabbit is talking to himself and looking at his coat pocket watch. Shocked at the sight, Alice follows the rabbit down a hole, however no ordinary hole, as it continues down in an abyss for quite a while; when she gets to the bottom, Alice ends up in Wonderland. From this point, Alice goes on an adventure as she struggles with foods and liquids that alter her size, meets and converses with human-like animals living under the tyrannical and demented King and Queen of Hearts, and constantly finds herself in trouble. Among these strange characters is a hookah-smoking caterpillar, a disappearing Cheshire cat, a hare, mouse, and mad hatter stuck in time, a crazed Duchess with a crazy cook and pig-baby, and a Gryphon with his story-telling Mock Turtle friend, as well as many others. Wonderland is not like the normal world, and Alice is caught up in a land of confusion. Among this confusion, Alice finds herself in a ridiculous trial over pastry theft before she leaves Wonderland only to find that it was all a dream.
One very prominent theme in the novel is growing up and dealing with the awkward changes that come with it, including losing and struggling to find a sense of identity as well as the responsibilities accompanying the change as well. Throughout the story, Alice comes upon drinks that make her grow as well as shrink, foods that make her grow, and a mushroom that upon consumption can do either. With this strange change bodily change, Alice questions who she is, stating that she knew who she was when she got up in the “morning, but”... “must have been changed several times since then” (Carroll 60). The poor desperate and confused girl simply asks, “who in the world am I?” (Carroll 19). As Alice goes through sudden and strange changes so quickly and constantly, she faces them shamefully and confusedly.
Another theme in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the inevitable and tragic loss of childhood innocence. At thirteen, Alice is at the age where she is blossoming into a young adult – with her physical changes, mental ones come as well. This happens through harsh realizations, revelations, and with an unfamiliar environment. Alice clumsily faces these changes saying, “I can’t remember things as I used – and I don’t keep the same size for ten minutes together!” signifying her mental development along with her physical one (Carroll 62). Alice is also exposed to new things, as symbolized by the caterpillar who, with his phallic shape, may symbolize a sexual threat (The Caterpillar’s Mushroom).
Another strong element in the story is imagery, which Carroll utilized very effectively to reinforce the themes. The images presented in the book are very imaginative, wondrous, and detailed. This includes settings and characters alike. As a result, the story appeals to children as a storybook, however the things present go much deeper than imaginative entertainment. This is very much in keeping with the themes of growing up and losing innocence, as the images are appealing and fun, yet hold much deeper meanings.
In writing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll created a literary work of art. Not only should the story be credited as genius for the imagination and unique story, but for the completely brilliant depth of it as well. The story is a must-know for the youngest children as well as the oldest scholars alike. For the kids, the book is fun and exciting and a joy to take part in (well, for the adults too). But not only that, the story is symbol-and-metaphor-packed as it conveys a very important message about growing up in a unique and complex way. Carroll’s story is a literary legend and should be regarded with high merit. The book just has so much to offer.


 Works Cited
Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. New York: William Morrow & Co., Inc., 1866.
Leach, Karoline. In the Shadow of the Dreamchild. London: Peter Owen Ltd, 1999.
Sparknotes. “The Caterpillar’s Mushroom.” 10 June 2008. SparkNotes LLC. 9 August 2008 .
Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia. “Lewis Carroll.” 9 August 2008. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 9 August 2008 .

Summer Work: BIblical Allusions

Eddie Heinrich
Mrs. Bosch
AP English 12
4 August 2008

Biblical Allusions

The Fall: Also known as “The Fall of Man.” In the book of Genesis, the first man and woman of Earth, Adam and Eve, live with God in a paradise - The Garden of Eden. They lived in innocent obedience to God, not knowing of good or evil and therefore forbidden to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. However, the Devil disguised as a serpent convinced Eve (who then convinced Adam) to eat the Forbidden Fruit by telling her, “your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” With this, God exiled Adam and Eve from the garden for eternity bringing about sin, natural sin, human nature, and lives of guilty disobedience to God. Commonly used as an allusion from a period of innocent and happy life to a time where purity is no longer.

The Flood: Also known as “The Great Flood.” In the book of Genesis, God saw the Earth as corrupt and believed that every intention in the hearts of men were wholly and continually evil. God regretted creating man so therefore decided to “blot out” every and all creatures he created on Earth with some exceptions. Seeing Noah as the truest follower of God, the Lord selected him to build an arc. God’s instructions were to bring his wife, his sons, and their wives along with one pair of “unclean” animals and seven pairs of “clean” animals. God then flooded the earth by making it rain for 40 days, and the water took 150 days to recede leaving the arc atop a mountain. It stayed there for 40 more days where afterward the passengers were left to repopulate the world. An allusion common with a dire means of starting over.

The Creation: The Creation According to Genesis. The creation of the world as a series of divine commands by God over a period of six days and resting on the seventh. (The seven days of the week, the seventh being Sunday or the Sabbath as a Christian day of worship and rest). On the first day, God created light. On the second, God created a firmament, the “heavens.” On the third, God separates earth from sea. On the fourth, God creates light in the firmament consisting of the sun moon and starts so there would be days, months, and years. On the fifth, God created sea creatures and birds to fill the heavens. Lastly on the sixth day, God created land creatures, Man in his “image,” and plants. Very common allusion of building or working for something followed by rest in both literature as well as pop culture.

The Mark of Cain: Also known as “The Curse of Cain.” In the Book of Genesis, the story of Cain and Abel tells of how Cain’s jealousy of his brother drives him to murder. As punishment, God placed a “mark” on Cain warning people that killing him would bring God’s vengeance. It is believed that this “curse” was passed to all descendants of Cain. In some religious sects, the curse is believed to be the traits present in people of African descent. Interpretations of the curse also include its possessor living as a vagabond on the earth, being a “servant to servants,” and being unsuccessful in agriculture as the earth will not provide for them. Common allusion with murderers and the consequences of their actions.

Lot and His Wife: Book of Genesis. Traveling to a new city to find residence, Abraham brought along his nephew Lot. However, their shepherds quarreled too often for them to continue together, so Abraham set Lot out to find a place to live elsewhere. Abraham continued to Canaan while Lot settled near the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Eight years later, God decided to destroy the five sinful cities of the plain on which Lot lived. God then sent angels to rescue Lot, his wife, and his two daughters. The Sodomites then went after the angels as they wanted to rape them, even refusing Lot’s offer of his two virgin daughters instead. Lot’s family was pulled out and rescued and told to leave and not look back at the cities during their destruction. However, Lot’s wife turned back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Allusion to drastic consequences due to curiosity after being warned otherwise.

Sodom and Gomorrah: Book of Genesis. Two cities destroyed by God with ”brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven” due to impenitent sin. The main underlying reasons for the destruction of the cities vary, being cruel treatment toward strangers for the Jewish faith whereas the Christian faith also bases the destruction on acts of homosexuality throughout the cities. The names of the cities have become synonymous for sexual deviancy and sinfulness, including the deriving of the word “sodomy.”

The Nativity: Also known as “The Nativity of Jesus.” The account of the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke to the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph. Conceived immaculately by the Holy Spirit and in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Prophets of Israel for the coming of a Messiah. The Nativity scene takes place in a nativity as there were no inns for Mary and Joseph to lodge in, so that is where she gave birth. It is said that Jesus was visited by three wise men from different lands bearing gifts, and finding him by following the North Star. Celebrated at Christmas.

Lazarus: From the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus raises Lazarus of Bethany from the dead. Used as an allusion to resurrection of the dead or a sudden restoration of heartbeat after it had stopped, known as the Lazarus Phenomenon.

The Crucifixion: The story of Jesus’s death according to all four Gospels. Includes his arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion on the cross, and his burial. Betrayed by Judas, Jesus’s location was told to Pontius Pilot who was out to kill him for being seen as “King of the Jews.” Jesus was forced to carry the cross to which he would be nailed to the top of to a hill and was crucified with another prisoner (whom Jesus granted passage to heaven). Jesus’s death on the cross was seen as necessary for the forgiveness of sins and the opening of heaven to all the souls in Purgatory. He rose from his death after three days, stayed on Earth with his disciples for forty more days, then rose to heaven along with his body. A common allusion involving a sacrificial death.

The Denial: Also known as “The Denial of Saint Peter.” The denial of association with Jesus by Saint Peter as told in all four Gospels. Jesus foretold to Peter that he shall deny him three times in one night, which he did. The first being to the servant girl of the high Priest after her accusation. The second to a group of people which the servant girl claimed Peter’s association to. The third being to an individual (or crowd) that claimed Peter’s Galilean accent was proof of being a disciple of Jesus.

Thirty Pieces of Silver: Judas was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus knew that it would be one of his disciples to give him away, and knew it would be Judas. Almost being necessary to fulfill the prophesy of the Messiah, Judas went ahead and turned Jesus in to the Roman authorities to be tried and, consequently, executed. Judas was then paid thirty pieces of silver for doing this.

David and Goliath (Philistines): The battle of David and Goliath of the Philistines according to the Gospel of Samuel. The Philistines are at war with the Israelites, and the leader of the Philistines, Goliath, steps forth and demands a one-on-one battle with the best Israeli warrior to decide the outcome of the battle, however all of the Israelites are afraid. David, a young boy who was bringing food to his brothers at combat, declares that he will step up and declines any armor and only brings with him a staff and slingshot. As David approached Goliath, Goliath curses David by his gods, but David states that his God will be the one who will lead him to victory. David then shoots Goliath in the head with a stone, bringing him down, then cuts of the giant’s head in victory. The Philistines flee in fear and are then chased by the Israelites.

Buddha/Buddhism: Gautama Buddha was born in Ancient India as a prince. At his birth, his father was told depending on his exposures outside of the palace, Gautama would become either a great King or spiritual man. Despite his father’s efforts to limit his life outside of the palace in hopes of his son becoming King, Gautama witnessed outside life in a way that changed his views entirely. Gautama witnessed a suffering man, a diseased man, a rotting corpse, and a monk - these are called The Four Sights. He then abandoned his present lifestyle for a new spiritual one. Through various methods of practice including meditation and anapanasati, Gautama achieved Enlightenment six years later at the age of 35. He then spent the rest of his life teaching his insights which became known as Buddhism. Buddhism is a very prominent religion in the East (Asia), with influence all around the world and consisting of numerous different sects. Buddhist beliefs and traditions differ with location and variation of the religion.

Golgotha: Translated as “The Place of Skull.” The original Greek name given to the place (sort of a hill or mountain) of the crucifixion of Jesus according to all four Gospels. The name was changed to Calvary in the King James version of the bible later on. Located outside of Jerusalem’s city walls.

The Prodigal Son: Also known as “The Lost Son.” Told in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. A man has two sons, and one of these sons demands his inheritance while his father is still alive and spends it frivolously in a distant country. After living recklessly, the son hits his low point and has to become a swine herder. He runs back home to his father who, to his surprise, welcomes him back with open arms and celebrates his return. The loyal son, however, becomes jealous of the seemingly favorable attitude toward his brother while he gets no praise for his faithfulness. The father then tells him that everything he owns will belong to his son as he is grateful for his loyalty, but that he should be happy that his brother has returned “from the dead.”

Revelations: Also known as Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John, and Revelation of Jesus Christ. Discusses the end of the world. Revelations begins with John receiving a message from God for the seven churches of Asia. He then has a vision about how evils will sweep over the world as good doers endure prosecution, yet they are promised eternal life for their devotion through it all at the end of the world. John then sees four angels holding back the winds of heaven, who place seals on the servants of God in Israel – a total of 144,000. John then foresees physical catastrophes to happen upon the world along with the wrath of God released upon persecutors of his followers. John then describes the Devil as a dragon at war with God working through the Roman Emperor. He then gives the Devil the number 666 – as “the number of the Beast.” Three angels are then supposed to appear with a different message about the wrath of God and the fate of the world. Seven more appear with bowls symbolizing God’s wrath about to be poured down on the evil who are cast into a river of fire for eternity. Christ will then come to earth on clouds, his light destroying the wicked who are left. The Devil will be imprisoned for one thousand years, as the extent of Christ’s reign on earth. After it is up, God’s city will then descend to heaven.

Jonah and the Whale: As told in the Old Testament and mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament. God told Jonah to prophesy the city of Nineveh, however Jonah did not want to so he went sailing to try and avoid God’s command. At sea, an unordinary storm comes about and, knowing it is because of him, Jonah tells the sailors that throwing him overboard will make it stop. The sailors do this as a last resort. Jonah lands in the ocean but is saved by being swallowed by a large fish (whale). Jonah then goes to Nineveh and says the city will be destroyed in forty nights. However, the Ninevites make sacrificial gestures such as fasting so God spares the city for the time being. Seeing his journey as pointless, Jonah makes a hut which God grows a large plant over for shade. The plant dies in only one day, and Jonah wishes for God to take him rather than be fully exposed to the sun. God then tells him that he did not do anything for the plant so should not be upset by it, nor by the fact that thousands of people in Nineveh who don’t know right from wrong didn’t die.

Samson and Delilah: Samson was a gift to his fertile parents from God, and with his conception they were told that he must never cut his hair or drink alcohol. It would also be his destiny to relieve the Israelites from God’s punishment of giving them into the hands of the Philistines. He falls in love with and marries a Philistine girl, yet after the wedding Samson goes into a rage, killing Philistine people and burning their crops, so the citizens burn his wife. Samson runs away to Gaza, and falls in love with Delilah. However Delilah betrays him by asking him the secret to his super strength (his hair which cannot be cut) and telling it to his enemies so that they may defeat him in return for silver coins.

Moses and the Flight From Slavery in Egypt: Book of Exodus. Moses was born to Hebrew parents at a time when the Pharaoh of Egypt ordered for all newborn Hebrew children to be executed. To save him, his mother put him in a basket and sent him down a river. He was found and adopted by the Pharaoh’s wife and raised as royalty. Moses grew up naive to who he really was and what his father did, until one day when he had a revelation from God. Moses ended up killing an Egyptian slave master (as he could not stand to watch the Hebrew slaves be savagely whipped) and fled his home. Moses then became God’s messenger and the savior of the Hebrews. By Moses’s word, God released ten plagues on Egypt as the Pharaoh would not grant the Hebrews freedom. However, Moses gathered the Hebrews and escaped across the red sea which, by the grace of God, he was able to part for passage. God then gave Moses the Ten Commandments which he communicated to the people.