Quotes Flashcards

1
Q

I dabbled among the unhallowed maps of the grave?”

A

The author’s use of the diction “dabbled” indicates pursuing something casually or superficially; whilst, the diction “unhallowed” implies that an object is profane, neglected and desecrated. These connotations link towards Frankenstein’s train of thoughts as he is aware of the immoral actions of creating life artificially through the autonomies of corpses.

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2
Q

“It was after the catastrophe when they shot the president and machine-gunned the Congress and the army decided a state of emergency. They blamed it on the Islamic fanatics, at the time.

A

“shot president” “state of emergency” reference to unstable countries in the present and past. People assume the US is a stable country with government separate from the military. Atwood tries to say that the US isn’t always safe and should not become complacent. “Blamed on the islamic fanaties” blamed through islamphobia. Atwood tries to create a villain / terrorist group as then people will unite together, wants to create a enemy.

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3
Q

“But a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes”

A

Metaphor of how clouds imply blindness / ignorance, as it implies that monster is based purely on his appearance and it cannot overcome his alienation as he is judged on his appearance and not on his actions, creates a feeling of struggle. Irony as the monster talks to a blind man as the blind man metaphorically has more sight as he is able to judge the monster for who he is as Shelley indicates how people act in a prejudice as she highlights how people who aren’t blind are more blind then blind people as they judge people based on their appearance, evident through the monster in society.

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4
Q

“Everything except the wings around my face is red: the colour of blood, which defines us”

A

“red / blood” symbolism of Handmaid’s role for lust as they are used as sexual objects. Metaphor through Ideals of conformity towards indoctrination imposed as she states that “defines us”, links back towards ideas that they are purely used as sexual objects. Links to violence as they are sexual victims.

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5
Q

Farewell, Walton!” Seek happiness in tranquillity, and avoid ambition, even if it be only the innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.

A

“avoid ambition” ironic as this is what Frankenisten pursued at the beginning of the book. His pursuit of ambiiton is hubris and he fails to self reflect when making the Monster when purusiang ambiiton for no reason at all. Characterisation as the tone is regret and shame due to his ultimate fault of ignorance. Shelley shows the audience of industrial revolution that rather than pursue progress, just needs to be content with what they have otherwise they fall into self destruction like Frankenisten.

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6
Q

“There are a number of things i could do. I could set fire to the house, I could bundle up some of my clothes, I could tear my bedsheet into shrips, I could go to the Commander”

A

Lexical sets of her final acts as it parallel to previous quote of Moira and how she does not go out in a glorious way as Offred wants her life to have some significance but fails to do so anyways. “Setting fire to the house” open rebelliousness to the house”. Fails to even “tear of her bedsheet into a rope” to suicide, reference to old offred but even fails to do that. Ironic as she has many ideas of rebellion but requires courage and bravery which she lacks which is why ultimately she does none of the things that she has mentioned above.

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7
Q

“you can join us” she says. “Us” I say. There is an us then, there’s a we. I knew it.

A

ALlusion “us” refers to Mayday which isn’t explicitly mentioned in the novel. Tone creates feelings of hope as the idea of an organisation fighithng for freedom is enticing to Offred. Ironic as she doesn’t follow up on this, show importance of taking action and to not be passive in a dystopian society.

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8
Q

“I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?”

A

Idea of nature vs nurture as shows the monster was once born good and innocent but turned hateful due to cruelty of society and lack of nurture from Frankenstein. Fundamental bit of irony due to realisation as the monster is actually the victim and Frankenstien is the antagaonist.

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9
Q

“You can only be a jealous of someone who has something you think you have yourself. Nevertheless I was jealous”

A

Irony of Serena Joy but Serena Joy jealous of Offred for being able to sleep with her husband. But Offred jealous of Serena Joy of being jealous of having a husband. Shows oppression between women in society as this is more ironic as they have tension with each other but not the society that has caused the greater issue of patriarchy.

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10
Q

“Don’t call me ma’am, she said irritably. You’re not a Martha”

A

Imperative through a command that she gives in “don’t call me’am” is because she is feeling threatened of her motherhood and fertility getting replaced, tension created between her and Offred. Even within the gender or women, there is still a power struggle due to lack of control overall; thus, we need to fight for control against other women, social hierarchy within women. Asserts control over everyone below her including handmaids and Marthas.

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11
Q

Does each of us have the same print, the same chair, the same white curtains, I wonder? Government Issue?

A

“same print” “same chair” “ same white curtains” shows handmaid programmes being a universal form of oppression and not individual issues. “Government issues” shows how they are tools used by the government. Implies lack of individuality and uniqueness, they only want handmaids to conform to whatever image they want.

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12
Q

I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed”

A

Adam is gods first human creation -> monster wants to be treated as human and a son with love and care. He sees frankenstein as god as he gave him life. Contrasts with “fallen angel” which is reference to lucifer, (he was once a angel but he overthrew god so he threw him out of heaven), fell from heaven to hell, which is why he’s falling angel. Lucifer was once in god’s prescence but not now in hell. Metaphorically monster feels like he’s in hell emotionally as he can never be in the presence of Frankenstein.

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13
Q

“We yearned for the future. How did we learn, that talent for insatiability?

A

We yearn for the future” irony through Offred’s character “yearn” implies desperation for something but she never does anything about it. The rhetorical question shows how unsatisfied she is with her life through the diction” insatiability”

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14
Q

“I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself: we shall be monsters cut off from all the world”

A

Juxtaposition: “we” - unity in the face of alienation giving a monster reason to live “cut off from the world”

Imperative: “Demand” gives a feeling of desperation due to his misery.

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15
Q

“The white wings too are prescribed issue; they are to keep us from seeing”

A

“keep us from seeing” indoctrination, metaphor as they are always limited from seeing the world through indoctrination. Also for men to not show lust towards the handmaid’s as they are sexual objects. “White wings” highlight innocence but ironic as they are victims of sexual assault through the role of being a handmaid.

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16
Q

“Begone vile insect! Or rather stay, that I may trample you to dust” “Abhorred monster!

A

Exclamation marks, devastated diction in “vile” and “abhorred” Lack of identity are shown through general characterisation in “insect” and “monster”. Treated as an object or someone inferior to a human being

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17
Q

“There was a dreamlike quality to them; they were too vivid, too at odds with their surroundings”

A

The simile of current actions and laws occurring being a “dreamlike quality” “vivid” too at odds” indicates how unbelievable and outrageous the actions that the military coup or Gilead were taking at the time, indicates how they slowly stripped women of their rights to work or have a bank account. Ironic that Offred kinda just sits there doing nothing despite the actions that have taken place, more worried about minor things instead of focusing on the bigger picture, highlights her passivity in her characterization. She is in complete denial and unbelief, she refuses to accept that this is real life but shows how shock causes denial and people living in delusion and not take any further action.

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18
Q

“often did (his) human nature turn with loathing from occupation”

A

This highlights his characterisation as his morality and mind state that his actions of creating life artificially from the dead are ethically wrong and illicit; however, he still proceeds to pursue scientific innovation. This highlights the irony between his train of thought and his pursuit of glory as he solely focuses on his scientific innovation of creating the monster without considering the long-term implications associated with his creations. Furthermore, despite the continuous warnings from nature, Frankenstein still decides to go against the order of nature by violating the ethical boundaries of nature as the long-term implications are shown through his tragedies.

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19
Q

for the first time, (he) felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were”

A

The author portrays Frankenstein’s characterisation and foreshadows the long-term ethical implications. This is due to the allusion to later contexts of the novel through Frankenstein’s realization of his mistakes during his pursuit of glory.

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20
Q

“You are in the wrong. I am malicious because I am miserable.”

A

The use of repetition is shown through the pronouns “you” and “I” reiterating to Frankenstein the ethical responsibility and fault that lies with Frankenstein highlighting the implications that will arise due to his ignorance of the ethical boundaries of nature and science. On the other hand, the irony is shown through contrasting diction in “miserable” and “malicious as the creation understands his maliciousness and intent yet faults Frankenstein himself, this is due to the creation’s understanding of the importance of nurturing and caring for life created, whether artificially or naturally.

21
Q

Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like ourselves, equal in deformity and wickedness

A

Frankenstein rejects his desire to have a female companion:
Never will I create another” Frankenstein anagnorisis his realising that he made a mistake and, a sense of guilt for a monster killing people. Can’t make the same mistake twice. Ties into characterisation trying to move away from his past hubris. Irony is blaming the monster for being deformed / evil but refuses to accept full responsibility for him being the source of the mistake. It shows the denial of happiness for the monster and how Frankenstein acts out of pure cruelty.

22
Q

I seemed to have lost all sensation but for one pursuit

A

Becoming more obsessed with making monster:
“sensation” hyperbole numb to the world around him. Describes everything he enjoyed in life, but now no longer feels anything about it because of his feelings of obsession. Metaphor “soul” ones humany disregarding his esscene of humanity and morality to make the monster. Ties into shelley’s criticism of industrial revolution as they are throwing away humanity for science.

23
Q

In a solitary chamber or cell

A

Describes where frankenstein made the monster:
Situational irony “solitary chamber” / “cell” links to prison but ironic as Frankenstein wilingliny puts himself in this place. Also irony through him being extremely lonely showing how he took everything for granted when making the monster.

24
Q

The great object, which swallowed up every habit of my nature, should be completed”

A

Describing how hes becoming more obsessed
“swallowed up” personficiation associates to something predatory, implies that in a metaphorical sense that consuming all other aspects of his personality

25
Shall I not then hate them who abhor me
Monster saying it hates people because they hate him: Shows that hatred is a cycle, as monster initially wans’t hateful with a sense of innocence however because of prejudice society caused him to be hateful in response. Then monster hated people and people became more scared of him. All this hate came from prejudice as they didn’t give the monster a chance in society. Effect of rhetorical question creates pleading desperate tone.
26
You must create a female for me, with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necesary for my being”.
Asking for a female monster to be made: Imperative tone of must creates feeling of desperation and urgency, but implies that the monster is feeling in authority and power. “Necessary”, showcases Shelley’s romantic view of human connection and love are the purpose of life, thus a life without companionship is pointless. Sets up foreshadowing as this is why the monster commits suicide as he has no more opporutnites for companionship
27
In a fit of enthusiastic madness, I created a rational creature and was bound towards him
Frankenstein reflecting on when he made the monster, one of his last few lines in the book: enthusiastic madness” regret over his past actions, specifically “madness” as he realises that what he did was complete insanity. Ties into his character anagnorisis due to his self realisation of him making the monster was a complete obsession which ties into the tragedy of his character as he only realises after making hte monster. Metaphor “bounds towards him” shows how his life was completely restricted upon making the monster, due to responsibility and duty of creating the monster.
28
Love and sympathy, and, when wrenched by misery to vice”
Desciring how the monster was once innocent then became hateful: love and sympathy” human nature, shelley belives that human nature is good initially. Creates a deal of pathos for the monster because the monster is now seemed as a victim as he was turned hateful rather than hateful at the beggining of his life. Contrasts shows how one can be affected by prejudice “misery to vice”. This matter shows how the monster did commit sins but the origin was due to society and humanity itself.
29
I shall collect my funeral pile, and consume to ashes this miserable frame
Monster going to commit suicide: Pathos through “miserable frame” shows the monster has self hatred creating pathos due to guilt and shame the monster has over his life even though its not his fault. Irony “consume to ashes” shows how Frankenstiens ambitions and goals and sacrifices are pointless because his intention was creating a legacy but the monster burning to ashes showcases that there is no trace of frankenstein’s work existing. Through this, Shelley makes a commentary against ambition that legacy and whatnot doesn’t last or exist.
30
I momentarily expect my release, is the only happy one which I have enjoyed for several years
“my release” euphemism shows a sense of desire for catharsis (when someone has a lot of tension and wants to release it) through his suicide. Irony as his death only achieved through happiness but irony as the only goal of creating the monster was to gain recognition but all he has left with is a tortured life with all friends and family dead showcases criticism of pursuing ambition and taking care of his loved ones.
31
I was seized by remorse and a sense of guilt and remorse , which herd me a way to a hell of intense tortures
Frankenstein guilty for the monster killing people: “hell” place of eternal suffering showcasing the emotional devastation of Frankenstein, implies the sins of Frankenstein as it caused the death of innocent people due to the creation of the Monster. “Seized of guilt and remorse” showcasing him being controlled by it. Showcases nature with family as his acts are sense of trauma as he takes his family connections for granted as losses them.
32
There was old sex in the room and loneliness, and expectation, of something without a shape or name”
Describing Offred’s feeling in the red centre: Old sex in the room” is a reference to college. To show what life was like before and after Gilead, had sexual freedom but now people have been robbed of a sense of sexual agency. “Expectation, of something without shape or name” metaphor of how handmaid’s have been partially indoctrinated.” Partially yearning for freedom but they cannot comprehend what a shape or name, highlights indoctrination.
33
Myself in it like a distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy tale figure in a red cloak
her looking at a mirror at herself: Simile through distorted shadow, which is nothing shows a sense of emptiness and hollowness when she looks at herself, “distorted” shows she looks warped through corruption. She looks at herself in the mirror, supposed to show identity but due to indoctrination she doesn’t even recognise herself anymore. “Red clock” intertextual allusion to little red riding hood, her purposes are completely sexual juxtaposed to the more pure symbolism in little red riding hood.
34
I wanted, then, to turn her into an older sister, a motherly figure, someone who would understand and protect me
Offred initially wanting SJ to be on her side: Lexical set of family and protection shows how isolated Offred is due to her complete loneliness. She wants people above her to protect her, indicating her vulnerability. Irony due to her being naive as in this society everyone does what's best for themselves.
35
I thought I was sounding like that, voice of a monotone, voice of a doll
How she talks to Serena Joy: doll” represents objectification as she is forced to act like a doll due to the indoctrination from Gilead. She follows these regulations thus indoctrination on her daily life works. “Doll” is usually played with links towards Gilead controlling Offreds life decisions.
36
Modesty is invisibility, said Aunt Lydia. Never forget it.
AL indoctrainating the handmaids through a speech: ‘modesty is invisibly” metaphor implies that women should be completely unseen and unheard in society, their individuality is irrelevant. That creates irony which is said by Aunt Lydia as she is a woman herself as she is reinforcing indoctrination and oppression of women. They can gain power by doing so over other women. Ultimately irony is that they are not trying to gain power from men in a patriarchal society but other women.
37
We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it”
everyone else lived as usual by ignoring what happened to political issues at the time such as Gilead taking over: They ignored all political situations and now they are oppressed from regulations imposed by Gilead. Them not taking any action, indirectly caused the life that they have from GIlead. Atwood wants people to take action. Shows that they are willingly ignorant causing their downfall. Shows how Offred is passive before they come into power and is still passive to Gilead.
38
Now it’s forbidden, Now it’s dangerous. Now it’s indecent. Now its something he can’t do with his wife. Now it’s dangerous. Now he’s comprised himself”
Offred describing why playing a simple game of scrabble is no longer allowed in society: Anaphora of “now” contrasts present and past as it highlights how even playing a small game of scrabble is deemed illicit in society and to offred deemed as an act of resistance and rebelliousness. Contrasts to pre-gilead where Scrabble was played as a small leisure game, when there was nothing better to do. Enticing for Offred. Highlights contrasting impacts of playing scrabble pre and post Gilead. Further emphasised through a lexical set of patriarchy and oppression on playing scrabble in society.
39
I win the first game, I let him with the second: I still haven’t discovered what the terms are, what I will be able to ask for, in exchange
Offred thinking of what to ask for in exchange of playing Scrabble with the commander: “I will be able to ask for” shows a feeling of empowerment, enticing as she has some sort of emotional power over the commander. Shows how she’s gaining a sense of agency and a sense of control but doesn’t do anything as she’s passive.
40
It was like being on a operating table, in the full glare; like being a stage
Offred’s feelings of the ceremony after getting a stronger connection with the Commander: Simile of “operating table” and “stage” and feelings of being watched, shows a sense of vulnerability. This is ironic as she was always violated by the ceremony and watched by Serena Joy. Being assaulted by a person that she kinda knows.
41
She is frightening me now, because what I hear in her voice is indifference, a lack of volition
Offred shocked at Moira is completely shocked: "Indifference, a lack of volition” shows the metaphorical death of Moira’s characterisation as before she was constantly rebellious but now she’s indifferent in that she doesn’t care. Shows sheer power and control of the government by turning someone completely rebellious into someone that is obedient.
42
And how can I expect her to go on, with my idea of her courage, live it through, act it out, when I myself do not?
Offred views herself as cowardly: “I myself do not” tone of self loathing and criticism. She criticises herself as she doesn’t take action as she is extremely passive to the point where she hates herself for being passive but is too scared of the consequences to do anything. She aspired to be like Moira to overcome the issues but she’s also hopeless showing how she’s hopeless
43
But I feel serene, at peace, pervaded with indifference. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I repeat this to myself but conveys nothing”
Offred’s reaction to realising the eyes are coming to get her and the reaction is nothing: Motif of old Offred inscribing a message which is rebellious as they aren’t allowed to communicate. Offred learnt that from the old offred as says “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” to herself and towards the Commander. To make sure society doesn’t wear her down but ironic as it does. Has a lot of emotional significance to try rebel but ironic as “conveys nothing” as she is now completely submitted to her fate which links to her being apathetic in the lexical set as she has now submitted even in a life or death situation.
44
“I shunned the face of man; all sound of joy or complacency was torture to me.”
45
“I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me.
46
“I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet
47
We are containers, it’s only the insides of our bodies that are important
48
His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful.
49