Epigraph

In literature, an epigraph is a phrase, quotation, or poemthat is set at the beginning of a document or component. The epigraph may serve as a preface, as a summary, as a counter-example, or to link the work to a wider literary canon, either to invite comparison or to enlist a conventional context.

In the original publication of Frankenstein, the following epigraph appears on the title page of the novel:

“Did I request thee, Maker from my clay
to mould me man?
Did I solicit thee,
from darkness to promote me?”

--from Paradise Lost, by John Milton

Please leave a comment offering your interpretation of the epigraph, and pose one discussion question about Frankenstein to the class. In your own comment, look at the questions posed by your classmates and choose one or two to answer. Think of this assignment as an online conversation about Frankenstein - don't just give your answer, but consider those of the students who commented before you and try to move the conversation forward with your own comment.  At the end of your comment please leave your first name only.  I will review your comments and include this work in your class participation grade.

Comments

[Max Harir]

I believe that the narrator in this quote is questioning why he was created and for what purpose? Clearly, the maker of this creature looks down upon his creation and doesn't like it. The creature didn't ask to be made, so why was he made?

Question: Because of his regret, will Dr. Frankenstein try to take down the creature he has made who he believes killed his brother william?

[Patrick Welden]

Milton is accusing God of putting him into a world full of evils and sorrow, a world where he is utterly depressed. He wishes he was never created.

Question: Will the monster regret its own creation?

[imani troy]

the speaking seems to be questioning his own creation. that he did not choose it, but was made form "clay" anyways

[Kevin Kerr]

I personally believe the narrator is trying to say that since it was not his idea to come into this world in the first place, then his creator should take part of the blame for creating him in a way that would not offer him automatic success's in life.

Question-why does Mary Shelly have Robert Walton tell the story of Victor?

[Brian]

I believe the quote is saying that no human being asked to be created, but is just created on there own. No one know's what is going to be created. It is the randomness that makes the world different.

Question: How will this quote coexist with the creation of the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein?
-Brian

[Bridget]

This quote seems like it is describing how the person writing it feels about what they have become. How other people have molded and shaped without their consent their personalities or everything about them.

Question: Do you think Dr. Frankenstein will be able to realize what he has made, is nothing like what either of them wanted?

-Bridget

[Deena Qadir]

I think the speaker of this quote is speaking to the fact that he did not ask to be created. He did not "solicit" him and force his creator to make him. In saying this, the creature is not responsible for the chaos he has done since his creator chose to promote him from darkness at his own will.

[Cecilia]

I think that Milton’s quote is very thought provoking. None of us asked to be given life, but at the end of our lives, I think that we’ll all be glad to have had the ability to live. Even the quote shows that life is a good experience, because it is “promoting” the character from “darkness.” In response to Ryan’s question, I think that it is most definitely a favor to give the gift of life to a person. We don’t know what “life” would be like if we weren’t given this life to live. No matter how bad we think our lives could be at points, like what Lisa said about Florence and his bad life, I think that living life is something wonderful to experience, and literally a-once-in-a-lifetime event. My question is what provoked Dr. Frankenstein to create the monster, since the monster didn’t ask to be created? (This may be answered later, in a part that I didn’t get up to yet).
--Cecilia

[Claire]

I agree with everyone so far who has said that this epigraph is written towards the person’s creator. I think that the person who wrote the epigraph is asking why he came into existence and why his creator chose to turn him from nothing, “darkness”, to something by “promot[ing]” him. The person who wrote this seems to be asking his creator these questions in an angry tone by questioning the creator’s actions in a negative way. This also makes me think that the epigraph can allude to the monster created in Frankenstein. I agree with Lisa’s point about someone questioning his life when it is bad. I also like her connection to Florence. To answer Julia’s question, I think that Walton might be narrating the story to show a different point of view without outright saying the different view.
Question: Did the creator mean to create a “monster” and did he think of the monster’s reaction to being created before he created it?
-claire

[Clark R]

My interpretation of this quote is that the person created didn't ask to be created. The narrator also asks for the reason they were made since he didn't asked to be made. I agree with Ryan and think life is a favor not a punishment.

Question: Why does the monster Dr. Frankenstein makes kill?

[Julia]

The speaker questions why life has been given to him in the first place if all it was to accomplish was the creation of a multitude of problems! He just wants some justification as to why he should be so miserable in this life that was not asked for. Elizabeth can be of importance later on maybe at a time of need for Robert where he can seek her being that she is the "rock" that keeps him together. He has limited relationships and the bond with her is overwhelmingly strong so she can possibly guide him through a tough situation. Question: What is the significance of having Walton narrate the story when it primarily focuses on the life of Victor?

[lisa]

Well like everyone has said I think that it is in the perspective of the "monster," and he's asking if he requested to be given life. I think that some people, especially those who are put in bad circumstances out of their control, question why a bad life was given to them at all, if they didn't ask to be born. It reminds me of what Florence said in Bless Me Ultima.

My question is still how the author of the letters relates to the story?

[Justin Bell]

John Milton in Paradise Lost shows a period of reflection and evaluation. The narrator of this excerpt is criticizing and questioning his own doing and creation. The narrator is almost saying that his creation has given him a bad name, "from darkness to promote me." If the narrator is in fact embarrassed or ashamed of his creatures doing he does not want the creation promoting his work.

Question: What is the significance of Walton's journey? What is Elizabeth's impact on the situation?

[Mike McC.]

I agree with Ava and believe that the speaker of this quote wasn't asked to be brought into this world and that the creator of this is full responsible for the actions that the creation does, including whether they are "acts of darkness" or not. I predict Robert Walton to find the monster that Doctor Frankenstein created on his journey.

Question: Assuming my prediction is correct, what will happen to the monster after he is found and what will be Dr. Fankenstein's punishment be?

[charlotte burke]

The speaker is discussing his creation and explaining that he didn't mean for it or him to come out this way he did not mean to "solicit" him in any way

Charlotte Burke

[Emma]

I agree with Marisa and Ava. If a person isn't wanted than whats the point of creating that person their just going to feel miserable because nobody wants them. Why does Victor want Elizabeth so bad? If it turns out she wants to leave him in the future will he be willing to let her go or would he force her to stay with him?

[Victoria]

I agree with Marisa about the creation of the monster. I feel bad for him because it seems he was never taught right from wrong, and that Frankenstein's fault because he is his creator. So the monster is doing these bad things, yet he doesn't know that their wrong.

Question: Who was Dr. Frankenstein chasing when we first met him in Walton's letters?

[Mike McC.]

I agree fully with Ava and how the speaker didn't ask to be brought into the world and was brought into the world upon the creators own accord and will be the creators responsibility. I predict that Walter will find the monster that he has brought into the world because he is responsible for it.

Question:
What do you think will happen when Doctor Frankenstein will find the monster, assuming my prediction to Jake's question is true?

[Marisa]

I totally agree with Ava. The creature is probably responding to its creator saying, "Why did you bother to create me, if you don't want me. I didn't ask you to make me like this." My question for Frankenstein is how is Frankenstein going to respond to the monster when it comes to life, will he hate it or will he love it?

[Ryan Sirlin]

This epigraph seems to be alluding to Frankenstein in the sense that Frankenstein was made against his own will. The epigraph provides some good food for thought on the question of human existense as a whole. This big question kind of creates a dark feeling inside of you adding to the gothic effect of the novel.

Question: Is it a favor or punishment to give life to a person?

[Mrs. Davison]

These comments look good! I just want to remind everyone to respond to each other's questions. So, in your comment you should:
1. Offer your interpretation of the Epigraph.
2. Respond to one of the questiions posed by a classmate.
3. Write a discussion question of your own.
See you tomorrow!
-Mrs. Davison

[Erica Weinz]

I think the speaker of the quote is questioning the Maker as to his existence. He also asks why the Maker put darkness into him. I think he is blaming the creator for his existence and for why he is the way he is.

Question: How can this quote be used to promote the theme of darkness in Frankenstein?

[Kim McNamara]

In both this poem and in the book Frankinstein something is being created. Both creatures have a dark or evil quality about them. This quote brings up the issues of weather or not the creatures wanted to be crated and if the monsters should love or hate their creators for making them. This could also spark the question of wheather or not they are accountable for their evil actions. Should they be responsible for their evil doings or should the fault be put on their creators?

[Jake Otis]

Basically, the speaker in this quote is reflecting upon his creation, saying that it was not his doing or desire. His existence was brought upon by someone else by their curriosity and experimentation.

Question: What do you predict Robert Walton to find on his exploration?

[Laura]

Personally the quote seems to be to refer to someone else forming the person you are going to be and creating a different person from the person you are yourself. Also, the quote is asking if that same person is trying to change the person for the better, and steer them out of the "darkness" which he or she feels the person has becomed apart of.

Question: Does Doctor Frankenstien feel as though he is making a person who is going to be taken "from darkness"?

- Laura

[Ava Koch]

I think that the narrator of this quote is calling out to its creator saying that it didn't ask to be created or encourage. In a sense, i think that whoever is narrating is saying that the creator brought this being upon itself by creating it.

Question: How will Elizabeth be important later on?