The proto tech bro.🌭🍺

The Monk by the Sea painting has real "a being which had the shape of a man, but gigantic in stature" vibes to it. I wonder if Mary Shelley ever saw it.

I would say it should be required reading in all MBA programs, but I'm not sure MBA programs require reading.

Well, middle age in the early 1800s, anyway. :)

Victor was 5 at this point and is middle age(?) when recounting it to Walton. How much does he actually remember? How much did he understand at the time, how much is he recontextualizing? And how accurate is Walton's retelling? Lots of opportunities to question the reliability of the narrative.

Yes, although "had the shape of man" seems like an odd way to describe someone/thing unless you have a hunch that it's maybe not a man. Perhaps it's just the size that throws him off.

"Hey, let's tell spooky ghost stories." "Ok, mine is a cautionary tale about the pursuit of knowledge by dilettante who falls in love with a mysterious stranger on the arctic ice."

Yes. I wonder if this frame when she shared the story with, Percey, Byron and Polidori, or if it was added later? It must have come later.

Right?!? I feel like I'm going to end this novel with the belief that all this could have been avoided with just a little bit of therapy.

I suspect it may be a bit of both.

I thought so , too. I assume (having never read Frank) Walton's behavior parallels what we will ultimately learn about Dr. Frankenstein--and upon hearing his tale, Walton will, by the end of the story, be a changed man. Or not.

I remember saying that in my very first job interview. I didn't get that job. Ah, youth.

Yeah, I would love to read her replies. Would she be all, "Oh, that Robert! What a silly boy." or "WTF are you doing?!?"

Yes, please!

📌

Agreed. A great intro. I do wonder how his poet/explorer/inheritor resume would have resonated differently in the early 19th century than it does today? Just as absurd, rational/expected, aspirational?