What does this Frankenstein quote mean? "But 'Paradise Lost' excited and far deeper emotions..."?
"But 'Paradise Lost' excited and far deeper emotions. I read it, as I had read the other volumes which had fallen into my hands, as a true history. It moved every feeling of wonder and awe that the picture od an omnipotent God warring with his creatures was capable of exciting. I often referred the several situation, as their similarity struck me, to my own. Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link at any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy, and prosperous, guarded by, the especial care of his creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature, but i was wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times i considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when i viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me."
So what is the quote all about? What can you decipher from this? Im not sure what this quote is trying to say. Can anyone help me please?!?
She REALLY liked Paradise Lost! She took it seriously, not as a work of fiction.
"It moved every feeling of wonder and awe that the picture of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures was capable of exciting. I often referred the several situations, as their similarity struck me, to my own."
There are other details beyond that, but that's the gist of it.
The quote you provided is from the novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley. In this passage, the character of Frankenstein is reflecting on his reading of John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost."
When Frankenstein says, "But 'Paradise Lost' excited and far deeper emotions," he means that the emotions he felt while reading "Paradise Lost" were more powerful and intense compared to any other book he had read before. He describes reading it as if it were a true history, suggesting that he was deeply engrossed in the story and its themes.
Frankenstein then goes on to explain how "Paradise Lost" evoked feelings of wonder and awe within him. The image of an omnipotent God warring with his creatures, as depicted in the poem, stirred these emotions. This concept resonated with Frankenstein, as he saw parallels between his own situation and that of the characters in the poem.
Frankenstein compares himself to both Adam and Satan in "Paradise Lost." He relates to Adam in that they both feel isolated and not connected to any other being. However, he acknowledges that their circumstances are vastly different, as Adam was created by God and lived in a state of happiness and prosperity, while Frankenstein feels wretched, helpless, and alone.
Moreover, Frankenstein also sees himself in Satan, particularly in his feelings of envy. When he perceives the happiness of his protectors, he experiences a bitter sense of envy, similar to Satan's envy when he views the joy of angels in "Paradise Lost."
Overall, this quote reflects Frankenstein's emotional response to reading "Paradise Lost," and his introspective comparison of himself to the characters in the poem. It highlights his feelings of isolation, wretchedness, and envy in his own life.