Elizabeth Smart Blog 4

Kristen Glass

Elizabeth Smart Blog 4

In “Tableau” by Countee Cullen, “Theology” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the authors focus on the idea that appearance does not define character. The friendship of a black and white child in “Tableau” results in the disapproval of their neighbors. The speaker of “Theology” humorously indicates that his actions are just while his neighbors’ are unforgivable.  In Frankenstein, the compassionate monster is feared due to his appearance, and he is misunderstood by his creator. This week, I attended the Elizabeth Smart Lecture and was astonished by her powerful message that every life is valuable. In the lecture and readings, the author’s message about physical appearance helps readers understand that true character is found on the inside.

In “Tableau,” Cullen describes a scene of two boys who rise above the hatred of society. The boys are great friends who are different races. In this time period, race divided people against one another. However, the boys walk together because they understand that skin color does not define their personalities. Because of their friendship, their judgmental neighbors watch them with contempt. Cullen describes the neighbors as “Indignant that these two should dare/In unison to walk” (Lines 8-9). These actions by the neighbors are similar to the passersby in “Cincinnati,” who judged the speaker solely on her race. The neighbor’s actions are disgusting and not limited to one race; both the “dark folk” and “fair folk” condemn the children. Yet, the boy’s actions are mature, and show that they are able to look past physical appearance to understand the true value of a person.

In “Theology,” Dunbar writes about his desire to go to heaven to escape his insufferable neighbors. Dunbar states, “There is a heaven, for ever, day by day/The upward longing of my soul doth tell me so” (Lines 1-2). The speaker’s longing indicates that he has been mistreated by the neighbors in some way, because he wishes for them to go to hell. The speaker understands that his actions will be rewarded, but his evil neighbors will be punished. His wishes, though humorously written, are also hopeful for a better future.

In Frankenstein, Shelley vividly describes a hideous monster who searches for love and fulfillment. Frankenstein strongly resembles Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark,” in that both Aylmer and Frankenstein are driven to create perfection and ignore the laws of nature. Like Georgiana, the monster in Frankenstein seeks approval from others to achieve happiness. In one scene, the monster traps his creator, Frankenstein, and pleads for companionship. Shelley writes, “Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy and I shall again be virtuous” (69). The monster wants to be accepted so he may find peace, but Frankenstein is so disgusted by his creature that he refuses to befriend him. The monster’s kindness is prominent in his desire to help the family in the woods. He loved the family and secretly aided their daily work. However, the monster's appearance frightens others, so he is shunned from society and sentenced to loneliness.

The Elizabeth Smart Lecture was a rewarding experience. As a young teen, Smart was kidnapped out of her home in Utah. Her captors imprisoned her for nine months and she was raped and starved every day. However, she never lost hope because of her strong faith in God. An overarching theme of her lecture was that each and every person is valuable, no matter who they are or where they come from. In Frankenstein, the monster yearns to be valued for his compassion, not his appearance just as Smart advocates. Smart also discussed the benefit of letting go of bad experiences in order to achieve happiness. This message applies to “Theology,” because the speaker knows that he has been kind on Earth and anticipates his reward in heaven while his evil neighbors are sent to hell. In “Tableau,” the children’s strength and disregard for the neighbor’s opinions propels their friendship forward. They understand that the hatred they experience in the poem will not define them in the future.

Overall, this week’s readings promote acceptance of all people, no matter their appearance. Character is determined through actions, not looks. Elizabeth Smart’s actions to escape her captors demonstrate her courage. Now, she uses her experience to protect other children from the same fate. Similar to Smart, the actions of the boys in “Tableau” presented their inner strength. In “Theology,” the speaker’s judgement of other’s actions shows his motives of escape. In Frankenstein, a gentle monster searches for a friend in his creator, who rejects him for his ugliness. Frankenstein lacks understanding of inner beauty, but the monster possesses this knowledge and continues to be kind. Appearances may be deceiving, but character always endures.