Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- About Marry Shelley
- Fast Facts: Marry Shelley Shelley:
Full Name: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (née Godwin)
Known For: Prolific 19th-century writer whose novel 'Frankenstein' pioneered the science fiction genre
Born: August 30, 1797 in Somers Town, London, England
Parents: Mary Wollstonecraft, William Godwin
Died: February 1, 1851, Chester Square, London, England
Selected Works: History of a Six Weeks’ Tour (1817), Frankenstein (1818), Posthumous Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley (1824), The Last Man (1826), Lives of the Most Eminent Literary and Scientific Men (1835-39)
Spouse: Percy Bysshe Shelley
Children: William Shelley, Clara Everina Shelley, Percy Florence Shelley
Notable Quote: “Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos.”
- Introduction:
Mary Shelley in her novel Frankenstein presents the single-minded pursuit of knowledge and the desire for power as a problem that brings many consequences. The novel chronicles “the devastating consequences for an inventor and those he loves of his utter failure to anticipate the harm that can result from raw, unchecked scientific curiosity” (Johnston 200). In order to help readers better understand and interpret Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus, I have created an archive, which contains invaluable materials pertinent to the text. The archive is composed of visual elements from sources that heavily influenced the writing, including Greek mythology, Galvanism, John Milton’s Paradise Lost, and the sublime. By analyzing the meaning of such sources and their significance to the text, it becomes clear that Shelley’s text is a warning against hubris and crossing boundaries without taking into consideration all the possible repercussions.
- Question:1 What are some major differences between the movie and the novel Frankenstein?
- Answer:
The novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley and its various film adaptations, particularly the 1931 Universal Pictures version directed by James Whale, differ in several key aspects. Here are some essential differences:
1. Characterization of the Creature
Novel: The creature is articulate, intelligent, and capable of deep emotions. He seeks companionship and understanding but becomes increasingly bitter due to rejection from society.
Film: The creature is often portrayed as a brutish figure with limited speech. The 1931 film, for instance, features Boris Karloff's portrayal, which emphasizes the creature's physicality and less on his emotional depth.
2. Victor Frankenstein's Role
Novel: Victor is a complex character, grappling with guilt and responsibility for his creation. His internal conflict and obsession are central to the story.
Film: While Victor's obsession is depicted, the film tends to simplify his character and motivations, focusing more on the horror elements than his psychological struggles.
3. Themes and Philosophical Depth
Novel: Explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the nature of humanity. It raises questions about the consequences of playing God and the ethical implications of scientific advancement.
Film: The themes are often more focused on horror and suspense. The philosophical nuances are less explored, with more emphasis on the monster's rampage than on Victor's moral dilemmas.
4. Plot Differences
Novel: The story is more layered, with multiple narratives and a framing device involving Captain Walton. It includes the creature's perspective and his plea for understanding.
Film: The plot is streamlined, focusing on Victor's experiments and the creature's escape. Many subplots and character arcs from the novel are omitted or altered for dramatic effect.
5. Ending
Novel: The ending is more ambiguous and tragic, with the creature seeking redemption and ultimately disappearing into the Arctic.
Film: The ending typically features a more definitive confrontation between Victor and the creature, often concluding with a dramatic showdown.
6. Visual and Stylistic Elements
Novel: The narrative relies on descriptive language and psychological depth to convey horror.
Film: Utilizes visual storytelling, special effects, and performance to create suspense and fear, often emphasizing the monster's physical appearance and actions.
Conclusion
While both the novel and the film share core elements, their interpretations of the characters, themes, and narrative structure differ significantly. The novel offers a profound exploration of morality and human nature, while the film adaptations, particularly the early ones, focus more on the horror aspects and visual spectacle.
Question 2 : Who do you think is a real monster?
Answer:
Victor Is the Monster
Victor is the monster in Mary Shelley's novel because he possesses many of the characteristics that define what a monster is. Victor Frankenstein created his being due to his thirst for alchemy and his unnatural obsession with being like God, for Victor believes that "a new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. I might in process of time… renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption"
Victor does not take into account the consequences of his actions. Victor rejects his creation the moment he lays eyes on its animated form. This cruel rejection is what sparks the beginning of a journey that will ultimately end in the death of Victor. Victor devalued his creation’s life for personal gain, which inevitably led to his own great personal suffering and the suffering of those close to him.
Thus, Victor is the true monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He is the reckless scientist who unleashes a Creature on society that is helpless to combat the horrors and rejection that society placed on him due to his differences. Victor’s goal to generate life causes a great deal of pain—his ambition, selfishness, and hostility, both to himself and others, only hurt his creation and his family and friends.
Question 3 Do you think the search for knowledge is dangerous and destructive?
Answer:
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.” Albert Einstein, one of the most profound scientists in history, has been quoted saying that knowledge, no matter how much, can be dangerous. In today’s world, humans are constantly on the search for new knowledge despite the warnings they have received. The quest for knowledge is not new; in 1700 Europe, humans yearned for knowledge despite its dangers. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley utilizes her characters’ personalities, the plot, and symbolism to express and describe the dangers of knowledge.
Throughout the novel, Shelley portrays that knowledge is dangerous through the personalities of several characters including William, Henry’s father, and Victor himself.
Question 4 : Do you think Victor Frankenstein's creature was inherently evil, or did society's rejection and mistreatment turn him into a monster?
Answer:
in Frankenstein, the society has a strong hold on it's characters; it applies pressure on them and this influences their inner circles and in turn, their behaviours. The most apparent effect of the society can be seen in the monster's narration. One may see him as a gruesome, evil figure throughout the book, a good deal of this due to his appearance and his twisted ways of seeking revenge (he is seemingly perilous to man). Although, what makes him a monster is actually the manhood itself, which stems from the tendency of communities to keep out the outliers. The society excludes and scorns him based on how he looks physically, which makes the creature an other, and by doing this the society creates its own monster- full of revenge and outrage.
Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist, produces a monster with the intention of the betterment for mankind. His mission to create the monster goes back to Victor's childhood, where his passion for science and chemistry started. As he grew up, he became consumed with the idea of creating life out of odds and ends. In the novel, Victor states that "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me"(n/p). I might in process of time (although I now found it impossible) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption."
Question 5 :Should there be limits on scientific exploration? If so, what should those limits be?
Answer :
Advances in our understanding of the laws of science led to many positive changes. However, some critics saw the progress of science as limitless, raising fears about how far was too far. Christian theology explains creation as an act of God; therefore, to tamper with this process, as Victor Frankenstein does in creating his monster, was to position oneself as on the same level as God. The idea of mutilating and dissecting corpses for the sake of experimentation became an increasingly real fear as medical study required better knowledge of anatomy and the possibility of experimental procedures. Shelley’s novel is not necessarily opposed to scientific progress or discovery, but focuses on what happens when science is not paired with individual moral responsibility. Victor Frankenstein is fixated on the glory of achievement, without considering what it will mean to have a new species be dependent on him.
Since the publication of Frankenstein, many other writers have grappled with questions of what might happen when people ignore the potential consequences of scientific discovery. In 1896, H.G Wells published The Island of Dr. Moreau, in which a Victor Frankenstein-like scientist creates human-animal hybrids. The novel was a direct response to contemporary debates about vivisection (experimental procedures performed on living animals). More recent developments in science and technology have also provoked reflection about a need for caution when testing the limits of innovation. Margaret Atwood's 2003 novel Oryx and Crake explores similar themes of bioengineering and the creation of a new type of humanoid, responding to scientific progress around genetic engineering and assisted reproduction, as well as environmental destruction. As technology, artificial intelligence, and the digital realm come to the forefront of scientific and ethical debates, television series like Black Mirror have also tackled the way in which carelessness and a lack of foresight can lead to unintended consequences.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the conclusion of "Frankenstein" reveals Victor's newfound understanding of the consequences of his actions and the destructive power of his ambition. His once unyielding pursuit of scientific knowledge and creation has given way to a sense of remorse and regret.
Refrences:
“Frankenstein: Full Book Summary.” SparkNotes, www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/summary.
“The Essential Differences Between the Frankenstein Novel and the Movie.” Quora, www.quora.com/What-are-the-essential-differences-between-the-Frankenstein-novel-and-the-movie.
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