...Imani Swinton ELA 1 / 2 Period Writing Prompt: Who was the real monster in Frankenstein? The real monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein wasn’t the “Wretched” creature. It was the creator of him. The man who thought he could play god. The man responsible for multiple deaths. This man is the one, and only, Victor Frankenstein.Woah, mind-blowing, right? How, though? Let me explain. If you are a Christian or a person with similar beliefs, then you know that in the beginning God made a man. That man’s name was Adam. He was the first man ever according to Genesis. What the bible doesn’t explain thoroughly is whether or not Adam was brought to the world as a baby like Jesus, or if he was just mad a man that woke up in the middle of the Garden...
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...unspoken rules and standards of living and those who do not adhere to the rules are considered monsters. It is for this reason that the responsibility falls on society for the creation of monsters since society is responsible for creating the rules and standards in the first place. In literature, and the modern day, it is the creation and expression of superficial standards that creates monsters. In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein attempts to create a man but the man that he creates turns out to be hideous in appearance. The only differences between the man created by Frankenstein and a man created in the typical sense of birth are (1) the manner by which the men are brought into the world, and (2) the...
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...Frankenstein: The First Modern Monster Story When we hear Frankenstein the image that many of us think of today is that of a mindless monster with bolts in his neck who wishes to terrorize anyone who crosses his path. This image is far different from that of the monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In Shelley’s novel Frankenstein’s monster is smart, caring, and he posses near super human strength and speed. Frankenstein is thought to be heavily influenced by of many of the places and events in Shelly’s life. For example many of the scientific themes are thought to be influenced by the scientific revolution which was being analyzed during the romanticism period which is when Frankenstein was written. Frankenstein is often considered to be the first modern monster story because it deals with many modern issues, it has many differences from earlier monster stories, and because it is written using a modern romanticism writing style. The most prevalent modern issue dealt with in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is the boundaries between religion and science. In the novel Victor uses science to create life which is something that only God can do. Frankenstein’s monster compares himself to Adam and Victor to God when he says, “Remember, that I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.”(Shelley 66), this quote is an example of Shelley relating religion and science. During the period of Enlightenment science...
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...charming exterior, as well as having a malicious nature, monsters have forever played upon the curiosity and fear of humans. As ‘creatures’ who have appeared as the antagonists in our books, movies, histories, and cultural imaginations in more general terms what truly defines a monster? Is it the abhorrent appearance or the inhumane characteristics that has caused them to be the object of nightmares and interest? If so, are they truly what should be feared? One of the most iconic monster novels of the early modern period, published at a time when technological innovation was becoming immensely prominent is Frankenstein. Contrary to popular belief, the titular character, Frankenstein, is the name of Victor Frankenstein, the doctor who...
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...Prompt 2: Victor Frankenstein is more alienated than the monster he creates. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, written during the Romantic period, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, whose hunger for knowledge of the scientific universe drives him to create a human monster. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein describes his experiences with the monster to Robert Walton as horrifying and frightening. Shelley successfully demonstrates the Romantic concept of focusing on the self through the nature of the monster and Frankenstein, as well as through nature itself. Though both the monster and Frankenstein elicit forms of isolation, Frankenstein’s memories and experiences with his family and decision in toying with science and nature proves him more alienated than the monster he creates. Frankenstein’s memories and experiences with his family prove him more alienated than the monster. When Frankenstein receives a letter from his cousin, Elizabeth, she writes: “My dearest Cousin, you have been ill, very ill, and even the constant letters of dear Kind Henry are not sufficient to reassure me on your account” (Shelley 48). Elizabeth expresses concern for Frankenstein’s health, giving him a sense of love and care. Because Frankenstein holds a special connection to Elizabeth, someone he loves dearly, the thought of losing her terrifies him. Frankenstein’s bond to Elizabeth makes the monster’s murdering of her overwhelming and horrifying...
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...Mary Shelley wrote the novel Frankenstein to have her readers on their toes and want to sleep with one eye open. Frankenstein is about a man named Victor Frankenstein that is fascinated by the mysteries of the natural world and decides that he wants to do the impossible. Victor’s mission was to construct an animate creature by collecting spare body parts. However, a series of tragic events occur after the creation comes to life. The Merriam-Webster dictionary states that a monster is, “something monstrous; especially: a person of unnatural or extreme ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty” (Merriam-Webster). Before reading the novel the reader would assume the creation is the monster, but Mary Shelley leaves that determination to the reader....
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...Frankenstein Frankenstein is the creator of a monster. His monster became his child. He was the parent, and he was responsible for the monster. The theme of the parent and child relationship is shown throughout the movie Young Frankenstein and the book Frankenstein. The theme of parent and child relationship is shown in different ways throughout the book Frankenstein and the movie Young Frankenstein. In the book the monster had no one to take care of him. So, he had to learn on his own. The creature has a lot in common with a child. He had to learn as any child would have to. A good example of him learning like a child is when he put his hand in the fire. He stated, “One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain” (Shelley 72). The creature learned not to put his hands too close to the fire or he would get burned. Just like a child would learn this by putting his hands on a stove. The creature did not have a parent to warn him to not get too close to the fire. The creature is just like a child with no parents. Since he had no one to teach him things, he had to learn on his own. He had to learn how to speak and read on his own. The creature discovered, “that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one...
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...Frankenstein Assignment Samantha Perez July 9, 2013 If an infant is brought into a dysfunctional home or grows up hated by its parents, friends or family; this child will experience hatred; will know hatred. The child is raised with a dark perception of the world, and is not as susceptible to feelings of love and happiness. These attributes do indeed fits the profile of serial killers that we have been discussing in class. In this way, the creation in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is also raised with a dark view of the earth, and is not born, but indeed becomes a monster. Mary Shelley’s timeless novel Frankenstein (1831) explores this concept of responsibility for creation. In the case of Frankenstein’s creation, there is no doubt that the monster was not inherently evil. In fact, as quoted in Frankenstein, “His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks”(59). He was not born of malice, but happiness. Frankenstein was so disgusted with the looks of his creation he left him alone and went for a walk. In the 1994 movie, Frankenstein engaged his creation with threat and violence. His first choice, to push away his creation instead of embracing it is, in itself, monstrous, and evil just leads to more evil. This choice ended in the death of his brother William. Frankenstein chose to leave the monster alone when it came to being. He did not want to learn if it was intelligent, or how strong it was. He did not care. It was in fact...
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...Khizer Awan AP LIT Frankenstein Literary Analysis I Must Know More Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley is a romantic era novel based on the theme of knowledge. The word “knowledge” reoccurred many times throughout Frankenstein and forced the reader to understand the definition of it. According to Webster’s Dictionary, knowledge is defined as “Knowledge: n. Understanding gained by actual experience; range of information; clear perception of truth; something learned and kept in the mind.” The word knowledge is very simple, but has different meanings to all of us. Knowledge is the tool we use in making proper judgement. Knowledge is an extremely powerful thing and it must be used wisely and properly. Carelessly using knowledge can cause terrible consequences. The novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is a novel that has many comparisons of powers in life. It pertains to many themes in society today. Frankenstein contrasts science, technology, life and death, and most importantly knowledge and ignorance. It shows the consequences of knowledge in both negative and positive ways. In Frankenstein, three characters searched for one thing - knowledge. Unfortunately the results of their search differed from what they had anticipated. Walton, blinded by ambition, believed that search for knowledge on the route to the North Pole would bring fame to his name, but he quickly learned that he ended up only with the danger to the lives of his crew. Frankenstein, driven by passion...
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...Introduction: Frankenstein or (the Modern Prometheus) known as the first science-fiction novel written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, at the age of 21, the widely famous novel was published in 1818. Although serving as the basis for the Western horror story and the inspiration for numerous movies in the 20th century, the book Frankenstein is much more than pop fiction. The story explores philosophical themes and challenges Romantic ideals about the beauty and goodness of nature. But what’s the difference between Frankenstein the story and the film? About the novel (Frankenstein): This novel functions on symbolic many levels such as Frankenstein’s monster symbolize the coming of industrialization to Europe also the destruction and the death...
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...monster to this far-away land. It is an interesting drama that unfolds, delving into the powerful text of the novel as it transcends the written to hit home with audiences as a complex and insidious psychological drama. This story and all its derivations have led to the rise of any number of arguments about why it remains so compelling to so many. The story itself is something from the darker side of the mind, playing into just how terrible a human is capable of being without the restraint of ethics, morals or true human compassion. The monster epitomizes the darkest sides of our nature in his simple lack of morality or concern for human life. Perhaps Frankenstein has remained so popular for the many pieces of human nature that it shows...
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...In Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, Shelley alludes to many other pieces of work such as Rime of the Ancient Mariner and biblical stories such as Paradise Lost constantly throughout the book. All of these allusions carry a compelling meaning between Frankenstein and the other literary work. Shelley’s reasoning for using various pieces of literature in her novel was to compare the characters in her novel to the other characters in the other works. The main characters in Shelley’s novel all portray other characters form the literary works in a way due to their actions and thinking. Frankenstein alludes to the literary works of Prometheus, Paradise Lost, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner to emphasize the certain actions that occur in the novel and how they are similar to the alluded works. All of these allusions provide insight to the actions of the characters and the characters in general. Many of the literary pieces alluded to in the novel are referenced by the protagonists in the story. In fact, the monster is taught how to speak by reading Paradise Lost, after stealing it and through this; he learns the concept of good and evil. The characters are aware of these works and realize that their actions are similar to those of the characters in the other literary works. All of the literary works deal with great tragedy but the protagonists in Frankenstein don’t seem to realize that even though they are acting a lot like the other characters in the literary...
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...There are several conflicts in Frankenstein in several different ways. Person vs. Person When Dr. Frankenstein is preparing to encounter the monster at his wedding night, a person vs. person conflict takes place between Frankenstein and his monster. “Well, be it so; a deadly struggle would then assuredly take place, in which if he were victorious I should be at peace and his power over me be at an end. If he were vanquished, I should be a free man. Alas! What freedom?” (Pg. 204) The quote shows a person vs. person conflict because it shows how two characters go into a struggle against each other. Another example of a person vs. person conflict throughout the book is described in a single quote, “Know that, one by one, my friends were snatched away: I was left...
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...More often than not, when people hear the name Frankenstein they immediately think of the monster, but they rarely think of the scientist who created him. The obsession with the monster has led people to refer to the monster as Frankenstein, but in reality, Mary Shelley, the author of the book, never named the monster. The true main character of Frankenstein is Victor Frankenstein. This common misconception is due to popular movies such as Young Frankenstein directed by Mel Brooks; unfortunately for many this is their only exposure to the story. If more people were to read the book they would quickly discover that Victor Frankenstein is immoral, obsessive, and secretive. A person is thought to be immoral if they do not conform to accepted...
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...Different, Yet so Alike In Marry Shelly’s novel Frankenstein she develops two different characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature also know as Dr. Frankenstein’s creation. Even though these two characters are not related nor do they look alike in any way, they have very distinct characteristics that make them so similar. Looking at just the surface it’s hard to see how it would be even possible to call them alike. However, after digging a little deeper it becomes easier to draw distinct parallels between the two characters. As these similarities connect them in a few ways the Creature begins to seem less like the actual monster. They are similar because of; their desire to learn, a love for nature, and a longing for revenge against their enemies; all these begin to blur the lines on who the actual Monster is, as Dr. Frankenstein begins to seem more evil. From the very start, both Dr. Frankenstein and his creation had a similar desire to learn. When Dr. Frankenstein was a young child he had an abnormal desire to learn. Surely, what ultimately led to his downfall. Beginning as just a child he was obsessed with reading books on alchemy, astrology, and pseudo-sciences. He came across a volume of Cornelius Agrippa’s books, which is what completely shaped his thinking of the world around him and his love for natural philosophy. This thirst for knowledge inspired him to go to a university to study science. During his studies he gained a lot of knowledge from his mentors and...
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