"How do the themes explored by Mary Shelley in 'Frankenstein' relate to a modern audience?"

Natalie Davidson 11ZA3 "How do the themes explored by Mary Shelley in 'Frankenstein' relate to a modern audience?" The beginning of civilisation brought the evidential classification of people as insiders and outsiders in any close society, due to the narrow stereotypical minds of the masses and often the simplistic facts of life. People are separated from the rest of the community as a result of perhaps their physical appearance or a difference in their personality. Stereotypical idols in today's society are greatly influential; we are quick to identify faults in others and use this excuse to ostracise them from the world and ourselves. Mary Shelley embodies this 'outsider' through the monster that Frankenstein creates. He is isolated and rejected by everyone, so we are made to empathise with him; human beings have a natural instinct to do this, so the text is universalised. Ironically, at times the monster is more humane than those who consider themselves human, those who consider themselves 'insiders', opposed to the monster- an outsider. This novel opens on a personal note, Shelley uses the device of letters as a hook to draw in the reader; an invasion of privacy universalises the thoughts on paper, like reading someone else's diary. This makes it easier for us to empathise to Captain Walton and subsequently Victor Frankenstein, who is very similar in many aspects to

  • Word count: 1765
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

In what way does Mary Shelley make the reader sympathise with Victor frankenstein's creation?

In what way does Mary Shelley make the reader sympathise with Victor Frankenstein's creation? "Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus" was published in 1818 and written by British author Mary Shelley. Classed as a Gothic novel Shelley wrote the story when she was only 19 and having a contest with her husband and two others to see who could write the scariest story. Mary's was the best of the four stories and the only one ever published. Born Mary Godwin her mother was one of the first feminists and her father was a political philosopher. When she was 16 she ran off with the already married Percy Byshee Shelley who encouraged her to write Frankenstein. Together they had three children, only one of whom out lived Shelley. Mary Shelley died at the age of 53. Gothic novels first appeared in the sixteenth century and were part of the Romanticism movement. Normally set in medieval times Gothic novels generally include the supernatural and uncover the darker side of human nature. The Gothic novel is now seen as the basis of many other genres like horror and science fiction. Frankenstein can also be perceived as one of the first science fiction books. The story is told in the form of a series of letters from the captain, Walton, of a ship bound for the north pole, to his sister. The captain encounters a strange man travelling across the Arctic in a dog drawn sleigh. The man is

  • Word count: 3481
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

How successfully has filmmakers created sympathy for Frankenstein's monster?

English Coursework Frankenstein How successfully has filmmakers created sympathy for Frankenstein's monster? "Frankenstein" was a novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818. Since then there have been many versions and adaptations in the form of films. One extremely different to the other, they show how the novel can be so widely adapted and modified to the wishes of the director. James Whale directed the first film version of "Frankenstein" in 1931 then Kenneth Branagh released "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" in 1994. Mary Shelley was born in 1771 and had a troubled life from the moment she was born. Her mother Mary Wollstonecraft died giving birth to Shelley. She inherited a tendency to be easily depressed from her mother, so when her stepmother who she despised brought her up she decided to runaway to Europe continually with her stepsister. She met Percy Shelley when she was sixteen (who was already married) and they went away to Geneva (also where the novel was set). They decided to all write ghost stories and Mary produced "Frankenstein", the only story from that holiday to be published. Many think that "Frankenstein" is based around Shelley's life, and her heartache of her mother's death at birth. Throughout the essay I will write about the ways both the monster and Dr. Frankenstein are portrayed by the two different directors and how this creates atmosphere and feelings

  • Word count: 819
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

"'Frankenstein' uses many characteristics of the Gothic genre to arouse the interest of the reader. However Shelley also uses a range of techniques to ensure this engagement."

"'Frankenstein' uses many characteristics of the Gothic genre to arouse the interest of the reader. However Shelley also uses a range of techniques to ensure this engagement." Explore this statement with close reference to significant passages from the novel. The Gothic genre spans the 18th century to the 19th century - essentially to intrigue, scare and horrify the reader. It usually included dark themes such as fear and death and the presence of the supernatural and the placement of events in unfamiliar and mysterious settings, such as haunted castles, ghostly graveyards and wild heaths. Equally, gloomy, thunderous bleak weather was an integral element. Emotions tended to be highly strung and the senses were vital to this genre - sex and seduction contrasted with death usually making a good Gothic tale. The Gothic explores dark desires, which tend to be forbidden in society, and are often linked to sexual inclinations, making it even more appealing to its original conservative Victorian audience. Dark, mythical, grotesque creatures often also feature - such as the vampire, werewolf, or, in this case, Frankenstein's monster. A traditional example of Gothic literature written before 'Frankenstein' is Ann Radcliffe's 'The Count of Udolpho'. It is evident that Shelley has been influenced by writers such as Radcliffe as 'Frankenstein' shares some of the same aspects: the

  • Word count: 2865
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

"Compare the way in which the directors of 'Mary Shelly's Frankenstein' (1994) and 'Frankenstein' (1931) use different techniques to build up atmosphere in their opening sequences

Emma Partington Media Coursework "Compare the way in which the directors of 'Mary Shelly's Frankenstein' (1994) and 'Frankenstein' (1931) use different techniques to build up atmosphere in their opening sequences Mary Shelley was only 18 when she wrote Frankenstein, a novel that has come to be one of the most famous horror stories of all time portrayed both on stage and screen. The story itself deals with an ambitious young scientist who creates life, but then rejects his procreation of a monster. James Whale, a Hollywood director with a history of theatre, was the first to adapt Shelley's original text into a film in 1931, starring Borris Karloff as the monster. Whale was directing at a time when the Hollywood industry was very young; the audience of its time had never seen anything like Frankenstein and were easily shocked. Whale's image of Frankenstein's monster has become one of the most well known in the western world. In 1994, British born director Kenneth Branagh directed and produced another version of the film, starring Robert De Niro as the monster. Branagh's monster portrayed quite a different image to the square headed vision most were used to. In 1994 Hollywood was nothing out of the ordinary and it was necessary to think up new methods to scare and shock the ever-demanding audience. This essay will

  • Word count: 1667
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

"Considering the social ideals of time, discuss the social restraints of the female characters compared with the freedoms of the male".

"Considering the social ideals of time, discuss the social restraints of the female characters compared with the freedoms of the male" In the eighteenth century, when Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' was written, there were many social restraints placed upon women, but where men were still relatively free. An example of this is from up until a few decades ago where the men were expected to go out and work while the women were to stay at home, doing the cooking and housework. In this essay, I am going to attempt to find out if Mary Shelley has demonstrated these social restraints in the book 'Frankenstein', and to discuss these restraints and their effects upon the characters. During the time when 'Frankenstein' was written, the women were considered much less important than the men. This is also displayed in the book where when Justine was to be hanged. Elizabeth tried to save Justine Moritz although failed to save her and she was then hanged. Victor Frankenstein, however, knew that he could save Justine if he wanted to, but didn't want to for fear of being prosecuted himself, as he would have to reveal that he let a monster, his own creation, into the world. This also shows that men are supposedly higher than women because a woman at this time would give up her life to save a man, yet a man would not give up his life to save a woman, shown here, making the men seem of a

  • Word count: 1534
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Frankenstein doesn't have any heroes or villains, only victims. Do you agree with this statement?

23rd February 2005 English Coursework: Frankenstein doesn't have any heroes or villains, only victims. Do you agree with this statement? Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, started being written in 1814 and was finally completed in the summer of 1816, at a time when gothic genre was extremely popular. It was then released in 1818, but Shelley decided to release it anonymously. It is a gothic horror novel that concentrates on isolation and ambition. The idea for the novel was supposedly first invented when Shelley was at a friend's house when a competition was created as to whom could create the best "tale of terror" story. It is about a man, Victor Frankenstein, who tries to "play god" and creates a living "creature" that is then ostracised and consequently commits a series of murders throughout the novel. The characters involved can be viewed as heroes, or as villains, depending on the different perspectives of the reader. Frankenstein's creation of the creature can be viewed as heroic, as he is seen to push the boundaries of science further than ever before: "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their beings to me." Frankenstein also sacrificed the safety of those he loved to prevent the risk of the creatures killing others when he destroyed the female creature, which angered the male creature. He was also very

  • Word count: 1509
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Shelly's ''Frankenstein'' is regarded as the first modern horror novel. It is in fact, a Gothic horror.

Shelly's ''Frankenstein'' is regarded as the first modern horror novel. It is in fact, a Gothic horror. The story came about mainly from a dream shelly had. The dream was heavily influenced by her background and past personal experiences. These include her visits to galvanism experiments, a visit to the Rock of Franks; a castle which translated gives ''Frankenstein'' and her surroundings at the time, which where the Alps that made up the setting for some of the book. Other issues, which might have affected the outcome of the book, are her failed pregnancy, which could be linked to victors mother dieing. Events of the time had led to a near breakthrough to bring the dead to life and the near full exploration of the Earth leaving only the poles unexplored. Romantic and Gothic styles are used in the book the romantic style is the awe of nature a good example is ''the abrupt sides of vast mountains were before me; the icy wall of the glacier overhung me'' and the Gothic style is the psychological that encompasses the very personal themes of life and death this is shown by ''how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains I had endeavoured to form'' The Story begins with Walton's letters to his sister, he talks a lot about his ambitions of mapping the arctic and finding a companion who shares his ruthless ambition. After awhile he finds Frankenstein floating on a sheet of

  • Word count: 1585
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Isolation in Frankenstein

Jessica Rodriguez Rodriguez 1 English 5b Professor Dumler 28 Feb. 2005 Isolation in Frankenstein Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, has several themes imbedded in the text. One major theme is of isolation. Many of the characters experience some time of isolation. The decisions and actions of some of these characters are the root cause of their isolation. They make choices that isolate themselves from everyone else. However, other characters are forced into isolation for reasons that are not in their control. The actions of another cause them to experience loneliness. The story begins with Robert Walton writing to his sister, Margaret, about his voyage to an undiscovered place. In these letters, as the voyage gets underway, he writes of his loneliness. Letter II states, "I have no friend ..." (Hunter 16; ch 1). He describes how his "enthusiasm of success" will be experienced alone and also how he must suffer his disappointments alone. He states, "I desire the company of a man" (Hunter 10; ch. 1 ). In another letter, Walton is telling his sister about a conversation he had with Frankenstein about friendship. Frankenstein tells Walton, "I once had a friend ..." (Hunter 16' ch. 1), implying that he no longer has any friends. Isolation is evident from the very beginning. Robert Walton chooses his isolation. He chooses to take this voyage. Walton

  • Word count: 1422
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

The presentation of Frankenstein in chapters 11 16

The presentation of Frankenstein in chapters 11 - 16 The novel, Frankenstein is a story about a man who went to great extent to defy the laws of nature. His greatest desire; to create a being from scratch, one who will cheat its way out of the hands of death and diseases, one who never has to die or lose a loved one, a superior being, one that will revolutionise humankind. The author of this novel was a young woman named Mary Shelley who wrote the story at a youthful age of 19. It's said that the inspiration of the story came in a form of a nightmare while she was enjoying a holiday in Geneva with her family. The story was published in London in 1818. The tale had a large impact across literature and sparked the birth of gothic horror in books and films. The novel has 2 settings; the North Pole and Geneva, her holiday location. The title of the novel refers to a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who learns how to create life and creates a being in the likeness of man, but larger than average and more powerful with powers and attributes no human could ever possess, kind of like taking the role of God into his own hands. Miraculously, he is successful with his creation, but due to hasty decisions, he rejects it. This he comes to regret later on, as one by one each of his family members die at the hands of the being who is driven by anger and revenge, until the only person left

  • Word count: 472
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
Access this essay