"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Introduction :-
"Frankenstein" is the most famous novel by Mary Shelley. Frankenstein novel's full title is "Frankenstein: the Modern Prometheus". Frankenstein novel published in the year 1818. The classic horror novel "Frankenstein" was written by Mary Shelley when she was just 18 years old. In this novel "Frankenstein" we can find very interesting narrative technique. This novel is considered one of the earliest works of science fiction and had had a profound influence on literature and popular culture. This task based on the thinking activity. In this task you can find 5 (five) various questions. This thinking activity task assigned by Megha Trivedi ma'am.
The Modern Prometheus short video from Ted-Ed.
Now let's discuss about Mary Shelley.
About Mary Shelley :-
Mary Shelley was the wife of P.B. Shelley. Mary Shelley was an English Novelist. Mary Shelley was known for her iconic work "Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus".
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| Mary Shelley (1797-1851) |
Works List of Mary Shelley :-
Mary Shelley wrote several other novels including...
➣ "The last Man" (1826)
➣ "Mathilda" (1819)
➣ "Falkner" (1837)
➣ "Lodore" (1835)
Short stories:-
➣ "A tale of the passions or the death of despina" (1822)
➣ "The Pole" (1832)
➣ "The Invisible Girl"
➣ "The Elder son" (1834)
Now let's discuss about various questions one by one.
Q-1. What are some major difference between the movie and the novel Frankenstein ?
A-1.
Film adaptations of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" often differ from the original novel in several ways, as filmmakers make creative choices to suit the medium of cinema. In film we can clearly identify the various changes by film writer or director as per convenience. In the movie we can see some edited seans and that's all completely opposite from original text "Frankenstein". In the film Elizabeth is killing by monster and then Victor give new life to Elizabeth in Monster form. We can not find same in original text "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley. Victor's father killing sean is also different in film and real text. Film making purpose is only attract people to watch and give people to entertainment but at a time original text purpose to give people true knowledge, new invention and many more. That's why we need to first read original text and then watch movie.
Q-2. Who do you think is a real monster ?
A-2.
Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist of the novel "Frankenstein". But as per my knowledge and convenience the Victor Frankenstein is the real monster of the novel "Frankenstein" also. Victor Frankenstein done something non countable in the story that's why I considered Victor as a monster of the novel.
Reason behind :-
1. Ambition :-
Victor's obsessive pursuit of scientific knowledge and his desire to create life lead him to engage in unethical and dangerous experiments. He is driven by his ambition to overcome the boundaries of life and death without fully considering the consequences.
2. Abandonment :-
After creating the Creature, Victor abandons him, showing a lack of responsibility for his creation. This act of abandonment leads the Creature to suffer and seek revenge.
3. Creation of a Monster :-
Victor's experiment in creating life ultimately leads to the suffering and deaths of several characters, including his own family members. His actions have tragic and far-reaching consequences.
That's why I feel real monster is Victor Frankenstein.
Q-3. Do you think the search for knowledge is dangerous and destructive ?
A-3.
The theme of the dangerous and destructive nature of the search for knowledge is a central and thought-provoking element in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."
Victor's relentless pursuit of knowledge is characterized by hubris, a form of intellectual arrogance that blinds him to the moral and ethical implications of his actions. The consequences of Victor's hubris become starkly evident in the creation of the Creature.
While Victor succeeds in animating lifeless matter, he is horrified by the result. The Creature, with his grotesque appearance, is a testament to the unintended consequences of Victor's scientific curiosity. Here, Shelley underscores the notion that the search for knowledge can lead to destructive outcomes when pursued without ethical considerations.
Q-4. Do you think Victor Frankenstein's creature was inherently evil, or did society's rejection and mistreatment turn him into a monster ?
A-4.
The novel itself does not offer a definitive answer, and interpretations may vary. However, it is possible to examine both perspectives.
1. Inherently Evil Perspective :-
Some readers argue that the creature is inherently evil because of the circumstances of his creation. Victor Frankenstein assembles the creature from various body parts of deceased individuals, essentially "playing God" by bestowing life upon a being. Critics of the creature's inherent goodness point to his violent actions, such as the murders he commits in the novel, as evidence of his inherent evil.
2. Society's Impact Perspective :-
Others view the creature as a victim of society's rejection and cruelty. From the moment of his creation, the creature is met with horror, fear, and rejection by everyone he encounters. People all time reject the creature that's the reason the creature become the monster and he change his personality. This constant rejection and isolation drive the creature to seek revenge and commit violent acts. Critique's argument on this point of view critique believe that, it's called Action to Reaction matter of such things. One proverb in hindi says that,
"जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी"।
Q-5. Should there be limits on scientific exploration ? If so, what should those limits be ?
A-5.
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" raises profound questions about the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration and the potential consequences of unrestrained ambition.
➤ Respect for Life :-
One of the central ethical dilemmas in the novel is Victor Frankenstein's creation of life from dead body parts. A limit on scientific exploration should include a respect for the sanctity of life.
➤ Responsibility :-
Scientists should bear a sense of responsibility for the potential consequences of their discoveries. In "Frankenstein," Victor abandons his creation, leading to tragic consequences. A limit on scientific exploration should involve a commitment to taking responsibility for the outcomes of one's experiments and research.
➤ Transparency and Accountability :-
Scientific exploration should be conducted with transparency and accountability. Researchers should be open about their methods, findings, and potential risks. Accountability mechanisms should be in place to address any unintended consequences or harm that may arise from scientific endeavors.
And many things set the limitation on the scientific exploration.
Conclusion :-
The novel "Frankenstein" explores complex themes of human nature, responsibility, and the consequences of scientific ambition. The novel's story it's very interesting and deals with Gothic fiction, Myth of Prometheus, Myth of Narcissus, Mythological Approach and many more things.
Resources :-
1. "Frankenstein" Ted-Ed video
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