Negative Criticism Of Frankenstein - 1581 Words

â€Å"Have your never wanted to look beyond the clouds and the stars, or to know what causes the trees to bud? And what changes the darkness into light? But if you talk like that, people call you crazy. Well, if I could discover just one of these things, what eternity is, for example, I wouldn t care if they did think I was crazy.† -Henry Frankenstein (Frankenstein, 1931) A. The images of Frankenstein are so vividly burned onto our collective consciousness, so universally recognizable, that it’s hard to view their original visual offering as a true masterwork of artistic expression, rather than simply a piece of parodied pop culture. And yet James Whale’s original 1931 film—adapted from author Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel ­Ã¢â‚¬â€not†¦show more content†¦In trying to place each character into a context it was one of the first things that came to mind. And yet, perhaps because I’m slightly biased against Freud, and also would rather not dive into some psychoanalysis discussion, I choose to look at the character as something else entirely. Thematically I look at him as inner truth—whether that be Whale’s truth as a homosexual man in an era who viewed the lifestyle as monstrous, perhaps his own view on himself—conflicted between the attractive doctor of wealth and title, and t he destructive, chaotic, and conflicted monster. It’s hard to say. I do find it interesting that on several occasions the monster is referred to as a wedge between Henry and his soon-to-be wife Elizabeth: directly when Elizabeth states, â€Å"Something is coming between us† and more subtly when Henry’s father, Baron Frankenstein, when trying to comprehend what is keeping his son away from his fiancà © exclaims, â€Å"There is another woman, and I’m going to find her!† There is a bit of irony in that it is not in fact another woman, but another man who is keeping the Baron’s son away. Arguments for Whale’s sequel to Frankenstein, the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, being a gay allegory are much more prevalent and apparent than the original. Still I wonder if Whale’s ability to synthesize theShow MoreRelatedNegative Criticism Of Frankenstein1279 Words   |  6 Pagesshocked to life is named Frankenstein. However, that is not the case in the original book â€Å"Frankenstein† by Mary Shelley. As my classmate said, â€Å"Frankenstein† is not only an ionic book, but also ironic considering that the theme of Frankenstein is people being misunderstood when the book itself has misconceptions over the true meaning thanks to the movie that changed the views people had over Frankenstein. Today there are several viewpoints over the works of â€Å"Frankenstein†. Some people consider theRead MoreFrankenstein Analysis Essay1252 Words   |  6 PagesKade Gilbert Mrs. Shelley Wisener ENGL 2321: Frankenstein Analysis Essay 2 October 2017 Mary Shelley’s Journal The human brain while complex, initiating every impulse that controls the body, can be simplified. Simple things such as memories, beliefs, or passions can define the decisions that a person makes. The impulses of humanity may cloud a person’s logic, while each person’s logic, in turn, may affect the impulses of humanity. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is overflowing with emotionally based decisionsRead MoreA Transformation from Gracious to Malicious1072 Words   |  5 PagesMost people are kind at heart, but society’s negative perceptions changes them. Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, portrays this concept. Frankenstein’s monster treats humans kindly - refuting the stereotype that all monsters are evil. In this novel, the monster is kind towards mankind until society criticizes him and turns him into a malicious creature. The monster that Frankenstein creates has kind-hearted morals, but because society harms him based on his hideous appear ance. Because of his treatmentRead MoreFrankenstein Essay1374 Words   |  6 PagesCompare Shelley’s Presentation of Women in Frankenstein with that of Brave New World Throughout the novel, Frankenstein, a feminist theme subtly pervades the novel, and is crucial to the characters of the story, the plot line and the setting of the novel. The reasons for the creation of the monster lie within Frankenstein s own familial relationships, especially with the grief he experienced at the loss of his mother. Frankenstein is riddled with passive female characters who suffer throughoutRead MoreThroughout The Novels, Pride And Prejudice And Frankenstein,1191 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the novels, Pride and Prejudice and Frankenstein, Jane Austen and Mary Shelley, respectively, warn their readers of the social consequences of excessive pride and prejudice. They use their characters as embodiments of pride and prejudice in order to discuss this theme. While both authors emphasize the negative effects pride and prejudice have on reaching one’s goals and on forming relationships, Shelley’s tone and message holds much darker implications as she argues that pride and prejudiceRead MoreFrankenstein: Abandonment, Loneliness, and Rejection1422 Words   |  6 Pagesfaulty natures,† writes the narrator of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein. Without a companion of some sort, people will only suffer more. However, without the supervision of parents, c hildren altogether are greatly affected for the rest of their lives. An innately good and sympathetic creature, Dr. Frankenstein’s monster struggles to survive in the human world. After creating and abandoning his creature, Dr. Frankenstein is the juxtaposition of a monster, portraying humans as shallowRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1527 Words   |  7 Pagessymbolize romantic fears, offering a tale of certain demise, one that gives technology negative connotations in the form of the creature whom is represented as an outcast of society. To emphasise this, the sublime settings in the text, provide a space where the marginalised can be heard, however, for in contrast to the power of beauty which works to contain and maintain social distinctions, the sublime in Frankenstein opens the way for the excluded to challenge the dominant discourse and this appearsRead MorePursuit Of Knowledge In Frankenstein1866 Words   |  8 PagesIn the gothic novel, Frankenstei n, written in 1818, author Mary Shelley tells a blood chilling story of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. Many of the main concepts in the Romantic literary movement are prevalent throughout the novel. Some of these concepts include nature as beauty and truth, strong personal motivation, and gothicism which inhibits intense emotion and complex psychology. Victor’s   monstrous creation can be categorized as a romantic hero because of his continuous rejectionRead MoreThe Speed Of Dark By Mary Shelley942 Words   |  4 PagesThe Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley are novels that demonstrate society’s lack of acceptance towards abnormalities. The characters in both of these novels are used to portray the challenges people face in order to be accepted in society. In The Speed of Dark an autistic man, Lou, endures poor treatment at work because he performs tasks differently due to his autism. As a result, his boss offers him the opportunity to receive a life changing surgery in order to makeRead MoreFrankenstein: the Dangerous Pursuit of Knowledge1552 Words   |  7 PagesDanielle Bouquio ENG 210 10/16/12 Frankenstein: The Dangerous Pursuit of Knowledge Over the past few centuries, the intellectuals of society have made countless advances in science and the development of technology, which, to different degrees, have all benefitted mankind. These scientific discoveries are a result of man’s thirst for and dedication to acquiring knowledge, information, and power. The innate curiosity and desire for understanding in an individual can grow so immense that his