Mary Shelley's Frankeinstein

This blog is a response to a task assigned by Megha Ma'am(Department of English, MKBU). In this blog we will four questions related to the novel 'Frankenstein' written by Mary Shelley.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), which is considered an early example of science fiction. She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin and her mother was the philosopher and women's rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft.

Que-1: What are some major differences between the movie and the novel Frankenstein?

Ans.

If we compare the movie adaptations of the novel Frankenstein with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein movie. It is a 1994 science fiction horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh who also stars as Victor Frankenstein, with Robert De Niro portraying Frankenstein's monster (called The Creation in the film), and co-stars Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, John Cleese, Richard Briers and Aidan Quinn, then we find these difference.

The 1994 film "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," directed by Kenneth Branagh, is an adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus." While the movie follows the general storyline of the novel, there are several notable differences and adaptations made for cinematic purposes. Here are some key differences between the novel and the 1994 film:

1. Character Changes:

   - In the novel, Victor Frankenstein is portrayed as a morally conflicted and tormented scientist. In the film, Victor is still depicted as a scientist, but his character is given more emotional depth and his motivations are explored in greater detail.

   - The character of Elizabeth, Victor's fiancée, has a more prominent role in the film, and her relationship with Victor is explored in greater depth.

2. Additional Characters:

   - The film introduces characters and subplots that are not present in the novel, such as the character of Professor Waldman, who has a more significant role in the film's narrative.

3. Setting:

   - The film includes more elaborate and visually stunning settings than the novel. It takes advantage of the cinematic medium to create grand and atmospheric scenes.

4. Creature's Appearance:

   - The portrayal of the Creature in the film differs from the novel. In the novel, the Creature is described as hideous and inhuman, while in the film, the Creature's appearance is somewhat more sympathetic and human-like.

5. Scientific Process:

   - The film provides more detailed and dramatic depictions of Victor's scientific experiments and the process of creating the Creature.

6. Narrative Framing:

   - The film uses a narrative framing device similar to the novel, with Captain Walton writing letters to his sister. However, the film adds some additional scenes and interactions between Walton and Victor.

7. Tone and Emphasis:

   - The film places a greater emphasis on the romantic and emotional aspects of the story, including Victor's love for Elizabeth and his guilt over the Creature's creation.

8. Conclusion:

- The film has a more dramatic and action-oriented conclusion compared to the novel, with a climactic confrontation between Victor and the Creature.

Que-2 : Who do you think is the real monster?

Ans. When we study characters and storyline thoroughly, we can find out that the actual monster is not a real monster. But because of lack of knowledge and care he behaves as a monster. The monster is not a monster by birth but by the behavior of the society he reflects in the same manner towards the society, then he becomes a monster by nature.

In the real sense society itself is a monster that can not see the real nature of a monster but he was treated as a strange creature so he becomes the one and in the eyes of people he is seen as a monster.

Que-3 : Do you think the search for knowledge is dangerous and destructive?

Ans.

I think search for knowledge is a good thing. That is the reason behind all the discoveries that have been made over the centuries. But when one pursues knowledge one has to be very careful about the path one chooses, because there are many ways to achieve knowledge, there are shortcuts but when that could be dangerous or destructive. One should always know the path to attain knowledge in a right way, otherwise it could be destructive.

Q-4: Do you think Victor Frankenstein's creature was inherently or did society's rejection and mistreatment turn him into a monster?

Ans.

I think It is society's rejection and mistreatment that turns a creature into a monster because as we see in the novel, in the beginning he just tries to help other people and wants human affection but his strange look makes him unwanted. In society there are criteria in which we judge people. The first thing we consider is the looks of someone else and in this very first criteria creature mismatch so society hates him and in return so called "monster" becomes evil by nature. I think it is just a reflection of the society that monster shows, It shows us the mirror that what we are actually. So we can say the monster is made by the society.

Q-5: Should there be limits on scientific exploration? Is so what should that limits be?

Ans.

There must be a limit to scientific exploration. It depends on the morals, If that scientific exploration is harmful to human beings, how can be say that as an exploration, It would become rather than the destruction that we create. It is always necessary that we stop somewhere. For example in novels we see monsters created with the body parts of different people. So using human parts and organs without any permission directly collecting it from graveyards, so there must be a limit. And scientific creation has its motive behind creating so that motive must be clear and the responsibility of that scientific research should be taken by someone.