Frankenstein It’s like that Disney movie Bolt, except that people have heard of it, the bolts are in his neck, he’s green, and he’s not a doggo.

Description

Tall, green, (and handsome?) Typically depicted as: An 8 foot tall giant Bulky and muscular-y, broad-shouldered Composed of body parts from other people, or else just green for some reason Bolts in his neck, dumb haircut Pronounced brow Long, lanky face and frame

Origin

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Most monsters come from ancient legend and/or religion/mythology Frankenstein comes from book– Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus Mary Shelley, husband of poet Percy Shelley, had night terror in which she saw a walking corpse brought back to life 1818, published anonymously, influenced by Romantic movement Frankenstein = sensitive, intelligent creature who becomes bitter and murderous over time, growing to hate his creator, Dr. Frankenstein Hated his loneliness, wanted a bride (REMEMBER DAT SHAKES INVENTED LUV) Some regard this book as first science fiction, critique of scientific progress in 1800s http://www.librarypoint.org/history_of_classic_monsters_frankensteins_creature

Interpretations

Karloff’s Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein Director Boris Karloff had a HUGE success with his film and (rare for the time!) sequel about Frankenstein Karloff was one of the first to change the story: Hunchbacked assistants Castles and laboratories A “killing machine” Sequel closer to original book = Frankenstein had human relationships Last line of film: “We belong dead.” It’s getting remade soon! Woo! Announced May 2017. Niiiiceeeeitsgonnabebad. http://www.librarypoint.org/history_of_classic_monsters_frankensteins_creature

Young Frankenstein 1974 Mel Brooks film, comedic take by director of Space Balls and Willy Wonka Frederick Frankenstein doesn’t like being grandson of Victor Frankenstein Inherits family estate, meets Igor, decides to continue grandfather’s work The whole “comes to life through electricity” thing Monster loves violin music, easily scared by electricity Monster is still homicidal, but he does musical numbers Woman falls in love with Frankenstein because of his stamina Frederick plays violin to lure monster, succeeds, finds a way to allow creature to speak for the first time Monster succeeds in convincing the mob to chillax– goes on to marry woman, becomes super sophisticated, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072431/plotsummary

Symbolic Significance

“The real creation myth of modern times…” Warning against technological advance meddling with nature/humanity “Has science gone too far”? Importance of love and companionship vs. loneliness and revenge Isolation turns “French-speaking, poetry reading” creature into a killer Masculinity and aggression https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/books/review/christopher-frayling- frankenstein.html

Works Cited Gaines, John and Bingham, Megan. “A History of Classic Monsters: Frankenstein’s Creature.” Librarypoint.org. Central Rappahannock Regional Library, n.d. http://www.librarypoint.org/history_of_classic_monsters_frankensteins_creature. Accessed 24 Oct. 2017. Lescaze, Zoe. “The Pop-Culture Evolution of Frankenstein’s Monster.” The New York Times. New York Times, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/books/review/christopher-frayling- frankenstein.html Accessed 24 Oct. 2017. “Young Frankenstein.” IMDb. IMDb, n.d. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072431/plotsummary. Accessed 24 Oct. 2017.