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Mary Shelley Frankenstein Comparison Essay

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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein released in 1818 takes us through the journey of several of the most famous characters in literary and movie history from two perspectives. While Mary Shelley’s original interpretation is considered a very popular and successful literary work, it wasn’t until James Whaley’s movie interpretation that the character of Frankenstein became so famous throughout the world. The movie which was adapted from a screen play written in the 1920’s became one of the pioneering horror films due to James Whaley’s inspiration of essentialist styles originating from Germany. Both works bring different elements to the table with Shelley’s novel involving complex but interesting moral debates involving the characters and their decisions …show more content…

James Whaley is an English born director whom participated in several films for Universal studios where he eventually took up the task of directing Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel following the popular release of Dracula that same year. The success of Frankenstein was rooted in it’s genre being a horror film and the immediate success it brought to movie producers. The interpretation by Whaley is highlighted by several plot transitions which are not shown in the movie as well as certain alterations like Henry Frankenstein (Victor in the book) using a criminal brain rather than any other brain collected as implied by Shelley. Other major differences in the plot of the movie compared to the novel involves the monster Frankenstein himself and everything about the character. In the movie Frankenstein is portrayed as an impulsive monster only capable of fulfilling his most physical and animal like actions. The actor who performs as the first Frankenstein was Boris Karloff. Boris turned in a masterful performance but the Frankenstein in this interpretation bore no resemblance to the Frankenstein in Shelley’s novel neither physically or in thought capacity. The Frankenstein in Shelley’s version has long black hair, white teeth, and even learns to speak and think eloquently enough to have philosophical insights and or discussions. Meanwhile the Frankenstein in James Whaley’s production gave off the intended monster vibe sought out in an attempt to instill fear among audiences. The reason for these two contrasting styles in the plots can be attributed to influences that both artists were inspired

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Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, shows how a character who is portrayed as a tragic hero, in the beginning, can become the monster in the end. Victor and the Monster in Mary Shelley’s captivating novel showed how rival enemies share striking similarities. The similarities between the two tragic characters are driven by their dreary isolation from the secluded world. A large difference is that they were both raised in two completely different environments but understood the meaning of isolation. Physical differences are more noticeable rather than their personalities.

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Ewa Rychter Historia liteartury angielskiej 23.01.2016 Differences between movie Frankenstein 1931, and novel written by M.Shelley and what is the point of these changes. Frankenstein monster, creature known by every single person on the world. Giant, humanoid being, who terrorize villages, kill innocent people, destroy building and humans skulls, also creature who desire love, and desire being of accepted by society. That's images of Frankenstein's monster, when I asked about him, my closed friends. These people don't read book, but what they told me about him was somehow close to what Mary Shelley wrote, they create vision of Monster only

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“Frankenstein and the Tradition of Realism” Shelly, Mary Frankenstein. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. New York: Norton Critical Edition, 2012. 311-16.

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Introduction First published in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein busted its way into popularity as one of the first science-fiction novels. As Shelley trudged her way into the literary canon, Frankenstein’s preliminary success was surpassed by a wave of Frankenstein-esque characters. Shelley’s great influence and success caused a whirlwind of Frankenstein references throughout pop culture. The many allusions to Frankenstein in pop culture arguably molded the text into a cult classic; inevitably making it’s mark on literature and the arts for centuries. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein influenced and inspired numerous beloved characters, portrayals, and adaptations in America’s pop culture.

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The novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley depicts certain ideas that can not be described or written within novels. For example, the telling of the story between three different narrators can teach the reader about putting together “pieces of a puzzle” in order to understand the plot of the story. The three narrators in Frankenstein are Victor, Walton, and the Creature, all with very distinct personalities and character traits. Of these storytellers, Victor could possibly be debated as the most extraordinary. The qualities that make Victor pictured as this unique character, that the fact that he is a dynamic character, and that he is an unreliable narrator.

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Shelley’s Frankenstein is distinct in that its first person viewpoint is different than many other fiction novels of the time. The creature not only includes Felix’s first person ideas but also shows an intimate view of how him and the creature interacted (Clark 257). This shows one the intimacy with these two characters and how the reader can sympathise with the creature because he is gentle and only actually wants friendship with someone. Also one can see that Victor uses different levels in explaining other characters. He doesn’t include anything of his creations individuality, only of his physical appearance.

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Over the past century, Frankenstein has been analyzed and interpreted in seemingly infinite different forms of literature, film, and television shows. Once solely recognized as the story about a brilliant scientist who creates a creature in whom he regrets making after the creature turns out ugly, Frankenstein now represents an internationally recognized and commercialized pop culture symbol for Halloween decorations and costumes. When analyzing and appreciating the true literary essence behind Mary Shelley’s original Frankenstein, one of the most important comparisons to consider remains the underlying influences behind the Creature’s immoral actions and whether or not the blame for these actions belong to Victor or the Creature. When exploring the dichotomy of the Creature versus Victor Frankenstein, one of the biggest and most widely debated questions remains whether Victor should be blamed for the Creature’s destructive actions or if the Creature should be considered guilty for his actions based off of his own free will. Many consider Victor Frankenstein the villain of the story due to his repetitive decisions to abandon and avoid his own “mistake,” the irresponsible choice of creating the monster in the first place, and his obvious negligence of the Creature’s feelings.

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Whereas the real monster throughout the story is no other than Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein displays many of the characteristics any monster would have. He was cruel and manipulative in order to become and valued like God. However, the odds were not in his favor after rejecting the monster the minute he came to life, "A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly

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"Human vulnerability." "Irrational fears." "Hypothetical reasoning. " In Stephen T. Asma's article "Monsters and the Moral Imagination", Asma uses these words to describe the reasons behind the creation of and belief in monsters.

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In the novel Frankenstein,by Mary Shelley, the mysterious and unnatural origins of the character of Frankenstein’s monster are an important element. The Monster, having been created unethically and haphazardly, is at odds throughout the novel, resulting in his alienation from society and prolonged feelings of anger, desertion, and loneliness. Shaping his character, his relationships with other characters, and the meaning of the work as a whole, the Monster’s origins are what define him. The Monster faces rejection and violence every time he attempts to make contact with the new, foreign world he has been thrust into.

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The fictional horror novel of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is driven by the accentuation of humanity’s flaws. Even at the very mention of her work an archetypal monster fills one’s imagination, coupled with visions of a crazed scientist to boot. Opening her novel with Robert Walton, the conduit of the story, he also serves as a character to parallel the protagonist’s in many ways. As the ‘protagonist’ of the story, Victor Frankenstein, takes on the mantle of the deluded scientist, his nameless creation becomes the embodiment of a truly abandoned child – one left to fend for itself against the harsh reality posed by society. On the other hand, Walton also serves as a foil to Victor – he is not compulsive enough to risk what would be almost

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his obsession with creating human life. This leads him to creating a gruesome monster made of body-parts stolen from grave yards, whom upon discovering his hideousness, the monster seeks revenge against his creator, causing Victor to regret the creation of his monster for the rest of his life. Shelley uses the literary elements of personification, imagery, and similes to give a vivid sense and visualization of Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts and feelings as well as to allow us to delve deeper into the monster’s actions and emotions. Throughout the novel, Shelley uses personification of various forces and objects to reflect the effect in Victor’s actions.

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In Frankenstein, Shelley presents two characters who represent the different sides of the same character. The monster was a clear reflection of his creator because; they had the same development, same pain and suffering, and were recluses. Victor and the monster did not physically resemble each other, but they had the same personality and traits, therefore,

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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein depicts the remarkable resemblance to the “modern” myth of Prometheus. The intertextuality used to connect these two stories, allow Shelley to bring out the most prominent themes of Power and suffering. As both of the characters deal differently with the struggle to resist the power that comes with creating life, the inevitable end for both characters are the same; they fall at the hands of their own creations. Shelley carefully utilizes the legend of Prometheus to express the connection between punishment and creation.

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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Critical Analysis About the author Naomi Hetherington is a member of the University of Sheffield, the department of lifelong learning. She is an early researcher in sexuality, religious culture, the 19th-century literature, and gender. She holds a BA in Theology and religious studies, an MA and a Ph.D. in Victorian Literature. She currently teaches four-year pathway literature degree at Sheffield University for students who have already attained foundation degrees. Among the books, she has written the critique of Frankenstein.

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