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Frankenstein Modern Prometheus

Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651) Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

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Page 1: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Frankenstein

Modern Prometheus

Page 2: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)

Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating

a living being out of something dead. Prometheus – a Titan (Greek mythology) who

created men out of clay. Jewish myth – a learned rabbi creates a creature

to protect the Jewish people. Various cultures interest in creating robots.

Page 3: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

PROMETHESUS

Promethesus was the Titan god of forethought and crafty counsel who was entrusted with the task of molding mankind out of clay.

His attempts to better the lives of his creation brought him into direct conflict with Zeus

Page 4: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Science Explained

Mary Shelley was the first to incorporate science as the explanation for “re-animation / creation”

18th century was a time of enormous 18th century was a time of enormous scientific discoveryscientific discovery

Isaac Newton – father of modern physics; laws of motion

Antoine Lavoisier – great chemist’ Benjamin Franklin – inventor “The New Science” – deriving universal

meaning by which humans understand the natural world through the use of scientific method.

Page 5: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Part of the Natural World Writing and Science were

converging and aligning – Art and Science merged.

Percy Shelley – passionate about science

John Keats – studied as a doctor Charles Darwin’s father, Erasmus,

was a doctor, botanist, inventor, and poet.

Romantic Poets (Byron, Shelley, Keats, etc..) best displayed this fascination with understanding the natural world.

Page 6: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Part of the Natural World Mary Shelley’s novel might suggest

that MAN should not use science to “mess” with the natural order/world. We should use science to understand it.

She dreams the idea re-animating her child by “warming it by the fire”

Frankenstein in modern stories (and modern issues)

Blade Runner, RoboCop, Terminator, Edward Scissor Hands

Cloning Stem cell research Donation of body parts and organs

Page 7: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

The Romantic Age in British Prose The Romantic Age in British Prose – Mary Shelley (p. 661, 690-691)

A genre of fiction characterized by A genre of fiction characterized by mystery and supernatural horror, often mystery and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval set in a dark castle or other medieval setting setting

Gothic NovelGothic Novel brave heroesbrave heroes threatening bad guysthreatening bad guys vast eerie castlesvast eerie castles GhostsGhosts Gloomy, eerie settingsGloomy, eerie settings evokes terror through the depiction of evokes terror through the depiction of

physical and, more often, psychological physical and, more often, psychological violence violence

fascination with mystery and supernaturalfascination with mystery and supernatural this ties in nicely with the Romantic Agethis ties in nicely with the Romantic Age

Frankenstein Frankenstein is a perfect example.is a perfect example.

Page 8: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

The Gothic Novel - Frankenstein

Mary writes Mary writes FrankensteinFrankenstein on a dare / on a dare / challenge.challenge.

Rainy summer vacation day in Rainy summer vacation day in Switzerland – who can write the scariest Switzerland – who can write the scariest tale: challenge by Lord Byrontale: challenge by Lord Byron

Took her a while to think of something, Took her a while to think of something, but “saw” the story while laying in bedbut “saw” the story while laying in bed

In 1818, after its first publication, it is In 1818, after its first publication, it is praised by famous novelist, Sir Walter praised by famous novelist, Sir Walter Scott.Scott. ““uncommon powers of poetic imagination”uncommon powers of poetic imagination”

Page 9: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Literary and Political legacy

Writing was in Mary Shelley’s blood Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin

(who died at Mary’s birth), wrote one of the first feminist books ever published, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792).

Her father, William Godwin, was a leading reformer, author, and political philosopher who attracted a following of gifted thinkers and disciples.

As a child, Mary Shelley knew some of the most famous writers of the day, including the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the essayist Charles Lamb.

Page 10: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Exile From Her Father’s House

Four years after his wife’s death, Godwin married a widow, Mary Jane Clairmont, whom his daughter grew to resent bitterly.

Although Mary Shelley adored her father, it was agreed that to ease the situation in the tense household, the girl, now fourteen, would go to live in Dundee, Scotland, in the home of William Baxter, her father’s friend.

After two years in Scotland, she returned to her father’s home in London.

Page 11: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Love and Loss Upon her return, Mary Shelley (then still named Godwin) met her

future husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley (currently married).

Shelley was a radical young poet who had become William Godwin’s admirer after reading his book Political Justice.

Mary Godwin, only sixteen, fell in love with her father’s follower.

The two ran away together to the continent and later married.

Eventually, the couple settled in Italy, where they lived blissfully for an all-too-short time. (Their great friend, Lord Byron, also lived in Italy at the time.)

Within a few years, the Shelleys suffered the death of two of their children.

Then, tragedy struck again. In 1822, only eight years after Mary Shelley had first met him, Percy Shelley drowned, leaving the twenty-four-year-old Mary and their two-year old son penniless.

Page 12: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

A Career of Her Own

After Percy’s death, Mary returned to England, where she continued writing to support herself and her son.

She produced other novels, including: Valperga (1823) and The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck (1830), which

are historical works; The Last Man (1826), a tale of a great plague

that destroys the human race; The Last Man is believed by many to be her best

work, although she is usually remembered for Frankenstein.

the autobiographical Lodore (1835); and

Falkner (1837), a mystery tale.

Page 13: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

A Lasting Legacy

At the age of forty-eight, Mary Shelley became an invalid. She died six years later of a brain tumor.

It is ironic that Shelley, author of a work warning of the dangers of technology, died in the opening year of The Great Exhibition, a fair celebrating technological progress.

In In Frankenstein,Frankenstein, Shelley dramatically Shelley dramatically questioned the cost of questioned the cost of technology to the human technology to the human soul—a theme writers soul—a theme writers continue to explore todaycontinue to explore today.

Page 14: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Stem cells have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive.

Embryonic stem cells, as their name suggests, are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro—in an in vitro fertilization clinic—and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors.

Potential cures for spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, hundreds of rare immune system and genetic disorders and much more

“Destroying a life to safe a life”Are we pushing it?

Page 15: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Human Cloning

If the vital organs of the human body can be cloned, they can serve as backup systems for human beings.

solution to infertility reproduce a certain

trait in human beings

hampers the diversity in genes

weaken our ability of adaptation

deliberate reproduction of undesirable traits

Are humans saying they have the ability to create?

Who decides what is a desirable trait?

Page 16: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Historical Context of Frankenstein Ambiguous Walton’s letters dated “17-” with

no reference to anything specific to pinpoint the date.

It is set in the latter part of the 18th century, at the end of the Enlightenment and the beginning of the Romantic period.

It critiques the excesses of the Enlightenment It critiques the excesses of the Enlightenment and introduces the beliefs of the Romantics.and introduces the beliefs of the Romantics.

Reflects a shift in social and political thought – from humans as creatures who use science and reason to shape and control their destiny to humans as creatures who rely on their emotions to determine what is right.

Page 17: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

The Age of Enlightenment:The Age of Enlightenment: belief in belief in the power of human reasoningthe power of human reasoning

1818thth Century Century Science: concentration on logicScience: concentration on logic Everything was based on logic, Everything was based on logic, reason,reason,

and and rationalityrationality Didactic – constant search for truth, Didactic – constant search for truth,

answers. Always studying answers. Always studying Focus on the practicality and utilityFocus on the practicality and utility Masculine: emphasis on the intellectMasculine: emphasis on the intellect Everything, including human relationships, Everything, including human relationships,

was ‘studied’ through a scientific approachwas ‘studied’ through a scientific approach Favored a social hierarchyFavored a social hierarchy Nature should be controlled by humansNature should be controlled by humans

               

Page 18: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Important Revolutions

American and French Revolution (call for individual freedom and an overthrow of rigid social hierarchy)

Industrial Revolution – social system challenged by change from agricultural society to industrial one with a large, impoverished and restless working class

Page 19: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Romantic Movement: a reaction to Romantic Movement: a reaction to the Enlightenmentthe Enlightenment

Based on imagination Based on imagination and intuitionand intuition

Creativity: new form Creativity: new form of expressionof expression

Saw nature as Saw nature as unspoiled unspoiled

Focus on creativity Focus on creativity and self-expressionand self-expression

Emphasis on emotion, Emphasis on emotion, rather than reason rather than reason and intellectand intellect

Feminine: emotion, Feminine: emotion, creativity, etc. creativity, etc.

Spontaneity and Spontaneity and individualityindividuality

Focus on nature and the Focus on nature and the supernatural /inner dream supernatural /inner dream world that is thought to world that is thought to be more picturesque and be more picturesque and magical than the current magical than the current world (industrial age)world (industrial age)

Creative expressions of literature and the arts Creative expressions of literature and the arts

Page 20: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Characteristics of Romantic Period

Belief in individual liberty; rebellious Belief in individual liberty; rebellious attitude against tyrannyattitude against tyranny

Fascination with nature; perception Fascination with nature; perception of nature as transformativeof nature as transformative

Concerned with common peopleConcerned with common people Favored democracyFavored democracy Desired radical changeDesired radical change Nature should be untamedNature should be untamed

Page 21: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Style: Gothic NovelStyle: Gothic Novel

Frankenstein is generally categorized as a Frankenstein is generally categorized as a Gothic novel, a genre of fiction that uses Gothic novel, a genre of fiction that uses gloomy settings and supernatural events to gloomy settings and supernatural events to create and atmosphere of mystery and create and atmosphere of mystery and terror. terror.

Shelley adds to her development of the plot Shelley adds to her development of the plot the use of psychological realism, delving the use of psychological realism, delving into the psyches of the characters in and into the psyches of the characters in and attempt to explain why they react as they attempt to explain why they react as they do and what drives them to make their do and what drives them to make their decisions.decisions.

Page 22: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Structure and Point of ViewStructure and Point of View

Epistolary – carried by lettersEpistolary – carried by letters

Frame StoryFrame Story

Page 23: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Major Characters

Victor Frankenstein – protagonist, product of an idealistic Enlightenment education; fueled by possibilities of science and a desire for acclaim; becomes obsessed with creating life from spare body parts. Rational demeanor dissolves and by story’s end, consumed by primitive emotions of fear and hatred.

Page 24: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Major Characters

The Creature - never named; is Victor’s doppelganger (alter ego); Creature rationally analyzes the society that rejects him; sympathetic character, admires people and wants to be a part of human society; only results in violence when he is repeatedly rejected

Page 25: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Major Characters

Henry Clerval – Victor’s childhood friend; true romantic, wants to leave mark on the world, but never loses sight of “the moral relations of things:

Elizabeth – adopted as an infant by Victor’s family; marries Victor

Robert Walton – Arctic explorer who’s obsessed with gaining knowledge and fame; rescues Victor in the Arctic; tells the story

Page 26: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Themes

Consequences of irresponsibility in the pursuit of knowledge

Consequences of pride Consequences of society’s rejection

of someone who is unattractive Destructive power of revenge Parent-child conflicts Sympathy

Page 27: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Other Literary Elements

Irony – 2 major ironies Creature is more sympathetic, more

imaginative and more responsible to fellow creatures

Creature has many pleasing qualities but is an outcast because he’s not physically attractive

Page 28: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Symbols

White/light= knowledge Water = knowledge Ice = danger Lightning = nature’s power Nature = acceptance, nurturing,

calm Mountains= sublime in nature

Page 29: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Antithesis-Contrasts of ideas, characters, themes, settings or moods

Victor/creation Passion/reason Natural/unnatural Known/unknown Civilized/savage

Masculine/feminine Beautiful/ugly Good/bad Light/dark Heat/cold

Page 30: Frankenstein Modern Prometheus. Setting the Scene (pp. 650-651)  Creating a Legend Mary Shelley wasn’t the first to imagine creating a living being out

Allusion

Paradise Lost by John Milton – story of man’s fall from innocence to painful knowledge; Victor can be compared to Adam, Satan, and Eve

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, like narrator, tells story as a warning and a confession