MonsteMonsters & rs &

FrankenFrankenstein stein

MonsterMonstermon·stermon·ster   mɒn stər/ [  mɒn stər/ [monmon-ster]-ster]

––noun noun 1.a legendary animal combining features of animal and 1.a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx. 2. as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx. 2. any creature so ugly or monstrous any creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people. as to frighten people. 3. 3. any animal or human grotesquely deviating any animal or human grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character.from the normal shape, behavior, or character. 4. a person who 4. a person who excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc. 5. any animal or thing excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc. 5. any animal or thing huge in size. 6.huge in size. 6.Biology. Biology. a. an animal or plant of abnormal form or a. an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure, as from marked malformation or the absence of certain structure, as from marked malformation or the absence of certain parts or organs. b. a grossly anomalous fetus or infant, esp. one that parts or organs. b. a grossly anomalous fetus or infant, esp. one that is not viable. 7.anything unnatural or monstrous. is not viable. 7.anything unnatural or monstrous. –adjective –adjective 8.huge; 8.huge; enormous; monstrous: enormous; monstrous: a monster tree. a monster tree. [Origin: [Origin: 1250–1300; 1250–1300; ME ME monstremonstre < L < L mōnstrummōnstrum portent, unnatural portent, unnatural event, monster, equiv. to event, monster, equiv. to monmon((éreére) to warn + ) to warn + -strum-strum n. suffix ] n. suffix ] ——Related formsRelated forms mon·ster·like, mon·ster·like, adjective adjective ——Synonyms 4Synonyms 4.. fiend, brute, demon, devil, miscreant. fiend, brute, demon, devil, miscreant.

““He had now seen the full He had now seen the full deformity of the creature that deformity of the creature that shared with him some of the shared with him some of the phenomena of consciousness, phenomena of consciousness, and was co-heir to him of and was co-heir to him of death: and beyond these links death: and beyond these links of community, which of community, which themselves made the most themselves made the most poignant part of his distress, he poignant part of his distress, he thought of Hyde, for all of his thought of Hyde, for all of his energy of life, as something not energy of life, as something not only hellish but inorganic.”only hellish but inorganic.”

---Stevenson (100)---Stevenson (100)

Cohen’s 7 Theses (1996)Jeffrey J. Cohen is associate professor of English and human sciences at George Washington University. He

is the author of Of Giants: Sex, Monsters, and the Middle Ages (1999) and Medieval Identity Machines (2003).

1. Monster’s body = Cultural body1. Monster’s body = Cultural body

2. Monster always escapes2. Monster always escapes

3. Monster is harbinger of category crisis3. Monster is harbinger of category crisis

4. Monster dwells at Gates of Difference4. Monster dwells at Gates of Difference

5. Monster polices borders of the possible5. Monster polices borders of the possible

6. Fear of monster really a sort of desire6. Fear of monster really a sort of desire

7. Monster stands at threshold of becoming7. Monster stands at threshold of becoming

1. Monster’s Body = Cultural Body

Monster embodies the Monster embodies the cultural milieu of the cultural milieu of the time period.time period.

Classic monsters tend Classic monsters tend to evolve/adapt to fit to evolve/adapt to fit the needs of their own the needs of their own time periods.time periods.

1. Monster’s Body = Cultural Body

ZombiesZombies, for example, have , for example, have been seen as representing the been seen as representing the slow, deliberate advances of slow, deliberate advances of the “great unwashed masses,” the “great unwashed masses,” a threat to wealthy, a threat to wealthy, conservative government. conservative government. Historically, zombie films Historically, zombie films appear more frequently as a appear more frequently as a response to, and threat response to, and threat toward, conservative toward, conservative administrations.administrations.

1. Monster’s Body = Cultural Body

VampiresVampires, on the other hand, , on the other hand, represent the wealthy and represent the wealthy and aristocratic – a threat to liberal aristocratic – a threat to liberal government. Typically, government. Typically, vampire films appear more vampire films appear more frequently as a response to, frequently as a response to, and threat toward, liberal and threat toward, liberal administrations.administrations.

2. Monster Always Escapes“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because

they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ~G.K. Chesterton

Monsters are resilient creatures Monsters are resilient creatures because we cannot really rid because we cannot really rid ourselves of the darkness.ourselves of the darkness.

• ““It is a fact that cannot be denied: the wickedness of others It is a fact that cannot be denied: the wickedness of others becomes our own wickedness because it kindles something evil in becomes our own wickedness because it kindles something evil in our own hearts.” our own hearts.”

• ““Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.” darknesses of other people.”

• Understanding does not cure evil, but it is a definite help, inasmuch Understanding does not cure evil, but it is a definite help, inasmuch as one can cope with a comprehensible darkness.as one can cope with a comprehensible darkness.

• -Carl Jung-Carl Jung

3. Monster is a Harbinger of Category Crisis

Western society relies heavily Western society relies heavily on binary logic (good/bad, on binary logic (good/bad, human/animal, etc.). human/animal, etc.).

Monsters defy binary logic to Monsters defy binary logic to our horror.our horror.

We are frustrated that we We are frustrated that we cannot categorize them: cannot categorize them: Frankenstein’s monster is Frankenstein’s monster is literally pieced together from literally pieced together from multiple sources. He doesn’t fit.multiple sources. He doesn’t fit.

4. Monster Dwells at the “Gates of Difference”

Monster is “the other.” Monster is “the other.” Monster is not like us. Monster is Monster is not like us. Monster is

marginalized, ostracized.marginalized, ostracized.

Movie Villainsas ranked by the American Film Institute 2005

1. Dr. Hannibal Lecter (in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS)

2. Norman Bates (in PSYCHO)3. Darth Vader (in THE EMPIRE

STRIKES BACK)4. The Wicked Witch of the West (in

THE WIZARD OF OZ)5. Nurse Ratched (in ONE FLEW

OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST) 6. Mr. Potter (in IT’S A WONDERFUL

LIFE)7. Alex Forrest (in FATAL

ATTRACTION)8. Phyllis Dietrichson (in DOUBLE

INDEMNITY)9. Regan MacNeil (in THE

EXORCIST)10. The Queen (in SNOW WHITE

AND THE SEVEN DWARFS)

11. Michael Corleone (in THE GODFATHER: PART II)

12. Alex De Large (in CLOCKWORK ORANGE)

13. HAL 9000 (in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY)

14. The Alien (in ALIEN)15. Amon Goeth (in SCHINDLER’S

LIST)16. Noah Cross (in CHINATOWN)17. Annie Wilkes (in MISERY)18. The Shark (in JAWS)19. Captain Bligh (in MUTINY ON

THE BOUNTY)20. Man (in BAMBI)

5. Monster Polices Borders of the Possible

Monster is a symbol of punishment for Monster is a symbol of punishment for going against societal taboos.going against societal taboos.

What are our societal taboos? Our What are our societal taboos? Our monsters?monsters?

6. Fear of Monster is Really a Sort of Desire…

We can project our own We can project our own needs (sex and death needs (sex and death drives) on them.drives) on them.

Since the monster is Since the monster is disposable, we can kill off disposable, we can kill off the fears of those parts of the fears of those parts of ourselves without guilt. ourselves without guilt. (unfortunately, as seen in (unfortunately, as seen in point 2, we don’t really rid point 2, we don’t really rid ourselves of them.)ourselves of them.)

The Victorian era was known for its sexual The Victorian era was known for its sexual repression. And Dracula… A guy who had repression. And Dracula… A guy who had large fangs he plunged into virtuous white large fangs he plunged into virtuous white maidens- drawing blood- and death. How maidens- drawing blood- and death. How to kill him? A stake to the to kill him? A stake to the HeartHeart..

7. Monster Stands at Threshold of Becoming

We did it to ourselves. We did it to ourselves. We created them, and they are lurking We created them, and they are lurking

behind our doors.behind our doors.

The Most The Most Famous Villain Famous Villain

of all Time?of all Time?

Paradise LostParadise Lost

Paradise LostParadise Lost is an epic poem by the is an epic poem by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. 17th-century English poet John Milton. The poem concerns the Judeo-Christian The poem concerns the Judeo-Christian stories of the Fall of Lucifer and the Fall of stories of the Fall of Lucifer and the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by Lucifer (later named Satan) and their Lucifer (later named Satan) and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is "to Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is "to justify the ways of God to men."justify the ways of God to men."

The protagonist of this epic is the fallen angel, The protagonist of this epic is the fallen angel, Satan. Seen from a modern perspective, it may Satan. Seen from a modern perspective, it may appear to some that Milton presents Satan appear to some that Milton presents Satan sympathetically, as an ambitious and proud sympathetically, as an ambitious and proud being who defies his creator, omnipotent God, being who defies his creator, omnipotent God, and wages war on Heaven, only to be defeated and wages war on Heaven, only to be defeated and cast down. Indeed, William Blake, a great and cast down. Indeed, William Blake, a great admirer of Milton and illustrator of the epic admirer of Milton and illustrator of the epic poem, said of Milton that "he was a true Poet, poem, said of Milton that "he was a true Poet, and of the Devil's party without knowing it.“ and of the Devil's party without knowing it.“ Some critics regard the character of Lucifer as a Some critics regard the character of Lucifer as a precursor of the Byronic hero.precursor of the Byronic hero.

The latter half of the twentieth century saw the The latter half of the twentieth century saw the critical understanding of Milton's epic shift to a critical understanding of Milton's epic shift to a more political and philosophical focus. Rather more political and philosophical focus. Rather than the Romantic conception of the Devil as the than the Romantic conception of the Devil as the hero of the piece, it is generally accepted that hero of the piece, it is generally accepted that Satan is presented in terms that begin Satan is presented in terms that begin classically heroic, then diminish him until he is classically heroic, then diminish him until he is finally reduced to a dust-eating serpent unable finally reduced to a dust-eating serpent unable even to control his own body. even to control his own body.

- Wikipedia- Wikipedia

Elements of the Gothic Elements of the Gothic NovelNovel

Setting in a castleSetting in a castle An atmosphere of An atmosphere of

mystery and mystery and suspensesuspense

An ancient prophecyAn ancient prophecy Omens, portents, Omens, portents,

visionsvisions Supernatural or Supernatural or

otherwise inexplicable otherwise inexplicable eventsevents

High, even High, even overwrought emotionoverwrought emotion

Women in distressWomen in distress Women threatened by Women threatened by

a powerful, impulsive, a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical maletyrannical male

Metonymy of gloom Metonymy of gloom and horrorand horror

Vocabulary of the Vocabulary of the gothicgothic

Frame Story Frame Story

Paradise LostParadise Lost and and FrankensteinFrankenstein

The influence of Milton's Paradise Lost can be seen directly from the epigraph of the 1818 edition of Frankenstein:

"Did I request thee, Maker from my clay to mould me man? Did I solicit thee, from darkness to promote me?"

The spirit of Paradise Lost permeates Frankenstein throughout the novel. At one point the monster says:

"The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone"

Three parallel themes from the two works arise from Three parallel themes from the two works arise from these quotes:these quotes: The molding of a living being from clay The molding of a living being from clay The growth of malice and the desire for revenge The growth of malice and the desire for revenge The isolation of the hostile being and the consequent The isolation of the hostile being and the consequent

increase of his hostility increase of his hostility It is easy to establish Mary Shelley's knowledge of It is easy to establish Mary Shelley's knowledge of

Paradise LostParadise Lost. The work was admired in the Godwin . The work was admired in the Godwin household. Mary and Percy read it in 1815 and again in household. Mary and Percy read it in 1815 and again in November 1816. Her journal states that Shelley read it November 1816. Her journal states that Shelley read it aloud while she was writing aloud while she was writing FrankensteinFrankenstein. She even . She even incorporated incorporated Paradise LostParadise Lost into the novel by having it be into the novel by having it be one of the three works that the monster studies. The one of the three works that the monster studies. The monster finds a correlation between his condition and monster finds a correlation between his condition and the novel when he states: the novel when he states:

“Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other human being...I was wretched, helpless and alone. Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition.”

Other echoes of Other echoes of Paradise LostParadise Lost are as follows: are as follows: Frankenstein hopes to be the source of a new species, Frankenstein hopes to be the source of a new species,

but ironically his creature evolves into a self-but ironically his creature evolves into a self-acknowledged Satan who swears eternal revenge and acknowledged Satan who swears eternal revenge and war upon his creator and all the human race. The war upon his creator and all the human race. The monster reflects that Hell is an internal condition which is monster reflects that Hell is an internal condition which is produced and increased through loneliness. His only produced and increased through loneliness. His only salvation is the creation of a mate, his Eve. salvation is the creation of a mate, his Eve.

In the later part of the book, Frankenstein refers to the In the later part of the book, Frankenstein refers to the monster in terms used in monster in terms used in Paradise LostParadise Lost; the Fiend, the ; the Fiend, the Demon, the Devil, and Adversary. Both master and Demon, the Devil, and Adversary. Both master and creature are torn by their internal conflicts from creature are torn by their internal conflicts from misapplied knowledge and their sense of isolation. misapplied knowledge and their sense of isolation.

Paradise LostParadise Lost and and The MetamorphosesThe Metamorphoses were two of the were two of the sources of Mary Shelley's inspiration for sources of Mary Shelley's inspiration for Frankenstein; Frankenstein; she also heavily referenced the story of Prometheus.she also heavily referenced the story of Prometheus.

Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus The subtitle The subtitle The Modern PrometheusThe Modern Prometheus refers to the figure refers to the figure

in Greek mythology who was said to have first created in Greek mythology who was said to have first created Man from clay. In order to help Man, Prometheus stole Man from clay. In order to help Man, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus. fire from Zeus.

Man was given an advantage over the animals since fire Man was given an advantage over the animals since fire allowed man to cook food, keep warm, and make allowed man to cook food, keep warm, and make weapons and tools. weapons and tools.

Prometheus was severely punished by Zeus who Prometheus was severely punished by Zeus who chained him to a rock in the Caucasus. Every night, chained him to a rock in the Caucasus. Every night, Prometheus was visited by an eagle who ate his liver. Prometheus was visited by an eagle who ate his liver. During the day, however, his liver grew back to its During the day, however, his liver grew back to its original state. original state.

PrometheusPrometheus

Victor FrankensteinVictor Frankenstein ““Frankenstein” refers to Victor Frankenstein, the doctor, not the Frankenstein” refers to Victor Frankenstein, the doctor, not the

monster he creates as so many movies have suggested.monster he creates as so many movies have suggested.

A likely interpretation of the name Victor derives from the poem Paradise Lost. Milton frequently refers to God as "the Victor" in Paradise Lost, which Shelley obviously sees Victor as playing God by creating life.

In addition, Shelley's portrayal of the monster owes much to the character of Satan in Paradise Lost; indeed, the monster says, after reading the epic poem, that he sympathizes with Satan's role in the story.

Victor was also a pen name of Percy Shelley's, as in the collection of poetry he wrote with his sister Elizabeth. There is speculation that one of Mary Shelley's models for Victor Frankenstein was Percy, who at Eton had "experimented with electricity and magnetism as well as with gunpowder and numerous chemical reactions," and whose rooms at Oxford were filled with scientific equipment.

Could Victor be considered a monster?

So Who’s the Greater Monster?So Who’s the Greater Monster?The The MonsterMonster or the or the Creator of Creator of

the Monsterthe Monster??Here is someone who created a Here is someone who created a

monster….monster….

Mary Wollstonecraft ShelleyMary Wollstonecraft Shelley1797 – 18511797 – 1851

She was the second child of the well-known She was the second child of the well-known feminist, philosopher, educator, and writer Mary feminist, philosopher, educator, and writer Mary Wollstonecraft and the first child of William Wollstonecraft and the first child of William Godwin, the famous English philosopher, Godwin, the famous English philosopher, novelist, and journalist. novelist, and journalist.

She was married to the famous poet, Percy She was married to the famous poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Bysshe Shelley.

William GodwinWilliam Godwin (1756 –(1756 –1836) was an English 1836) was an English journalist, political journalist, political philosopher and novelist. philosopher and novelist.

Godwin featured Godwin featured prominently in the radical prominently in the radical circles of London in the circles of London in the 1790s. In the ensuing 1790s. In the ensuing conservative reaction to conservative reaction to British radicalism, Godwin British radicalism, Godwin was attacked, in part was attacked, in part because of his marriage to because of his marriage to the pioneering feminist the pioneering feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft in writer Mary Wollstonecraft in 1797 1797

Mary’s Father

He was a brilliant man, He was a brilliant man, but he wasn’t a brilliant but he wasn’t a brilliant father.father.

He married a shrew who He married a shrew who had her own children, and had her own children, and she didn’t like Mary.she didn’t like Mary.

She made Mary do all the She made Mary do all the dirty work.dirty work.

Finally, they sent Mary off Finally, they sent Mary off to Scotland to live with to Scotland to live with another family who was another family who was actually pretty nice.actually pretty nice.

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft (1759 – 1797) (1759 – 1797) was an eighteenth-century British was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and feminist. writer, philosopher, and feminist. During her brief career, she wrote During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children's book. conduct book, and a children's book. Wollstonecraft is best known for Wollstonecraft is best known for A A Vindication of the Rights of WomanVindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), in which she argues that (1792), in which she argues that women are not naturally inferior to women are not naturally inferior to men (!?), but appear to be only men (!?), but appear to be only because they lack education. She because they lack education. She suggests that both men and women suggests that both men and women should be treated as rational beings should be treated as rational beings and imagines a social order founded and imagines a social order founded on reason.on reason.

Mary’s Mother

I do not wish [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.I do not wish [women] to have power over men; but over themselves. If women be educated for dependence; that is, to act according to the If women be educated for dependence; that is, to act according to the

will of another fallible being, and submit, right or wrong, to power, will of another fallible being, and submit, right or wrong, to power, where are we to stop?where are we to stop?

No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks. happiness, the good he seeks.

It appears to me impossible that I should cease to exist, or that this It appears to me impossible that I should cease to exist, or that this active, restless spirit, equally alive to joy and sorrow, should be only active, restless spirit, equally alive to joy and sorrow, should be only organized dust -- ready to fly abroad the moment the spring snaps, or organized dust -- ready to fly abroad the moment the spring snaps, or the spark goes out, which kept it together. Surely something resides in the spark goes out, which kept it together. Surely something resides in this heart that is not perishable -- and life is more than a dream. this heart that is not perishable -- and life is more than a dream.

-Mary Wollstonecraft-Mary Wollstonecraft

It’s rumored that Percy wooed Mary It’s rumored that Percy wooed Mary at her mother’s gravesite. at her mother’s gravesite. *HOT!**HOT!*

Other Scandalous Bits Other Scandalous Bits about The Courtship about The Courtship

Percy was married to Harriet Shelley (with whom he had Percy was married to Harriet Shelley (with whom he had a daughter) while he courted Mary.a daughter) while he courted Mary.

Mary was only 17 when their relationship began.Mary was only 17 when their relationship began. They tried to elope They tried to elope while he was still married while he was still married to Harriet. to Harriet.

Some Highlights of “the story”Some Highlights of “the story” Mary brought her new son along as well as her Mary brought her new son along as well as her

step-sister/woman-who-had-slept-with-her-step-sister/woman-who-had-slept-with-her-husband-and-was-now-pregnant-with-Byron’s-husband-and-was-now-pregnant-with-Byron’s-son, Claire, to a weekend getaway with other son, Claire, to a weekend getaway with other intellectuals.intellectuals.

They all challenged each other to a ghost story They all challenged each other to a ghost story contest.contest.

Mary was the only one who took the contest Mary was the only one who took the contest seriously.seriously.

Her entry was based on a dream she had.Her entry was based on a dream she had. She was only 19 at the time. She was only 19 at the time.

The Winning Contest Entry:The Winning Contest Entry:

At the end of the day, her story is a chilling and brilliant tale of creation gone horribly awry written by a young woman who had just given birth to her son.

Upon Returning HomeUpon Returning HomeMary’s older half-sister, Fanny, took her Mary’s older half-sister, Fanny, took her

own life.own life.Percy’s wife (yes; he was still married), Percy’s wife (yes; he was still married),

Harriet, Harriet, drowned herself drowned herself in Hyde Park.in Hyde Park.Percy and Mary finally married. Percy and Mary finally married.

And After that…And After that…

Mary had some more children.Mary had some more children. Most of Mary’s Most of Mary’s children died children died (she’d lost her first (she’d lost her first

already; the one who accompanied her on the already; the one who accompanied her on the trip was her second. He died after they trip was her second. He died after they returned.)returned.)

Percy Percy drowneddrowned at age 29. at age 29. She raised her remaining son, Percy Jr., with She raised her remaining son, Percy Jr., with

love and devotion. They were close. love and devotion. They were close. Eventually, she got Eventually, she got sick and died sick and died at age 54.at age 54.

The Premise of FrankensteinThe Premise of Frankenstein

Victor creates a monster.Victor creates a monster.He abandons his monster.He abandons his monster.His monster is disobedient.His monster is disobedient.His monster destroys what Victor loves.His monster destroys what Victor loves.

Perhaps Mary Shelley Perhaps Mary Shelley looked down at that creation looked down at that creation of hers and was terrified.of hers and was terrified.

Perhaps one’s parents often Perhaps one’s parents often look down at their own look down at their own creations, terrified that they creations, terrified that they will destroy them.will destroy them.

But you would never wreak But you would never wreak havoc on your parents’ havoc on your parents’ lives, right?lives, right?

But Her Legacy Lives on…But Her Legacy Lives on…