Most critics have received the novel as an amalgamation of the gothic novel with elements of the Romantic Movement. A lot has also been written on the subject of Frankenstein from a Freudian psychoanalytic perspective because of the complexity of the characters and the thought processes that drive their actions. This essay attempts to analyze the Freudian element present in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and draws a parallel between the Freudian psychoanalytic approach and motives in the novel. Sigmund Freud was one of the most renowned psychologists of all time and introduced the concept of psychoanalysis to the world. There has always been a lot of debate regarding his theories and their validity.
Mary Shelleys 20th Century text Frankenstein, and Ridley Scotts 19th Century text Blade Runner, share a variety of similarities and differences that are represented though the use of particular issues arising throughout both texts. The context in which the texts are written also have a major effect on the similarities and differences within the issues of nature, 'man playing God', rights of the creations, responsibilities of the creators, humanity and even companionship. The contexts in which these two texts were written differ from each other immensely. With Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, it was written during a time of great change and upheaval in Europe with issues such as the questioning of religion and the state, Rise of Romanticism, Feminism and even being in the Midst of the Industrial Revolution, Whereas with Scott Ridleys 20th century ‘Blade Runner’, it was filmed in a time of great technological and medical advancements. The Blade Runner context is the science-fiction dystopic future of Los-Angeles in 2019.
Allusions: Deepening the Reader’s Thoughts An allusion is a rhetorical device that makes a reference to a literary work that is outside the text being read. Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein provides many examples of literary devices, including allusions. Allusions are also used to further explain things that normally would have insufficient information in the text itself. Whether it's another novel, poem, or myth, Shelley’s utilization of allusions relates the characters in Frankenstein to the characters in the referenced works, deepening the reader's understanding. The complete title of Shelley's unique book is Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus.
“Explore the ways in which characters change in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.” Throughout Frankenstein and Macbeth, Mary Shelley and William Shakespeare develop their characters dramatically. They both utilise various techniques in order to express each character at different points in the novel or play, at times contradicting each other and therefore representing massive changes within a character’s personality, intelligence, physicality and emotions. Immediately, within Frankenstein, the most striking change appears to be within the monster’s intellectual capabilities, a matter Shelley addresses from the first moment the monster is brought to life. In chapter 5, Shelley expresses the monster’s first interaction with Victor, “His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks.” From here it is evident that Shelley intends on at first depicting the monster as an unintelligent being that is unable to infiltrate into society easily, not only because of his appearance but because of his inability to articulate any thoughts as well. However, in chapter 10 following his experiences with the De Lacey family, Shelley presents the monster as a highly sophisticated individual who is able to eloquently express himself and thereby seemingly ridicules Victor’s short, not considered, outbursts.
Shaped by their distinctly different contexts, Shelley and Scott strive to convey this notion, through bold cinematic and literary techniques, characterisation and themes, of the fatal path humanity has placed itself on. Mary Shelley’s seminal novel, Frankenstein 1818, is a moral fable combining conflicting paradigms of Romantic idealism and Enlightenment rationalism. Shelley delves into these ideologies in a classic gothic horror story that presents the unequivocal issues concerning the ethics and consequences of the pursuit of knowledge and scientific experimentation. Influenced by the increasing popularity of galvanism, Shelley effectively illustrates her apprehensions through the character development of Victor Frankenstein and his juxtaposition against nature. Victor admits his deep desire for ‘immortally and power’ through ‘penetrating the secrets of nature’, which is manifested in his technological innovation of the creature, highlighting the extreme yet realistic potential for technology to create human life.
Frankenstein and Blade Runner “By studying two texts together, we come to a heightened understanding of their meaning and significance.” Period literature and cinematography provide insight into the composer’s societal paradigm, reflecting the historical setting and contemporary issues maintained at the time. Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, “Frankenstein”, and Ridley Scott’s 1982 film, “Blade Runner”, encapsulate distinct time frames and contexts, respectively highlighting the author’s opinions and concerns within those periods. Despite contrasting societal environments, both texts comment on the human obsession toward scientific advancement and its subsequent consequences, as well as questioning the aspects and qualities that define humanity. Being composed over 150 year apart, the congruency of the texts’ core values transcends time barriers, not only demonstrating their significance and omnipresence within the human condition but also providing new insight and perspectives through differing contextual interpretations. As a romantic novel, Frankenstein responds to the encroachment of rationalism and the Age of Enlightenment, specifically the unknown repercussions of man’s hubristic pursuit of knowledge.
Summative task Values evolve with society’s perspective becoming newer and more profound; this is a result of enlightening events and innovative use of form in influential texts. Values that have advanced over time are the delicate relationships between science and nature, which ultimately defines our humanity and the ethics and morals behind the progress of science. A comparison can be made, showing the development of these values over time, between ‘Frankenstein’ a romanticised novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818, about a mad scientist named victor creating a monster. The other text, BR, is a post-modern film directed by Ridley Scott in 1982, about a Deckard, a blade runner, hunting down replicants. The texts use a variety of literary and cinematic techniques to offer a fresh perspective on the implications of scientific disregard.
yThroughout the exploration of the module “Texts in Time”, we observe the connections between texts and their reflections of the constancy in human nature, whilst shifting contextual perspectives are maintained. Such a connection is demonstrated in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein” (F/stein) and Scott Ridley’s 1991 film “Bladerunner”, where both composers present a cautionary tale, warning us of the implications of science and technological advances on humanity and thus reflecting their own fears in their respective contextual eras. It is through the analysis of such values and implications that we can see the constancy of human nature throughout time. Frankenstein is a gothic inspired, fragmented epistolary, reflecting the rebellion of the Romantic Movement, which advocated the power of imagination, and ones relationship to nature. The gothic convention of sublime nature is represented thematically, through forces of good and evil leading to vengeance and murder, as well as macabre settings of graveyards and charnel houses.
In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, biotechnology is used by Victor Frankenstein to create a hideous monster from other body parts. Shelley brings into question the consequences of new technologies. In this paper I will consider the developments of human cloning, organ transplants and electricity to evaluate the most important factors to be considered before using new technologies. Technology affects all types of societies and future generations. One important consideration is the benefits of these technologies.
But as the early 19th century came, the age of enlightenment gave way to a new way of thinking. People began to relize that fear and awe aren't so very different sensations. One of the first great horror stories was Frankstin in 1818 wirrten by Mary Shelley. As the years passed on, more horror classics came like the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Dracula. When movies made their debute, it was only a matter of time before horror stories were filmed.