Frankenstein

Order Description 1. Analyze and contrast the meaning (symbol, significance, representation of) fire in the Prometheus myth, the central scene in Crane’s “The Monster” and the creation sequence in Edison studio’s “Frankenstein” OR the climactic scene in James Whale’s “Frankenstein” (three works total). This is a broad topic so it is imperative that you narrow the scope and focus on a specific idea or association that fire takes on along with a particular strand of language or figurative imagery. DO NOT choose this topic if you discussed fire in your first paper topic. Start with the Prometheus legend and see if you can’t trace the development of fire as symbol or idea up through the other, more modern works. 2. Track and analyze the evolution of the character of the monster as he is depicted in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the adaptations of Peake’s “Presumption” (1823) and Whale’s “Frankenstein” (1931) OR Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau and “Ex Machina” (select three works total). How and why does Mary Shelley’s prototype change? How does the meaning and symbolism of the monster evolve? What specific set of ideas is the monster associated with in Mary Shelley’s novel and how do these ideas and associations change as we move forward in time? As we’ve seen, the monster carries multiple meanings and you should not attempt to cover all or even some fraction of them. Instead, be as disciplined as you can in narrowing your topic and formulating a specific argument about the transformation of meaning in the three works. For the options above make sure you begin your essay with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. 3. Look carefully at the way Stephen Crane represents the townsfolk of Whilomville as a collective agent, a character, a force in his novella, “The Monster,” and compare and/or contrast with the way Whale explores a similar dynamic in “Frankenstein” (1931), particularly toward the end of the film. Does he represent the villagers in a similar way to Crane or not? What specific metaphorical, psychological, cultural or socio-historical meanings (be very careful with this last) become associated or begin to accrete around the figure of the crowd? Make sure to consult and incorporate specific secondary sources on both the text and the film. 4. Examine the pattern of failed courtship/broken nuptials/dead bride that emerges in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and two other works from the last half of the course, at least one being a film: The Island of Dr.Moreau, Crane’s “The Monster” (1896), Edison’s “Frankenstein” (1910), Whale’s “Frankenstein” (1931) or Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” (1982). How do the works explore this theme differently? Examine the extent to which this pattern is revised as we move forward in time and why this may be so. What are some of the implications of this pattern? You should begin with the disastrous wedding cruise in Shelley’s Frankenstein.