Using the example of Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein" (1818) and the contemporary film "I, Frankenstein" (2014), this term paper will examine the question if the way monstrosity is perceived and defined actually is influenced by and dependent on the society’s value systems and anxieties. Therefore, it will be investigated what differences can be found in the portrayal of monstrosity in the 19th century novel and the contemporary film, and from what circumstances these differences might derive. In order to do so, it has to be disclosed, who or what poses as the monster in the novel and the film, and which anxieties affect the respective society. Hence, this term paper first of all provides some selected approaches to monsters and monstrosity. Next Mary Shelley’s novel "Frankenstein" as well as Stuart Beattie’s "I, Frankenstein" will be shortly summarized, analyzed, and compared with respect to their cultural background and the introduced criteria that form monstrosity. Finally, the findings will be summarized and evaluated with regard to the investigated questions.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Defining “Monster”
1.1 The Criterion of Appearance
1.2 The Criterion of Behavior or Character
1.3 The Criterion of Effect
2. Assessing the Monstrous in Frankenstein and I, Frankenstein
2.1 Summaries of Frankenstein and I, Frankenstein
2.1.1 Frankenstein
2.1.2 I, Frankenstein
2.3 Application of the Criterion of Appearance
2.4 Application of the Criterion of Behavior or Character
2.5 Application of the Criterion of Effect
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines whether the perception and definition of monstrosity are influenced by a society's specific value systems and anxieties, using Mary Shelley's 19th-century novel Frankenstein and Stuart Beattie’s 2014 film I, Frankenstein as case studies.
- Theoretical approaches to defining monsters (Appearance, Behavior, Effect).
- Comparative analysis of monstrosity in literature versus contemporary film.
- The relationship between cultural background and the creation of "monstrous" figures.
- Reflection of societal anxieties and collective nightmares in the horror genre.
- The role of moral purpose and selflessness versus ambition and selfishness.
Excerpt from the Book
[Excerpt from: Application of the Criterion of Behavior or Character]
[…] I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open […]. His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! – Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black lips. […] and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. […] Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch. I had gazed on him while unfinished; he was ugly then; but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived. (58 – 59)
This excerpt further indicates that Frankenstein only becomes aware of the hideousness of the Creature after he is brought to life, which implies that the monstrousness of the Creature’s appearance does not lie solely in his bodily features, but, instead, has its origin elsewhere. As Frankenstein repeatedly circles back to the eyes of the Creature while describing his horridness, it is implied that they hold a main role in rendering the Creature as horrible as he is depicted.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: Outlines the research focus on how horror genres reflect societal anxieties and introduces the comparative study of Mary Shelley's novel and Stuart Beattie’s film.
1. Defining “Monster”: Establishes three core criteria for evaluating monstrosity: physical appearance, behavioral traits, and the effect the entity has on observers.
2. Assessing the Monstrous in Frankenstein and I, Frankenstein: Provides synopses of both works and applies the established criteria to analyze characters and their development.
Conclusion: Synthesizes findings, confirming that while both works reflect societal fears, the novel emphasizes human complexity and individual potential for monstrosity, whereas the film presents a more polarized view of good versus evil.
Keywords
Monstrosity, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Stuart Beattie, Horror Genre, Cultural Anxiety, Psychoanalytical Approach, Representational Approach, Ontological Approach, Appearance, Behavior, Character, Collective Nightmares, Moral Message, Societal Values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper investigates how monstrosity is defined and perceived, arguing that these definitions are fluid and deeply dependent on the specific anxieties and value systems of the society that produces them.
What are the central themes of this research?
The study centers on the definition of monsters, the comparative analysis of 19th-century literature and modern film, and how these media reflect collective societal fears and moral dilemmas.
What is the primary research question?
The primary goal is to determine if the way monstrosity is defined is fundamentally influenced by, and dependent on, a society’s value systems and prevailing anxieties.
Which methodology is employed in this work?
The author uses a criteria-based analysis (appearance, behavior, effect) and applies psychoanalytical, representational, and ontological approaches to compare the two chosen works.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It provides definitions for monstrosity, offers plot summaries, and conducts a rigorous application of the criteria of appearance, behavior, and effect to the protagonists in both the novel and the film.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include Monstrosity, Frankenstein, horror, cultural anxiety, and the various theoretical approaches used to deconstruct the "monster."
How does the film's portrayal of monsters differ from the novel's?
The novel presents complex, human-like characters whose monstrosity arises from societal rejection and internal moral failure, whereas the film portrays monsters in a more black-and-white fashion, with external entities representing clear threats.
What is the significance of Frankenstein's eyes in the text?
The author argues that Frankenstein’s fixation on his creature’s eyes serves to deny the creation humanity, as eyes are traditionally seen as the "window to the soul," suggesting a theological or ontological repulsion.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lisa Maria Engel (Autor:in), 2014, The Monster in the Media. Assessing the Monstrous in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Stuart Beattie's "I, Frankenstein", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/287136
