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Review: "Mary Shelley"
Review: "Mary Shelley"
By Grace Longstreth
The 2017 movie, Mary Shelley centers on the life of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Starring Elle Fanning, the film spans a large period of Shelley’s life. The movie focuses strongly on Shelley as a person and the many influences that made her her into the well known author of Frankenstein. The casting was carefully done, and included a variety of familiar faces in the world of historical drama. One familiar visage is that of Joanne Froggatt (Mrs.Godwin), recognized for her role of ‘Anna Bates’ in Downton Abbey. Elle Fanning (Mary Shelley) was seventeen when the movie was filmed, providing a connection between her and the titular character. Shelley was only seventeen when she was swept away by the poet.
The movie does right by the character of Mary Shelley. Her life was truly complicated and tragic. From losing multiple children to various illnesses to living in poverty with a possibly unfaithful husband, Shelley had deep emotional wells to draw from in her writing. Frankenstein, often thought of as a horror story about science and monsters, is incredibly emotional and philosophically moving. In addition, Shelley was an avid feminist in a world full of male voices.
For all of the things that this movie does right, it was hard to get past the fact that they played with history. A number of things are not factually correct about Mary Shelley and her life. Some items are completely omitted such as Shelley’s half sister Fanny Imlay. While Fanny did not appear to impact Mary Shelley’s writing career, she certainly had an impact on her personal life. Before Mary and Percy met, Fanny was said to have fallen in love with Percy. He had no interest in her, choosing to pursue Mary instead. While literary impact is unclear, the exclusion of Imlay casts a different shadow on this depiction of Shelley’s life.
All in all, this movie is worth a watch. With beautiful cinematic rhetoric, nearly accurate historical details, and a cast of talented actors, Mary Shelley provides an overview of the complex life of one of the most recognizable authors in history.
Review: The Unhidden Message of Frankenstein
Review: The Unhidden Message of Frankenstein
By Lorena Oplinger
What is it about horror novels that readers find fascinating? Is it the fact that they have the ability to play with our emotions or trick our imagination? I must confess that I am not into horror novels; somehow they find the way to reveal our deepest fears and transport us to a parallel world where the supernatural fuses with the natural and everything that is surreal comes to life. However, after reading Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’ Frankenstein, I discovered that there are meaningful but complex questions that this novel subtly attempts to answer for our humanity.
In order to decipher the hidden message of Frankenstein, it is necessary to know the context in which this story was written. Frankenstein was written in 1816 when Mary Shelley was then 18-years old. She had run away from home with her lover, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and her step-sister, Claire Clairmont. They travelled to Switzerland and spent the summer with poets and philosophers, Lord Byron and John Polidori at Lake Geneva.
On April 10, 1815, there was a volcano eruption in Mount Tambora, Indonesia. It was one of the worst natural disasters in human history. It killed 60,000 people and affected the climate in this region for the months to come.
Unable to contemplate the beautiful scenery of the land and enjoy the outdoor activities in the region, Byron proposed a contest. He challenged his guests to write the scariest horror story of all; this is how Frankenstein, the novel, was born. However, this was not the one and only reason for its creation. There were many personal and historical events throughout the life of the author that influenced the way she wrote this novel.
According to Paolo Gallo, author, executive coach and keynote speaker, “Mary Shelley wrote this book at the peak of the first industrial revolution, so she was concerned about the social and human impact of the first industrial revolution.” Many critics claim that the ‘hideous creature’ in Frankenstein embodies the fears and anxieties that the whole society was experiencing during the first industrial revolution. The rapid growth of science and technology made people question the value of human life and the meaning of humanity. “Frankenstein had a social, political, and ethical purpose,” said William St. Clair, British author. Frankenstein is not only a story that represents the external conflict between man and technology, but also reflects the internal conflict of the individual. Who we are? What do we want? What do we stand for? Are some of the questions humanity has always been seeking to answer. “In accordance with the Godwinian theory of progress...Frankenstein...would help to change the perceptions, the knowledge, the understanding, and therefore ultimately the behavior, of those who read or otherwise encountered it,” St. Clair said.
There are many misconceptions about Frankenstein. Unlike what everybody believes, Frankenstein is not the name of the monster. Frankenstein is the last name of the scientist who created the creature by assembling it with different corpses. Victor Frankenstein, the scientist and creator of the monster, is not the mad scientist that our popular culture has made us believe. He is a young, educated, and wealthy man with a super ego and passionate desire to create a human being that calls him dad. He seeks to play the role of God in this story, but he quickly learns that things won't always turn out the way one expects. He ends up rejecting the creation he carefully designed for himself.
Some critics argue that this unnamed monster represents Mary Shelley. Shelley’s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft Goodwin, died ten days after she was born due to an infection in her uterus, so Shelley always felt responsible for her death. Thus, she created a monster that embodied the terrible and dark view she had of herself.
Frankenstein is more than a horror text. It is a novel that explores the internal conflict, fears and anxieties of the individual and reveals the external conflicts of our society as a whole. It also serves as a moral compass. It challenges readers to think outside the box and ask the most important but complex questions about the meaning of human life and the value of humanity. “Here is another way of looking at the world. So we really have to consider if the way we look at the world is the only one that matters, the only one that counts. Or can we see the world in another way? Gallo said.
What is our moral compass? What do we stand for? What is the purpose of life? What is the value of humanity? Where is God? Who is God? Frankenstein attempts to answer these, but does not always provide all the answers to life complex questions; however, it encourages us to see the world from a different perspective— from the view of the creature and the creator. There is a message that this novel hides, but only those who read it can find the key to decode it.
5 Books to Read After "Frankenstein"
5 Books to Read After "Frankenstein"
By Kaela Bailey
Have you just finished the thrilling, mind-twisting, haunting tale of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and find yourself in need of more fever-inducing stories to fill the monster-shaped void in your life? Look no further than these five morbid tales that will drag you, kicking and screaming, on a journey into the dark psyche of madness housed in all of us. Obsessions, demons, and human nature are key characteristics of these five stories that will ultimately guide you into a deeper appreciation for Shelley’s Frankenstein and her brutally honest depiction of what it means to be an eloquent monster.
Doctor Faustus by Christopher MarloweDoctor Faustus, a well-respected German scholar, grows dissatisfied with the limits of traditional forms of knowledge—logic, medicine, law, and religion—and decides that he wants to learn to practice magic. His friends Valdes and Cornelius instruct him in the black arts, and he begins his new career as a magician by summoning up Mephistopheles, a demon. If you thought Frankenstein had a morbid ending, just wait till you see where a deal with the devil will lead Faustus in this disturbing tale of human nature and ambition.
The Sufferings of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheYoung Werther, an artist with independent means, meets and falls in love with a woman already betrothed. The letters he writes detail the development of his relationship with Lotte and eventually with her intended, Albert. As the date of Lotte's wedding approaches, Werther leaves the area and attempts to forget her by immersing himself in the work world. Becoming increasingly more obsessed with the need to possess Lotte, he alienates his former friends and is banished from their presence. Delving deep into the mindset and emotions of madness that only unrequited love can produce, this book will leave you reeling by the end.
The Vampyre by John William PolidoriAubrey, an orphaned young gentleman in possession of a large fortune, arrives in London for the season where he meets the mysterious Lord Ruthven. Aubrey befriends Lord Ruthven and after spending time touring Europe together, Aubrey becomes increasingly unsettled by him. He decides to distance himself from Ruthven, but is he already too late to save all that he holds dear from the thirst of the vampyre? Hidden plainly in polite society, Polidori’s mysterious, murderous creature is the thing of nightmares. The Vampyre was written in 1819 and was taken from the story Lord Byron told as part of a ghost-story contest among Polidori, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley. The same contest produced Mary’s novel Frankenstein.
The Ghost-Seerby Friedrich SchillerFor a rich young prince and his loyal companion, Venice promises nothing but unfettered pleasure—until they encounter a mysterious masked Armenian who delivers them a strange prophecy. And when his words prove true, this enigmatic figure develops a deeply sinister influence over them, drawing them into darker forms of “magic.” As the narrative progresses, it becomes increasingly unclear whether the apparitions the prince sees are the manifestations of a troubled spirit world or simply an elaborate hoax. This thrilling, edge-of-your-seat mystery that will have you second guessing everything by the end.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten WhiteThe Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is a re-telling of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818) from the perspective of Elizabeth Lavenza, the orphan of a mother who died in childbirth. Elizabeth was rescued from abusive foster care by Victor Frankenstein's family and given to Victor as a child companion in Geneva. As they grow older and Victor is consumed by madness and murderous scientific ideas, Elizabeth embarks on her own personal voyage into the realm of madness. Will she survive, or will she succumb to the darkness of Victor’s world? Human madness and monstrosity is certainly something this novel has in common with its predecessor, therefore it is a very fitting read when you are looking for your next skin crawling monster fix.
Doctor Faustus by Christopher MarloweDoctor Faustus, a well-respected German scholar, grows dissatisfied with the limits of traditional forms of knowledge—logic, medicine, law, and religion—and decides that he wants to learn to practice magic. His friends Valdes and Cornelius instruct him in the black arts, and he begins his new career as a magician by summoning up Mephistopheles, a demon. If you thought Frankenstein had a morbid ending, just wait till you see where a deal with the devil will lead Faustus in this disturbing tale of human nature and ambition.
The Sufferings of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheYoung Werther, an artist with independent means, meets and falls in love with a woman already betrothed. The letters he writes detail the development of his relationship with Lotte and eventually with her intended, Albert. As the date of Lotte's wedding approaches, Werther leaves the area and attempts to forget her by immersing himself in the work world. Becoming increasingly more obsessed with the need to possess Lotte, he alienates his former friends and is banished from their presence. Delving deep into the mindset and emotions of madness that only unrequited love can produce, this book will leave you reeling by the end.
The Vampyre by John William PolidoriAubrey, an orphaned young gentleman in possession of a large fortune, arrives in London for the season where he meets the mysterious Lord Ruthven. Aubrey befriends Lord Ruthven and after spending time touring Europe together, Aubrey becomes increasingly unsettled by him. He decides to distance himself from Ruthven, but is he already too late to save all that he holds dear from the thirst of the vampyre? Hidden plainly in polite society, Polidori’s mysterious, murderous creature is the thing of nightmares. The Vampyre was written in 1819 and was taken from the story Lord Byron told as part of a ghost-story contest among Polidori, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley. The same contest produced Mary’s novel Frankenstein.
The Ghost-Seerby Friedrich SchillerFor a rich young prince and his loyal companion, Venice promises nothing but unfettered pleasure—until they encounter a mysterious masked Armenian who delivers them a strange prophecy. And when his words prove true, this enigmatic figure develops a deeply sinister influence over them, drawing them into darker forms of “magic.” As the narrative progresses, it becomes increasingly unclear whether the apparitions the prince sees are the manifestations of a troubled spirit world or simply an elaborate hoax. This thrilling, edge-of-your-seat mystery that will have you second guessing everything by the end.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten WhiteThe Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is a re-telling of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818) from the perspective of Elizabeth Lavenza, the orphan of a mother who died in childbirth. Elizabeth was rescued from abusive foster care by Victor Frankenstein's family and given to Victor as a child companion in Geneva. As they grow older and Victor is consumed by madness and murderous scientific ideas, Elizabeth embarks on her own personal voyage into the realm of madness. Will she survive, or will she succumb to the darkness of Victor’s world? Human madness and monstrosity is certainly something this novel has in common with its predecessor, therefore it is a very fitting read when you are looking for your next skin crawling monster fix.
5 Songs that Scream "Frankenstein"
5 Songs that Scream "Frankenstein"
By Maddie Barkes
Click for our 'Frankenstein' Spotify Playlist!
- Monster Mash - Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
- Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift
- It Will Come Back - Hozier
- Still Don’t Know My Name - Labrinth
- I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire - The Ink Spots
Lines Written Upon My Creature
A Poem by V. F. (Joey Sass)
Mighty God in heaven,
Whose place I dared to usurp,
Punishes me for my hubris.
What I meant for beauty
Has shaken my very soul.
What toil! How I laboured over my project
As a mother labours to birth her babe.
Years I spent--wasted--in that hellish laboratory
Crafting a demon that should have been angelic.
What do I know of beauty?
I thought to endow him with elegance,
Make him in my own image;
How my intentions have miserably failed!
When I close my eyes, I only see his;
That menacing stare, those damp, deep,
Piercing yellow orbs! They will never leave me.
I cannot forget when they first opened to gaze upon me
Or the first rattling breath his rotten lungs drew,
When his thin parchment skin first stretched over bulging muscles,
Threatening to split the seams that I’d joined.
How could I have possibly dreamed
This wretched form would somehow be beautiful?
Even after I fled, he pursued me,
Chased me to my bed and perverted my dreams.
How his sharp black lips parted into such a devious grin!
How he reached for me with his hulking fist!
To think what I meant this creature to be--
A son, an innocent babe, looking upon me for guidance,
Finding inspiration in my genius
As I was once inspired by the mad Agrippa.
Yet the fruit of my labours is nothing more than a vile beast,
Likely incapable of the basest thought.
I have cast him behind me, wishing to forget the entire affair.
In the midst of sickening guilt and horror,
I pray I never see that creature again.
"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus": A Ghastly Creation
"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus": A Ghastly Creation
Book Review By Tristram Barnabas
(Joey Sass)
Not long ago, I had the displeasure of reading a horrid new novel published by Lackington. I wasn’t expecting much from it, as Lackington is overall a shoddy firm, publishing mostly supernatural rubbish. Their latest catastrophe is titled “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.” Don’t let the formal title fool you; this tale is no more than base vulgarity. It has been released anonymously; however, given that the book is dedicated to the radical Mr. William Godwin, it was likely penned by one of his godless admirers. The likeliest suspect is Percy Bysshe Shelley, once a loyal disciple of Godwin’s. Shelley is a known atheist and ruffian, which only reinforces the general suspicion that he wrote this drivel. Its themes are blasphemous and its execution is distressing. The core conceit of this novel is blatantly heretical. The plot follows Victor Frankenstein, a troubled youth who manages to create a living, breathing creature through unspecified scientific processes. Though I needn’t explain to my readers why this concept is immoral, I shall do so nevertheless. Not only is the idea of a mere human being creating life preposterous, but it is a crude parody of our Divine Creator. Shelley, in his limitless hubris, has spat on the name of our Lord by implying that science can produce its own miracles. As would be expected, our protagonist Victor fails in his aims to create beauty and instead crafts a wicked monster. This monster--more akin to a hellish demon--turns upon Victor and the rest of humanity, cursing those who are happy while he is miserable. In what is perhaps the only example of morality within this book, Victor is justly punished for his crimes against nature; the creature murders many of Victor’s friends and family, sending the scientist into a blind rage. Inevitably, Victor dies before he can catch and eliminate his creature; though, even if he had, the damage the creature caused would still be irreversible. Although framed as a protagonist, Victor is an immoral madman who should not under any circumstances be admired. And although this book succeeds in its judgment of Victor, it is still far from virtuous. Its unpleasantness extends far beyond its atheistic themes, into the alarming construction of the plot’s gruesome details. Many passages in “Frankenstein” sent a dreadful chill throughout my body. I often had to set the book aside for minutes at a time, if only to regain my composure. The descriptions of the creature are repulsive and deeply unsettling. I fear my sleep may be adversely affected in the weeks to come. I can only imagine the terror that would grip the souls of any poor children who got ahold of this vile work. There is no doubt in my mind that it should never have been published; it is far too gruesome for an upright, Christian citizen to read with a clear conscience. My distaste for Lackington, not to mention the disturbed Mr. Shelley, has only grown harsher.I will admit that the prose is competently written, though perhaps a bit long-winded at times. Several extended descriptions of Victor’s bland travels toward the latter half of the novel had me on the verge of sleep. But overall, the problem with this book is not how it is written--it is what the book is written about. Contemplations of graves, murder, horrible creatures, etc. will only further corrupt our society if we let them. We should be lifting our eyes to our Father rather than wasting our time and money on cheap thrills and pompous pseudoscience. Shelley wishes to tell the world that we don’t need a God, that we can subsist on our own ingenuity. He is reaching to the heavens, building a literary Tower of Babel, and I cannot sit idly by while he does so. If I must be the voice of reason for this troubled generation of free thinkers, I shall; there are certain heights that humanity should not aspire to. We are not gods, and we cannot perform the miracles of God. Furthermore, our Lord would surely disapprove if we indulge in fantasies of bloodshed and terror. And this is all that “Frankenstein” offers. Its preface pleas for it to be taken seriously, but there is not one iota of fact in this book. All that lies within it are ghastly scenes and dangerous ideas.
A Frankenstein-Inspired Playlist by Gwyn Boike
A Frankenstein-Inspired Playlist by Gwyn Boike
“Body Electric” by Lana Del Rey
The title alone fits very well with what the monster would perhaps prefer in music, especially the striking chorus calling for human experience.
“Walk this Way” by Aerosmith
This song in my mind feels like part of a soundtrack of an early nineties adaptation of Frankenstein, and it was actually inspired by the Mel Brooks film.
“Some Kind of Monster” by Metallica
Metallica’s heavy metal sound really captures that ghoulish aura that characterizes Frankenstein. This song of theirs in particular talks about a monster that feels all too familiar to the creature.
“Teenage Frankenstein” by Alice Cooper
This track compares the estrangement of an unpopular and unattractive teen to that of the monster, and this connection is clear within the title.
“Far Too Young to Die” by Panic! At The Disco
This song reminded me of Victor and Elizabeth’s relationship in the novel. While she was far too young to die, she was also undervalued by Victor despite his lifelong obsession with her.
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