The 19th and 20th century played a major role in the evolution and development of new genres and fictional novels. Earlier novels did not explore the genres of fiction, especially since they were not considered as serious works of literature by the public. The overall habit of reading such novels for entertainment and excitement was not common. Then came novels like Mary Shelley's The Modern Prometheus, a novel of gothic horror and science fiction. Followed by The Dracula by Bram Stoker, also gothic horror and mythological literature. These two novels revolutionized the genres, and today are appreciated as timeless reads and adapted in a series of movies. When comparing such unique works of literature, we must explore the style of the authors …show more content…
Firstly, the main protagonists in the books, although may have experienced similar emotions and dilemmas, have completely different motives and roles. For instance, Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss scientist, may have fallen as something of a victim in the book but he receives no pity and is perceived as the person to blame by most readers due to being depicted as selfish and having created the creature whilst facilitating the horrors it unleashes with his neglectful behavior (also seen in the fact the creature was never named, and referred to as ‘The Creature’ or ‘The Monster’). However, as almost an antithesis to Victor’s case, The Dracula's Jonathon Harker was only doing his job when he came across Van Helsing (Dracula), he had no intention or culpability in the agony his family and friends faced at Dracula's hands. Although it is noteworthy that both characters do ultimately face their deaths at the end of their respective books. Even so, the secondary characters, the wives of the protagonists, had different roles. Elizabeth (Victors wife to be in TMP) is completely kept unaware by her husband, and plays no major role in the story, she is a hopeless romantic and is eventually killed by the monster. However, Mina from The Dracula is portrayed as a hero and is the first one to believe her husband regarding the existence of a vampire. This could also be relayed to the difference in norms within society during the era of each book; namely, people could have been more conservative toward a woman’s role when The Modern Prometheus was published (1818), as compared to 1897 when The Dracula was published. Finally, it is worth reiterating that, while the structure of characters in the books are relatively the same, the complicity of the victims in their own demise in the two stories is
Although Moers’ essay is not entirely focused on the formalist approach, there is a good deal that holds the same values. Moers talks about Gothic fiction as a genre and how the time period influenced Mary Shelley’s alteration of
John Gardner’s Grendel and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein both include characters who are labeled as monsters. Grendel and the Monster share common characteristics such as being ugly, strong, large, and they kill others. They are both insecure about their appearance and how society portrays them. Grendel and the Monster use violence to try and cope with their insecurities. In the literary works Grendel and Frankenstein, both the monster’s physical appearance and their interactions with others cause them to become an outcast from society. This leads to rejection of themselves, low self-esteem, and ultimately they create havoc within their communities.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if a being is never provoked by man, will it become a monster? The latter is a question that is put into focus throughout Gardner’s Grendel and Shelley’s Frankenstein. The reader learns of Grendel, and of Frankenstein’s creation, and must determine if they are truly monsters or merely a product of the world they live in. It is very easy to take one glance at the seemingly heinous crimes committed by Grendel and Frankenstein’s creation, and based off of this, deem them to be monsters. However, it is the actions and words of man that transform both Grendel, and Frankenstein’s creation into monsters.
creation to the edge of the world, hoping he would fall off, never to be
When a young person develops an awareness to suffering, evil, and pain around them, the person is put into a position where they have to act and respond in a manner that is advanced in their age. Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible propose through both characters of Abigail and the monster that innocence is short lived and the reality of evil in society helps destroys it. Abigail and the monster were once innocent when born, but the exposure of the evil in society transforms them into to doing morally wrong things because of their influence. The trauma that both characters experience from their own parents affect them, as through relationships with important attachment figures, children learn to trust others,
Frankenstein's Monster along with Grendel are both monsters that society ignores their existence and both of their societies finds them to be a distress. Their societies doesn't enjoy them because they are not like the rest of society. Both the Monster and Grendel aim to find their place in society along with their purpose and reasoning to life. Considering their happiness comes at infrequent times, both eventually accept their role into society by coping with themselves and their inner traits to be loyal with themselves, continuing to be more intelligent and be on the correct path.
Frankenstein and Edward Scissorhand are both about two different creators creating their own kind of creatures, and the journey through the whole process and the life after creation. In both the novel and film we are able to compare different aspects of both the novel and film. Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and Tim Burton’s film Edward Scissorhands have many similarities and differences starting from the desire of wanting to feel love, to the cause of all the violence. A few of the similarities and differences visible throughout the novel and film are: quest for knowledge, companionship, and their creators.
The character Grendel in John Gardner’s novel has a more complicated life than the character in Frankenstein because of their reasons behind killing, their conflict of man vs. society, and their emotions of their existence are more complex in Grendel. The Monster in Frankenstein and Grendel are uniquely superior to the rest of mankind. Grendel on the other hand gets his superiority by killing man, causing them to fear him. The monster is created by dead corps put together, so merely his appearance creates fear in mankind.
A multitude of signs illustrates similarities between the Frankenstein’s creature and Mary Shelley. These indications show that the novel may be an autobiography. However, the novel shows a lot of the characteristics of science fiction. The novel can be a real description or fiction narrative, but not both. An informed opinion about this controversy requires the evaluation of relevant critics. Sherry Ginn uses “Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein: Science, Science Fiction, or Autobiography?” to adequately argue that the novel Frankenstein is based on Shelley’s experiences and fears, that it is not an autobiography, and that it has all the characteristics of a science fiction narrative.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and Edward Scissorhands by Tim Burton, a common theme of human acceptance is shared between the two. Both characters in these two films just want to be accepted by the human race. They go through similar struggles and their characters are developed throughout the films. Both authors use similar techniques to develop their characters by using common themes, point of view, lighting, music, and setting. Both authors share common techniques to develop their characters but also use different techniques.
Evil features in both ‘Dracula’ and ‘Frankenstein’ but the personification of this evil is different in both novels. A feeling of menace and doom pervades ‘Dracula’ because of his supernatural powers. One feels that he has control of the evil and he has the power to manipulate the environment and people for his own ends. ‘Frankenstein’ centres on the creation of a monster made from parts of dead bodies and the fear created by the monster due to circumstance and the ignorance of society. Also, one feels a certain amount of apprehension that the monster is deserted by his creator and loses control without his support and guidance.
Sometimes considered one of the first science fiction novels of supernatural terror, Frankenstein proved itself an instant success when released anonymously in 1818. The mad scientist Victor Frankenstein and his creation provoke readers with the fear of the unknown and the power of natures forces. A deeper look into the character of Victor Frankenstein, the role of scientific experimentation and the intricate settings of nature in which the story evolves, prove Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein , a worthy example of both Romantic and Gothic representation in nineteenth century British Literature.
Novel in particular and literature in general is more than just a work of fiction but in fact the hidden reflection of a specific historical era. Although, Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights and Dracula were written in different times and each leaves its readers with different emotion and contemplation stages, they all share an affinity: the presence of Gothic elements. Indeed, these novels are designed to lead their reader into thrilling journeys through spooky dark setting, suspense horrifying plot, and claustrophobic atmosphere. These elements, though appear in various forms throughout these three novels, still excellently accomplish their mission of enticing the readers to be caught up in the narrative.
Even though it is mysterious and cannot be fathomed, just like Romanticism, the mystery in Gothic Literature is horrific, while in Romanticism it is beautiful. Gothic fiction relates to prudishness (especially in the Victorian era) as it focuses on taboo subjects, such as: sex, vice, and murder. Therefore, it is, to great extent, going beyond peoples emotional limitations. To add to that, the typical feature of Gothic Literature would be expressing nature in the threat of monsters, ghosts, or in other words, supernatural forces conflicting with humanity. On the whole, a great representation of these gothic and romantic influences would be the novel Frankenstein (or The Modern Prometheus) by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, which was published in 1818 and written during the Romantic Period.
Bram Stoker’s ingenious piece of work on writing Dracula has set the expectation for gothic novels all over the world and time to come. The mindset of writing Dracula through the Victorian Era really sets the tone for the reader by creating a spine-tingling sensation right through the novel. With this in mind, Stoker wouldn’t have been able to succeed his masterpiece without the effective uses of symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, and its overall theme.