The novel Frankenstein emerged from an informal storytelling contest among Mary Shelley and her husband and friends. Originally, their purpose was simply to invent frightening tales to entertain themselves. However, Shelley's novel explores deeper themes—the dangers of unchecked curiosity, the responsibility of creating and caring for another creature, and what it means to be isolated from humanity.
Shelley wrote Frankenstein nearly 200 years ago. Since then, the story of Frankenstein and his monster has been reimagined many times, in movies, television shows, and plays. Both of the main characters—the scientist and his creation—are frequently alluded to in pop songs and comic books. Some portrayals emphasize the horrific aspects of the story, while others take a more humorous tone.
Identify an example from the media that presents elements of the Frankenstein story. (For instance, you might choose a movie, book, or song that features Shelley's characters.) If possible, provide a link to your example. Briefly discuss your example and address the following questions:
(1) What form of media is used (television commercial, Web site, etc.)?
(2) How is the Frankenstein story presented? What aspects are emphasized or downplayed? (For example, many versions present the tale as a horror story and do not portray the monster sympathetically).
(3) How does the tone of your example differ from the tone of Shelley's novel? Consider all of the elements that contribute to tone—not only language, but also images, graphics, video, and audio elements.
Example: The film "Young Frankenstein" (1974) directed by Mel Brooks.
(1) The form of media used is a comedy film.
(2) In "Young Frankenstein," the Frankenstein story is presented as a parody and a comedy. It satirizes the classic horror elements, with exaggerated humor and slapstick comedy. The character of Frankenstein, played by Gene Wilder, is presented as a descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein, who reluctantly becomes involved in the family legacy of reanimating the dead. The monster is portrayed sympathetically, with a childlike innocence and charm. The film emphasizes the comedic side of the story, downplaying the horror and instead amplifying the absurd and ridiculous aspects of the original story.
(3) The tone of "Young Frankenstein" differs greatly from Shelley's novel. While Shelley's novel is dark, Gothic, and explores profound themes, "Young Frankenstein" is light-hearted, farcical, and meant to entertain through humor. The film uses black and white cinematography to pay homage to the classic horror movies of the past, adding to its comedic parody. The humor, visual gags, and comedic performances create a tone that is radically different from the melancholic and eerie atmosphere of Shelley's novel.
(1) The example I have chosen is the movie "Young Frankenstein" directed by Mel Brooks. Here is a link to the movie's IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072431/
(2) "Young Frankenstein" presents a comedic take on the Frankenstein story. It parodies the classic horror elements and tropes, focusing on the absurd and slapstick elements of the story. The movie emphasizes the comedic aspects and downplays the darker and more serious themes of Shelley's novel. The portrayal of the monster is also comical, with the character often eliciting laughter rather than fear or sympathy.
(3) The tone of "Young Frankenstein" differs significantly from the tone of Shelley's novel. While the novel explores deeper themes and portrays the consequences of unchecked curiosity and the isolation of the monster, the movie takes a lighthearted and comedic approach. The language used in the movie is often funny and filled with witty dialogue, which contributes to the humorous tone. Additionally, the visual elements, such as exaggerated facial expressions, comedic timing, and physical comedy, further enhance the comedic tone of the film. The movie's tone is far from the dark and introspective atmosphere of Shelley's novel.
To find an example from the media that presents elements of the Frankenstein story, you can start by conducting a search using keywords such as "Frankenstein adaptation" or "Frankenstein reference in media." This will help you find various examples in different forms of media such as movies, books, songs, TV shows, or even advertisements.
When analyzing the example, you should consider the following questions:
1. What form of media is used?
Identify the specific medium in which the example is presented. It could be a movie, TV show, book, song, or any other form of media.
2. How is the Frankenstein story presented? What aspects are emphasized or downplayed?
Analyze how the Frankenstein story is portrayed in the example. Pay attention to which aspects of the story are emphasized or given more importance, and which are downplayed or altered. For instance, some adaptations might focus more on the horror elements of the story, while others might explore the moral or ethical implications. Also, consider how the characters are portrayed and if any new elements are introduced.
3. How does the tone of the example differ from the tone of Shelley's novel?
Compare the tone of the example to the tone of Mary Shelley's original novel. Take into account all the elements that contribute to the tone, such as language, visual imagery, graphics, video clips, audio elements, or the overall atmosphere. Consider if the tone is more serious or lighthearted, sympathetic or monstrous, and how it diverges from Shelley's intended tone in her novel.
Doing an online search using the keywords provided will give you a list of examples to choose from, and once you select one, you can address the questions above by closely examining the example and providing your analysis.