REWRITE INTO A FINAL RESEARCH PAPER
By examining the portrayal of monsters and the supernatural in the works of William Blake, Mary Shelley, and other authors we have studied, we can see how these representations have shifted from symbols of evil and fear to reflections of societal anxieties and critiques of human nature. This evolution highlights the enduring fascination with the unknown and the monstrous, as well as the ways in which these creatures continue to hold a mirror up to humanity's deepest fears and desires.
2. Body Paragraph 1:
- Topic Sentence: In William Blake's "The Tyger," the tiger symbolizes the fearsome and uncontrollable aspects of nature, serving as a representation of the monstrous and supernatural.
- Analysis of the text: By juxtaposing the tiger with the lamb in his poem, Blake explores the duality of existence and the coexistence of good and evil in the natural world.
- Connection to society: The tiger can be seen as a reflection of the fears and anxieties that were prevalent during Blake's time, such as the Industrial Revolution and the loss of innocence in society.
3. Body Paragraph 2:
- Topic Sentence: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein portrays the monster as a tragic figure, challenging traditional notions of good and evil.
- Analysis of the text: The monster's isolation and longing for companionship humanize him, making readers question who the real monster is in the story.
- Connection to society: Shelley's novel critiques the arrogance of the scientific community and the consequences of playing god, reflecting the fears and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.
4. Body Paragraph 3:
- Topic Sentence: The supernatural in Edgar Allan Poe's works serves as a macabre exploration of the human psyche and the blurred lines between reality and imagination.
- Analysis of the text: Poe's use of unreliable narrators and eerie settings create a sense of unease and uncertainty, blurring the boundaries between what is real and what is supernatural.
- Connection to society: Poe's stories reflect the growing interest in the macabre and the unknown during the Romantic period, as well as the fascination with death and the afterlife.
5. Conclusion:
- Restate thesis: Throughout the works of William Blake, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, and other authors, the portrayal of monsters and the supernatural has evolved to reflect changing societal beliefs and fears.
- Summary of key points: From Blake's exploration of nature and duality to Shelley's critique of science and humanity, and Poe's macabre tales of the supernatural, these authors have used monsters and the supernatural to engage with the darker aspects of human nature and society.
- Final thoughts: The enduring fascination with monsters and the supernatural in literature demonstrates our ongoing desire to confront our fears and uncertainties, as well as our capacity for empathy and understanding of the monstrous within ourselves.
Transition Word: In addition,
Main Point #2: The portrayal of monsters in literature reflects societal fears and anxieties.
1st Piece of Evidence: In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the monster is described as a terrifying and abhorrent creature. "I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed" (Shelley, 121).
Explanation of Evidence: This quote shows how the monster is depicted as a source of horror and repulsion, reflecting the fear of the unknown and the consequences of scientific experimentation.
2nd Piece of Evidence: According to Deborah J. Riggan, "The monster is the living manifestation of the unknown, the Other, the source of psychic unease and fear" (Riggan, 43).
Explanation of Evidence: This statement supports the idea that monsters in literature serve as representations of societal anxieties and fears. Just like in Frankenstein, the monster embodies societal fears of the unknown and the consequences of human ambition.
- Transition Word: Additionally
- Main Point #3: The portrayal of the monster/supernatural in literature reflects societal fears and anxieties.
- 1st Piece of Evidence: In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," the monster is initially depicted as a terrifying and monstrous being, reflecting the fear of the unknown and the consequences of playing god.
- Explanation of Evidence: As the novel progresses, however, Shelley humanizes the monster, showing that it is capable of love and emotion. This shift in perception challenges the reader's initial fears and invites them to question their own prejudices.
- 2nd Piece of Evidence: Similarly, in Bram Stoker's "Dracula," the vampire represents fears of sexuality and foreign influences infiltrating society.
- Explanation of Evidence: Stoker's novel serves as a warning against the dangers of the unknown and the importance of traditional values. Both "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" use the monster/supernatural as a vehicle to explore and critique societal fears and anxieties, showcasing how these themes have evolved over time
Explanation of Evidence: This source supports the idea that the monster/supernatural often serves as a reflection of society's fears and anxieties. Just as the monster in "Frankenstein" represents the dangers of playing god, the creature in Blake's poem symbolizes the evils that lurk in the shadows.
In conclusion, the concept of the monster/supernatural has undergone significant change across different time periods and literary works, as seen in the works of William Blake and Mary Shelley. This evolution highlights the evolving societal fears and anxieties surrounding the unknown and the "other."
Firstly, we explored how William Blake's poetry depicted the monstrous side of humanity, highlighting the darkness within individuals. Then, we analyzed Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as a reflection of society's fear of scientific advancements and the consequences of playing god. Lastly, we examined how the supernatural was used in gothic literature to explore themes of isolation, desire, and the limits of human understanding.
Overall, these works illustrate the complex relationship between humans and monsters, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding towards the perceived "other." By delving into the depths of fear and the unknown, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Through the lens of the monster/supernatural, we can learn valuable lessons about acceptance, empathy, and the human experience.
Works Cited:
- Blake, William. Songs of Innocence and of Experience. 1789.
- Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 1818.
- Radcliffe, Ann. The Mysteries of Udolpho. 1794.
- Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Fall of the House of Usher." 1839.
- Stoker, Bram. Dracula. 1897.
Throughout the literary works of William Blake, Mary Shelley, and other authors, the portrayal of monsters and the supernatural has evolved to reflect changing societal beliefs and fears. In Blake's "The Tyger," the tiger symbolizes the fearsome aspects of nature and societal anxieties during the Industrial Revolution. Shelley's Frankenstein challenges traditional notions of good and evil by humanizing the monster and critiquing the consequences of scientific experimentation. Poe's macabre tales explore the blurred lines between reality and imagination, reflecting the Romantic period's fascination with death and the unknown.
In addition, the portrayal of monsters in literature often reflects societal fears and anxieties. For example, the monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is depicted as a source of horror and repulsion, embodying fears of the unknown and the consequences of human ambition. Similarly, in Bram Stoker's "Dracula," the vampire represents fears of foreign influences and the dangers of the unknown infiltrating society, serving as a warning against the importance of traditional values.
In conclusion, the evolution of the monster/supernatural in literature showcases how these representations have shifted from symbols of evil and fear to reflections of societal anxieties and critiques of human nature. By delving into the depths of fear and the unknown through literature, we can gain valuable insights into ourselves and the world around us, fostering empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human experience.