How does the idea of the monster / supernatural evolve throughout the time periods and works we’ve studied this year? Writing a Research Paper Final
Minimum of 5 sources in your MLA formatted Works Cited Page
MLA format In-Text Citations in your paper from each source
The Tyger
The lamb
The chimney sweeper
Coleridge Samuel Taylor
The rime of ancient mariner
Kubla Khan the rime of the ancient mariner
Frankenstein
Throughout the time periods and works we have studied this year, the idea of the monster and the supernatural have evolved in various ways. In William Blake's poems "The Tyger" and "The Lamb," the concept of the monster is presented as both a fearsome and gentle creature, reflecting the dualities present in nature and humanity. In "The Chimney Sweeper," Blake explores the idea of innocence corrupted by societal structures, hinting at a more sinister form of monstrosity.
Moving into the Romantic era, Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural. The albatross in the poem serves as a symbol of both curse and salvation, blurring the lines between the monstrous and the divine. Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" similarly explores the boundaries between reality and the supernatural, delving into dreams and the creative process as sources of inspiration and terror.
Finally, Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" continues this exploration of the monster and the supernatural, presenting the creature as a product of both scientific experimentation and human hubris. The novel challenges traditional notions of monstrosity, questioning who the true monster is - the creator or the creation.
As we trace the evolution of the monster and the supernatural through these works, we see a shift from traditional, external representations of monstrosity to more internal, psychological explorations. The monsters in these texts reflect the fears and desires of their creators, blurring the lines between good and evil, human and otherworldly. Through these depictions, we come to understand that the true nature of the monster lies not in its appearance, but in its impact on the characters and the world around them.
Works Cited
Blake, William. "The Tyger." Songs of Experience. 1794.
---. "The Lamb." Songs of Innocence. 1789.
---. "The Chimney Sweeper." Songs of Experience. 1794.
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. 1798.
---. "Kubla Khan." 1816.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 1818.