Question

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.) As part of this discussion, be sure to respond to at least two other students.

Answer 1

In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein's monster was depicted as a society outcast. The monster represents how an uncaring society can turn loving creatures into monsters by excluding them. This can also be an allegory of criminals in general.

Explanation: Teenage Frankenstein by Alice Cooper

1) Song.

2) In the song "Teenage Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper, the poetic voice sticks to the main characteristics of Frankenstein's monster. In the following quote, it is evident how Frankenstein's monster is portrayed as an outcast whose society has rejected him. Also, it states at the end the monster's lack of confidence which leads him to believe he is not enough:

"I ain't one of the crowd

I ain't one of the guys

They just avoid me

They run and they hide

Are my colors too bright?

Are my eyes set too wide?"

3) The tone of the song varies from the novel in the sense that this character of Frankenstein has teenager characteristics such as lack of confidence with both girls and boys. In this sense, the song has a childish and naive tone which is also a common thing with Mary Shelley's novel; however, the song is an allegory for growing up, but not, as in Mary Shelley's monster, for revenge towards society.

Answer 2

There are are many books, media, movies that represent Frankenstein's story but the one that I like the most is Edward Scissorhands because it depicts American society and it portrays a humorous tone at the beginning of the story at least and it doesn't finish so sadly as Shelley's original novel although Edward Scissorhands has some drama at the end . The creator of Edward Scissorhands doesn't appear in the movie in contrast of Shelley's character in which the relationship between the creator and the monster is very problematic. People react differently to the monster. In Shelley's story the monster in never accepted and in Edward Scissorhands, he is accepted as the new thing in town at the beginning of the story.

1.-The form of media: It is a movie.

2.-The story is presented humorously at the beginning and dramatically at the end.

3.-The tone in Shelley's novel is mostly dramatic while in Edward Scissorhands is humorous at the beginning and dramatic at the end.