Final answer:
The 1931 movie Frankenstein, like German expressionist films, featured a plot surrounding ambitious pursuits and consequences, as seen with Victor Frankenstein's quest to give life to the dead. The film's themes echoed the social concerns of the era and delved into the horror of what lies beneath the surface of bourgeois society. Victor's conflict with his creation brings focus to the dilemmas of scientific progress and moral responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure of the 1931 movie Frankenstein can be examined by looking at its plot and thematic elements. The plot of Frankenstein details the journey of Victor Frankenstein, a man consumed by the ambition to bring life to the dead. Victor's creation of the monster parallels the ancient Greek tale of Icarus, illustrating the motif of reaching ambitiously after knowledge and the dire consequences that follow. This film also integrates elements of German expressionism, notably influenced by earlier directors such as F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang, who tackled challenging themes and used abstract sets. The abstract sets and distinct visuals, however, are not as prominent in Frankenstein as they were in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, but the themes of chaos and horror echo within both.
Moreover, the embodiment of the monster in Frankenstein reflects social concerns of the time regarding environment, race, and class in bourgeois society, akin to the convoluted characters found in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Dracula. There are evident literary and social reflections on the monstrosity lurking beneath the civilized exterior, and these deeper meanings enrich the plot of the movie. Lastly, grappling with Victor's repulsion towards his creation raises questions about the nature of his ambitions, possibly exploring themes of overreaching scientific inquiry or the pitfalls of unchecked technological progression.