Term Paper on "Monstrous Natures in Frankenstein and Dracula"

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Monstrous Natures in Frankenstein and Dracula

The stories of Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker in Frankenstein and Dracula, respectively, have been continuously frightening readers and audiences since they were first published. Frankenstein was first published in 1818, and later revised and republished in 1831; Dracula was published in 1897. Both novels have been in print since they were first published and have been adapted several times for theatre and film. Though both writers employ the use of a monster to convey and criticize Victorian themes. Monsters in these novels are not only created as such, but are also victims of their environments.

In Frankenstein, Shelley exploits the Victorian fear of change and technology and subsequently questioned religious beliefs of creation and evolution. In Frankenstein, it can be argued that there are two distinct monsters, Frankenstein and his creation. Frankenstein's monstrosity comes from his desire to have control over the creation and destruction of life. Furthermore, his attitude towards the Monster also demonstrates the type of person that Frankenstein is. The Monster, on the other hand, is a victim of his environment, reacting to situations instead of rationalizing them because he lacks the social education that Frankenstein refuses to teach him. Frankenstein's education, and thirst for knowledge encourage him to study the works of "natural philosophers," such as Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus. Frankenstein states that guided by these philosophers, he "entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained [his] undivided attention" (She

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lley 47). Driven by this desire to create like, and in the process acquire God-like power, Frankenstein states that "[a]fter days and nights of incredible labour and fatigue, [he] succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, [he] became…capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter" (63). Frankenstein, upon realizing what he has created, abandons his offspring. Plagued by horror and guilt, Frankenstein "rushed out of the room…traversing [his] bedchamber…threw [himself] on the bed…endeavouring to seek a few moments of forgetfulness" (70). By abandoning the Monster he has created, he leaves a fledging, confused, and ignorant creature to fend for itself. Frankenstein deliberately creates a monster that is cursed to be ostracized, and is not willing to help ease its transition into society, nor is he willing to create a mate for him because he fears the repercussions. Though Frankenstein is hesitant to create another monster, he proceeds to do so, but stops short of bringing it to life. Frankenstein does not fear that his second creation will be less destructive, or as destructive, as the Monster, rather he fears that the female monster will be more destructive and believes that she "ten thousand times more malignant that her mate, and delight, for its own sake, in murder and wretchedness" (217). Furthermore, he considers the possibility of her rejecting the monster and turn to the "superior beauty of man" (218). Even if she does accept the Monster, Frankenstein fears that his "Adam and Eve" will quit Europe and breed, creating a new species of monstrous children. Frankenstein's unwillingness to give in to the Monster's demands subsequently destroys everyone around him. Because he destroyed the Monster's potential mate, the Monster in turn, will destroy anything and everything that Frankenstein holds dear. The Monster fulfills his threat by killing William, but is also a factor in the deaths of Justine, Henry Clerval's murder, and the death of his father, Alphonse. The most haunting threat dealt by the Monster to Frankenstein is the echoing promise, "I WILL BE WITH YOU on YOUR WEDDING NIGHT" (221).

The Monster, on the other hand, is a monster through no fault of his own. He was created as such, and has been treated as such. Frankenstein's subsequent rejection of the Monster has led him to question his existence and role in society. The Monster was forced to teach himself about the nature of humans through the observation of the De Lacey family living in… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Monstrous Natures in Frankenstein and Dracula" Assignment:

“

the book that we reads are these below you can pick either one but it has to be the same book and version and *****

Dracula Bram Stoker (ISBN: 0393970124)

Frankenstein Mary Shelley

TELLING TALES: MIDTERM ESSAY

In this essay, you will be asked to further analyze particular works covered in class. Your essay must address both thematic concerns and the particular narrative strategies used by the author to create meaning in the text. Essays should demonstrate close analysis with attention to detail, a firm grasp of course material (including readings, screenings, lectures, and class discussions), and sophisticated writing. Be sure to support your ideas and interpretations with direct evidence from the text/film (i.e. use specific examples to prove your points and use direct quotations when writing about literature). On the other hand, you should NOT summarize any of the narratives we cover in class in any of your writing. We all read the text together; we all know what it is about; I want to hear your analysis/interpretation of it. Writing should also be clear and correct in terms of organization and grammar.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS FOR YOUR ESSAY:

Compare and contrast the themes of violence and justice in The Arabian Nights to The Odyssey. How would the original audiences have viewed the actions and fate of the main characters in these stories? How do you view them? What ultimate messages do these two works convey?

Choose one of the following works and discuss its narrative form (structure): King Kong, The Arabian Nights, Frankenstein, Nosferatu. Identify some major filming techniques used in either King Kong or Nosferatu and explain how they add meaning to the story. Explain the purpose of the frame structure used in either The Arabian Nights or Frankenstein.

Choose one of the following works and examine the nature of monstrosity: King Kong, Dracula, Let the Right One In, Frankenstein. What exactly is monstrous about the characters in these stories? How does their monstrosity allow the authors to comment on human nature and on their particular societies? (If you choose King Kong, I am expecting you to discuss a major concern(s) of Americans in the 1930s. If you choose Dracula, I am expecting you to discuss an aspect(s) of the Victorian era.)

Choose one of the following narratives: The Arabian Nights or Frankenstein. Examine the transgressions made by the characters in each text. What are the consequences of such transgressions? In what ways do these transgressions reflect a basic purpose(s) of storytelling?

Come up with your own topic. Just be sure to run it by me first.

Essays must be 4-6 pages long, double-spaced, stapled, and use Times New Roman font (12 point) with standard one inch margins.

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