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| Introduction
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is considered by many critics to be the first science fiction novel. Science fiction, by one definition is the " literary fantasy involving the imagined impact of science on society." In this regard, Frankenstein can be viewed as a Romantic's criticism of the human notions of technical progress, science, and enlightenment, and at the same time, a work full of deep sympathy for the human condition. Since Frankenstein was first published in 1818, the namelesss monster Victor Frankenstein created has been interpreted and employed as a metaphor for a variety of negatively-perceived phenomena, especially scientific endeavors with great destructive potential. Who or what is the Frankenstein of today, and who or what is the monster that has been created?
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| Task
Your task is to write a research paper that examines the monster metaphor as illustrated by the monster of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In your paper, provide a brief background on the kinds of comparisons that have been made to the monster and its creator, and based upon your analysis of the novel and background research, formulate, support and present a thesis about the Frankenstein monster as a modern-day metaphor.
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Process & Resources
Phase One - Gathering Information
Step One - Gathering Background Information on the Novel
- You may want to use the questions listed below to guide your research on the novel's background. The sites listed below are a good starting point.
- You may copy and paste, but please do not print out web pages.
- Please keep track of your information so you can accurately cite your sources.
Guide Questions
- What circumstances prompted Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein?
- How might her life circumstances have influenced her writing of the novel?
- How might her social circle been an influence on her writing style?
- What were Mary Shelley's literary influences and why were they important?
- In what ways is the novel an example of Romantic and Gothic literature?
- How does the novel's subject matter reflect the events and culture of Mary Shelley's time, especially anxieties about the Industrial Revolution?
- How was the novel received by her contemporary audiences?
- How is the introduction of technology represented as a "fall" from an idealized origin?
- How is Victor Frankenstein a "modern Prometheus"?
- How does the novel explore the conflicts of nature/technology and human/machine?
- How does the novel make a statement about reproduction and parenthood?
- How has Victor Frankenstein's monster become a cultural symbol?
- In what ways has the monster become a metaphor for modern phenomena?
- How can Frankenstein's monster be viewed as the first cyborg?
Sites - Background
Sites - Modern Reviews and Interpretations of the Novel
In addition to the excellent articles on the site linked above, Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, please visit the sites below the learn about some modern-day interpretations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
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Step Two - A 21st Century Monster: Researching the Modern Metaphor
After you have established a basis of the various established interpretations of the monster as metaphor, you will formulate a thesis or position on a 21st century Frankenstein and his/her/its monster. Explore some of the below possibilities, or research some of your own.
- cloning
- genetic engineering
- transplantation
- robotics
- cyberculture
- artificial intelligence
- DNA registery
- multinational coporations/conglomerates
- politics and government
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Phase Two - Write the Paper
Guidelines for the Research Paper
- 6 - 8 pages - MLA format
- briefly covers background, history and interpretations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
- identifies a modern-day phenomenon that can be compared to Frankenstein and his monster (this should appear in your introduction as the thesis statement)
- develops a plausible and cogent thesis about a 21st century "Frankenstein" and "monster"
- supports the thesis with well-researched information in a clearly organized format
- uses MLA style in-text documentation and includes a works cited page
- includes a significant title
- proofread for error-free publication
Sites
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