The modern Prometheus
Mary Shelley wrote, “Frankenstein” aka “The Modern Prometheus,” when
she was just nineteen years old. Over two hundred years later, it is still
discussed vigorously because it transcends genre and form. Incredibly, it is
hailed as the first science-fiction novel, a Gothic horror, a tragic romance,
and its film and television adaptations move across these spheres as well.
Its two central tragedies: the overreaching dangers of “playing God,” aka
tampering with nature, and parental abandonment and societal rejection,
are still very relevant. The two archetypes Shelley brought to life, the
“creature,” and the overambitious doctor/ “mad scientist” have spawned
countless interpretations across media, from stages to films to comics to
anime to manga.
As with Essay 1 and 2, students will analyze the methods the filmmakers
used in interpreting this story by paying close attention to their points of
difference: length, ideology, genre, tone, mood, stakes, structure,
character, and role of women, etc. You will also look at ways in which the
film makers diverged from the text and the impact this makes to the original
story, as well as for a modern audience.
DIRECTIONS:
Answer ONE of the following prompts using Narratology as your central
approach through scene analysis, incorporating vocabulary and concepts
learned this far in the course. Remember, you MUST present an
argumentative thesis-centered essay, comparing and contrasting scenes
from the film/s with the Source Material as well as 1-2 secondary sources.
1. At the end of chapter 15, in a powerful scene the creature meets the
blind man who is sympathetic to his story and promises to help him be
accepted by his family. The creature is filled with hope and then the chapter
ends with the following:
“Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father,
to whose knees I clung, in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground
and struck me violently with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb, as
the lion rends the antelope. But my heart sank within me as with bitter
sickness, and I refrained.”
PROMPT: Compare and contrast the scene from the novel with the
following scenes from “Young Frankenstein,” and “Frankenstein.” One is a
straight adaptation and makes this a muich more emotional scene, while
the other is a comedic take. Discuss the narrative choices made and
consider how the directors from these film adaptations have made certain
narrative choices to reinterpret the source material (or to strengthen it).
What are your thoughts on the impact of these changes?
https://youtu.be/fTSCV8_Rqo4
https://youtu.be/BXPl_wr2QNw
2. Choose your own topic based on your own interpretation and interests.
Be sure to use specific examples and texts to show me, so I can approve
your topic before you start work on it. Some things to consider:
o How are the female characters depicted in the
scenes vs novel?
o Is the adaptation a straight or a loose interpretation
of the play?
o What are some techniques the filmmaker(s) use to
develop the plot? characters? How does the differ from
the original text?
o Does the adaptation capture the play’s formal
elements: the ideology, characterization, style, tone, and
plot?
o What are some other changes you find interesting
between the original text and the adaptations?
o Focus on the similarities and changes made in the
adaptation and comment on their function in the story?
Assignment Outcomes:
Your essay should do all of the following:
In a well-structured traditional essay format (intro/thesis, body paragraph
with support, and conclusion):
1. Craft a well-constructed thesis statement that can be supported
or complicated by at least 2 secondary sources.
2. Examine the ways in which character or theme is revealed by
the elements of film (camera angles, focus, setting, music, dialogue,
etc.) versus how they are revealed in the literary work.
3. Analyze literary devices in the graphic novel
4. Identify examples of scale, characterization, and ideology, and
apply them to the film.
5. Synthesize references from 2 secondary sources.
6. Effectively summarize, paraphrase, and quote material from
academic/ non-academic source material using MLA guidelines.
7. Integrate source references, including direct quotations, using
signal phrases (attributive tags) and parenthetical in-text citations.
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