Hillsborough Community College Fall 2013 The Author EXPLORING Popular Culture Frankenstein Criminal Justice The Book Science Film Cloning Topics for the Research Project
Hillsborough Community College Fall 2013 List of Topics The Author Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley: Mary Shelley was nineteen when she wrote Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. Her life was almost as exciting as the action of the novel, with the death of a parent, a Cinderella-like childhood, an elopement, and with many deaths along the way. I ve listed topics that let the writer explore these events in more detail. The Book Popular Culture Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus: The book, itself, has had a complicated history. In this section, the writer can choose from topics ranging from the myth behind the novel, to the symbolism, to character analysis, to the publication. These topics are the most traditional in terms of the literary research paper. He who fights monsters might take care lest he become a monster: Frankenstein has taken on a life of it s own after publication. It was the first of the big Monster novels, leading to the creation of both the science fiction and horror genre. These topics explore not only the mythology behind the Modern Prometheus but also Frankenstein in cartoons, comics, art, and on television. The writer can also explore the creation of other monsters within topics in this category. Science It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn. : Frankenstein was the first science fiction novel as well as the inspiration for many of the scientific discovery's that have happened in the almost two hundred years since it s publication. This section lists many different topics on the science of the novel from weather to history of the scientists, to exploration to DNA to stem cell research. Social Issues All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated: The social issues presented in the novel are almost as wide ranging as the scientific topics. Writers can explore issues of women s rights, crime and punishment, language acquisition, mental health, nature vs. nurture, and feral children within this section.
The Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley How did Mary Shelley s life influence the novel? Examine Mary Shelley s relationship with the men around her: Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, her father, William Godwin. How did they influence her writing? The Book: Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus: The Modern Prometheus - what is the purpose of creating the subtitle? Analyze Victor Frankenstein/the creature in terms of one or more of the topics below: Post-traumatic stress Depression Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Isolation/Loneliness Abandonment Id/Ego/Superego Consider how the topic(s) create action/reactions from our characters and/or serve to motivate/debilitate the characters. Also consider how the topic(s) relate to society, living in society, societal expectations, and norms of behavior. Discuss some of the symbols of the novel and their meaning(s): ice, fire, light, mythological references (Greek and Biblical), exploration, the danger of knowledge. What was Percy Shelley s involvement in the writing/publication of the novel? Did his involvement effect Mary Shelley s writing/personality in anyway? Analyze a character other than Victor Frankenstein or the creature. What is his/her role in the story? Is he/she necessary to the novel? Why or why not? The book is called Frankenstein, but a huge chunk of it is told from the point of view of the creature. Who's the real protagonist here? Is Frankenstein right to effectively disown his creation? Discuss one or more of the archetypes in the novel: great/terrible parent, the creator, the visionary, the caregiver, the lover, the innocent, the explorer, the everyman The role of women in the novel: Do Victor and the creature differ in their view of women, and if so, how? Trace and discuss the role of letters and written communication throughout the novel. Trace the similarities between Victor and the creature. Consider their respective relationships with nature, desires for family, and any other important parallels you find. Do Victor and the creature become more similar as the novel goes on? How does their relationship with each other develop? Compare and contrast the two different printings of Frankenstein the 1818 and the 1831 versions? How are they different? How are they alike? Make an argument for which one is a better edition.
Popular Culture: IT S ALIVE! How was Frankenstein depicted in art and film? How do these depictions relate to the original? Trace the history of one of the monster characters in film from the character s first movie to the current version. How does the character change? Many critics suggest that the Gothic tradition continues to influence contemporary art and literature, primarily through the media of film and video. Consider Michael Jackson s Thriller, various film adaptions of Frankenstein, and a selection of films based on popular novels, including those by Dean Koontz and Stephen King. How do these works reflect the basic characteristics of Gothic literature? How has representation in the 20th and 21st century transformed the idea of the Gothic from earlier centuries? The horror novel is just as popular today as in Shelley s 19th century England. What is the appeal of this genre? Discuss elements from Frankenstein that parallel characteristics of modern horror tales such as Stephen King or contemporary films such as Nightmare on Elm Street. What are the effects of these elements on the audience and how might that explain our fascination? How have literary monsters changed since Frankenstein was published? Pick one of the original literary monsters Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, etc. and trace the monster from it s original form through books, film, radio, and television. The subtitle of Shelley s novel, Frankenstein, is The Modern Prometheus. Prometheus was a figure from Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and used it to create humans. Based on your knowledge of this myth, construct an essay in which you defend or refute the idea that Victor is the modern Prometheus. Frankenstein, though almost 200 years old, continues to influence our popular culture today. Using one of the topics below, discuss Frankenstein s contribution to the topic: Comics/Graphic Novels Halloween in American Televisions shows, such as The Munster's or The Addams Family or The Simpsons Commercials Compare Shelley s Frankenstein to Dean Koontz s series Monster movies in the 1930 s and 1950 s were box office gold. Select one of the sub-topics below and explore the history within the film industry. Why are we so drawn to horror/monster films? Frankenstein s history in film Karloff s version to Abbott and Costello to Rocky Horror to Branagh s version. History of monster films in the 1930 s or 1950 s. Whey did they start? Stop? Restart? How have they evolved? History of monster films in Florida yes, we have had monster films created in our own state!
Science: It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn Frankenstein is a cautionary tale about science running amuck. This certainly resonates today with readers because it grapples with ethical questions that relate to technical advances in our ability to control and manipulate life that of humans, of animals, and of plants. Today, we are mapping the human genome, creating artificial blood, cloning mammals, transplanting organs between species and genetically engineering crops. Take one of the issues above and research it. What/How are we doing it? Should we be doing it? Cloning Around investigate the ability to create human embryos from cloned cells. Should we? Are scientist playing God? How much of the human body is replaceable? Your DNA: What You Need to Know assess the effects of genetic mapping on society. Transplants: A New Face in the Mirror a French woman had a partial face transplant; a Virginia man had a complete face transplant. When is it too much? Science under control analyze reasons to support or contest government regulations regarding scientific controversies. Regeneration examine animal regeneration and its implications for research on human regeneration. Cracking the Genetic Code explore the potential outcomes of DNA analysis and manipulation. Victor Frankenstein studies 8 scientist during the novel: What were their areas of study/discoveries? What influence did they have on Victor? Cornelius Agrippa Henry Cavendish Luigi Galvani Joseph Priestly Paracelsus Benjamin Franklin Albertus Magnus Allesandro Volta Mary Shelley was influenced by 5 Scientists in the writing of Frankenstein: Erasmus Darwin, Andrew Grosse, Luigi Galvani, Luigi Aldini, and John Locke. What were their areas of study/discoveries? What influence did they have on the novel? Artic Exploration was a huge deal in the 19th century. Should we be exploring our polar caps? What impact would we have with exploration? What s up/down there that would be worth all the money spent on exploration? The turbulent weather described in the novel is not engaging in and of itself when stripped of context but when linked to the volcanic eruption that took place right before Shelley wrote the novel, things change. What weather events are affecting our world today, socially, politically, and environmentally think Gulf Oil Spill, earthquake in Haiti, 2010 Iceland volcanic eruption.
Social Issues: All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated Mary Shelley has Victor Frankenstein create a living being, who them becomes a murder. Who or what is responsible for the creature s behavior? Is this Nature? Or Nurture? There have been reports of many wild children throughout the centuries Wolf Boy, Wild Peter, Feral Children. What happens when children are isolated from society? Who is responsible for the isolation? What are the effects and repercussions? Mary Shelley call s the creation of the novel a response to a waking dream. Research and discuss the dream symbols that are present in the novel. The novel proves that the acquisition of knowledge is a dangerous thing. Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not? How is knowledge acquired? How is language acquired? Crime and Punishment in the 1800 s: What kind of trials and punishment could they expect? What are the major differences with today s legal system (British or American)? Were accused women treated differently? Discuss the presentation of women in the novel. Do Victor and the creature differ in their views? How? What was the common view on women and their place in society in the 1800 s? What role did Mary s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, have in changing people s views on the rights of women? What was Mary s father, William Godwin s philosophy on love and marriage?