CS and Frankenstein

Hello viewers 👋 

I am Kavita Chauhan and M.A. sem 3  student in department of English MKBU Bhavnagar university .

Thinking activity 

This blog is a part of thinking activity task of CS and Frankenstein in Exploring Mary Shelley's Frankenstein through Cultural Studies.

- assigned by Dilip barad sir 

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is much more than a gothic horror story; it is a profound critique of its time’s social, political, and philosophical ideologies. This thinking activity, divided into two main sections—Revolutionary Births and The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture—offers a lens through which to understand the revolutionary spirit embedded in the novel and its widespread influence on modern culture.

image representing the gothic setting of Frankenstein, highlighting themes of scientific ambition, revolutionary thought, and the Creature's paradoxical nature. This visual can enhance the exploration of the novel's deeper cultural and philosophical meanings.

Here's another powerful visual that captures the central themes of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, illustrating the contrasting emotions of the Creature and Victor Frankenstein amidst a storm that symbolizes creation and destruction. This can be used to further enrich your exploration of the novel's cultural and philosophical context.

Here's an artistic representation of the evolving impact of Frankenstein, featuring the Creature through different eras—from classic interpretations to modern futuristic depictions. This montage showcases the enduring relevance of Shelley's themes in various cultural contexts.

Here is a conceptual art piece that captures the duality in Frankenstein, featuring the contrasting emotions of the Creature and Victor Frankenstein, surrounded by thematic symbols of knowledge and consequence. This visual emphasizes the novel's enduring exploration of creation and the impact of unbridled ambition.

# Part 1: Revolutionary Births

Shelley’s Frankenstein was birthed during a period of immense political and social upheaval. The late 18th and early 19th centuries witnessed the French Revolution and the ripple effects of its revolutionary ideals, influencing European thought. Against this backdrop, Shelley crafted a narrative that questioned the era’s scientific ambitions and social hierarchies.

•  1. The Creature as Proletarian

The Creature in Frankenstein embodies the struggle of the proletariat, symbolizing both the innocent and exploited classes who, driven by injustice, transform into agents of upheaval. Influenced by radical thinkers like William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, Shelley depicted a being both pitiable and formidable. The Creature's initial innocence and subsequent rage mirror societal tensions where oppressed classes rise to demand recognition and rights.

Reflection: The paradox of the Creature as both a victim of circumstance and a symbol of revenge encapsulates society’s historical fear of revolution. It prompts us to ask: how does the Creature’s duality comment on the plight of oppressed groups, both in Shelley’s time and today? Does it evoke sympathy or reinforce anxiety about social disruption?

• 2. A Race of Devils

The theme of "Otherness" and racialized fear permeates Frankenstein. Victor’s attempt to dominate and subjugate life itself is reflective of the colonial mindset—an attempt to control the unknown, which ends up unleashing chaos. This aspect of the narrative can be read as a metaphor for imperial guilt and racial anxiety.

Discussion : Shelley’s narrative engages deeply with issues of race and empire, portraying the Creature as an outsider whose mere existence provokes dread. This resonates with modern discourses on racial privilege and the fear of the "Other." How do contemporary movements against systemic inequality echo the themes of exclusion and power dynamics depicted in the novel?

• 3. From Natural Philosophy to Cyborg

The ethical questions Frankenstein raises about scientific discovery have only intensified in relevance with the rise of genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. Victor’s unrestrained ambition symbolizes the dangers of pushing the boundaries of nature, mirroring today’s debates on cloning, AI, and synthetic biology.

Reflection: Shelley’s cautionary tale challenges readers to consider whether our current technological advancements are repeating the mistakes of Victor Frankenstein. The drive for innovation, unchecked by moral contemplation, risks creating unintended consequences, akin to Victor’s creation that ultimately became his torment.

#Part 2: The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture

The term “Frankenphemes,” coined by Timothy Morton, captures the countless ways Frankenstein has permeated popular culture. Its elements have transcended literature, appearing in media ranging from films to political rhetoric, and addressing contemporary fears of scientific ambition and humanity’s limits.

1. First Film Adaptation and Popular Retellings

The first cinematic adaptation of Frankenstein in 1910 set the stage for the novel’s portrayal in film. Over time, movies such as The Bride of Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein,  and science fiction classics like Blade Runner have reshaped its message to fit their cultural moment. These adaptations emphasize anxieties about technology, identity, and humanity’s future.

•  Conclusion: 

Frankenstein endures as a powerful cultural symbol, reflecting revolutionary ideals and challenging humanity’s ethical compass in both its creation and its afterlives. From the Creature’s embodiment of class struggle to the modern media’s adaptation of its themes to explore technology and identity, the novel’s legacy continues to provoke thought and inspire discourse. Through the lens of cultural studies, Frankenstein is not only a story about scientific ambition gone awry but a rich text that dialogues with our deepest fears and aspirations across centuries.