A Cultural Exploration of Frankenstein: Revolutionary Ideas and Lasting Influence
This blog is part of a thinking activity designed to analyze Frankenstein by Mary Shelley from a cultural studies perspective. By examining both the revolutionary themes embedded in the novel and its enduring impact across various media, we can better appreciate Frankenstein's role in cultural and social discourse.
Part 1: Revolutionary Births
The Creature as Proletarian
Written during a period of political upheaval, Frankenstein embodies revolutionary ideas and critiques of social structures. The Creature, a product of Victor Frankenstein's ambition, represents the marginalized and oppressed. Much like the working class fighting for recognition, he grapples with rejection and seeks to understand his place in the world. The Creature’s paradoxical nature—as both an innocent being and a force of vengeance—mirrors the duality seen in many revolutionary movements. This duality reflects society’s ambivalence toward change, both fearing upheaval and sympathizing with those in suffering.
Creature: “Why did you bring me to life only to cast me away? Am I so monstrous that I deserve neither a place nor a purpose?”
Victor: “You are… an abomination. How can you expect me to feel anything but horror?”
Creature: “Then perhaps it is not I who am the monster, but you who would judge without offering understanding.”
This exchange reflects the alienation that those who are oppressed often feel when their needs are denied and dismissed by the very systems that created them.
A Race of Devils
The novel’s portrayal of the Creature also engages with themes of race and imperialism. Victor’s actions reflect the colonial mindset, as he creates a being only to reject and abandon it, embodying the fears and guilt often associated with empire-building. The Creature is treated as an outsider, a “devil,” evoking the racial and cultural anxieties of Shelley’s time and continuing into today’s global discussions on race and privilege.
Creature: “I looked upon your society, watched from afar, and tried to learn your ways. Yet, whenever I tried to approach, you turned on me as if I were less than human.”
Victor: He pauses, anguish coloring his voice. “What else am I to become but the devil you all fear if I am given no other choice?”
This dialogue emphasizes how marginalization and othering can drive even the most innocent being toward resentment and anger.
From Natural Philosophy to Cyborg
With the advent of genetic engineering and AI, Frankenstein resonates even more strongly today. Victor’s experiment raises questions about the ethical boundaries of science, cautioning us against unrestrained ambition. The novel’s warnings about “playing God” now echo in debates over cloning, AI, and genetic modification.
Part 2: The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture
The term "Frankenpheme," coined by Timothy Morton, describes cultural elements derived from Frankenstein that appear in various media forms, from films to social debates. The novel’s themes of ambition, exclusion, and the search for identity have endured and evolved, reflecting society’s shifting fears around technology and humanity.
First Film Adaptation and Popular Retellings
The first cinematic adaptation of Frankenstein set the stage for countless retellings, each reinterpreting the Creature’s story. Iconic films like Bride of Frankenstein and modern reinterpretations like Ex Machina explore humanity’s anxieties about creation and control. These adaptations adapt the novel’s original themes for new audiences, addressing issues of scientific ambition, alienation, and the quest for belonging.
Frankenstein’s themes into the modern era, as Victor’s fear of his creation’s potential autonomy mirrors our contemporary concerns about AI.
Reading and Analysis
The Creature’s self-education through texts like Paradise Lost and The Sorrows of Werter enriches his understanding of humanity but also deepens his sense of isolation. This paradox highlights the tension between knowledge and belonging, as he learns about human society only to realize he will never be accepted into it.
Creature, reflecting to himself: “I have learned the stories of men, of their joys and their losses. But where do I fit into such tales? Am I a noble hero, or am I destined to be the villain?”
This inner monologue brings out the Creature’s despair, highlighting how knowledge alone cannot bring belonging.
Film and Media Reflection
Films inspired by Frankenstein, such as Blade Runner and Ex Machina, delve into themes of artificial intelligence and identity. These works raise questions about autonomy and the ethical limits of creation. In Indian cinema, movies like Robot and Ra.One echo Frankenstein’s themes, exploring the tension between human creators and their creations.
Final Reflections
Frankenstein is not merely a horror story but a profound exploration of human nature, ambition, and the consequences of creating life. Each adaptation and retelling brings out new facets of these timeless questions, urging us to consider the ethical and cultural responsibilities that come with creation.
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