Essay on Frankenstein Movie To Book - 795 Words

How can we think of Frankenstein and ignore the film classic of 1931? Yet the celebrated film does not follow the novel by Mary Shelley. Although the scene of a futuristic laboratory entrances movie audiences with the mad Dr. Frankenstein and his faithful assistant Igor, the scene is derived from twentieth century imaginations and interests, not the novel itself. For good reason, the novelist chose not to begin her story with the chilling event of the dreary night in November. Instead of a major event, the book opens with a series of letters from Robert Walton. It is not his want for the voyage of discovery, but his obsession with fame, that drives him to the unknown in hopes of being credited with expanding mankinds knowledge and†¦show more content†¦Remove Walton from the story and no audience remains for the important lines; the wider implications of the scientific experiment fail to affect the viewer. The parallel stories, one of attempting to discover the secret of life and the other of forcing nature to open her secrets to man, disappear from the film. The events on screen remain remote from the viewer. The absence of Walton diffuses the warning to consider the final effects of scientific exploration and experimentation. The reader discovers the dangers inherent in defying the natural order, while the movie audience watches an ugly thing lumbering about the countryside. The film creates an image of the creature as a silent; malevolent being because a thoughtless young scientist creates a powerful object, yet provides no measures for guidance and control. Victor seems unfairly persecuted by the dreadful fiend he created. His initial dreams of benefiting mankind and creating a race, which would be grateful to him, are emphasized, rather than focus on his own disdain for that which he brought to life. In the novel the reader’s sympathy shifts for the monster when he confronts Victor with a demand for reasons for his abandonment and hatred. Even more startling is the beings extraordinary range of ideas, precise vocabulary, and concept of justice and obligations. The articulate figure challenges his maker: bothShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein Book And Movie Similarities1162 Words   |  5 Pagesmother to a terrible disease. What he intended to do was create something that would bring her back to him. The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and the movie â€Å"Frankenstein† have many similarities like: characters, plots, conflicts, and so on that will be stated in this essay. There are a great deal of differences, more than there are similarities. Reading the book and watching the movie are very important so the audience can understand and discover new things that are alike and different, becauseRead MoreDisappointing Frankenstein Movie After Reading the Book by Mary Shelley861 Words   |  4 Pagesso much you think the movie will be mind-blowing with all the special effects bringing something to life; however after you saw it you were stunned about how much they left out of the novel with Hollywood putting their own crazy spin on the story? This is how I felt after enjoying reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, so much then watching the movie. Surprisingly it really disap pointed me, which is sad because when most Americans think of Frankenstein they think of the movie version and not the novelRead More Novel/Movie Difference Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay512 Words   |  3 Pages In reading the book Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and watching the by the same title, I discovered several large differences. Primarily, the edited and modified parts were changed to make the movie more interesting. In the book, Marry Shelley described everything in great detail. She included details that may not pertain to novel’s storyline directly, but more to the timeframe of the novel. When a movie comes out made after a specific novel, the screenplay eliminates most of these minute differencesRead MoreFrankenstein Movie Comparison921 Words   |  4 PagesMary Shelleys novel Frankenstein published in 1818, was the crucial influence of the 1994 Frankenstein movie directed by Kenneth Branagh. Kenneth was extremely successful and had a lot of ambition to portray the real horror image Shelley wrote about in her novel. Before the 1994 movie, there were numerous vague interpretations based on the novel. I believe the 1994 films intent to be the most relative to the novel than any other film produced. The movie did a considerable job following the schematicsRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1040 Words   |  5 Pages In 1818, a book titled Frankenstein was published anonymously, mysteriously dedicated to William Godwin, a prominent journalist and political philosopher of his time. The immediate reviews of the novel were mixed, most edging towards critical, although no one knew who the book was written by. However, while Frankenstein failed to gain popularity immediately, no one had any idea the lasting impact this novel would have on the world. Despite the lukewarm reception at its debut, it soon proved to beRead MoreDr. Mary Shelly s Frankentein And The 1994 Adaptation Of The Novel 1176 Words   |  5 PagesBranagh had taken away from the original novel. In the book, Victors mother dies from scarlet fever that she has gotten from Elizabeth. As quoted from the book, â€Å"She died calmly, and her countenance expressed affection even in death. I need not describe the feelings of those whose dearest ties are rent by that most irreparable evil, the void that presents itself to the soul, and the despair that is exhibited on the countenance.† In the movie, Victor’s mother dies from childbirth. Victor is far lessRead More Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1231 Words   |  5 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein After reading the book Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and then seeing several adaptations done for the silver screen, there are changes that the films make to the book. The most evident change that jumps out at me is the portrayal of Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The common missing element in all of the film versions of the classic novel is the way they treat the character of Victor. The films all tend to downplay what a â€Å"monster† Victor is and instead stress how much ofRead MoreComparing and Contrasting Shelleys Frankenstein with Brooks Young Frankenstein1031 Words   |  5 PagesComparing and Contrasting Shelleys Frankenstein with Brooks Young Frankenstein The 1818 book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and the 1972 movie Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks both portray the differences in feminism regarding the cultural times through the character of Elizabeth. When Mary Shelley wrote the book Frankenstein, she was on a mission to pursue equal rights in education for her daughter. In Shelleys time, the only way to show feminine empowerment was to be literate and well-poisedRead MoreEssay on Mary Shelleys Frankenstein1643 Words   |  7 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein In 1818 a novel was written that tingled people’s minds and thrilled literary critics alike. Frankenstein was an instant success and sold more copies than any book had before. The immediate success of the book can be attributed to the spine-tingling horror of the plot, and the strong embedded ethical message. Although her name did not come originally attached to the text, Mary Shelley had written a masterpiece that would live on for centuries. Read More Comparing Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Kenneth Branaghs Frankenstein1212 Words   |  5 PagesShelley’s Frankenstein and Kenneth Branaghs Frankenstein Most Americans have some idea of who Frankenstein is, as a result of the many Frankenstein movies. Contrary to popular belief Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a scientist, not a monster. The monster is not the inarticulate, rage-driven criminal depicted in the 1994 film version of the novel. Shelley’s original Frankenstein was misrepresented by this Kenneth branagh film, most likely to send a different message to the movie audience than