Chelsea’s Blog

Chelsea Simpson

The “Birth” of Frankenstein in Film

Over the past several decades society has seen many film productions emerge that are based off Mary Shelley’s legendary 1817 novel, Frankenstein. Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 film titled, “Mary Shellys Frankenstein” is one of the only re-tellings’ of the novel that stays true to the novel’s original storyline. Although in the film, “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” Branagh does display the novel accurately, differences between the two are evident. Throughout the movie, scenes of creation and or birth are emphasized in order to obtain the reader’s attention. In the scenes, Branagh makes changes from the novel, which could be because he wants to show his interpretation of how he read Frankenstein; therefore, making his own statement. In these particular scenes, Branagh suggests that reproduction comes in the form of natural labor, which is a new interpretation of the novel, Frankenstein.

One of the fist scenes from “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” that may catch the viewer’s eye is that of the birthing scene when Caroline, Victor’s mother, is giving birth to his younger brother, William. Here is one scene that is not presented in the novel, but does in fact set the audience up for the interest of creation as in the form of reproduction. In this bloody and somewhat frightening scene, Caroline looks to be bleeding to death, as she is trying to give birth to William. The few people in the room seem to be frantic as Caroline screams in pain and horror. Although the baby survives, unfortunately Caroline fails to survive the labor. When analyzing this scene, one may feel that Branagh is not only trying to make a statement that creation comes in the form of reproduction, but also creation/life can cause death. This pertains to both the film as well as the novel, “Frankenstein” because the monster, which Victor creates takes many lives, which would not have happened unless he was created. When looking back on this novel, Caroline does pass away though from catching the scarlet fever from Elizabeth. Thus, Branagh had to feel this was a very important scene that should be added into the film, and I believe is an effective way to set the audience up for the scenes to follow.

The scene in the film where Caroline gives birth to William, sets the audience up for the “birthing” or creation of the monster. In this section of the film, Branagh again emphasizes a different portrayal of creation than in the novel. This scene of the movie differs greatly than the few lines Mary Shelley gives the reader in the novel Frankenstein. In chapter five of the novel, where the creation of the monster actually occurs, one may look at Victor as playing God by creating life though never look at Victor as a parent or father like figure towards the monster. However in the film, not only does Branagh suggest the process of natural reproduction but also the viewers may also feel that at first, Victor is very father like towards the monster. The film highlights on these new ideas, which are not in the novel, by using background music as a tool as well as a showing the audience the “birth” of the monster.

The creation scene in the film starts off with very loud suspenseful music while Victor anxiously runs around the laboratory. The background music proves to be a very effective tool that one reading Frankenstein misses out on. The music can in fact be perceived as very purposeful and may help lead the audience to think of the process of birthing. When thinking of labor especially in the time period when the novel was written, giving birth was considered quite dangerous. The loud music before the monster was born could be implying the commotion of birth. When the monster finally comes to life as he tapped on the enclose tub he was held in, the music began to get louder and louder, almost like the cries right before a baby is born. As Victor pulled the monster out of the tub, which can be perceived as a womb, music completely shut off and stayed very quiet as the monster grasped for air. One could compare the silence to when a child is finally born, there is normally silence until the newly born baby begins to cry. Not only does the tone of the music in the film indicate the monster creation, but also the visuals in the scene help portray the process of natural reproduction.

The creation scene in the film contrasts with what one reading Frankenstein may imagine to occur. In the novel Frankenstein, Victor quotes, “ I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet.” This is one of only a few lines Shelley uses to describe the creation of the monster. Based on the novel, one may feel that whether the monster comes to life is based on the how Victor put him together in the laboratory. However, in the creation scene of the film, Branagh uses vivid imagery to again emphasize his theme of natural reproduction. Branagh makes references to embryonic fluid, which is injected into the palms and feet of the monster before the monster comes to life. This is a key image that leads the audience to feel as though the monster is “being born.” Another visual of this scene that leads the audience to think of birth is when Victor first pulls the monster out of the tub structure full of water. Victor patiently helps the monster as they both slide around the slippery floor and as the monster desperately tries to stand up. Unlike in the novel, in the film, one may feel a connection between father, Victor and son, the monster. This bond exhibit’s a sense of peacefulness when the monster is first born as Victor is so happy the monster comes to life. Although the reader in Frankenstein most likely does not feel a sense of peacefulness or bond between father and son, both factors that are not in the novel help develop the Branagh’s point of reproduction.

Both the novel Frankenstein and the film, “Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein” both have the common theme of creation. However, in the film, creation is portrayed as a process of birth. Therefore, one may question why Branagh’s thought it was so important to suggest this process of birth in the film, which does follow so closely to Mary Shelley’s novel. Branagh could potentially have highlighted natural reproduction because he wants to state a strong point of anti-feminism in the film. Looking back on the film, because of the suggested process of creation in the form of birth, one could relate this to a woman’s “job.” For the creation of the monster, one may wonder if he is making a statement that women are incapable of creating life that is so perfect. Feminism prevails in both the film as well as the novel as significant theme. Branagh may have wanted to show that reproduction, which is a woman’s job will never be perfect; which could be his own vision of Frankenstein.

The “Birth” of Frankenstein

Over the past several decades society has seen many film productions emerge that are based off Mary Shelley’s legendary 1817 novel, “Frankenstein”. Many of these film productions have ignored the general themes of the novel and chose to incorporate their own interpretations of Shelly’s story. Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 film titled, “Mary Shellys Frankenstein” is one of the only re-tellings’ of the novel that stays true to the novel’s original storyline.

Although in the film, “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” Branagh does display the novel accurately, differences between the two are evident. Throughout the movie, scenes of creation and or birth are emphasized in order to obtain the reader’s attention. In the scenes, Branagh makes changes from the novel, which could be because he wants to show his interpretation of how he read Frankenstein; therefore, making his own statement. In these particular scenes, Branagh suggests that reproduction comes in the form of natural labor, which is a new interpretation of the novel, Frankenstein.

One of the fist scenes from “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” that may catch the viewer’s eye is that of the birthing scene when Caroline, Victor’s mother, is giving birth to his younger brother, William. There is one scene that is not presented in the novel, but does in fact set the audience up for the interest of creation as in the form of reproduction. In this bloody and somewhat frightening scene, Caroline looks to be bleeding to death, as she is trying to give birth to William. The few people in the room seem to be frantic as Caroline screams in pain and horror. Although the baby survives, unfortunately Caroline fails to survive the labor. When analyzing this scene, one may feel that Branagh is not only trying to make a statement that creation comes in the form of reproduction, but also creation/life can cause death. This pertains to both the film as well as the novel, “Frankenstein” because the monster, which Victor creates takes many lives, which would not have happened unless he was created. When looking back on this novel, Caroline does pass away though from catching the scarlet fever from Elizabeth. Thus, Branagh had to feel this was a very important scene that should be added into the film, and I believe is an effective way to set the audience up for the scenes to follow.

The scene in the film where Caroline gives birth to William, sets the audience up for the “birthing” or creation of the monster. In this section of the film, Branagh again emphasizes a different portrayal of creation than in the novel. This scene of the movie differs greatly than the few lines Mary Shelley gives the reader in the novel “Frankenstein.” In chapter five of the novel, where the creation of the monster actually occurs, one may look at Victor as playing God by creating life though never look at Victor as a parent or father like figure towards the monster. However in the film, not only does Branagh suggest the process of natural reproduction but also the viewers may also feel that at first, Victor is very father like towards the monster. The film highlights on these new ideas, which are not in the novel, by using background music as a tool as well as a showing the audience the “birth” of the monster.

The creation scene in the film starts off with very loud suspenseful music while Victor anxiously runs around the laboratory. The background music proves to be a very effective tool that one reading “Frankenstein” misses out on. The music can in fact be perceived as very purposeful and may help lead the audience to think of the process of birthing. When thinking of labor especially in the time period when the novel was written, giving birth was considered quite dangerous. The loud music before the monster was born could be implying the commotion of birth. When the monster finally comes to life as he tapped on the enclose tub he was held in, the music began to get louder and louder, almost like the cries right before a baby is born. As Victor pulled the monster out of the tub, which can be perceived as a womb, music completely shut off and stayed very quiet as the monster grasped for air. One could compare the silence to when a child is finally born, there is normally silence until the newly born baby begins to cry. Not only does the tone of the music in the film indicate the monster creation, but also the visuals in the scene help portray the process of natural reproduction.

The scene of creation in the film does contrast with what one reading Frankenstein may picture happening. In the scene where the monster comes to life, Branagh uses many graphics to again emphasize his theme of natural reproduction. Branagh makes references to embryonic fluid which is injected into the palms and feet of the monster before the monster comes to life. This is a key visual that leads the audience to feel like the monster is “being born,” since embryonic fluid is a part of labor. Another visual part of this scene that interprets birth is when Victor first pulls the monster out of the tub enclosure full of water. Victor patiently helps the monster as they both slide around the slippery floor as the monster desperately tries to stand up. Unlike the novel Frankenstein one may like this is a connection between father as son as well as a sense of peacefulness. Victor seems to be very happy that the monster lived, Both of factors that are not in the novel goes along with the theme reproduction in the form of birth

In conlcusion, What does brano get right or wrong, is element of reproduction that gets highlighted.\

Conclusion: reiderting larger of Frankenstein in terms of reproduction and birth..

Some other language maybe we need to rethink Frankenstein is sense of gender

Gender big ideaa in this movie..do you think branoa gets it right

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Film

Over the last couple of decades, society has grown to see many film productions which have been based on the legendary 1817 novel “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley. However, numerous of these film productions of Frankenstein have unfortunately ignored the general themes of the novel and not follow closely to Shelly’s original text. However, in the 1994 film titled “Mary Shellys Frankenstein” directed by Kenneth Branagh, is one of the only re-tellings’ of the novel that does stay true to the storyline.

Although in this film, “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” Branagh does display the novel accurately, differences between the two are evident. From the beginning, middle, and end of the movie, scenes of creation and or birthing are emphasized to catch the reader’s attention. In these scenes, Branagh makes changes from the novel which may be because he want to show his interpretation of how he read Frankenstein; therefore, making his own statement. In these particular scenes, Branagh suggest the interest of creation as in the form of labor.

One of the fist scenes from “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” that may catch the viewers eye is that of the birthing scene when Caroline, Victors mother is giving birth to his younger brother William. Here is one a scene that is not in the novel, but does in fact start to set the audience up for the interest of creation as in the form of reproduction. In this bloody and almost frightening scene, Caroline is bleeding to death, blood dispersed throughout the room, when giving birth to William. The few people around in the room seem to be frantic as Caroline is screaming in pain and horror. Although the baby survives, unfortunately Caroline fails to make it through the labor. When analyzing this scene, one may feel that Branagh is not only trying to make a statement that creation comes in the form of reproduction but also creation/life could cause death. This pertains to both the film as well as the novel “Frankenstein” because the monster which Victor created takes many lives. When looking back to the novel, Caroline does pass away though from catching the scarlet fever from Elisabeth. Thus, Branagh had to feel that this was a very important scene that should be added into the film and I believe is an effective way to set the audience up for the scenes to follow.

The birthing shown in the begging of the film leads the audience to another scene that is where the process of the creation of the monster is shown. In this part of the film, once again Branagh emphasizes a different portrayal of creation than in the novel which is creation comes the form of labor. This scene of the movie differs greatly in the film then in the reading. This is because in chapter five of the novel where the creation of the monster actually takes place, one may look at Victor as playing god by creating life though focus on the fact that the creation of the monster takes place because of this laboratory setting. In the film however, although the creation does take place in the laboratory one may look at the creation process of the monster as a form of birthing or labor. Branagh adds much more to the scene than the couple lines that the reader gets in the novel. Instead the film uses the background music as well as references to embryonic fluid to suggest Braaghs interpretation of creation.

The creation scene of the films starts off with very loud suspenseful music while Victor is anxiously running around the laboratory. The background music is a very effective tool that a reader of the novel Frankenstein cannot grasp. The music could in fact being very purposeful and helps may lead the audience to think of the process of birthing. When thinking of labor especially in the time period when the

This is because labor causes much Victor places the monster in a tub like enclosure and then shoots with needles embryonic fluids throughout his body. The embryonic fluid is of

Over the last couple of decades, society has grown to see many film productions which have been based on the legendary 1817 novel “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley. However, numerous of these film productions of Frankenstein have unfortunately ignored the general themes of the novel and not follow closely to Shelly’s original text. many Frankenstein spin-offs do not portray the monster accurately, and instead cause the audience to feel no sympathy for the monster. However, in the 1994 film production title “ Mary Shellys Frankenstein” stays true to the storyline and themes of the novel. In this re-telling of the novel, the film interprets the text by accurately displaying the good and bad qualities in monster as well as Victor Frankenstein.

What is the primary interpretation or “thesis” of this film in its re-telling or remediation of the Frankenstein story? No good could come out of playing the role of god

What does it emphasize in its version of Frankenstein? Good and bad in both monter and frankestein

What 1 or 2 aspects of this film (again, as a film, a different medium than a print novel) do you read as significant in how the film uses/interprets/remediates the novel?

Paragraph two: good in monster  (scene at cottage)

Paragraph three: bad in monster

Blog 3/20/2009

Writing Machines

‘Technotexts’ and Electronic Literature

After reading the first chapters of Writing Machines by Katherine Hayles, one may notice that the title is very well suited for this book. Katherine Hayles suggests that, “[the] physical form of a piece of writing does have an effect on the words and how the reader interprets them.” In chapter two, of writing machines Hayles refers to a term she uses called ‘techno texts.’ which is an example of such works. She explained ‘technotext’ to be “when literary work interrogates the inscription technology that produces it, it mobilizes reflexive loops between its imaginative world and the material apparatus embodying the creation of physical presence.” In other words, ‘technotexts’ is a piece of literature that connects the technology that produces texts to the text’s verbal construction. Hayles also explains that technotexts could be classified as a hypertext. Hypertext can be either print or electronic media. The three major characteristics of hypertext are multiple reading paths, chunked text, and lastly a linking mechanism. Electronic literature therefore can relate to this term of hypertext and is also brought up in Hayles writing. Hypertext does not have to be electronic. An encyclopedia has linking pathways and many different reading paths.

The first part of the article describes the way a person reads a work of literature. A person may have a different experience reading the same work if the work is read on a computer instead of on a piece of paper. Something about reading a work on a machine creates a different experience for the reader. The second part of the article discusses technotexts and hypertext. Hypertext has been around for a while in printed works. The internet and computer mediums make hypertext a more efficient and useful tool. Instead of having to print and waste a ton of paper, hypertext electronically is one click and a person is done. The internet has made hypertexting much more effective. Hypertexting has changed the way people read just by being able to jump to another story or link quickly. This may make some one wonder if hypertexting is a good thing on the internet. It seems to be helpful, but it could also waste time? The answer is that hypertexting can be distracting, but when used correctly is a helpful tool that is easier to use thanks to the internet. Links on pages are also usually helpful because they lead you to other information that is pertinent to the specific subject one is studying. Using links or hypertext from a site is quick ad it is effective.

Hypertext is effective. It leads the reader to other sites that are often helpful. It is confusing how reflective loops between the material world and the imaginative world are linked, creating a physical presence. It is also confusing as to which physical medium of literature is more effective for the reader. There are benefits to reading something off the internet, while there are also benefits to reading something from a paper medium. Finally, how can we truly know the effect of the physical form of literature on our brains?