Frankensteins Cultural Impact in Films

The Frankenstein monster is a metaphor that can be interpreted in many different ways depending on a persons views. To some people it can be a physical manifestation of a monster out for blood. While for others it can be a metaphor for a persons innocence and drive for the unknown. Others can view it as an expression of mans lust for creation and God like state and how it is mans inevitable downfall. These messages have been passed down through the story and its viewers and has been spread through different outlets of media such as films. A wise man once said nothing in life is original for someone has already done it. Keeping this in mind filmmakers and writers take inspiration from all aspects of life including literature. Many modern day films can be seen expressing these ideas that Frankenstein embedded in peoples minds. These ideas and concepts were very broad but it can be insinuated by the relationship that literature and film have that concepts and main ideas in film were inspired by early scriptures of literature such as Frankenstein. It is evident that the concepts in Frankenstein are still relevant today. The concept or idea of man seeking a God like state is still very present in modern day film. For example, limitless the main character acquires a drug that boosts his intelligence allowing him to enter a God like state where knowledge puts him at an advantage that puts him above everybody else. Frankensteins key concept, that mans inevitable downfall is caused by his thirst for a God like state, is very well present in this film. Many others of Frankensteins concepts can be found in many other movies in different eras. For example, the notion of innocence and search for the unknown is very well present in the movie King Kong. The movie can be viewed in a deeper notion just like Frankensteins. The monster King Kong can be seen as a brute ape, while others view him as an innocent animal brought upon mans mad world. Some say that King Kong was an original take on the story of Frankenstein but that can still be debated. What cannot be as openly debated is Frankensteins obvious cultural influence in the motion picture industry. Frankenstein is one of the first scriptures of literature that pioneered the genre of horror and also gave an inspiration for future writers when interpreting the deeper meaning encrypted within Frankenstein. 

Frankenstein has influence many people, places and things such as the arts, music, and movies.  What is most interesting to me is how it played a part in different types of horror music. Many directors used orchestras to highlight suspenseful scenes in movies.  Frankenstein also influenced Eddie Van Halen who built a guitar using many discarded parts from other guitars.  The prefix Franken can mean anything assembled haphazardly from originally disparate elements.  Van Halen called his guitar "Frankenstrat."

Monster Orchestra

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Van Halen: Frankenstrat Guitar

Lance Ball 2/24/2013

Frankenstein, such a legendary piece of literature. Written by Mary Shelley in the 1800’s, it was considered to be the first horror novel written. The best part about frankenstein in my opinion is the relation of today’s modern era, and it’s pop culture. Frankenstein has influenced more than pop culture actually, it has influenced cinema more than anything. Because of the writing of frankenstein, it has created a whole new genre of cinema that not only strikes the heart, but puts a chill down your spine as well...Horror.

Yes, Frankenstein has influenced the whole genre, even those crappy paranormal activity movies. Frankenstein’s influence puts a real world aspect into the world of film but at the same time delivers an unbelievably good sense of fiction nto the whole genre. Some of Frankenstein’s greatest influences are the Godzilla movies, all Frankenstein movies, all Horror movies, Frankenweenie (new), the chucky saga, the grim adventures of billy and mandy, and much more.

Frankenstein, such a legendary piece of literature. Written by Mary Shelley in the 1800’s, it was considered to be the first horror novel written. The best part about frankenstein in my opinion is the relation of today’s modern era, and it’s pop culture. Frankenstein has influenced more than pop culture actually, it has influenced cinema more than anything. Because of the writing of frankenstein, it has created a whole new genre of cinema that not only strikes the heart, but puts a chill down your spine as well...Horror.

Yes, Frankenstein has influenced the whole genre, even those crappy paranormal activity movies. Frankenstein’s influence puts a real world aspect into the world of film but at the same time delivers an unbelievably good sense of fiction nto the whole genre. Some of Frankenstein’s greatest influences are the Godzilla movies, all Frankenstein movies, all Horror movies, Frankenweenie (new), the chucky saga, the grim adventures of billy and mandy, and much more.

TJ, Emmai,

The Science of Frankenstein

                                                           God Work or Human Error?

Do you think a baby conceive in test tube is still a child in the eyes or mind or hands, depending on your god?

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has challenged the view of morals of creationism and if science should play the role of God. Since the publication of the novel in 1818, science has progressively advanced. Some say for the better; others for the worst.

The realization of human births through In Vitro Fertilization, commonly known as "test tube babies" represent a giant advanced in the treatment of infertility. It created hope for couples who could not conceive through natural means.

August 5, 2010, America's first "test tube baby" had a baby on her own. There were no test tubes involved.

Thirty-one year old Elizabeth Carr was the first "test tube" baby in the United States. Elizabeth shares her thoughts in a short video and article posted by Boston at United States first test tube baby (Click here). Her son, Trevor James Carr, was born without fertility treatment.

Today, more than 3 million babies worldwide have been born as a result of IVF. American Experiences website for Test Tube Babies includes articles on the World's First Test Tube Baby, Elizabeth Carr, Judy & Roger Carr, Howard and Georgeanna Jones. You can purchase Test Tube Babie here.

People who have fertility issues deserve to have healthy and normal babies. The world's first test tube baby Louise Brown have also conceive a baby. Do you still think this is God Work or Human error? That's for you to decide, but in the case we are trying to convince you that everybody deserve to be normal even through science opportunities.

                                         

Another concern of "Is science going too far?" concept is the possible creation of hybrids.

You may have heard of Dolly, the first clone, "the sheep created by a cloning procedure that, like Frankenstein's method, depended on a jolt of electricity to give her life," (New York Sun). Below is the process of how she was cloned.

The debate of ethics is everywhere in science. Transplantation (switching old body parts for new ones), cloning, fertilization, etc., are all challenged mainly by ethicists and policy makers with little understanding of science. The majority of science is used/created to help the human race, but like all things controversial, can disrupt the peace, just like Frankenstein did, as a result of creating his monster. 

Sources: http://www.lateralscience.co.uk/reanim/galvreanim2.html

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/10/04/where-is-louise-brown-worlds-first-test-tube-baby/

http://www.nysun.com/opinion/frankenstein-science/76862/

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199901213400322

Marco Lopez, Helena Leverett, and Tati Martin

Why So Scary? Why So Stylish?

http://www.deviantart.com

http://www.allthingshorroronline.net/2010/05/friday-five-top-five-frankensteins.html





http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKF9Ibq4PDk/UQwcM-N77aI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/i9J_244mRYg/s1600/Victor-Frankenstein.-Frankenweenie.jpg






http://superherouniverse.com/art/showphoto.php/photo/1574



http://www.wholesale-fancy-dress.com/sponge-ball-magic-book-p-3244.html







Frankenstein style has been influenced by society for over 100 years. Which included numerous of films, video games and television programs. The mosnter tends attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns.The monster is a sensitive, emotional creature whose only aim is to share his life with another sentient being like himself.

IT'S ALIVE: How Frankenstein has influenced comics.

"Since the publication of Mary Shelley's famous work Frankenstein in 1818, the monster has lived on in our popular culture through films starring acclaimed actors such as Boris Karloff, through television shows in parody contexts, and even used in our breakfast cereal we eat every morning. Although, we never seem to think about how Victor Frankenstein's creation could be used in another literary medium besides the traditional novel format. Frankenstein has been used in comics and graphic novels since the early 1940's, utilized in both humorous and straightforward interpretations." 

Created by: SydneyR, TepS, NoeliaR, and Rachel R. 

FRANKATHON

http://prezi.com/tg6rmnchoy7r/present/?auth_key=1lcm1vs&follow=npdi8cdytjbl


Sources: opensalon.com, imb.com, youtube.com, disney.com, rottentomatoes.com, wikipedia.com , vintageaddbrowser.com



Taylor-Nicole Ortiz, Mekhi Matthews, Elijah Reyes

How Has Frankenstein Influenced Horror Films? (Jordan Buchanan)

Frankenstein is a very well known story. Frankenstein has been a known story since the year 1816, told by a woman named Mary Shelly. Although the monster she talks about in her book is different from the monster we imagine when we think of Frankenstein, the concept is all the same. The overall concept is to have a horror theme. Some horror films today obtain their ideas from Frankenstein. For example, Michael Jackson's short film/video of "Thriller" has a zombie or living dead theme taking place. In Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" the monster is a dead person who is brought back to life. This impact of being recreated from the dead has taken place in many horror films. Another example would be the movie "Edward Scissor Hands". This film is about a boy, (who was made from a scientist) that didn't have any hands when he was being created. The scientist later on died without ever giving Edward hands. Edward then decide to add blades, knives, and scissors to what he'd call his hands. Edward then went out to the real world, and made many people feel uncomfortable or unsafe because he was creature that was not like anyone else. He had a hard life, just like the monster Frankenstein. There are many films, books, etc that have been influenced by Frankenstein, whether it was from being created by a scientist from dead parts, or becoming a green giant figure (The Hulk) and it is still a big influence on our modern day films.

Entertainment and Science Fiction (Tierra Quarles, Amber Thrall, Jeremiah Smith)

The legacy of Frankenstein as a science fiction theme has impacted some of the ways we are enteratined by science fiction today. Science has crossed certain boundaries because of the idea Frankenstein has set out to the science fiction world along with many films,experiments, etc. These things have been affected by this idea of monsters, creation of life, and experimentation. For example, the stories behind "The Terminator" and "The Incredible Hulk" are all acted upon science fiction. The creation of "The Hulk", being a green creature which comes from the the idea image people have of Frankenstein. Not only has Frankenstein had an impact on stories and movies, but it has also made science related objects such as "The Atomic Bomb" become well known. All of these ideas are an example of  "humanity threatening society". Mary Shelly made this outlook of science fiction (being scared of the world) a verification to her audience and Frankenstein will forever impact many of our future discoveries, creations, movies, etc.

Fankenstein's effect on Media

·         The story of Frankenstein has formed the basis of many original novels over the years, some of which were considered sequels to Shelley's original work, and some of which were based more upon the character as portrayed in the Universal films. Yet others were completely new tales inspired by Frankenstein, such as Stephen King's nobel "IT". The Monster has also been the subject of many comic book adaptations, ranging from more straightforward interpretations of Shelley's work, to the ridiculous, such as The Superman Monster and Batman: Castle of the Bat.

·         Frankenstein has affected music, mostly rock and alternative. In many music videos there are zombies and creative monsters such as in Welcome to my Black Parade by My Chemical Romance, Thriller by Michael Jackson, and Everybody Talks by Neon Trees, among others. This shows how Frankenstein has impacted music.

·         Frankenstein by Mary Shelley had an enormous effect on media. This includes movies, music, and novels. It affected movies varying from many genres such as romantic to horror! The creative, yet romantic theme the novel gives off has been a great inspiration to many writers and movie makers. These themes include secrecy, dangerous knowledge, and monstrosity. Some examples of the cinema created after Frankenstein would be The Rocky Horror Show, Young Frankenstein, and Frankenweenie.
Sources: www.fineartamerica.com, www.imdb.com, and www.movies.nytimes.com; www.wikipedia.com, www.panelology.info

By Eduardo Zagalsky, Ariel Smith, and Estephany Rodriguez

Monsters are Viewed as Creatures Instead of Regular Humans because It's a Natural Instinct

Monsters are Viewed as Creatures Instead of Regular Humans because It's a Natural Instinct

                                     (Heather, Jeremy, Melissa, and Arielle's final group post)
We all think of the same thing when we hear the word "monster" whether it be something under your bed or Frankenstein's creation, it's always something hideous and scary.



(picture above: http://twistedtoybox.net/store/images/scary%20monster%20halloween%20mask.jpg)
Now, why is that? Why don't we immediately think of an average looking human being as a monster? It's actually pure instinct. In the book, Frankenstein's monster was feared, even by it's own creator. It was hideous and ugly, hulking and intimidating and no one wanted it around. This actually comes from a theory called the Predator Recognition Template, or the "snake/raptor/cat" complex, created by anthropologist David E. Jones. About 60 million years ago, our ancestors, known as the Australopithecus roamed the Earth. They had to avoid numerous dangers like the predatory cat, giant snakes, and raptors!



(pictured above: Australopithecus, from: zburian.blogspot.com) 
Because the brains of the Australopithecus had to retain so much information about their predators, they clumped the physical features of the dangerous animals together, that's where the Dragon we all know of today is said to have come from. 

(Pictured above: dragon, from: http://api.ning.com/files) The snake/raptor/cat complex is responsible for this, the dragon looks like a serpent, with the face of a feline, and the talons of a raptor. It is a monster, one that our ancestors became familiar with.  The word "Monster" actually comes from the Latin words "Monstrare" (meaning "to show") and the word "Monere" (meaning "to warn"). Generally, we see monsters as dangerous things that can hurt us, because they look scary. Monsters are meant to be warnings, part of our natural instinct to fear any horrible looking thing and regard it as deadly. It is easier to see a dangerous being, rather than pick a dangerous person out of a crowd.

 

(Background information gathered from www.Salon.com as well as

 

http://anthropology.cos.ucf.edu/people/jones-david-e/) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Art and Influence of a Monster

Frankenstein was the first great monster novel. It inspired all that came after it.

Artificial human beings and their creators have become common theme in modern science fiction/horror films and literature.

Frankenweenie is a remake of Burton's 1984 short film of the same name and is a parody of and homage to the 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelly's book of the same name.

George A. Romero's 1985 film Day of the Dead features a scientist conducting experiments on zombies nicknamed Frankenstein. 

Edward was the creation of an old inventor. The Inventor's final result was a human like young boy who had everything except for hands, but the Inventor had a heart attack and died while in the act of giving a pair of real hands to Edward, leaving him unfinished forever. Edward also had problems being accepted by society, much like Frankenstein's monster.

 

Solomon Grundy resembles the monster in Frankenstein in appearance and also in its child like mind. It also retains its ability to become enraged. Grundy as well possesses great strength.

Creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby got their ideas to create the Hulk from Frankenstein. The character of the Hulk itself is also a nice variation on the Frankenstein topic. Like the monster in Shelly's novel, the Hulk has supernatural strength, but these powers and his hideous appearance are more a curse to him than a blessing. Society considers the Hulk a threat and therefore has only one solution, and that is to kill him.

One scene, in particular, is reminiscent of Mary Shelley's novel: when Robocop takes off his helmet for the first time he sees the reflection of his face in a mirror - just like Frankenstein's monster saw his face in a pond. At that moment, Robocop, whose memories of his former life have been erased by scientists, realizes that in fact he is still a human being, the police officer Murphy.





 
-Links-



Edward Scissors Hands: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/

Frankenwenee: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142977/

Robocop: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/

The Hulk: http://marvel.com/universe/Hulk_%28Bruce_Banner%29

  Solomon Grundy: http://www.comicvine.com/solomon-grundy/29-8342/

 

Day of the Dead: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088993/plotsummary

Darius - Researcher / links
Val - Researcher / Editor
             Justin - Researcher / Blog Organizer