A Cultural Analysis of Frankenstein

 A Cultural Analysis of Frankenstein

This blog is a deep exploration of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein through a cultural studies perspective, structured into two primary sections:

1. Revolutionary Births

2. The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture: Fiction, Drama, Film, Television

Each section encourages a critical examination of how the novel's themes, characters, and concepts engage with cultural, philosophical, and political contexts, both in its historical setting and in today's world.

∆∆ The Creature as Proletarian : 

In Frankenstein, the Creature symbolizes the struggles of marginalized groups, representing the frustrations of those excluded from society. Levine's observation that Frankenstein serves as a metaphor for a society obsessed with self-discovery yet fearful of its true nature highlights this parallel. Just as the Dalit Panther movement in India fought for the rights and recognition of the Dalit community, the Creature battles for acknowledgment and dignity, facing rejection and violence from the very society it seeks to be a part of.

Similarly, the Maoist movement in India, particularly in rural areas, reflects the Creature's anger toward neglect and exploitation. Both the Maoists and the Creature are perceived as violent threats, though their actions stem from a deep sense of injustice and oppression.

The plight of the working class, particularly educated individuals unable to secure meaningful employment, mirrors the Creature's frustration. Like the Creature, these individuals are cast aside despite their potential, leading to movements and actions aimed at addressing systemic failure and demanding change.

∆∆ A Race of Devils :

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein transcends its horror genre, functioning as a profound allegory that delves into the complexities of race, empire, and privilege. The relationship between Victor and the Creature mirrors historical and modern struggles for power, identity, and acceptance. The Creature, as a marginalized "Other," faces societal rejection and isolation, much like African slaves and other oppressed groups throughout history. His transformation from an innocent being to a vengeful force reflects the psychological toll of systemic oppression, which also parallels the experiences of marginalized women who suffer from intersectional discrimination.

Victor's act of creating life outside the natural process of childbirth symbolizes patriarchal control, particularly the desire to dominate life and the feminine space of reproduction. This aligns with the concept of "Wombenvy," reflecting a colonial mindset that exerts control without nurturing or accountability, leading to exploitation and subjugation. Victor's neglect of the Creature mirrors the behavior of a colonial master who creates a subject but fails to educate, integrate, or care for it, a pattern that has resonated throughout history, as seen in the aftermath of colonialism and events like the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Shelley’s novel speaks to contemporary critiques of privilege and systemic racism. The Creature’s experience illustrates how privilege functions by marginalizing those who don’t fit within the dominant cultural norms, highlighting the ongoing struggles for justice and inclusion faced by marginalized communities worldwide.

In its essence, Frankenstein is a timeless exploration of power, identity, and the repercussions of unchecked ambition. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of creation without responsibility and emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in a world marked by inequality and injustice.

∆∆ From Natural Philosophy to Cyborg 

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley presents a fascinating journey from "Natural Philosophy" to what we might now call "cyborg" theory, long before the term was coined. The shift reflects the evolving understanding of science, humanity, and the boundaries between the natural and the artificial.

Natural Philosophy in Shelley’s time was the precursor to modern science, encompassing the study of the natural world, chemistry, and biology. For Victor Frankenstein, his obsession with natural philosophy is reflected in his studies of life, death, and the mechanisms of creation. He seeks to transcend the limits of human knowledge and control over life by exploring ways to "reanimate" the dead, creating an artificial being through scientific means. His pursuits can be seen as a metaphor for humanity’s desire to conquer nature, to control and manipulate the forces that govern life.

Victor’s experiments, however, reveal the dangers of overreaching. His creation, the Creature, represents an unnatural hybrid of the living and the non-living. This being, though human in form, is constructed and animated through mechanical processes, making it an early conceptualization of what we now think of as a "cyborg"—a fusion of human and machine, life and artificiality.

The Creature, in a sense, embodies the tension between natural philosophy and the technological advancements of later centuries. It challenges the idea of human life as something purely organic and introduces a concept of humanity intertwined with artificial constructs. In this way, Frankenstein explores not just the limits of scientific inquiry in its time, but also the ethical implications of manipulating life—issues that continue to resonate in today’s debates about biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and the ethics of creating life or enhancing the human body.

In conclusion, Frankenstein can be seen as a bridge between the natural philosophy of the 18th century and the technological and cybernetic concerns of the 21st century. Victor Frankenstein’s creation of the Creature anticipates the questions we grapple with today about human identity, the potential dangers of technological advancement, and the boundaries between the organic and the mechanical.

∆∆ The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture :

First Film Adaptation and Popular Retellings

The first film adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was released in 1931, directed by James Whale, and starred Boris Karloff as the Creature. This version popularized the image of the hulking, misunderstood monster with bolts in its neck and established the mad scientist trope of Victor Frankenstein.

Since then, Frankenstein has been adapted in many forms, including the 1935 sequel Bride of Frankenstein, Mel Brooks' 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein, and Kenneth Branagh's 1994 more faithful adaptation. Modern retellings, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Penny Dreadful, and Frankenstein Chronicles, continue to explore themes of creation, ambition, and societal rejection. These adaptations ensure the enduring legacy of Frankenstein in popular culture, where it remains a symbol of the consequences of unchecked ambition and the human desire to transcend natural limits.

∆∆ Reading and Analysis :

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein explores themes of creation, ambition, and the consequences of playing God. The novel follows Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living being from dead body parts, only to be horrified by the result. The Creature, rejected by society and its creator, becomes a symbol of isolation and the destructive power of unchecked ambition. Shelley's work delves into the dangers of trying to surpass natural boundaries, highlighting the ethical implications of scientific progress and the emotional consequences of neglecting responsibility.

The novel also reflects concerns about the human condition, identity, and the search for belonging. Victor’s refusal to accept the Creature leads to tragedy, showing how societal rejection can shape one's fate. Ultimately, Frankenstein serves as a cautionary tale about the need for empathy, accountability, and the limits of human power.

∆∆ Film and Media Reflection :

1. The Terminator (1984)

Directed by James Cameron, The Terminator delves into the themes of artificial intelligence, machines gaining autonomy, and the potential consequences of creating technology that exceeds human control. The creation of the Terminator, a ruthless, self-aware machine, echoes the Creature in Frankenstein—both are products of human invention, created for specific purposes but later becoming uncontrollable. The Terminator’s mission to eliminate a key figure in the future parallels the Creature’s quest for vengeance against his creator, Victor Frankenstein.

2. Her (2013)

In Her, directed by Spike Jonze, the protagonist, Theodore, falls in love with an artificially intelligent operating system named Samantha. The film explores themes of human connection, identity, and the emotional complexities of artificial intelligence. Samantha, like the Creature, seeks to understand herself and her place in the world. The film poses questions about the boundaries between human and machine, and how technology can blur these lines, much like Victor Frankenstein's creation blurs the lines between life and death.

3. Westworld (2016)

This HBO series, based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 film, explores the ethical implications of creating sentient robots in a futuristic theme park. The "hosts" in Westworld are programmed to serve human desires but begin to gain self-awareness, leading them to question their purpose and existence. This reflects the Creature’s awakening to his own suffering and desire for vengeance in Frankenstein. Both the hosts and the Creature experience a shift from being passive creations to active agents, driven by emotions, memories, and desires.

4. Transcendence (2014)

In Transcendence, a scientist named Dr. Will Caster uploads his consciousness into a super-intelligent AI, which begins to surpass human capabilities and becomes a global threat. Much like Victor Frankenstein’s ambitions lead to the creation of a destructive being, Dr. Caster's transcendence into AI represents the unforeseen consequences of playing God and creating intelligence beyond our control. The film raises ethical questions about the boundaries of human enhancement and the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement.

5. Bicentennial Man (1999)

Based on the story by Isaac Asimov, Bicentennial Man follows a robot named Andrew who strives to become more human over two centuries. He seeks legal recognition as a person and desires to experience the full range of human emotions. Like the Creature, Andrew faces rejection and isolation from humans due to his non-human status. Both characters grapple with their identity and place in a world that refuses to accept them fully, raising questions about what it means to be human and how we treat those we create.

6. The Machine (2013)

In The Machine, a scientist creates a robotic super-soldier with artificial intelligence, hoping to use her for military purposes. As the robot, named Ava, develops a sense of self-awareness and emotions, she begins to question her existence and her purpose. The film mirrors Frankenstein in its exploration of the creation of a lifeform for human use, only to have that creation rebel against its creator when it realizes its own autonomy.

Conclusion:

All of these films share common themes with Frankenstein, particularly around the ethical and emotional consequences of creating life, whether it’s artificial intelligence or humanoid robots. These stories highlight the complexities of creation, the responsibilities of creators, and the potential dangers of technology that surpasses our control. Much like Victor Frankenstein’s creation, these beings often struggle with their purpose and their treatment by humanity, leading to conflict and exploration of deeper philosophical questions about life, autonomy, and identity.

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