"Frankenstein" Adaptations Research

Thesis

            “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is focused around dangerous knowledge. This is mainly with Victor Frankenstein, and how he constantly pushes to learn more and pushes passed the social norm. The pursuit of knowledge is at the heart as Victor attempts to surge beyond the accepted human limits and access the secret of life. During the period of time when the novel was written (1818) women weren’t seen as writers and Mary Shelly’s first edition was published anonymously. So, we could say that women seeking more education was wrong similar to Victor seeking for the secret of life. Well at least to societies norms at the time. Then we fast forward to “Frankenstein” by Peggy Webling in 1927. A play adapted by Mary Shelley’s book. Still written by a female, and this was still uncommon. In this adaptation this was the first time that both the scientist and the monster were referred to as Frankenstein. Then the play was adapted into a film by James Whale “Frankenstein” in 1931. The name stuck and people saw Frankenstein as the monster.

The novel. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley published in 1818. Gothic Romantic.

The Play. “Frankenstein” by Peggy Webling performed 1927. Drama. Horror. Sci-Fi

Film. “Frankenstein” by James Whale released in 1931. Drama. Science Fiction

Frankenstein was written based around in actually castle located in Germany, and Mary wrote it when her and two other friends made a challenge on who can write the best horror novel. They doubted Mary because she was a woman, but she wrote something that was the most freighting because it was true.

The novel was then adapted to a play written by Peggy who was from London at the time. This was after the First World War and women became more elaborated and education became more accessible for people. So, people searched for higher knowledge just like Victor.

Then the play was adapted into a film by James Wale, who is also from the UK. He took the film to Hollywood. One main reason he chose “Frankenstein” was because he didn’t want to film a war movie, so he chose horror instead. They were in the midst of war surrounding America and was just hit by The Great Depression, so what’s nothing better than going to the movies and distracting us from our reality.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein

https://www.scripts.com/script/frankenstein_644

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Webling

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Whale

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-1920s-in-Britain/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1930s