A Cultural Studies Approach to Frankenstein
This blog is part of an assignment given by Prof. Dilip Barad (MKBU), where I explore Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein and its relevance to cultural studies. The focus is on how the novel's themes, particularly the paradoxical nature of the Creature, reflect societal concerns and how these ideas connect with cultural theory. For further insights into this topic, you can refer to the provided link.( Teacher's blog)
Part 1: Revolutionary Births
The Creature as Proletarian
How does the Creature’s paradoxical nature—simultaneously an innocent and a vengeful force—comment on societal fears of revolution and sympathy for the suffering masses?
Ans:
The Creature in Frankenstein is a paradox because he is both innocent, like a newborn with no natural malice, and a figure of revenge against those who have wronged him. This dual nature reflects societal fears of revolution and rebellion. Just as the Creature becomes violent when rejected and mistreated, people in society can also turn to revolt when they are oppressed and ignored.
However, from a postcolonial perspective, the Creature can be seen as innocent. He had no choice in his creation and is shaped by the world around him. Abandoned by his creator at a time when he needed guidance and care, he learns from the harsh world he encounters. In this sense, he mirrors marginalized communities—like African or enslaved populations—who are physically strong yet viewed as "Other" and treated differently from the mainstream. The Creature thus embodies the struggles and identity of these marginalized groups.
A Race of Devils
How does Shelley’s narrative engage with concepts of race and empire, and how might these issues be relevant today in global discourses on race and privilege?
Ans:
Frankenstein handles issues of race and colonial power in its story, and how these themes connect to our modern world. It wants you to think about how the novel shows prejudice and unfair treatment (like how people react to the Creature because he's different), and then link these ideas to current discussions about racial inequality and privilege in today's society.
Looking at it from a colonial perspective, the Creature can be seen as a product of a master (or colonizer) who creates something but fails to teach it anything, just like colonizers controlled and exploited colonized people. During colonial times, the African community was treated poorly, and their knowledge was often suppressed. The lack of guidance and care given to the Creature can be seen as reflecting the guilt of the colonizer.
For example, in Parliament on March 16, 1824, George Canning compared the abolition of slavery to freeing a monster, referring to Frankenstein. This highlights how the idea of "the Other" and racism are reflected in the monster's story, showing how the Creature represents the fear and prejudice faced by marginalized groups.
From Natural Philosophy to Cyborg
How do modern scientific advancements parallel the novel's cautionary tale of human hubris, and what lessons can we learn from it?
Ans:
Modern scientific advancements, like gene editing and AI, are similar to the story in Frankenstein, where Victor Frankenstein creates a monster he can't control. Both show how pushing science too far without thinking about the consequences can be dangerous. Today, advancements like changing genes or creating smart robots can have serious risks. The lesson from the novel is that while science can help us, we need to be careful. We should always think about how our inventions might affect people and the world before using them.
This idea is explored in a lot of literature and movies, where the fear is that new technology, like robots or modified genes, could threaten society. These stories serve as warnings, reminding us that if we create something powerful, like intelligent robots or genetically altered humans, it is our responsibility to ensure they don’t harm others. We must think carefully about how new creations could affect the world and the people living in it.
Part 2: The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture
First Film Adaptation and Popular Retellings
How have various retellings of Frankenstein reshaped its message for new audiences? How do these adaptations either retain or transform the novel’s original critique of scientific ambition and social exclusion?
Ans:
Various retellings of Frankenstein, such as movies, books, and plays, have changed the story to fit the concerns of modern audiences. These adaptations often focus on new ideas like the dangers of technology, genetic engineering, or artificial intelligence. Some versions keep the original message about the dangers of scientific ambition—showing how trying to control nature can lead to disastrous results. Others add new layers, like the fear of social exclusion or the struggles of feeling different or unwanted in society, which connects with today’s issues of isolation and discrimination.
While the core theme of Frankenstein—the consequences of overstepping boundaries with science—remains, these retellings often make the message more relevant to current times. They either keep the same critique of scientific ambition or expand it to include new fears about how technology might affect society and individuals.
Reading and Analysis
Discuss how the Creature’s literary education shapes his worldview and whether it empowers or alienates him further?
Ans:
The Creature’s education plays a big role in shaping his worldview. He learns by reading books like Paradise Lost, Plutarch's Lives, and The Sorrows of Werter, which teach him about human emotions, society, and suffering. These books help him understand love, pain, and rejection, but they also make him feel more isolated because he sees how far he is from the ideal humans he reads about. The more he learns, the more he realizes his own loneliness and how badly he's treated by others. While his education gives him knowledge, it also makes him feel alienated because he understands what he lacks and cannot have, like love and acceptance. So, instead of empowering him, his education deepens his feelings of being an outsider.
Film and Media Reflection
Research the historical and cultural context of these adaptations. How do they reflect societal fears and technology?
Ans:
The historical and cultural context of adaptations of Frankenstein reveals a deep connection to societal fears about scientific advancements and technology. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein during the early 19th century, a time of rapid scientific discoveries, like the development of electricity and new medical practices, which stirred anxiety about humans overstepping their natural boundaries. The Creature's creation and its unintended consequences reflect concerns about the dangers of unchecked ambition, especially in the realm of science and innovation. These fears are echoed in later adaptations, which have continued to explore similar themes of technological overreach and its potential to harm society.
In contemporary adaptations, such as films and TV shows, the monster often represents not just the fear of a physical creation gone wrong but also anxieties about artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. These modern versions tap into the growing concern that scientific progress might create entities with powers beyond human control, mirroring the original fears Shelley’s work addressed. For example, movies like Jurassic Park (1993) echo the message of Frankenstein, warning that scientific innovation should be approached with caution—"just because we can, doesn’t mean we should".
Overall, these adaptations maintain Frankenstein's central critique of scientific ambition and its potential to lead to alienation and destruction. They reflect society's fears that advancements in technology might outpace our ability to responsibly control them, transforming the original message into a timeless cautionary tale about the balance between human curiosity and ethical responsibility.
Thank you ...
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