Frankenstein & Jane Eyre

When one thinks of Frankenstein, they think of a monster that walks around like a zombie. However, in the ccase of Jane Eyre, a sweetgirl struggling through life, it seems the two could not be farther from each other. When examined more closely, in fact,we can see the common theme of isolation is present.Dr. Frankenstein became way too immersed in his work to find his health important. Due to his isolation and constant work in his lab, his family worries about him and his own well being deteriorates.

~Jannye (this was my 1st blog-i forgot to post it)

The US created a Monster

The United States can be considered a modern day Frankenstein. In Frankenstein, Viktor creates his Creature which turns his back on his creator due to abandonment. Back in the 80's the United States trained Osama Bin Laden. We were helping in the war in Afghanistan against the Russians. However, after the USSR forfeited, Afghan thought the US would continue to help them. We lost interest and ignored their internal struggles as they began fighting within their country. This is similar in Frankenstein when Viktor casts aside his creation after he is finished making it. Both helped for what they wanted but after things got even more rough, they just gave up. Now we deal with the consequences of anger and war.

-Jannye

Solitary bees make up 90% of the bees today and there are between 20,000-30,000 different species of bees worldwide. Now, imagine if 90% of the human population were solitary. How would some people react and how would the world change? For some, I imagine the isolation to be comforting and for others, a cause for insanity and immense anger. These types of bees don't belong to any colony and usually spend their time pollinating the earth and caring for their eggs. The nests that they create are usually in hollow twigs, holes in wood and most likely, tunnels in the ground. As soon as I read all of this information, I immediately thought of the Creature. Like the Creature, these bees are gentle by nature and will only attack if they feel the need to defend themselves. The Creature made his home under a pile of rubbage and for the beginning of the novel, he was a drifter in life. He did the major things necessary to survive while remaining a dismal speck in the twilight. He only attacked out of self-defense, which is something he was forced to learn due to lack of guidance and social training. However, unlike the bees, he never grew accustomed to the isolation. The continued seperation from society caused him to become violent and aggresive.

http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/insects/bees/bee_solitary.html

All I Need...

The song "All I Need" by One Republic is a depiction of the conflict of beliefs between the Creature and Dr. Frankenstein. The questions asked can be those said by the monster. Dr. Frankenstein is lost in a beautiful world. He doesn't see any of the joys nor temporary sorrows of others. When he does attempt to pay attention, he becomes distracted by the misfortunes of his own. In the third stanza of the song it states, "Well, all I need is the air I breathe and a place to rest my head." This is a statement similar to one that the monster says in the novel. As he is observing the De Lanc family, he is in a state of bewilderment. The sadness that these people seem to always carry with them is seen as unwarranted by the monster. In his eyes, the world is beautiful and joyous. However, as the monster is making this judgement, he is only an observer of life. When he becomes subjective, he realises that the melancholy is justified and his perception of life becomes bittersweet. Later in the song it is stated, "Do you know what your fate is? And are you trying to shake it? You're doing your best and your best look. You're praying that you make it." Dr. Frankenstein could've predicted his fate and that of those around him. Furthermore, the Creature told him the fate of some of the closest people to him. Their fate was death. However, Dr. Frankenstein continued to wander and act as if the end wouldn't come. Due to his lack of acknowledgement and disregard of consequences, those people met their fate.

lyrics>>>http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/onerepublic/sayallineed.html

video>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRSZpV6WIuU

Pitch black

In the movie Pitch Black the main character Riddic is a prison mate being brought to prison on a different planet. He killed a lot of people and was one of the worst criminals in the world. but he saves everyone on the ship from aliens. In the book Frankenstein the monster kills people and does bad things but he is very sorry for them and tries to help people. He shows compassion and sorrow just like Riddic.

Ron~

Edward Scissor Hands and the monster

In the movie Edward Scissor hand, Edward was left all alone after his creator dies. He is not accepted by society because of his scares on his face and his fingers are scissors. He falls in love with a girl but society does not want them together. In Frankenstein the monster is also not accepted by society because he is huge and ugly. He wants his creator to make him a wife but he refuses because he does not want a race of monsters. They both feel how it is to be an outsider and unwanted.


Ron~

Abandonment and 300

The film 300 is based on warriors from Ancient Sparta. At the beginning of the film, it is explained that Spartan babies who were deformed in any way must be discarded on a hilltop. This is because they were thought to be useless as Spartan mens' sole purpose in life was to become powerful warriors. In Frankenstein, a common theme is abandonment. When Frankenstein first creates his creature, he automatically shuns it because it is different and frightening to him.

In 300, there is a traitor named Ephialtes, who was saved from the hilltop as a baby by his mother. Although he is deformed, he still wants to help King Leonidas and his troops when they are in the face of danger. Frankenstein's creature learns to be kind from watching the villagers with their everyday work. Even though both were abandoned, both still had hearts, even if it was for a short period of time.

~Jannye Vale

The Lion King

One of my favorite Disney movies of all time is The Lion King. It is funny, but filled with grief as well. Simba is the son of the powerful King, Mufasa, and his dream in life is to be just like his dad. His uncle Scar, however, has other plans, and kills Mufasa so that he can be king. Simba is very young when his dad dies, and Scar convinces him it was he who killed his own father. He encourages Simba to run away and never return to Pride Rock. As Simba becomes a young adult, he is left with the guilt of his father's death.

In Frankenstein, Victor is like Simba. He is ecstatic to learn science and become one of the greatest scientists of the time. His creation of a the man creature pushed the boundaries that science set for him. Simba is ecstatic to grow up and be king of Pride Rock. He thinks he will be a great king, just like his father. When Victor actually accomplishes his creation, he is struck with guilt and fear that scares him away from the creature. He leaves his home so that the creature can't bother him, yet the guilt eats away at him.
When Simba finally reaches adulthood, he is living in exhile. This is also because or the guilt and fear of being found out. What will the others think of him if he were to return to Pride Rock, after years of isolation. He thinks they would surely shun him because he had killed their magnificent king.
Frankenstein and The Lion King, are both stories of guilt and isolation.
~Jannye

Who really killed Jenny?

Jenny Schecter is a complicated, mess of a person on the Showtime series The L Word. Like Dr. Frankenstein, Jenny is oblivious to her surroundings. Her wake up call comes in the form of a woman, Marina. After moving to Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Jenny becomes immersed in the lesbian world of Los Angeles. Throughout her journey on the show, Jenny experiences many ups and downs. She goes through numerous relationships, both sexual and friendship based, becomes a cutter, moves back home with her parents, returns, and ultimately resembles the lacking of emotion in that of sociopathic people. For example, Jenny has been friends with Tina since she moved to Los Angeles. Tina has always been a trusted and cherished friend to Jenny. However, when Jenny might lose her rights as a writer to her film, she decides to risk Tina's job as a producer and her friendship by stealing the footage. She doesn't tell Tina that she takes the footage and lets Tina get blamed and fired for it going missing. By the last season of the show, Jenny has become a complete Frankenstein. Her utter appearance makes the people around her cringe and she is aware of how hideous she is. Like the Creature, Jenny still tries to redeem herself. While doing these small acts of kindness, she also displays some horrific personality traits and habits. She relates to the scene in Frankenstein when the Creature is in the cave and sees the young boy. His intention was to take the boy as a companion and make him apart of his non-existent family. However, the boy screams at the sight of the monster and the monster kills him. Jenny had good intentions at times, but usually nothing ever had great results. Both Jenny and the monster were seen as less than human to the people around them. With the examination of each character's actions and mindset when acting, the complete opposite is evident. They both displayed the animalistic and sensitive nature of a human being. To both of their dismays, their inate attachment to the human condition never worked in their favor.

Presenting, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

After listening to this song for the millionth time, I realized that it would be a perfect depiction of Dr. Frankenstein. The second stanza states. "Who you following? Who you starting to move like? Who you falling for? Who you falling for? Who's lies? Who you following? Who you falling for? This sound's on your side." This part of the song stood out to me more than any other part because it's addressing how many people are like sheep. For example, Dr. Frankenstein is coasting through life with only the subject of natural philosophy in his sights. It isn't until the Creature wakes up that his attention is caught. There are many people like Dr. Frankenstein who operate on an unconscious level, as if they are on autopilot. It is stated later in the song, "What's your crime?" It arises questions within yourself as to how you could've contributed to your own despise. Dr. Frankensein blames the monster for the deaths of a few characters. However, it is his own fault. The Creature told Dr. Frankenstein that he would be with him on his wedding night, and he still marries Elizabeth. He knows that the monster is going to go after the people closest to him if he doesn't create a mate for him. Yet, he still decides not to make a suitable female companion. He operated as if he and all of the people around him were impervious to death. We are all mortal and apart of this world. The question is: Are you living in it?

lyrics>>> http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/yeahyeahyeahs/sweets.html

video>>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEtCdrgN52Y

HELLBOY

Hellboy is a fictional devilish character that is isolated from birth. He is brought into the world with no one to watch over and protect him. Unknowingly, he was doomed for evil and despair and to bring hell onto earth. Luckily, soon after he is created he is found by a secret league of army and scientists , who takes hellboy into there facility. One man imparticular takes this young evil creature is his arms and gives him a home and teaches him to be good. Hellboy soon learns that he must be hidden and forced into isolation and hiding in front of human beings outside the facility. This deeply affects him as he is growing up, having no one to tell him where he is from or what he is and why he was created. Like Frankenstein, hellboy was brought into the world and immediately abandoned. Having no answers and a million questions, both creatures find they are hideous and are portrayed as dangerous and scary to people. Taking different paths, whereas Frankenstein kills and becomes evil because of his confusion, and Hellboy becomes good and helps people and prevents evil, working together with this secret league. They both are isolated and socially unexpected because of their appearance, but clearly handle the situation in completely different ways.

JOANNA ROJAS

HOMOSEXUALS

When thinking about socially unexpected beings, one thought came to mind. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people face discrimination each day. They fight for the respect they deserve and the rights that are taken away. While I was searching information about this topic, I came upon thousands of hate websites discriminating against homosexuality. Some people believe lesbians, gays and bisexuals are evil, and that loving someone that is the same sex as you isn’t "right". Personally, I think that we do not decide what is right or wrong. A person has the freewill to love anyone they want, whether it is the opposite or same sex. Frankenstein was also socially unexpected. He was unknown, and innocent when first created which left him vulnerable. He was a human being like the rest around him, but because of his different appearance, he was thrown into isolation. Like homosexuals, who don’t follow the "norm", are automatically labeled and in a way forced into a community. They are people just like the rest of the world, expect with a different sexual orientation. So my question to you is:
Why cant people accept difference?


JOANNA ROJAS

Boundaries are icebergs

Boundaries can cause people to sink. Rose is intelligent and knows the rules of her class and what are the proper ways of doing things. Like Dr.Frankenstein, she pushes past these boundaries. Dr. Frankenstein has boundaries in almost every aspect of his life. He has them in science, love, family, friendship and even himself. However, when he tries to push past them, he ends up with consequences he never would've thought of. For Rose, the boundaries she accompanied were from environmental conditioning, which she broke away from. Her consequence involved losing the one she loved. However, she differs from the scientist because with that loss, she gained a greater appreciation for life. Both characters share the want to break free and discover the world. What makes them significantly different is that Rose was courageous and everything she did came from a place of love, not selfishness.

-Jamilah

The Creature is Terry Malloy

In the 1954 film ,On the Waterfront, Terry Malloy is a prize-winning boxer turned longshoreman. Like the Creature, Terry hurts people. He works for the biggest mob organization in his community and usually sets up people's deaths. In one particular scene, Terry is talking to his brother, Charlie. Charlie is sent to kill Terry and at the knowledge of this, Terry decides to be honest. He said, " You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charlie. " He is explaining to his brother that because of his lack of protection and guidance, he didn't amount to anything and he had no choice but to become a monster to survive. The Creature blames his creator, Dr.Frankenstein, for the deaths that he later causes. By creating him as an outsider with no other options, hopelessness and anger began to dwell within.

-Jamilah

HULK

The incredible Hulk is originally a comic book character. He is the alter ego of the reserved physicist, Dr, Bruce Banner. When Banner is accidentally exposed to a dangerous bomb, the chemicals eventually transform into a gigantic green creature. This creature is called The Hulk, who is depicted as a raging, giant, monster. He is tremendously strong, when he is extremely angry and destroys almost everything in his path. Although this monster seems horrible, Bruce Banner lives within and he is still a confused reserved doctor. Like Frankenstein, he is feared and isolated because of his looks and acts of confusion. Not understanding what has happened to them, and becoming something mysterious, takes a toll on both characters. While in their state of bewilderment, they actually become monsters and annihilate everything around them. These two characters have many similar traits and have both been rejected from society.

JOANNA ROJAS

X-MEN

Everybody knows the famous characters from X-men. These mutants have various specials powers they manage, such as being able to walk through walks, or controlling your mind. Although some mutants are evil and use their special abilities to harm and take advantage of humans, there are a league of mutants called X-men, that use their powers for a better-well being of people around them. Their capabilities are glorious, so naturally humans are afraid of them. They consider them extremely dangerous and untrustworthy, so they are isolated and try to destroy them by any means possible. Like Frankenstein, these mutants are not socially expected. When first realizing their powers they are afraid and confused, such as Frankenstein, when he was first created and immediately abandoned. When Frankenstein has nobody to confide in, he becomes deeply deprived and violent, much like the villains in the move X-men. At first the mutants and Frankenstein are both naturally innocent, until they are treated badly with horrific, immoral acts by the humans around them.

JOANNA ROJAS

Planet 51

While I was trying to find another Frankenstein-like figure, I came upon this hilarious children's movie. "Planet 51" is about a U.S. astronaut named Captain Charles T. Baker who lands on a random planet, thinking it was deserted, trying to collect data peacefully. He quickly learns that the plant is filled with green people, with two antennas on their head, living a peaceful life in a “50's style” town. While he is there, he is the alien; not them. They immediately search for this “alien” because their media has tagged spacemen as brain-eating, zombie-creating monsters. This species of people believe that Captain Charles is dangerous and has come to take over there world and destroy them, so they set out to find and kill him. Charles quest is to make it back to his ship so he can safely go back home.
This can relate to Frankenstein, because immediately after he is created he is unwanted and labeled dangerous, just like Captain Charles. Although nobody knows anything about Frankenstein, he is marked as ugly and treacherous, and therefore is forced into isolation. He doesn’t know anything about the world around him, and when he tries to learn he is pushed away deeper into despair. This proves that when people are faced with the unknown, we isolate and slowly destroy it rather then peacefully understand it.

JOANNA ROJAS

In the 40 year old virgin main character Andy is made an outcast because he is a 40 year old virgin. He gets funny looks and smart ass comments. Fankensteins monster is made and out cast because he is deformed and huge. they both yearn to be with someone weather it be a freiend or a mate.

Ronald

The Terminator and Frankenstein

A film that is Frankensteinish is "The Terminator". The movie is about science getting out of control and people not being able to see what they were really creating. the same thing happened with Dr. Frankenstein, he was creating a being so fast he had no idea that he was really creating a monster. In the movie people had no idea thet were making machines that would take over the world.

Ronnie

monster and jackson

A modern day, real life Fankenstien monster was Micheal Jackson. Looking at him or hearing about him you think this guy is crazy. He was so pale and his face was weirdly shaped from so many plasic surgeries. He set up his mansion to be a theme park. this all looks creepy. But then when you heard him talk he was so soft spoken and gental. He gave alot of money and time to charities. The monster was very deformed and people would flee at the site of him. but he would still bring the cottagers fire wood and try to be accepted by them. Both the monster and jackson were looked at differently because of how they looked but on the inside they were nothing but normal people.

Monsters Vs. Aliens

I just watched Monsters Vs. Aliens a few days ago (its really good, go watch it!). This film is basically about a group of "monsters," that society turns its backs on because they are different, but when they need help defending the planet, they call on them. These monsters have been isolated from humanity for 50 years, but they learn to take care of themselves. Frankenstein's Creature was automatically shunned from society because he was different. This caused him to become isolated and learn the ways of the world on his own. While he could hideout and learn, the monsters had to learn from each other. Dr. Cockroach could make amazing inventions with scraps that he had lying around. The Missing Link was always working out so that his strength could help him defeat any obstacle. The isolation makes both stories sad however. There are no friends or family for the Creature to be with, even when he asks his creator for a wife. The same goes for the characters portrayed on Monsters Vs. Aliens. Susan Murphy a.k.a. Ginormica, is automatically abandoned, even from her fiance. He looks at her like she is a monster, whose only good use is getting an interview so he might get a higher position as a news reporter.
All in all, the prejudices of both stories are evident.

~Jannye

Harry Potter-the newer Frankenstein

If one has read the Harry Potter series, you might question how he is like Frankenstein.In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone we see him as a mere boy of 11, entering the wizarding world clueless and unloved by those around him. To the Muggle, or non magic people around him, Harry Potter was considered an abomination. Like Frankenstein, he was unloved and misunderstood by those around him, who did not realize being different did not automatically mean he was stupid. Harry entered the wizarding world, and learned everything about himself and those around him. In Frankenstein, we see the same occur. Frankenstein must find a barn to hide in, but he takes the time to learn from the poor villagers how to act, speak and learn their ways. They both mature to find their proper place in the world. Through their differences, they turn from being abominations, to being the heroes, the ones the viewer sympathizes with.

~Jannye

The Huskies are monsters.

Usually, I would never blog about sports. However, when I saw this article about the Huskies as Frankensteins, I was drawn in. The article talks about the profound disappointment of their season so far, and Coach Romar's tactic on getting his players on track. He shocks his players by asking them, "'If you could be any body part, what would you be?'" His players were completely caught off guard, because Romar is known to be a screaming banshee rather than a philosophical man. After all the players answered, Romar goes on to say, " To function properly, every part of the body is necessary." The players go on to have a great season. This relates to Frankenstein, because everyone in the novel plays a part. Whether it be a sweet, soft-spoken maid, or a crazed scientist. Everyone contributed to the prejudice, isolation, fear, and love that is presented within the novel. Like the monster, the players find their dignity and pride again. The monster forgets himself and lives up to the stereotype that society has assigned to him. He starts behaving like a monster. However, he eventually centers himself and returns to his normal state.

www.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrybrewer/2011421418_brewer24.html

-Jamilah

That poor baby gazelle...

While I was still trying to figure out what to relate Frankenstein to for this week, a friend of mine showed me a video on the internet. At first, I thought it was sad and I couldn't bare to watch the end. The video shows a lioness guiding and protecting a baby gazelle. During the weeks that she is caring for it, she doesn't eat and eventually becomes very weak. While she is resting, the gazelle wanders off and is killed by a lion. The first thing that comes to mind is "Where was it's mother!?" Like the gazelle, the frankenstein monster and Justine were abandoned by their initial caretakers. Dr. Frankenstein immediately fled once the monster awoken. Justine's caretakers, Dr.Frankenstein's family, immediately found her guilty of murder despite the evidence of her innocence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD5bCNvAihU

-Jamilah

Jews - The Frankensteins of the Past

Schindler's List is a film about the taking of the Jews and the harsh lives and deaths in concentration camps.

In the novel, Frankenstein, the monster created is immediately unwanted. The scientist is disgusted at the sight of it and wants only to destroy it. The Frankenstein monster represents any minority. One isn't born with a choice of race or sex. However, many people are persecuted due to their being. The Jews were seen as sub-human and a genetic flaw in evolution. Like the scientist, the Nazi's believed that it was their job to rid the general population of them.

-Jamilah

Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus

This novel called Frankenstein, was also
know as The Modern Prometheus.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus was praised by
human - kinds. He used to steal fire from
Zeus and give it to mortals (human - kinds).
Prometheus's punishment, given to him from Zeus, was to be bound to a rock while a giant eagle ate his liver.
Everyday it would grow back, and everyday the great
eagle would eat it. This legend could relate to Frankenstein,
because although the scientist had good intentions,
as did Prometheus, there are consequences to every action.
In both cases Punishment follows greatness.


Joanna Rojas

Did you know that Mary Shelly's husband was Percy Bysshe Shelly, he came from a high economic class family, he was also a great poetic. The novel Frankenstein was her challenge to write a ghost story by a o called Lord Byron. Mary Shelly, with the help of her husband she completed this novel within one year.

Danie