Questions About Frankenstein - Original 1818 Uncensored Version

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So many great lessons in this book. I felt so many mixed emotions for the monster: pity, understanding, sorrow, love. I read it for school, and fell in love with it. How did you feel towards the monster?

Kat!e Larson

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It was better than I expected it to be. I have little interest for modern-day "horror" stories... and I expected the book to be no different. However, I was corrected. This book has a good element of Romanticism in it, and the eloquent descriptions of human condition captured my interest. I am reading this for a grade 11 English class, and am considering buying a copy of the book to keep in my library.

Allen Williams I read this book in my senior year of high school and I agree with you 100%. I was quite proud of myself for getting through that book to pass my clas…moreI read this book in my senior year of high school and I agree with you 100%. I was quite proud of myself for getting through that book to pass my class. Have you seen the movie with Robert Deniro? I thought film critics were way too hard on it. I personally thought it was a very good adaptation and I recommend it. Good luck to you on your schooling. (less)

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Why Victor Frankenstein is compared to the Prometheus in original title "Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus"? He didn't give something useful or significant to mankind. Yes, he suffered, as Prometheus did, but it's not the same reason and duration of suffering, for me. Or is it just a sarcastic remark from the author?

The Usual I've done a spot of background reading on this as it's a very good question and I had a vague feeling about it. You need to understand that a good edu…moreI've done a spot of background reading on this as it's a very good question and I had a vague feeling about it. You need to understand that a good education at the time involved a solid grounding in the classics, so Mary Shelley and her husband would have known more than the basics of the story.
So... Preamble over...
Once upon a time there was a Titan called Prometheus who usurped the power formerly reserved for the Gods and brought a gift of great power to mankind. Zeus (who had a horrible childhood and quite serious Issues) punished him in a suitably inventive fashion.
This is what you might call part one. You already know that, and if you think about it, it's exactly what Frankenstein is trying to do: to usurp the power formerly reserved to God, of creating life.
Part two: the Gods decide to restore the balance of power between themselves an man by creating a woman of whom you may have heard. They send Pandora down to Earth with a jar (or box) containing all the ills and instructions not to open it. Of course she does (think Adam and Eve) and all the nasties fly out and afflict the Earth.
Again you know this story, and if you apply it to Frankenstein you might see why Victor doesn't provide the monster with a bride.
Of course that's reading quite a lot into three words, but she was a very intelligent woman who knocked about with her husband Percy Blysshe Shelley, and with Lord Byron, so...(less)

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I am confused with so many editions that are available (paperback as well as in ebook etc) ... Can you please guide me to the correct edition which is unabridged? Also Noticed that some editions are really short (140 pages) & some are longer (250+ pages)? Kindly clarify.

Dave Morris There are two different versions of the book - the original 1818 edition and the heavily revised edition of 1831. The latter is a more conservative an…moreThere are two different versions of the book - the original 1818 edition and the heavily revised edition of 1831. The latter is a more conservative and moralizing take on the story, and for my money lacks the brio of the original. It may be that the editions you've seen with 250+ pages contain both versions. You can get them both free on Gutenberg anyway.(less)

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Has anyone read the 1818 text? If so, how does it compare to the original published version?

Cricket Muse The main difference is the cousin connection. Elizabeth is originally Victor’s cousin, and marrying one’s cousin in that time period was an acceptable…moreThe main difference is the cousin connection. Elizabeth is originally Victor’s cousin, and marrying one’s cousin in that time period was an acceptable practice (mostly); however; in the later version Elizabeth is adopted into Victor’s family, but throughout the story they refer to each other as cousin. (less)

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