Frankenstein: Week Three

[Marie]

Surprisingly to Victor, the creature is now intelligent and articulate. He relates his encounters with people, their fear of him, and his of them which drove him from cities and into the wilderness. He took shelter in a small abandoned structure next to a cottage, where he developed a fondness for the family, and learned to speak by listening to them. He taught himself to read from a satchel of lost books. He saw his reflection in a pool, and realized he was hideous. Still, he managed to befriend the blind elderly man, but the rest of the family were frightened at his appearance and fled their home. In a rage, the creature burned their home and murdered Victor's brother William.

He demands a female like himself, which will offer him the happiness and companionship of a living being, and promises he will vanish to South America. In fear, Victor reluctantly agrees.

[Ann-sofi]

It's such a tragic story. In the movie we don't get the monster's perspective but here we can feel the isolation and desperation, the story of an outcast. The movie is more of a classical horror story. What are your thoughts on book vs movie?

[Marie]

Ann-sofi wrote: "It's such a tragic story. In the movie we don't get the monster's perspective but here we can feel the isolation and desperation, the story of an outcast. The movie is more of a classical horror st..."

I think it depends on which film you're thinking about. The classic 1930's version of course showed none of it, but Universal was looking for a "monster" film to add to their franchise. They and another early adaptation were also the ones to introduce Igor, and create the pop culture, green "Frankenstein" image and add the lightening element.

The Kenneth Branagh adaptation probably stays closest to the original storyline, but they do add quite a bit, and romanticize quite a bit more. They do include the creature's interactions with the family and the human element though.

I watched the new movie Victor Frankenstein, with James MacAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe. It was interesting in a sense that it focuses on Victor's obsession, but the creature is barely included. He's shown for a few minutes at the end, mostly to show Victor what's he's done. It's also slightly steampunk, and told from Igor's point of view, so faithfulness kind of goes out the window.

[Ann-sofi]

Great tips! I've only watched the 1930's version, it would be interesting to watch some of the other adaptions as well.

[Ann-sofi]

By the way, do you say "Great tips!" In English? I hope you understand what I mean anyway.

[Marie]

It's not a common phrase, but it sounds fine to me. Your English is great, I wouldn't worry about the little things like that.

[Erik]

I agree...your English is excellent! "Pointers", "Tips", etc generally are all used exactly as you phrased it.

I keep waiting for the movie on Igor's life history... probably abused as a child, raised by an drug addicted mother, and will get played by Will Ferrel or Adam Sandler.

[QNPoohBear]

I feel sorry for the Creature. His story is so tragic. The story of the de Laceys is a little fantastical. I forgot how the story is told in such "high faluting" language and how it's almost a two chapter monologue. It does make the Creature sympathetic and Victor seem more like a loser but considering the narrators of these tales, who knows? Like Wuthering Heights, the story has an unreliable narrator.

My copy of the book has pictures from the 90s Frankenstein. I never watched it and I'm not sure I want to. Kenneth Branagh is shown as a virile, muscular Victor creating life with his shirt off. Helena Bonham Carter was in a relationship with him at the time so of course she's Elizabeth. She looks a little crazy in the photos!

[Ann-sofi]

Marie, Erik: Thank you so much! :-)

[``Laurie]

Erik wrote: "I agree...your English is excellent! "Pointers", "Tips", etc generally are all used exactly as you phrased it.

I keep waiting for the movie on Igor's life history... probably abused as a child, r..."

Lol, but please no Adam Sandler!

[Marie]

That's basically what they did with the new Victor Frankenstein movie. Igor is an abused circus freak/unexplainable medical prodigy. Victor is at the side show when he sees Igor save the "Elizabeth" character - who is now a tightrope walker in love with Igor - from a shattered collarbone that stopped her from breathing. Victor saves Igor, and lances his "hump" which is actually an abscess. I never said it was a faithful adaptation...

I could see them doing a comedy version of it though. Don't get me started on Will Ferrel after the whole Reagan debacle.