A. Thesis:
Despite the popular notion that Victor is the “modern Prometheus,” Shelly’s depiction of Victor more closely resembles the stereotype of mad scientist, a stock character of many popular science fiction. II. Point One
A. Minimal similarities between Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein
1. “Playing God” and incurring wrath of the God
2. Creation of humans out of clay: “Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil, as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave, or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay?”
B. Reaction to “The Creation”
Prometheus: “he loved man more than the Olympians”
Victor: “miserable monster,” “workshop of filthy creation,” “I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet… His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing… [it] formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion, and straight black lips.”
2. Love for the creation vs. Contempt and disgust for the creation III. Point Two
A. Popular Stock Character of Science Fiction
1. No humanitarian intention
Dr. Faust & Victor. Selling the soul to the devil?
B. Use of Electricity in Modern Science
1. symbol of the “new science” in modern culture
2. Using the same “lifeless clay” but differing with the method of bringing life: Prometheus (breathe) / Victor (electricity)
“I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak… and so soon as the dazzling light vanished the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump… eagerly inquired of my father the nature and origin of thunder and lightning. He replied, “‘Electricity.’” -- Victor to Walton
C. Love for Humanity vs. Thirst for Knowledge
1. Prometheus’ gift to humanity: fire & sacrifice
2. Victor’s scientific discovery: an evolution yet a warning IV. Point Three
A. Sub point with possible twist :)= Possibly Relate to how Shelly herself called her novel the "Modern Prometheus"
Frankenstein Paper Outline
I. Introduction
A. Thesis:
Despite the popular notion that Victor is the “modern Prometheus,” Shelly’s depiction of Victor more closely resembles the stereotype of mad scientist, a stock character of many popular science fiction.
II. Point One
A. Minimal similarities between Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein
1. “Playing God” and incurring wrath of the God
2. Creation of humans out of clay: “Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil, as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave, or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay?”
B. Reaction to “The Creation”
Prometheus: “he loved man more than the Olympians”
Victor: “miserable monster,” “workshop of filthy creation,” “I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet… His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing… [it] formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion, and straight black lips.”
2. Love for the creation vs. Contempt and disgust for the creation
III. Point Two
A. Popular Stock Character of Science Fiction
1. No humanitarian intention
Dr. Faust & Victor. Selling the soul to the devil?
B. Use of Electricity in Modern Science
1. symbol of the “new science” in modern culture
2. Using the same “lifeless clay” but differing with the method of bringing life: Prometheus (breathe) / Victor (electricity)
“I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak… and so soon as the dazzling light vanished the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump… eagerly inquired of my father the nature and origin of thunder and lightning. He replied, “‘Electricity.’” -- Victor to Walton
C. Love for Humanity vs. Thirst for Knowledge
1. Prometheus’ gift to humanity: fire & sacrifice
2. Victor’s scientific discovery: an evolution yet a warning
IV. Point Three
A. Sub point with possible twist :)= Possibly Relate to how Shelly herself called her novel the "Modern Prometheus"