Sarah Snyder

English 12 College Ready

Frankenstein Analysis

The story of Frankenstein conveys a dramatic conflict of nature and acceptance in both

the mediums of written work and play. Using the focal point of the nameless monsters change

and figuring out the world could be well understood through both. In the beginning of the play,

the monster is just born, using lights and long scene conveying how he learns to move. In the

book, this is not focused on as much, as his main focus ends up being learning everything from

others, trying to integrate into society. Though, ultimately, he does not by the end of both the

book and the play. Some of the aspects of the book do not carry on well into the play. One

example would be when Frankenstein creates a partner for the monster. In the book, Frankenstein

feels as if he must be completely isolated, departing to Scotland. Though, in the play, it does not

seem like the scientist has left, and even though the monster is close by, he does not destroy his

creation right then. The monster, being so close during this scene, is not the exact way it seems to

be in the book. Another aspect of the play, is that the camera pans and uses lights in a less

dynamic way when characters are having a discussion. One example would be when

Frankenstein is talking to Elizabeth when she is accusing him of possibly having an affair. The

atmosphere seems more empty, like how it is in the book. Though in the play, the scene seems to

switch focus depending on who is speaking because of its excessive use of panning cameras.

Again, this is a feature that cannot be used in written work in the same way. However, the book

tends to keep the focus the same for characters when they are in the same scene as each other.

For instance, when the monster is crying over Frankensteins dead body. All characters in the

scene can be seen for most if that part. The book, being the original, sets up the premise of the

story, and not all mediums can be followed as closely to a book. Directors of such plays and
productions have freedom to change what they want to in comparison to written work. In this

play version of Frankenstein, it seems more obvious where the director had decided to create

changes in comparison. For example, there is a direct scene where the monster rapes Elizabeth,

whereas in the book, it is only implied by how her body is found.

Overall, the book made a breakthrough in literature, showing the true trials of coming to

be influenced and accepted, even trying so hard, even though the monster was very different. He

was influenced through different works of literature and also by the people around him. He tries

to be helpful, but is always misunderstood. This is conveyed equally through both the play and

the book. Both emphasize the changes the monster went through, even showcasing his fits of

rage and murder out of frustration. He knows very well that Victor did not mean to create him, as

Victor considers him a monstrosity, so he seeks to damage Victors life. Concluding, the book

and play both had changes, but they both show the process of the monsters insanity and why the

story is still considered important today and is so popular.