Frankenstein,
and A Brave New World
By:
Greg Wasserman
College Now Course - SCI 1
A
dark laboratory, a mad scientist, these are the images we have of
the story of Frankenstein. Yet, Mary Shelly in her novel tells the
tale of the genius university student whose quest for knowledge creates
what is known to children of all ages as "Frankenstein".
The cinematic representation of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein,
in an effort to increase the value of science fiction, implored the
use of several themes and motifs, in order to send a message to the
viewer. These themes connect Mary Shelly's Frankenstein to
Albert Huxley's, A Brave New World.
As the story begins, we are set in a very cold and icy land. A
group of explorers are on a journey to a new world, when they come
across a man. Victor Frankenstein is in great distress as he tells
the men of the horror he endured. Victor was a very intelligent man;
his quest for knowledge knew no end. He attended University, and while
there he becomes particularly interested in the relationship between
electricity and the birth of life. With lab experiment gone awry,
he creates a creature that will cause the deterioration of his life.
The setting of a story has great influence on the reader, and even
more importance to a viewer of a movie rendition. At every point in
the movie, where life is given or taken away, lightning appears. It
is this motif that symbolizes the evil of man, and the horror he can
create. The story on which Frankenstein is influenced by, the
Creation story, uses lightning to symbolize death.
Another theme that is prevalent in Frankenstein is man's
desire and attempt to be omnipotent. Victor, in his journey for all
knowledge, creates a creature that is uncontrollable. This paradox
of science is what frightens scientists and politicians alike. Not
being able to control what we create will be the downfall of society
and discovery. This is the point where science becomes more of a risk
than a reward.
All of the themes in Frankenstein, however, are similar to
that of A Brave New World. Many years into the future, scientists
have figured a way to revolutionize childbirth, and eliminate the
maternal and paternal duties of reproduction. Those who reproduce
sexually are considered "savages". When a savage is brought
off the "reservation" and into the new world the conditions
lead him to suicide. The quest for discovery, and the need to make
society better leave both Victor and life in the "Brave New World"
undesirable. Societies have been reproducing using sexual intercourse
for millions of years. A Brave New World shows how we can destroy
years of scientific progress.
Both Mary Shelly and Albert Huxley used their literature, and eventually
the cinematic editions of their literature, to show how science can
adversely affect society. Science is a powerful entity, that if used
improperly or without understanding, dire consequences await. The
setting in both stories contributes to the delivery of the theme,
and provides the viewer insight into the realm of scientific possibilities
of the future.
