Why is Frankenstein such a popular text? Essay -- English Literature

Why is Frankenstein such a popular text?Frankenstein is a science whollyegory novel written by Mary Shelley duringthe time of the Romantic Movement. It has remained popular ever sinceit was send-off published and still sells well today, with many reprintsof the book since the first edition.One of the main characters of the story and probably the almost(in)famous, Frankensteins monster, has become an icon of all that ismonstrous and wrong. The story has been adapted and interpreted manytimes all in different ways, causing the monster and the stereotypicalview of him to become intertextual. The most popular and wellrecognised representation of the monster and the one that most peoplewould attempt to draw for you if you asked them what he looked like,is that of a huge green man with bolts coming out of the side of hisneck and a flat, broad head. This was created for exposure by BorisKarloff as his interpretation of what the monster should look like. Hewould typically move very labo riously, with his arms outstretched asif chasing something. His speech is slow and primitive.This, however, is not the true Frankensteins monster as described inthe book, but one created for television and primarily the cinema, asthe book centred more on the issues and moral conflicts when relationswith such a creature, whereas cinema and the media tend to concentratemore on the action and thrilling sides of the story. Various otherrepresentations of the monster, including characters in televisionfilms such as The Adams Family and The Munsters, as well in comicssuch as The Incredible Hulk and The Fantastic Four, have occurredthroughout the twentieth century, causing the image of the acceptedmonster to becom... ...xtent of what theis doing as sees that the lengths he is willing to go to are notacceptable or justified at all. This culminates two stories, that ofFrankensteins adventure and Captain Waltons broad the reader anincreased feeling of cathagy.In conclusion, the two reason s I believe to be why Frankenstein hasremained such a popular text area. That the cardinal theme of the story and the issues and situationsthe arise throughout it are becoming more and more relevant ineveryday society so people put up relate to the story andb. That it is the first true science fiction story ever and so hasbeen promoted as such that it has grabbed everyones attention. Thereare probably a number of stories quite similar and perhaps of evenbetter quality than Mary Shelleys work but few people have heard ofthem and so they remain in Frankensteins shadow.