Downloaded 13 times
Uploaded byDr. Kaushal Desai
Mythological approach in "Frankenstein"
The document discusses the use of mythology in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It provides background on myths such as Prometheus, Narcissus, and Paradise Lost that influenced Shelley's novel. Specifically, Shelley incorporated the Promethean myth of creating humans and breaking natural rules, similar to Victor Frankenstein's innovative work. The novel also references the "modern Prometheus" in its subtitle. Mythology can be interpreted as a writer fitting the past into the present in a new way or as a repetition of history. Shelley presented mythology in a proper way in Frankenstein, writing science fiction that takes the novel to a higher level.
More Related Content
Similar to Mythological approach in "Frankenstein"
More from Dr. Kaushal Desai
Mythological approach in "Frankenstein"
- 1. Mythological approach IN FRANKENSTEIN MKBUDepartment of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 1
- 2. What is Myth? 2 MKBUDepartment of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014
- 3. Significance of myth •Myth are symbolic projections of people’s hope, values, fears & aspirations. • Mythos is a worldview-based traditional story or body of mythology. • In reality myth reflects more profound reality. • Study of myth reveals about the mind and character of people. MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 3
- 4. Myth of Prometheus •Greek Mythology • Prometheus created man and taught everything • Zeus kept fire from mankind and gave it to mankind • Give hope to the world MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 4
- 5. Myth of Narcissus •A tale told by Roman poet Ovid • Echo, a young girl falls in love with Narcissus • He was the son of a river • Narcissus unable to leave the beauty of his refection, and because of curse he died. • Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself. MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 5
- 6. Myth of ParadiseLost • As a Christian myth • John Milton takes this from Bible, Chapter 1 “Genesis” • A long epic in English literature • A tale that says, ‘fall of mankind’ MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 6
- 7. ‘Frankenstein’ & Mythology… • Shelleyincorporated a number of different sources into her work • Promethean myth from Ovid • John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ • S.T. Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient mariner’ • Victor Frankenstein’s innovative work of the Titan in creating humans as he break rules of Nature • The novel also uses subtitle ‘The modern Prometheus’ MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 7
- 8. ‘Frankenstein’ & Mythology… MKBU Departmentof English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 8
- 9. Interpretation of myth •Myth-past, present is what?? • A writer tries to fit the past in the present. In present the situation is different. • Is it the repetition of the history-past? In a new way? • Study of social ‘structure and the texture of the novel. Use of myth is retelling the story … MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 9
- 10. Quotes about myth “Mythare public dreams, Dreams are private myth.” ~ Joseph Campbell “Myth is neither a lie nor a confession it is a inflection.” ~ Roland Barthes “Myth convert history into nature.” ~ Roland Barthes MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 10
- 11. Conclusion Hence one cansay that in every culture has their own myth and here Marry Shelley has presented it very proper way and writes Sci-Fi that takes the charm of the novel a higher one. MKBU Department of English Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 11
- 12. MKBU Department ofEnglish Kaushal Desai 2/27/2014 12