Video

Frankenstein and Film
Research Project: English 250

Comparing the Text to the Visual Adaptations

Directions: This is the page where you will begin your research.

First, read the entire page, including the text file that includes the selected quotes from the novel.

Second, view each of the video clips by clicking on the links. (If you have difficulty viewing these files, you may want to utilize the computer lab on campus which should give you a faster feed.)

Third, begin to determine which option you will choose:

Focusing on the “alive” scenes in Frankenstein and at least one film
adaptation.
Focusing on the narrative frame of Frankenstein and at least one film
adaptation.
Choosing another research topic related in some way to the assignments
in the course.

Remember, whichever option you choose, this is only your first step in the research. You need to determine a thesis and do additional traditional and online research to complete your project.

Here is a link to Writing about Adaptations, a web site with tips that might help in your project.

Electronic Text:
Chapters 4 & 5

Choice #1: "It's Alive" Please reread Chapters 4 and 5 of the novel. Pay close attention to the descriptions and the details Mary Shelley gives as to Dr. Frankenstein's creation of life.

Then, view each of the clips below. (If you have difficulty viewing these files, you may want to utilize the computer lab on campus which should give you a faster feed.)

Karloff "Alive" Link

Young Frankenstein
"Alive" Link

Branagh "Alive"
Link

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Choice #2: "Framing the Narrative" Mary Shelley frames her narrative with letters from Robert Walton to his sister, Margaret. Walton's letters provide Shelley with a realistic vehicle through which to convey her fantastic tale. Please reread the opening letters as well as the letters that close the novel. Consider how well Shelley creates verisimilitude with this narrative device.

Then, view each of the clips below. Consider how a similar technique is used in film. (If you have difficulty viewing these files, you may want to utilize the computer lab on campus which should give you a faster feed.)

Electronic Text:
Preface
Last Chapter

Bride of Frankenstein
Opening Scene

Young Frankenstein
Opening Scene

Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein
Opening Scene

Choice #3: "Choose your own topic" You may choose to write about one of the other works of fiction we have read during the semester, or a combination of two or more. You can look into adaptation, narrative structure, theme, or whatever fits your interests. Make sure to write a convincing proposal, however, that will adequately determine the viability of the project.

Remember, viewing these clips should serve as a start to your research and a way to help you to narrow down a thesis. Your next step is to determine whether you will prepare an individual research paper or work as part of a small group on a PowerPoint presentation. (Please see the Research site for an explanation of these choices.)

Then, you will prepare a written Proposal which will outline your project and list your group members, if applicable. You will include a working thesis, rough outline of the main points you would like to cover, and attach a working bibliography of outside sources you intend to investigate.

You should plan to spend several hours exploring the multimedia presentation and various outside sources before preparing the proposal. (Each member of a group will prepare a separate proposal explaining that member's particular assigned roles.)

Finally, after the research paper or PowerPoint presentation is complete, each student will have at least five minutes to present some of his or her findings to the class. (Please see the Oral Presentation site for more information.)

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Prepared by Lynda Hall

Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866

lhall@chapman.edu