Shaun30NotPerfectJust4given's blog: "Blogs for thought"

This is an older blog I wrote that's a bit out of the realm of the subjects I usually write about. But, I wanted to post something fresh so that you all don't think that "Faith" and "God" is all I write about. Although the second half of this blog does deal with the underlying,but, undeniable themes of God and faith in the novel "Frankenstein", which can't be ignored. So I hope you all enjoy it.And, as always, comments are appreciated.God bless:)

I've read the novel countless times(the first time I read it, it took me about 5 hrs straight lol.But, I could not put it down.) It's, by far, my favorite book. To many people, it's just a horror story. But, to those who enjoy exploring the deeper and more obscure meanings in literature and film, it's much more than that.It's a love story(a rather, tumultuous love story between Victor and Elizabeth because of Victor's unhealthy obsession with creating life which causes him to distance himself further and further away from her,his family and closest friends.I think this causes resentment on their part-Understandably so and concern for Victor's health(mentally,physically and spiritually). It's a story about politics, about women's right's in the 18th century, and ethics, among other things. But,above all and, in my opinion, the most significant, it's a moral story about the consequences of playing God and it asks a very good question-who is the REAL monster and who is the man?Most would say "The monster is the Creature,of course!". But, if that is what you think, you've completely missed the entire point. A monster is one who takes it apon himself to play God by attempting to create life. And, when he realizes the abomination he has created, abandons his creation, leaving it to die. Which,of course, it doesn't and ends up teaching his creator the error of his ways by destroying everything he loves most in the world. Not because this creation is evil. But, because he is angry at his creator who abandoned him.Forcing him to wander aimlessly and alone into a world he doesn't understand and that detests him because he,himself, is not understood. So, he does the only thing he knows how to survive- use his self preservation instincts. Which,results in the deaths of many innocent people. But, this is not the Creature's fault. The fault falls on Frankenstein who, instead of taking responsibility for his actions by educating what he has created or destroying it,once he realizes what he's created is capable of if he is allowed to live, he flees in terror . I'd even go as far as to say that Frankenstein is an "allegory":A fictional story intended to teach a moral lesson. And I have yet to see a film that really does it justice. But, this is the closest I have ever seen. And of all the networks to get it right--Hallmark. Go figure, haha! This is the best role I ever seen Luke Goss in(Most of you know him best for his role as "Prince Nuada" in "Hellboy: The Golden Army").He fit the description of the Creature PERFECTLY-his look-His long,jet-black,stringy hair, his translucent skin that appeared to barely cover his muscle structure and tendons. And he even nailed the Creature's personality-In the book,the Creature is very smart,articulate and, even, kind. (in earlier adaptations,he's portrayed as an ignorant mute).It's societies misunderstanding of him because of his appearance that leads him to commit his crimes. Crimes committed out of his own self preservation, rather than malice. Which, adds another element to the story-discrimination.(I think discrimination,in particular is what Shelley wanted people to focus on in her novel. Because,in the time she was living in, women were discriminated against in many ways.She even had to publish her novel under a male pseudonym because she felt that her novel would not be taken seriously if people knew it was written by a woman). 

Anyway,I digress. Unlike most films I've seen in the past that depict the Creature as a remorseless and, even, ignorant monster, Luke Goss shows that the Creature has intelligence,feelings and remorse. Which made it easier to empathize with the Creature than all the other movies because he shows a lot more remorse for his crimes and he commits them accidentally. I used to think that Kenneth Brannaugh's interpretation was the best. But,now, the more I see it, I get more and more disappointed and realize, it's actually an insult to the novel in many ways. It starts off as one of the closest adaptations of the book. That is, until Victor re-animates Elizabeth(talk about "over-kill".Or is that the right term? "over re-animate"? whatever lol) At that point, I think it defeats everything I love about the story and, what I think, was Shelley's moral point of the story.(Which is why I think "Bride of Frankenstein" in 1935 was a disgrace to the novel as well). When Victor Re-animates Elizabeth in Kenneth Brannaughs version, it makes it seem as if Victor didn't learn his lesson the first time. And what happened to Henry at the end of Brannaugh's version? What they should have done was scrap the "re-animating Elizabeth" idea and focus more on Henry's part of the story and what happened to him instead of just having him suddenly disappear at the end because he played a much bigger part in the novel than he did in Kenneth Brannaugh's movie. This movie, however, did the novel the justice it deserves.Too bad it was just a mini-series and not a major motion picture.Because Luke Goss' performance was spot on and definitely Oscar worthy. As was the movie,itself :) 

On a personal note- From a Theological stand-point, I think my favorite thing about this films portrayal of the novel is that, although, the Creature knows very little about God(or anything,for that matter)-only what he learns from listening to the Delacey's- I thought it was very moving how he, frequently, acknowledges God and talks to Him. Some of the most "intelligent" people in the world are, in fact, ignorant by refusing to acknowledge God. Simply because God can't be measured or quantified in our limited,human intellect because it is too finite to comprehend and grasp such an incredible concept. This doesn't mean God doesn't exist. It just means we haven't discovered a way to prove that to most people without a shadow of a doubt. I believe that it is our inability to understand that notion is OUR handicap. Physical handicaps are trivial because the body wont last forever(I'm in a wheelchair and I am still very intellegent and articulate. No one understands this idea more than people in my situation). The only true handicap is in the heart and spirit because the spirit is what lives on forever. Einstein once made a statement acknowledging the existence of the soul based on the fact that everything is made from energy. And energy never dies. It, simply, changes form. 

I know it sounds like I am getting off subject. But,what I am getting at is that as young as the Creature is(less than a year old),even he appears to understand this. It's like the bible verse that talks about "The faith of a child". The Creature is, essentially, a newborn child. Which is, actually, beneficial to him. Because, everything is new and fascinating to him. It's this innocence that allows him to think freely without any influence from anyone dictating and telling him what to believe and not believe. He chooses for himself. It's ironic that such a young mind can comprehend and show so much insight and, yet,through out history,despite the vast knowledge these men of science have learned about the universe, some STILL refuse to admit that the complexity and design of the universe could not exist without an intelligent designer. For some,it's because they are pressured by the world's growing disbelief in God due to new discoveries that,in their mind, is proof that God doesn't exist and is just a myth. For others, it's just the fear of going against what the world has accepted as "the norm" and they don't have the courage to stand for what they believe to be true. Sadly,this is still the case in society today. We are told what to believe and not believe. And if we challenge what we are taught by practicing our own faith, we are, often mocked for it.Even punished for it. It breaks my heart everytime I hear something on the news of a student being chastised for praying or reading the bible in school.(they are even, legally, punished for it in many cases. Which,in my opinion is a direct violation of the Constitution). Anyway,this is what I, personally, get out of the story.I don't expect everyone to agree with me.Just respect my POV.God bless:)