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Join our book group for a lively discussion of "Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus" by Mary Shelley.
A monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator. Includes illustrated notes throughout the text explaining the historical background of the story.
Since its publication in 1818, has never been out of print, and, second only to Bram Stoker's Dracula , has enjoyed the widest media adaptations. Victor Frankenstein , working with salvaged body parts, succeeds in animating his creation, but its appalling visage so disgusts the scientist that he abandons it immediately. The creature suffers dreadfully; all his attempts at human contact are brutally rebuffed. When Victor realizes that his monster is responsible for a series of murders of his loved ones, he agrees to meet with his creation, who demands that Victor craft a companion for him. After Victor reneges on his promise, the result ensures doom.
How does the ego-driven scientific experimentation equate with concern for the sanctity of life?
Does Victor's compulsion to create a human entity make him a "tragic hero"? ~Nancy Pearl