Compare/Contrast Essay

1. Examples of Compare/Contrast using The Phantom of the Opera Compare/Contrast Essay

2. Outline • When picking a subject, be specific don’t just write “Character” “Conflict” or “Theme” • Character The Outcast/Noble Savage (Phantom vs. creature) • Theme Danger of Obsession (Phantom/Christine, Frankenstein/Knowledge) • Conflict Man vs. Society (Phantom/Paris, creature/humanity)

3. Thesis Writing • Make your thesis specific! • Answer the question: What is the author/director’s message about your topic? • Direct your reader to your body paragraphs

4. Thesis (Outcast/Noble Savage) The 2005 film of The Phantom of the Opera and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein both depict creatures outcast from society because of their outward appearance. While Shelley’s creature tragically finds no sympathy in an uncaring humanity, the “opera ghost” is ultimately redeemed through the love he observes in others. Despite their differences, the author and director both seek to warn the audience of the vengeful and violent tendencies of the archetypical “outcast.”

5. Thesis (Danger of Obsession) Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein and the 2005 film Phantom of the Opera share the theme that obsession can be dangerous. While Frankenstein is obsessed with scientific achievement and the Phantom is obsessed with the innocence and beauty of a young opera singer, both obsessions lead to destruction of the world and people they love.

6. Thesis (Man v. Society) The phantom from the 2005 film The Phantom of the Opera and the creation from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein both react violently when society outcasts them for their grotesque outward appearances. The creation is more of a victim to society’s cruel actions, while the phantom manipulates and controls the society that rejected him.

7. Specific Evidence • Don’t use quotes to explain the plot • Don’t use scenes to explain the plot • Choosing good specific evidence will make you more likely to provide good analysis • Make sure you choose evidence that will prove authorial/directorial intensions

8. Specific Evidence- Outcast • Ch. 16 (Frankenstein) • “finding myself unsympathised with, wished to…spread havoc and destruction..” • Explain: The creation, finding no reason to follow the moral code of the humanity that rejected him, desired to destroy it. • The Pastoral Ballet v. Phantom’s solitude (PotO) • The phantom observes an audience watching the beautiful and light pastoral ballet from a dark and small room alone. • Explain: The phantom is not invited to join the audience or the society in enjoying beauty and innocence; therefore disrupts the innocence of the ballet with a violent murder.

9. Specific Evidence- Obsession • Ch. 24 (Frankenstein) • “I was cursed by some devil and carried with me eternal hell” • Explain: Victor does not learn from his obsession, instead lets it consume him and ultimately leads to his own demise. • The music monkey (PotO) • In our last glimpse of the phantom, he is seen singing with a musical box, clapping childishly along. • Explain: The phantom lets go of his obsession and we see him return to the innocence of a child, reclaiming his humanity.

10. Significance • Serves as your concluding sentence to each paragraph • Look at all of your evidence • What are the patterns? • What are the director/author saying because of similarities? • What are the director/author saying because of the differences?

11. Specific Evidence- Outcast • Ch. 16 (Frankenstein) • “finding myself unsympathised with, wished to…spread havoc and destruction..” • Explain: The creation, finding no reason to follow the moral code of the humanity that rejected him, desired to destroy it. • The Pastoral Ballet v. Phantom’s solitude (PotO) • The phantom observes an audience watching the beautiful and light pastoral ballet from a dark and small room alone. • Explain: The phantom is not invited to join the audience or the society in enjoying beauty and innocence; therefore disrupts the innocence of the ballet with a violent murder.

12. Significance- Outcast • Shelley and Schumacher both depict the outcast as a dangerous force. The rejection and hate the outcast feels from society are destined to be turned back toward that society, possibly in violence or destruction. Shelley and Schumacher’s warning expresses that if society would be more accepting of those that are different, this destruction could be avoided.

13. Specific Evidence- Obsession • Ch. 24 (Frankenstein) • “I was cursed by some devil and carried with me eternal hell” • Explain: Victor does not learn from his obsession, instead lets it consume him and ultimately leads to his own demise. • The music monkey (PotO) • In our last glimpse of the phantom, he is seen singing with a musical box, clapping childishly along. • Explain: The phantom lets go of his obsession and we see him return to the innocence of a child, reclaiming his humanity.

14. Significance- Obsession • Although the fate of both Victor and the phantom are tragic, the phantom is afforded a more honorable ending. Because the phantom lets go of his obsession, he becomes a more sympathetic character than Victor. Shelley’s Victor is relentless in his obsession to show his complete decay, while the phantom is ultimately saved from this decay and afforded the innocence Victor could never find.

15. Works Cited • We’re doing this crud together!! • Centered, top, 12 pt, Times New Roman: Works Cited • DO NOT UNDERLINE OR BOLD • Make sure it is double spaced and press enter ONCE

16. Works Cited • For Frankenstein(exactly like this) Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2003. Print

17. Works Cited (IMDB it fools) • For movie: Director Last Name, Director First Name. Title of Film. Production Company Name, Year. Film. • Example: Lucas, George, dir. Star Wars: A New Hope. Twentieth Century Fox, 1977. Film.

18. Organize • Alphabetize by director/author last name • Indent all but the first line • View Ruler • Highlight titles • Pull bottom (box) one inch over • Pull top (downward triangle) back to line up with page

19. Citing In-Text • Frankenstein • If you have a book (Author pg. #) • According to Shelley “the creature was sad” (Shelley 15). • If you are doing online (Author Ch. #) • Shelley showed “the creature’s misery” (Shelley Ch. 10). • Film (Director’s last name) • Lucas uses lighting and shadow to depict light and dark.