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Exploring Frankenstein: Modern Genetics & Literary Brothers

Dive into the interdisciplinary approach of Frankenstein and its relation to modern genetics, Prometheus, Paradise Lost, and Dr. Faustus. Study the evolution of chimeras, Dr. Jekyll's duality, and ethical responsibilities in creation.

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Exploring Frankenstein: Modern Genetics & Literary Brothers

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  1. Comenius – European countries learning together TOPIC 2005/2006: Local Celebrities Frankenstein and modern genetics: an interdisciplinary approach

  2. Frankenstein and its literary brothers and sisters Prometheus, Paradise Lost, Dr. Faustus

  3. Prometheus : • Crafted man out of clay in shape of the Gods • Brought fire (wisdom) to mankind • Was punished for his failure by the Gods

  4. Paradise Lost : • Basically about the Fall of Man, Satan, and the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden • Adam and Eve gain autonomy by disobedience • Punishment is expulsion and freedom both done by God

  5. Dr. Faustus • Is concerned with the intellectual fall of Germany in the time leading up to World War II • In exchange for knowledge and abilities Faustus makes a commitment to the devil • Punishment is disease and the lost of his soul

  6. Island of Dr. Moreau Dr. Moreau tries to create perfect life chimera (half human – half animal) escalation: Beasts become agressive Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Dr. Jekyll wants to seperate the good and the evil side of his personality by mixing a potion -> Mr. Hyde escalation: Dr. Jekyll becomes schizophrenic Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:its literary brothers and sisters (2)

  7. Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:its literary brothers and sisters (2) Jurassic Park • scientists recreate dinosaurs from DNA trapped in amber • escalation: dinosaurs get out of control

  8. Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:its literary brothers and sisters (2) Similarities: • creation of new (perfect) life • experiment escalates

  9. Brave New World Mass-production of children Takes place in the future Abolition of warfare and poverty Several inventions Frankenstein Creation of an individuum Takes place at the end of the 18th century Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:its literary brothers and sisters (3) Scientific Progress

  10. Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:genesis

  11. Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:genesis • Holiday  bad weather  everyone writes a horror story • Name of a castle near the Rhine

  12. Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein:genesis • Story of alchemist Johann Konrad Dippel and his monster • The story takes place in Ingolstadt  famous University for medicine

  13. Frankenstein & Ingolstadt

  14. Why Ingolstadt? reasons: • Mary Shelley read German horror stories • Bavarias first university (1472); one of the most influential in German-speaking area

  15. own experimental-building • the brotherhood of the Illuminati • Shelley‘s husband was a member of them

  16. Ingolstadt some time around 1632

  17. „Alte Anatomie“

  18. Frankenstein: ethics of creationapproach to knowledge • Industrial revolution  better education and progress in science • Intelligence  self-confidence (arrogance)  ability to create new life  desire to obtain divine status  experiment! • Critique: death of e.o. who is dear to Victor  feels more and more powerless

  19. Lack of responsibility1. Of the educator • Teachers (Geneva): Dismissing V.‘s interest in arcane knowledge instead of explaining it‘s dangers • Father and M. Krempe: alchemy = nonsense • M. Waldman: "promised impossibilities and performed nothing" • Educators (university - Ingolstadt): failed in identifying V.‘s dangerous knowledge, interest and plans

  20. Lack of responsibility2. Of the creator • Lack of judgement  misshapen being • No responsibility for his own creation • Fear  avoids the creature • Mary Shelly: avoiding the responsibilities  destruction of oneself and others. Conclusion: no condemnation of science, knowledge and creation but: Balance between ethical responsibility and scientific creativity!!!

  21. Frankenstein and the modern world • Frankenstein complex: colloquial term for the fear of robots; people fear that robots will either replace them or dominate them. • Frankenfood: A genetically altered food, especially a fruit or vegetable • Videogames: Frankenstein as a major boss or a regular enemy

  22. Frankenstein and the modern world • Frankenstein books and comic books • Franken Berry: member of the line of monster-themed high-sugar breakfast cereals; it contains strawberry-flavoured corn cereal bits and marshmallows • The Frankenstein papers: Fred Saberhagen retells Shelley's story from the creature's point of view

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