APEngLangper711-12

Many critics at the time of Frankenstein's publication classified the work as a Gothic novel. However, by the time the 19th century came, many critics focused on the Prometheanism of Dr. Frankenstein. He lead to his own self-destruction.

"A 17-year-old with the mentality of a child of three, Hauser was reeducated over the next five years, regaining many of the faculties that had been stunted by extreme social and sensory deprivation, to the point where he could communicate verbally although his speech was substandard."

Feral children are, "Lost or abandoned human children raised in extreme social isolation, either surviving in the wild through their own efforts or "adopted" by animals"

This article demonstrates the ability for a parentless individual to be rehabilitated. Feral children are children who have raised themselves or animals raise. They have no or little connection to humans. Likewise, Victor abandons the monster and leaves the monster to raise itself. This shows that if Victor tried to teach the monster compassion that the monster would never have resorted to extremes. The article would support an essay including the irresponsibility of Victor towards the monster

Research conducted at Newcastle University suggests that Dr. Frankenstein's character is based off of Shelley's medical mentor, Dr. James Lind. Dr. Lind experimented with the muscle movements of dead frogs, pushing boundaries in science that were considered scandalous during the time period.

This article suggests that Mary Shelley's novel is symbolic of the emotions that are intolerable and often rejected. The monster supposedly represents feelings that are constantly repressed and only manifest further when ignore.

"Social scientists agree that loneliness stems from the subjective experience of deficiencies in social relationships and that these deficiencies are unpleasant, aversive, and exceptionally common."

"Attempts to change one's social relationships are active coping strategies wherein feelings of loneliness motivate people to form new relationship ties... Attempts to reduce the importance of social relationships or engage in diversionary activities are passive coping strategies that often do little to alleviate loneliness"

This article discusses isolation, the causes of isolation, the effects of isolation, and how one copes with social isolation. In Frankenstein, the monster feels inferior to humans when they scream and beat him. This isolation influences the monsters mental state and his outlook on the world around him. As a result, he fixates on Victor in order to cope. This essay would support an essay on isolation or the connection between Victor and his creature.

"Functional MRI's - those that allow a view of the live brain in action - show that lonely people have different neural responses to viewing positive images of other people"

"Cacioppo's research has shown that lonely people have more "micro-awakenings" during sleep, leading to greater fatigue, which in turn can affect cognitive thinking"

This article examines isolation as a health issue. This article presents information from respected scientists indicating the detrimental effects of isolation on individuals. Isolation corrupts cognitive thinking. Throughout Frankenstein, this corruption of thinking is evident in the monster's changing outlooks toward humanity from admiration to hate. This article would support an essay discussing the main theme of isolation.

Sherwin suggests that because the creation of Frankenstein was a sin against nature, he can only be destined for one disaster after another. He recognizes that in a few chapters, Shelley promotes sympathy for the monster and his inability to overcome his inevitably unfortunate destiny.

Bill Phillip's article illustrates Mary Shelley's concern for the state of the natural world. Many of the the romantic elements of the novel reflect a respect for nature. The way she describes nature as a sanctuary for Victor and as a hell for the monster showcase her desire to preserve the natural order of the world.

This article discusses conditions of Chinese orphanages and the case of certain children who die due to a lack of attention and human contact. This shows how crucial a role social contact plays in child development, making the monster's violent reaction to Victor's abuse understandable. 

"Social isolation has been found to be a significant risk factor for many health problems and is a particular health issue for the elderly"

"When applied to individuals, social isolation refers to a lack of social ties in general"

This article discusses social isolation in individuals. The article gives a basic overview about what social isolation and what can cause it. Social insolation leads to numerous detrimental effects which is also evident in Frankenstein. The monster feels hate and fear from humanity which drives him to murderous deeds. This article would support an essay on isolation.

Many students when reading Frankenstein overlook the point of view of the monster. However, the at various points throughout the novel, the monster is made to seem as the victim of the situation. There is irony in the idea that the monster who physically resembles evil, may have a better heart than Victor.

This article discusses how social isolation hinders one's ability to cognitively function on a normal level. Studies have been done showing that those who interact socially for 10 minutes before a test out-perform those who do mental exercises such as crosswords. By isolating himself, Victor faced the psychological effects described in this article.

This source shows how related the character of Victor and Walton in the themes of isolation. It also taks about their irresponsibilty and the chaos of their lives. Thus their structures are paralle

This source shows the doppelganger between the monster and Victor as they are doubles of each other. One of their connections is the fact that both are isolated and cannot communicate with society. This leads to the theme of isolation.

"As textile factories and iron mills increased production with advanced machinery and technology, the working classes grew restive and increasingly alarmed by jobs that seemed insecure because a worker could be replaced by machines"

"Victor's inquisitive nature causes his emotional and physical peril because he cannot balance his intellectual and social interactions. For instance, when he leaves home to attend the University of Ingolstadt, he immerses himself in his experiment and forgets about the family who lovingly supported him throughout his childhood"

This article provides a detailed overview of the novel. It also provides an overview of the themes including alienation or isolation. This example could be used as support for the basic theme.

"However, the migrants were no longer obsequiously dependent on agriculture or domestic service for livelihood, nor were their lives and limbs endangered because of political agitation. They were free to support racial uplift organizations and programs."

" Blacks were becoming less rural and more urban and aggressive. The social energies that fueled postwar activism had been built virtually out of sight of mainstream America."

This article provides historical background for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950's and 1960's. The article explains the influence of the postwar era and other factors that engender and affected the movement. The article provides additional insight into the society dictated position of blacks in American culture and racism throughout the society. This article puts the autobiography, Malcolm X, into greater historical context. The article would be beneficial for an essay discussing oppression and the black's fight to attain equality.

"Southern blacks considered a move to the north as a step toward economic independence and a better life in a region of the country where they believed they might be treated more fairly."

This article provides historical background for the 1930's time period in which the novel, Invisible Man, takes place. The article provides additional insight into the society dictated position of blacks in American culture and racism throughout the society. This novel puts the book into greater historical context.

Talks about how difficult it is for black women in modern days even with all the succes that blacks have achived. Gives light to the situation that Malcolms mother went through trying to rasie her children as a single mother with little to no income.

"Oklahoma-a rogue state of sorts, Southern in geography, but not slaveholding-gave mixed messages to the young Ellison"

This source discusses the background of Ralph Ellison, and his upbringing and how it shaped the way he wrote "Invisible Man". The source shows how his childhood and experiences make the novel have themes and topics still relevant today.

This helps show the rebirth of Malcolm X as he begins to understand the world around him and embrace his past. It also explains the theme of chaos vs. order for out of the chaos of prison comes the order of his new principles.