Build an analytic argument on the Frankenstein 1931 film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Romantic gothic fiction Frankenstein

Use MHRA style guide
Plan:

Intro

• Intro to the Adaptation +
  novel – highlight their significance in lit + cinema, emphasizing their
  portrayal of Gothic elements => Introduce the original critical
  argument early on
• Overview of Gothic Aesthetics
  in Lit & film – Define Gothic Romantic fiction – outlining its key
  characteristics in lit, including elements of terror/horror, gothic
  aesthetics/atmosphere/eerie settings, the sublime?

Body

1. Examination of Gothic
   Aesthetics in the novel
1. explore how
   Shelley’s use of descriptive lang, settings, imagery to create a Gothic
   atmosphere – ‘novel’s emphasis on the natural world, its vivid portrayal
   of the icy tundra, Gothic symbolism surrounding the moon contribute
   significantly to its Gothic ambiance’ > elaborate on the improtance of
   Shelley’s use of light/moonlight
2. Discuss specific examples
   from the novel that exemplify Gothic elements, emphasizing their impact
   on the reader’s experience

1. Comparison of Gothic
   aesthetics betw novel + film
1. Contrast
   portrayal of Gothic elements in the novel w their representation in the
   adaptation
2. Analyze how cinematic
   techniques such as lighting, set design, character portrayals, mise en
   scene, differ from Shelley’s written descriptions (yet treat the film as
   a piece of art) -> ‘The film employs cinematic techniques such as
   lighting, set design, character portrayals to create a Gothic ambiance.
   However, the constraints and visual interpretations inherence in
   filmmaking lead to deviations from Shelley’s detailed descriptions,
   altering the overall Gothic atmosphere’ -> focus on what the film can
   do well/better/differently as well as where it differs

1. Atmosphere creation in both
1. Discuss how both
   generate an atmosphere of terror/horror, unease through their respective
   use of Gothic elements – i.e – moon = symbolic of..? Push analysis and
   explain the effect/impact of the symbolism, -> do film and novel use
   different combinations of terror and horror/use terror and horror
   differenly? If so, what are the effects of these choices and changes?
2. Highlight similarities +
   differences in the emotional impact on the audience/reader  -> ‘Shelley’s written descriptions,
   meticulously crafted, iactivate readers’ imaginations, whereas Whale’s
   adaptation, through its visual and auditory elements, evokes similar
   emotions (elaborate on which emotions), albeit through a different
   medium. – refer to some instances

1. Adherence + deviation from
   gothic conventions
1. Evaluate how
   closely both works adhere to traditional gothic conventions
1. Shelley –
   detailed descriptions
2. Whales – deviates to suit
   the visual medium of the film, expanding + sometimes altering Gothic
   elements to fit the constraints + cinematic standards. This deviation,
   while necessary for filmic storytelling, alters the nuances of the
   Gothic ambiance portrayed in the novel
2. Analyze instances where the
   adaptation deviates or expands upon the Gothic elements present in the og
   novel

1. Counterarguments +
   limitations
1. Address potential
   counterarguments, such as differences in mediums (lit vs film) impacting
   the portrayal of Gothic aesthetics, & the adaptation’s need to
   conform to cinematic standards
1. Novel – affords
   detailed descriptions & internal monologues
2. Film – relies on visual
   cues, actor performances, influencing the portrayal of Gothic elements
1. Cinematic
   constraints might necessitate alterations that deviate from the og
   source material => elaborate on HOW gothic aesthetics are
   differently developed in these different mediums -> think of the
   film as ‘deviating from the novel’

Conclusion

1. Summary of comparative
   analysis
1. Recap the main
   points regarding similarities + differences in – use of Gothic aesthetics
   + atmosphere betw novel & adaptation
2. Reflection on significance +
   impact
1. Discuss
   significance of these differences + similarities in enhancing portrayal
   of Romantic Gothic fiction in both mediums
3. Closing statement
1. End w a
   reflection on the enduring legacy + effectiveness of Gothic elements in
   shaping perception + impact on both novel + movie