Everything you need to know to read "Frankenstein" - Iseult Gillespie

View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/everything-...
In 1815, Lord Byron proposed a challenge to a few literary guests he had gathered in his house on Lake Geneva: Who could write the most chilling ghost story? This question sparked an idea in eighteen-year-old Mary Shelley who, over the next few months, crafted the story of “Frankenstein.” Iseult Gillespie shares everything you need to know to read Mary Shelley’s classic novel.
Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, animation by Silvia Prietov.

[@Entropic_Alloy]

I don't understand why people are so adamant about how Victor's flaw is his "playing god". Reading the text shows how Victor's inability to take responsibility for his creation and subsequent shunning of the monster that he made was more of a downfall than the act of creation itself. The monster was highly intelligent and yearned for affection, but was consequently spurned from it by even his own creator. To me Frankenstein isn't a statement about being wary of science, but a cautionary tale of taking responsibility for your actions when searching for the sublime.

[@SanderGoldman]

I was going to say exactly this. It seems like the "Playing god" moral is the lesson Victor learned from this, but its not the one the book is teaching us. It seemed pretty clear that everything would have been completely fine if he had just not abandoned the monster, or if he had had a little forethought given it a body that wasnt so ugly that everyone in the world wants to hurt it. Every awful thing the monster did was a result of his treatment by others, not of his creation.

[@EagleZtoTheGrave]

I don't think its about being wary of science, or at least that's not the statement she tried to make. But be careful how you use it, some lines shouldn't be crossed, at the very least if you don't know what you're doing.

[@mr.monkey5931]

neoepochx Thank you! I was beginning to think no one understood the story.

[@LegoCookieDoggie]

The monster was victor's child more than just him and he failed to understand what it meant to be a father.

[@Lorem_ipsum_dolor_sit_amet]

That was my take away from the text too. "I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy one I will indulge the other."

[@handsometonyng]

Shelley finished one of the greatest novels of human history when she was 18. when I was 18, oh well, let's not talk about it

[@ameliebesst8950]

It’s okay, they were all stoners at 18 too

[@dv3034]

@@ameliebesst8950 ded 😂😂😂

[@dhivaansalig6398]

18 was basically middle-aged at the time. You can still accomplish anything you want now or later.

[@yumeko8838]

To be fair, Mary Shelley grew up in a erudite household.

[@nozecone]

@Austin Cronkhite I would have thought that being 'erudite' has much more to do with having made use of the 'intellectual opportunity' available rather than just having it available - after all, look at how widespread internet access is - has 'erudition' been enhanced accordingly? Mary Shelley, as I recall, grew up in an unusually-intellectual environment, for her time or ours.

[@jwilham]

so... i take it she won the contest?

[@gnanay8555]

Just came from wiki to make sure : that's wrong, there's 80 years between the two books :(

[@maddie9602]

@Gna Nay Probably should have fact-checked that before posting, but I was too lazy. Thanks for the correction.

[@DavidRodriguez-ux5ye]

aegideus it's not Dracula is the book who inspired Dracula

[@allen8376]

I'm also very curious about what did the guy who proposed the challenge wrote, and after about 40 min of research (most articles merely mentioned his name), I finally found out that it seems like he, and others who he challenged, gave up midway through writing. Where I found this information: blog.oup.com/2016/06/byron-ghost-story-competition/

[@gnanay8555]

Thanks for the info :D

[@schizoidboy]

I always liked how in the book the monster is highly intelligent, he is practically self taught by watching those around him in secret.

[@primavera3989]

Soooo, we're trapped in a house without Wi-Fi. Let's kill time by writing literary masterpieces :)

[@LongTran-yv2nq]

"trapped in a house without Wi-Fi" Modern day horror story right there.

[@bubbly7137]

Long Tran haha lol

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Long Tran Good one!

[@franknblunt]

For sure; I don't give much if any attention to television commercials but there was a somewhat appealing one that put this very issue to decent use.

[@phzzydrinks2325]

I wanna make a group chat and see how a the story goes. Like, give a starting sentence and go crazy.

[@MiguelEscobar2]

The book actually never directly states that Victor uses electricity to bring his monster to life. This misconception was created in movies since the book never explains how Victor brought his monster to life.

[@Evil_Teddy]

Exactly, in fact Victor is very cautious about dispensing such knowledge to others, so as not to have others end up as he.

[@michaeljpatrick]

Also the book never says anything about stitching together body parts. "I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter". Lifeless is not the same as dead. A corpse is dead. A chunk of clay is lifeless. He did dig up graves, but so did real world people who wanted to discover anatomy at a time when it was difficult to come upon subjects to study. Nowhere does it say that the corpses were used as parts for his creation. He states in the book that he had to scale the body up so large because he couldn't work on the tiny parts very easily. So the creation was much larger than a standard human. If he had used regular sized human parts they would have fit together in generally normal human proportions. It doesn't make sense to assume that he found an extra large heart, liver, spleen, etc. Most likely he used some other matter and molded it to a lifelike replica of those organs and brought it to life...somehow.

[@nozecone]

@@michaeljpatrick I'm not convinced that the writer of this Ted Ed script actually read the novel .....

[@littlebaldedone]

@@nozecone plus, Victor was a college student dropout not a Dr, that was the movie.

[@crazylittlething6762]

but if you read the book before, at the beginning of the book victor explains how he was amazed by the streak of lightning and it may imply that Frankenstein was created by this power. But I agree with you that there is no direct reference to that point

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

*whispers* Victor isn't a doctor; just a college dropout

[@alperakifustun]

I heard that some students who take 18th century English Novel lecture at my university failed the course because they mentioned Victor Frankenstein as "Dr. Frankenstein" and our professor assumed that they did not read the novel close enough or they just read summaries online :/

[@ronsterm7076]

@@alperakifustun or had only seen movies or cartoons "based on" the novel.

[@alperakifustun]

@@ronsterm7076 Exactly!

[@user-yu3wu4ym9n]

Wait a college dropout? Really? Didn't he drop out after the creation of Frankenstein? Or am I remembering it incorrectly?

[@maddie9602]

1. The green, groaning monster was never in the book at all. That was a Hollywood creation from one of the least faithful adaptations in cinematic history. The real monster was eloquent and sophisticated, frequently quoting great works of literature -- although the argument could be made that Frankenstein was the real monster, and his creation was the victim -- a nuance Hollywood completely excised. 2. There is no reference to using electricity to animate the creation in the novel. That's also a Hollywood creation.

[@thitherword]

This made me happy. So glad people actually understand this. It makes me annoyed how wrong the popular depiction of Frankenstein is, especially the view of the creature. The story is more of a tragedy than a horror. In fact, I felt like Victor was the antagonist in many ways. How could you not feel for the creature? He did absolutely nothing wrong and was constantly shunned. It was only after being hated for years that he decided to turn to revenge.

[@dontaylor7315]

aegideus It's true the Frankenstein movies didn't even try to do Shelley's book - with one exception: the one that casts Robt deNiro as the monster. If you haven't seen that film, please do; I don't think it'll disappoint you.

[@Drapsmann-kn2hb]

aegideus THANK YOU FOR HAVING YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT

[@milopbrown3427]

“Infused a spark of being” . Shelley wrote about a conversation of Percy’s that she overheard about galvanism. Luigi Galvani and his nephew reanimated corpses and dead frogs to try and find the essence of life and so this heavily influenced marys work. There is even a tree outside victors house that is victim to lightning and imagery of light and dark is used to describe life and death - “did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me”

[@maggiejune1794]

Watch Penny Dreadful that’s how I picture Frankenstein monsters

[@TheTexas1994]

Everything you need to know to read Frankenstein. -How to read

[@letsfly911118]

i really thought this video is about how to read the word "Frankenstein" not the literature

[@danalmeida9126]

@@letsfly911118 r/woosh

[@demetraeconomou6096]

@@danalmeida9126 r/wooooosh no you cause YOU didnt understand the joke on the joke

[@Muggins1046]

Dr Frankenstein is the original deadbeat dad...

[@pyjamamc2826]

Not a doctor, college dropout

[@ThomasRedfield]

Mary Shelley was one of the greatest writers, who ever lived. Her story Frankenstein has many layers and can also be read as a story that reveals the faulty dynamics between the majority and minority of society, how creating life from dead matter (raising generations of children to live up to our expectations in our ideals), denying them love and our responsibility will force them to either rebel and engage in destruction or to fall regardless. Her criticism of the men, who gain power but lack the wisdom and the heart to handle it - is timeless. Yet what makes it so great, is that both creator and creature can be pitied, for their struggle with each other is a struggle we all know too well. Mary's father: William Godwin (an atheist, he and the work of his wife both affected Frankenstein greatly) thought that there is no evil, just people who want to do good but do not know better. Anyone, who thinks that this is just some Hollywood horror story is so very wrong!

[@angelicrose8406]

Actually the book is truly an amazing work of art, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@byronlee8745]

You're not alone, I consider it the best classic book I've ever read! :)

[@margretperth]

Please make more videos regarding literature please :)

[@ViniciusRochaMida5]

Yess

[@sadlobster1]

Victor's endeavors raise a rather valid question. Why are some humans so TERRIFIED by the idea of death? In some cultures, people believe DEATH isn't the greatest thing we should fear. Instead, we should fear the idea of never truly "living"

[@ameennasar2583]

I am afraid of Death, But I am much more afraid of a life not worth living.

[@franzliszt9332]

A bit odd of a statement when at the end Victor says that his entire life had felt like one of complete regret and failure, and that he wishes for Walton to indulge in peace and prosperity rather than ambition. His death was due to his failings of ambition. Peace was what he wished for.

[@franzliszt9332]

A bit odd of a statement when at the end Victor says that his entire life had felt like one of complete regret and failure, and that he wishes for Walton to indulge in peace and prosperity rather than ambition. His death was due to his failings of ambition. Peace was what he wished for.

[@khays7208]

There is a lot of suicide contemplation so I don't think fear of death was his biggest motivation. It seems clear from the book that he was trying to become famous and be remembered as a "great scientist."

[@VicFig1]

Dr. Frankenstein is the real monster. The "monster" just wanted acceptance and love.

[@JoshIgbinijesu]

Everyone says this, but the Doc was simply interested in creating life. Caliban was wrong for killing as it did for not gaining acceptance. That's why its creator refused to give it to him.

[@MeliaMimi]

Josh Igbinijesu Frankenstein rejected, abandoned and hated the monster before the monster was even fully conscious

[@dopesoda6504]

I feel society is the real monster. After a world of people tells you what you are, you believe it.

[@simentoddsen4307]

What a freak. Human beings shouldn't need that hippie nonsense, but get by on minimum wage + leaving salty comments.

[@WweChampion1997]

To get that “love and acceptance” he strangled a toddler and framed it on some random maid then went on to kill 4 other people directly or indirectly, but yeah other then that he’s totally a saint.

[@ghostiegoober108]

You also could mention that in the novel Frankenstein’s monster was “drop dead” gorgeous in the novel, save for a few stitches, in equal body parts and the eyes, the eyes were one of the main reasons victor called the experiment a failure. The monster is also rather intelligent, and learned quickly.

[@kennethb2364]

Knowledge is knowing Frankenstein is doctor Wisdom is knowing Frankenstein is a monster

[@sambishop9856]

Knowledge is knowing that Victor Frankenstein is not a doctor, but a college dropout.

[@jimsgirl1465]

Kenneth B...so true!

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

Precisely!

[@roberthosford1658]

Frank didn't become a serial killer but his creation did so i think you think you might want to reconsider

[@kite4792]

Robert Hosford if I create a creature without taking the full consequences into consideration, it is by no means the creatures fault and entirely on mine to have had hindsight. How can one proceed knowing he’s making a 8ft creature from god knows what pieces? So please go with the flow of the original post as it seems to make a valid point. Frankly, ignorance can not be used as an excuse.

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

Reading "Frankenstein" breaks me, how miserable could one man become from his own past actions, it's haunting enough to think about the person you love the dearest, adore the most would be killed by your own creation leaves you nothing to hope for and yet he's willing to live to see the day of judgement. The sparks of light that shines through the sheer oblivion is bright enough to move forward and sometimes it's so hard to find, even just a little glimpse of it. Excellent video as always Ted-ed, Thank You. *Sigh*

[@rubalex]

love this comment!

[@Forever_Rayne]

I read it when I was in high school and it's one of my favorite novels. I remember thinking the story was pretty tragic, because the "monster" isn't the creation, but the creator himself. He drove him to become vengeful and it's sad.

[@f.l.m.d.a8759]

It is said, that Prometheus formed man from the Ashes of both the Titans and Zegreus, which I think is the myth what Shelly was referring to, not to the fire story. The analogy makes a lot more sense, if you consider this part of the story. @TED-Ed

[@Jlluch22]

I was checking the comments looking for someone who mentioned it. Thank you for pointing that

[@devisankhla4788]

I was thinking the SAME thing,was even thinking about posting that😁😆

[@rishfernando1235]

But I do know that he did give fire to the humans, he is known for being the fire-stealer

[@ms_it_is]

Also in most texts, his liver is eaten by only one eagle, which have a connection to Zeus

[@videogollumer]

Interestingly, the Golem of Prague seems to bridge the gap between Prometheus and Frankenstein. It connects to Prometheus in that the Golem was sculpted from clay by a rabbi, and it connects to Frankenstein in that the Golem went out of control.

[@astronautique]

I like the art style. Kool.

[@CiliophoraEuplotes]

I don't remember the book ever mentioning electricity as the means to give life to the creature. At least in the edition I've read the method of giving life was mysteriously left out. On the other hand I'm aware that electricity was a big awe in Victorian times, especially with the experiments where an electric discharge would contract the muscles of a corpse.

[@Lorem_ipsum_dolor_sit_amet]

That bothers me too, how Victor created his monster is omitted in the text. Also, something most people never mention is that Victor was supposed to have been in his late teens or early twenties rather than middle aged when he created the monster while studying in Ingolstadt.

[@ajallen9674]

Wasn't that done intentionally? Frankenstein told the story without mentioning how he created life so that Robert Walton wouldn't attempt to copy him?

[@CiliophoraEuplotes]

That could be it, I don't remember exactly since its been quite some years since I've read the book, but that makes sense.

[@muroojtahir697]

Rafael Feliczaki the book was slightly inspired by a famous experiment that made dead frog move due to electricity so, even though electricity wasn't mentioned a lot people that would have read the book at the Victorian time period would have assumed electricity

[@beribeni]

Yeah, in the book it just mentions that 'he assembled the means and the method to give his creation the spark of life'. Of course I'm paraphrasing.

[@KayWhyz]

Feel like we're missing something in this video when we consider that the Monster is a sympathetic character.

[@RagerQueen]

as much as i like this video, frankenstein in the book was a lanky hipster emo not a buff 'villain' with cliche muhaha laugh.

[@Drapsmann-kn2hb]

RageQueen this comment is gold

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

Honestly though I always pictured him as a scrawny nerd with acne

[@PuprleFox]

Lmao ur so right

[@brishtisengupta7180]

@@sophiatalksmusic3588 Idk about that I mean Walton described him as a pretty handsome dude (but yeah he wouldn't be buff as he was constantly fainting, ill, and not looking after himself)

[@SiddharthaMinhas]

@@brishtisengupta7180 I second this! I picture Dr. Frankenstein as a slender, pale, beautiful youth, worn down by many sleepless nights, with a crazed set of eyes...

[@CanalBitinices]

Amazing presentation. To me the real monster is Frankenstein. Not for creating, but for not having responsibility for your creation.

[@freyaporter99]

I never knew Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft! That actually explains a lot about Shelley herself

[@merri-golden8826]

why do so many people get the monster and the maker mixed up in so many movies that the maker isnt even spoken of

[@EagleZtoTheGrave]

Why do so many people think Link is Zelda...?

[@LughSummerson]

Because he's the main subject of the book, so people who haven't read it assume it to be named after the monster. And he's like a son of Victor, so that would be his surname if he had one. Finally, so many adaptations use the name _Frankenstein_ for the monster that it has become a name for the character, as a meme, outside of the book and the faithful adaptations. He is an immortal monster who has broken free and is no longer constrained by Shelley's novel.

[@ChrisPPotatoIDC]

Why do people think cats can't achieve an organized mass genocide of all humans?

[@TheDocfri]

I know A cat can't, but maybe cats can....

[@Starspun5000]

I just want to come down here to say thank you. Binging this playlist of book-recommendations inspired me to do something I don't normally do, read. I have read before, for school projects and such, but rarely have I willingly undertaken the task of reading a book on my own volition. I just finished Frankenstein not to long ago and I really enjoyed it and I'm very glad I did! Thanks TED-Ed for inspiring me to become more well read and to enjoy things that I never would've considered enjoying!

[@iampatx]

Animation style was great. This whole video was composed masterfully. 👏🏾

[@yeasurepandas]

i thought this was just gonna be a warning about how much of a nature walk the book was, not to mention the literal 10-20 chapters of just dialogue between Frankenstein and the monster. and how often you see the word 'fiend' which is like, a thousand times

[@Rafael-le1tz]

"nature walk the book was" "literal 10-20 chapters of just dialogue" YES.

[@christopherdiaz1499]

My countenance shifted to that of disgust once I have read the word ‘fiend’ several times on a single page; Similar to the pang of hunger.

[@CastleMiser]

​@@christopherdiaz1499 quite authentic honestly, but u forgot to include irksome or detestable

[@meepbeep2464]

Why is no one complaining about 'wretched' the word was used so mush it feels like every chapter of the book had it

[@abongojfjdlel4096]

@@meepbeep2464currently reading it right now and the word “wretched” is inescapable

[@dustinsc2023]

the book is fantastic, reads like poetry better then Shakespeare, also the monster is like a super demon hunter merciless like death, and whole perspective in from dr. Frankenstein. It is by far one of the best books ever made

[@faerya841]

This is now one of my favourite TED-Ed videos. A visual and philosophical masterpiece.

[@janetyingy]

Amazing video. I definitely saw how Frankenstein and his monster were one and the same. I felt that the monster only became a monster because Frankenstein didn't love him even though he created him. It just goes to show how every creature needs love and nourishment? There was a part in the story when the monster wanted Frankenstein to create a wife for him…

[@jonathanramirez3109]

I had to read it last year for school and I loved it, kind of a shame I had to rush on reading it but I found it so emotional (from the monsters POV) and I loved the story, one of my favorite parts is where you see Victor starting to have these dark thoughts of life and death and how he throws himself into a dark path in science and interacts with the dead

[@meepbeep2464]

YES! The book became impossible to let go of the moment the creature started sharing his tale.

[@blake24jul]

Can we all just spare a moment to appreciate how moving the video is? It actually gave me goosebumpsss! Thank youuu for this amazing insight

[@alfiehaigh8412]

Please do this for jekyll and Hyde! Need it for my gcse soon 😂

[@theosnelson1639]

Alfie haigh Aim for that 9

[@alfiehaigh8412]

Meh in my drama class we did frankenstein and when doing it I was just thinking 'thank God we didn't do this in English!'

[@alfiehaigh8412]

Theo Snelson my target is an 8 but imma go straight for the 9, cheers mate

[@alarna5495]

I'm doing Jekyll and Hyde too, honestly I find it boring af 😩

[@alarna5495]

what Plays are you doing?

[@MediocreAtBesd]

I love "Frankenstein" such a good book. So beautifully crafted.

[@ezshorty]

Excited by this new information. Can't wait til midterms and finals are over so I can give my undivided attention to the original text. Thanks Ted Ed!

[@charlottesweeney1063]

I'd love to see more of these videos exploring the contexts of plays/common literature texts!

[@patrickroelant5171]

these are always so beautifully animated

[@detectiveassassin7937]

I wanted to start reading classical literature and I found this interesting and kind of a good place to start , can't wait to read it .

[@ms.m3n]

👏👏well done TedEd 👏👏 the poignant illustrations against that literature analysis provided far more lasting educational breadth of Frankenstein than even my own book club covered in a span of an hour discussion. I'm very much enthusiadtic to view more classics done by TEDed in this format! a deeper and useful use for quality animation - thank you!!!!

[@RyokoYoichi]

I was exactly working on this theme all day. Amazing timing.

[@deadgheist]

Wow, I was so enthralled by this video that when It ended I wished it was longer!

[@screamingeagles2010]

What you need to know to read Frankenstein: English

[@Latoos976]

Le Mémé lol

[@tonywoods1226]

And a copy the book

[@hyacinthlover9370]

Actually since it has been translated in almost every language all you need is a copy of the book and knowing how to read :0

[@whumpem]

@@hyacinthlover9370 even then you can just listen to an audiobook

[@lucchesi87]

Instructions unclear. I read it in german...

[@kadrodindubldva]

I am currently working on this book for a deep and important analysis; the odds are in my favour :o

[@MinecraftCutiepie]

Robert Barseghian Good luck on your analysis!

[@kadrodindubldva]

Well thank you very much :)

[@meepbeep2464]

So how did it went?

[@_.riice._]

This video gave a chill in my spine. Can you plz make more videos like this?

[@user-ns1um8kq7i]

one of the best ted-eds i've seen in a while!

[@rainbowrotcod]

Woah. Earlier today I was reading a book about philosophy, and it mentioned Wollstonecraft. As I was watching the video, I recognized the name from my book. And then I thought to myself, "Wollstonecraft is Mary Shelly's daughter!" I'm not sure as of why I mentioned this as of now, but I thought it was an interesting coincidence.

[@tomsmith3941]

Mary Shelley was Mary Woolstonecraft's daughter.

[@rainbowrotcod]

@@tomsmith3941 Ahhh, okay, thank you for correcting my mistake, lol. Still that's pretty rad.

[@spinningninja2]

Not exaggerating when I say that Frankenstein is my all time favorite story

[@m0zarts-animation]

spinningninja2 me too !!

[@DavidRodriguez-ux5ye]

spinningninja2 I love I only love the final monologue of the monster is just so good

[@mahakgupta6677]

same

[@jasdeepsingh6343]

I Think I came too early to read comments.

[@threadbearr8866]

Nah son, I made a real zinger around the time you commented. It's the most original thing ever written. Good ole' knee slapper.

[@realsandeep]

LOL that retarded "Hotel Translvanya" frakenstain though...

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@threadbearr8866 lol

[@mariaochenas3634]

Things people can’t wrap their heads around but my thirteen year old self did, Frankenstein edition: VICTOR WAS A COLLEGE DROPOUT All Frankenstein’s monster (or the Creation as I like to call him) wanted was love Victor’s major flaw is not taking responsibility for his actions The Creation is supposed to be beautiful and white or yellow skinned. His only flaw was his eye color. That’s what freaked Victor out The Creation is highly intelligent and actually figured out cooking and even the French language and reading The Creation is 8 feet tall, that’s two feet and two inches taller than the average Victorian man Victor is basically the Creation’s father CLERVAL (Victor’s bestie who is the Sun personified) IS LITERALLY THE BEST AND LIKE THE ONLY TRULY GOOD PERSON IN THE BOOK The Creation only turned to violence because he couldn’t find love and seeked revenge against the Frankensteins and that one family he lived with for a little while Victor basically left behind a GIANT NEW BORN BABY The Bride of Frankenstein thing basically never happened. It almost did, then Victor had a realization most people don’t: the Bride and the Creation could have not gotten along or gotten along a little too long and suddenly there’s a race of monsters. The closest thing to that is Elizabeth, Victor’s adopted sister/childhood sweetheart that the Creation murdered on their wedding night THE ENTIRE BOOK IS LETTERS TO CAPTAIN WALTON’S POOR SISTER. I’m probably gonna think of more that I completely forgot about. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk/Rant Session

[@CastleMiser]

Spoken like a true OSP fan

[@Hoefinity]

I still felt sorry for the monster in the end especially when he jumped into the fire :( he just needed love

[@mb8648]

Non of that electricity stuff is mentioned in the book, also in the book the "monster" is a handsome dude with creepy eyes

[@josegonzaleznunez3869]

I can't get enough of this video. I love it!

[@haseeb5158]

This helped with my GCSEs. Thank you TED-Ed.

[@EnfieldsMikeP]

it is never explicitly mentioned that Victor assembles the monster of "dead matter" or "part by part". Shelley is very vague about the process, and does not say outright that he is using corpses, only mentioning "materials". This could be alchemical in nature.

[@chocozeus920]

Please make more of these on other classics!! :D

[@gloria7190]

I love the animation so much!

[@franknblunt]

Among many books that have been misconstrued, even the historical context, influences, & philosophy, among other matters. Appreciate the presentation. Oddly, the same has been done with Gothic, well the architectural aspects compared with how the literary themes have been applied especially in modern popular media. I got the Wollstonecraft (crafted) reference too, later indicated. Throughout there lives, Mary & Percy endured many unfortunate circumstances & personal tragedy. Lights that burn so bright ...

[@Evil_Teddy]

Actually it never states in the book just HOW Frankenstein creates the monster. In fact, Victor is very adamant about not dispensing such info to others in fear they would create another creature and then become like him.

[@ave116]

more content like this, please!!! :D

[@maxamillion5355]

That story was 300 years ahead of its time. Making Frankenstein's monster today is and I repeat, totally possible.

[@lavenderpierrot]

I REALLY like this animation style!

[@tuckernutter]

TedEd never ceases to draw on other sources for their legends each episode. Prometheus had his liver eaten by an eagle every day only for it to grow back and repeat the process, but I wouldn't doubt there are different versions

[@neiltheglasstyson3122]

I'm sorry, just a couple of notes 😅 *Mary Godwin, Percy Shelley and Byron were neighbors, they did not live in Byron's house. In a village called Colony, near Lake Geneva, Byron rented a villa, and Percy Shelley a more modest house, but right on the beach. *Aeschylus wrote a play about Prometheus. If you read this story , you can understand that Zeus could send Prometheus to Tartarus. But Zeus ordered Hephaestus to chain Prometheus to the rock. Zeus left Prometheus alive only because he knew the secret. Zeus wanted to know from where the avenger would come and overthrow Zeus. He needed him alive, and his liver ate a huge eagle every day, not vultures. P.S. I like your channel, but all this information you can find at the beginning of the book itself.

[@jenni3383]

this is quite helpful for my English literature GCSE. thanks!

[@el-.]

The animation is breathtaking

[@razredge07]

When I read the book, Frankenstein was more plagued by tragedy which was more of a motivating factor for him than pride or ego. However, when he had created the monster, he couldn't come to terms with the reality of what he had done. His fear of what the monster could be prevented him from taking the time to actually get to know the monster. The monster was incredibly intelligent, had few memories, was initially child-like with unnatural strength. However, at the creature's core were the same basic human urges, the most prominent being a desire to belong with a deeper connection to others. The monster became a "monster" due to Frankenstein's abandonment and therefore complete lack of guidance. So, all the creature knew was gained from its encounters with random humans who had never seen a being like it before and were terrified. The book cast Frankestein as the more monstrous one and the creature being portrayed more as seemingly deserving of its vengence -- more so when Frankenstein refused additional chances to take responsibility for his creation. In the end, you almost feel a sense of pity for the monster.

[@satriapg666]

knowledge is knowing Frankenstein is the doctor. Wisdom is knowing Frankenstein is the monster.

[@jackychan3603]

The concluding animated shot has to be one of the best in all TEDEd videos 😂

[@thoughtsofanobody]

I am going to read this book next Halloween, so this is great. Please make a video like this for the divine comedies. Thank you.

[@mikewilliams258]

The creature, despite what people say, IS called "Frankenstein". Victor Frankenstein was described by Mary Shelley as the creature's father. Naturally, he would take his father's surname. As for his first name, Mary refers to him as "Adam". Hence "Adam Frankenstein".

[@craigburdes3177]

Smart is knowing that Frankenstein is a monster. Knowledge is knowing that Frankenstein wasn't the monster Wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein was the monster

[@stevensanchez1192]

Knowledge is about knowing that this is a way overdone quote. Wisdom is about not using it to describe your opinion of the book as if it was a fact.

[@b.b.b.b.b.b.b]

@@stevensanchez1192 !!! I like you

[@ashleyeltisdale]

everything about this is just amazing

[@Ruby321123]

Can we get one on Lord Byron some time? That man is just awesome in all of the most messed-up ways, & his work is stunning. ❤ Mad, bad, & dangerous to know.

[@melonah8499]

First time I've seen Prometheus drawn weirdly adorable.

[@elizajackson7219]

it looks like that the authors of the video did not read the book or I don’t take the opinion of critics

[@yoshiboy1354]

These videos are always fire

[@mr.t2134]

Thank you 😊 it was short but very interesting and informative

[@eugiboy1]

Wasn't Prometheus chained to a rock and had an eagle, not vultures, tear out his liver every day?

[@firecarter319]

eugiboy1 No, it was vultures

[@firecarter319]

And I'm saying this from other sources

[@eugiboy1]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus#Hesiod_and_the_Theogony_and_Works_and_Days Traditionally, it's an eagle.

[@firecarter319]

eugiboy1 Not to be rude, but how do you expect me to trust WIKIPEDIA?

[@eugiboy1]

FireCarter82 besides what you think, Wikipedia requires citations for about 95% of information that I posted. It's often more correct than some books due to their amount of constant peer review. But if you don't believe it, Google information. The classical myth is Prometheus with an eagle since the eagle was historically a symbol of Zeus; a proud and majestic animal with savage and vicious tendencies also. As far as I know, any of the Olympian God's have not associated themselves with a vulture due to their view as unclean beings as they eat carcasses.

[@joydeepdas8123]

Fun fact: In the book he is referred as a muscular man with jaundice skin and eyes, other than that there are no other notions of his appearance being one such as monster as he's already crafter from the body parts of dead humans. And also it's never stated how he made the monster alive, so the theory of using electricity is just used in movies.

[@osori4690]

This is a great summary of literary classes I took on Frankenstein

[@70rodal]

very well explained. Thank you

[@mfella9726]

why wasn't this released earlier? I just read the Frankenstein in my English Class.

[@limp6izdick808]

Also Frankenstein's monster was acculy qiute handsom exept his creepy eyes.

[@kvasir3180]

No

[@pumkinpatchwork]

Itz TobyTime ??? that’s literally how the book describes the monster

[@noornoory98]

i have an a level exam on Frankenstein this monday and this could not have been more helpful :)

[@yumeichenchin9272]

Dude, I LOVE THE ANIMATION!!!!!!!!!

[@Royal_ram_]

When I read the book I always imagined the monster to be handsome. I always imagined that the fear Frankenstein felt towards the monster wasn't because it looked monstrous but more that the monster represented a fine line between life and death, sort of realizing ones own mortality.

[@SuperBuds]

Literary G.O.A.T. Mary Shelley. 🥇🏆

[@AlkseeyaKC]

That was some cool art and animation!

[@hplovecraft8145]

hi! i don't know if you can read this but i'm still hoping you could, i wish you can do the story of Jackal and Hyde!love your videos and have been binge watching for almost a week now and still can't enough!thank you for your hard work!

[@pyjamamc2826]

You've got the whole thing wrong. 1. Frankenstein's monster wasn't misshapen. He was actually tall and could even be considered beautiful. 2. Victor ran away from him since he didn't want the guilt of a failed experiment ( his creation had yellow eyes), not because he was a threat. 3. The whole lesson of the story had nothing to do with not making unnatural creations that go against science, it actually had a much deeper meaning you should spend time researching since the real story is actually very good and worthwhile. Aren't you TED, why don't you know this.

[@Adam-wo9ol]

Agreed. You should watch Overly Sarcastic Productions' video on Frankenstein. Although it does spoil the contents of the book in more detail than this video, I think it's still worth it.

[@arlet101]

1. he couldnt be considered beautiful. he was horrifying. no one, even with his gesture of kindness, could look beyond his monstrous figure. 2. Victor ran away from absolute fear of the monster. he was in so much horror he literally got sick from it. 3. did YOU even read the book?

[@charcharcha]

I just wrote a very long winded essay about how Victor was never trying to play god but instead he was trying to recreate a mother/son relationship he missed with his own mother after her death. Anyways love gothic lit now

[@b.b.b.b.b.b.b]

i love an original take

[@AlexVoxel]

Gotta try this next winter!

[@starfirenonie]

very beautifully animated

[@thitherword]

I was on the verge of liking this video until you started portraying Victor as some mad scientist. You also neglected to mention how eloquent and intelligent the creature is.

[@waldzwolf6296]

I am of the conclusion that a well known Tale as that of Doctor Frankenstein is... subject to perspective. ~(˘▾˘~) Cause in the end everyone creates their own favourite Image of the worlds most favoured figure of a Madman Scientist.

[@zodek11]

Amazing video!

[@Suranjan_Malik]

Wow. Thank you. Indebted to Ted Ed. Beautifully explained.