Analysis Of The Monster In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

In “The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein,” an episode of Disney Channels television show Phineas and Ferb, in an ode to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Ferb’s ancestors Dr. Phineastein and Ferbgore create a Frankenstein-like monster so they can enter it into a monster building contest. Although some aspects of the television show are similar to Shelley’s novel, many important themes and plot points are left out because the show is catered to children. The story simply focuses on the creation of the monster and the monster contest, rather than the creator’s life and reaction to his monster. When the monster is first created, the creature seems scary, but as the show progresses, the creature seems less frightening and friendlier. The show successfully …show more content…
In comparison with Shelley’s novel, the creation of the monster in “The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein,” is less scary and more suitable for Phineas and Ferb’s intended audience. After seeing a poster promoting a “Best Monster Contest,” Phineastein and Ferbgore decide to create a monster so they can enter the contest. Rather than ransacking graveyards and using human body parts like Victor does in Shelley’s novel, Phineastein and Ferbgore collect spare parts from semi-aquatic animals. This takes away the horror experienced in Shelley’s novel when Victor pieces together a monster using human parts. In Frankenstein, how the creature is brought to life is never revealed, adding to the idea that Frankenstein is a cautionary tale, and that no one should ever attempt such a feat. In the television show, the monster is brought to life …show more content…
When the monster runs through the village, one townsperson, while standing on his porch in his underwear, makes a joke about how his worst fear is a giant platypus seeing him while he is in his underwear. This event happens, which provides the monsters rampage through the town seem more lighthearted. Like every other episode of Phineas and Ferb, this episode contains a song. The song is about the evil scientist, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, and although the song is not about the monster, it adds a more lighthearted feel to the episode and entertains the audience. In another humorous event, Dr. Doofensmirtz, wanting to win the monster contest, creates a machine that will supposedly turn him into a monster but instead turns him into a fairy. This event also provides an amusing outlook on the Frankenstein story. The continuous jokes and songs throughout the show make the audience laugh rather than scaring