James Monroe

The legendary Socrates once said “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” Throughout Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this statement is justified through Victor’s argument to Robert Walton that achieving knowledge is dangerous and not worth the many sacrifices it entails. In doing so Frankenstein ultimately intends to pursuade Walton to not make the same mistakes he did in his pursuit of knowledge. Although Victor may have had good intentions, I disagree with his warning to…

Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney were who the world was cheering on in the 1930s film world. The gangster film genre was in full swing, and as Robinson and Cagney ascended repeatedly to become kingpins of a given town only to fall back to being nothing again, a hopeful named Humphrey Bogart was just beginning his acting career. Stephen Bogart, the son of soon to be movie star Humphrey Bogart, stated in his book about his father that Humphrey was “not happy playing those parts.” Humphrey…

In the X-Files the Post-Modern Prometheus, the creators took bits and pieces of the classic Frankenstein and then gave it a modern twist. The story line of Frankenstein is too outdated to be reasonable today. The creators had to add a modern aspect and adapt in a way that still had the old Frankenstein feel but also make it their own. One very big similarity had to do with the man who created the monster. Both men were obsessed with the fact that they could create or alter life, ultimately…

The pursuit of knowledge is a recurring theme in Mary Shelly Frankenstein, as well in society today. Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the monster all are pursuing knowledge in this novel. The thirst of knowledge is what drives these characters into their actions. Such as Frankenstein who put everyone in danger because of his desire of science he made a monster who could threaten anyone. This is why Frankenstein can be interpreted as a warning against the pursuit…

Throughout much of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, the “monster” created is presented in his utter inhumanity. Even his creator looks on him as a wretch; a fiend. His horrid appearance and hideous voice are thought to set him apart from society. Recognizing his rejection, the creation hides away from the world into which he was brought, and lives in solitary. One could argue, though, that Frankenstein represents many of the most basic and carnal instincts of the human person. Deep within…

The election of 1800 was a bitter one: there was constant slandering from both the federalist and the democratic-republican sides, but ultimately Jefferson won. In Thomas Jefferson: Political Compromiser, Morton Borden analyzes Jefferson’s presidency and ideals to question how he achieved so much success: did Jefferson simply adapt to gain support? During his presidency, Jefferson often stuck to his party roots. However, Jefferson also enacted very impartial, federalist policies that underscored…

capturing of the American seamen from the Royal Navy, and America wanted to expand their territory. In late 1811, the “Battle of Tippecanoe” breaks out, leading to the Indians seeking help from the British against the American army. On June 18, 1812, James Madison signed the agreement to go to war with the British; this was known as the war of 1812. The Federalist side of America was strongly against war but ended up getting beat out on the…

Throughout the history of the human race, societies have collectively established themselves as “one.” The human tendency to establish a binary in which all must fit perfectly inevitably leads to outsiders, or the Other. The ingrained urge to designate identities and particular behaviors into varying sects and categories still causes problems within any community. Today, this is most commonly seen in regards to gender identity, sexuality, religious background and practices, and ethnic…

An individual’s connection to society is dictated by what they feel they can contribute to society. As a child, I thought that I would have a great impact on the world around me. I think this idea was planted our heads when we are continually asked as a child: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As people, we focus on one dream, or one great impact on the world until we achieve it. This is much like Dr. Frankenstein’s distorted views of life before he leaves Geneva, the place in which he…

Once a man named Kahlil Gibran exclaimed, ““Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” This quote means that the people with the most scars become stronger people. In the novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, a character is forged together with dug up remains by Dr. Victor Frankenstein called “the creation.” Throughout the story the creation gets disrespected by society and even his own creator. This transforms him into a scarred…