Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Science and Morality: The Bride of Frankenstein



The Bride of Frankenstein is an American horror movie directed by James Whale released in 1935. The story was from the book of Mary Shelley, Frankenstein. It is a sequel to Frankenstein in 1931. It was a story of how Frankenstein created a mate for the Monster, which is also his creation. The film started with the revelation that the Monster and Henry Frankenstein have survived in the fire. The Monster started to ravage the village and the people. Meanwhile, Henry Frankenstein was with his wife, Elizabeth and wants to settle a peaceful life with her. However, Dr. Pretorius wants to create another life-sized monster but this time a woman who could be a mate for the Monster. Dr. Pretorius and the Monster kidnapped his wife and so he was forced to agree. They successfully created a mate for the Monster. However, the Mate rejects him and the film ended with the explosion in the lab wherein Henry and Elizabeth were the only ones to survive.
Man was not meant to experiment in the works of God. This is what the film teaches about morality.  No one could give life and create a human except God. Anything that man dabbles in the works of God will lead to devastation, terror and sorrow. Like in the film, man tried to create and give life but what he had created was a Monster that put lives in danger. Also, science played the important role. It is the reason behind the creation of the Monster and the Mate. It is the exceeding ambition of the two that cause the whole situation. They appear to use knowledge that surpasses what mortals only could have even edging upon wisdom of God.  The film and the book reflect how important morality and science roles are in the life of man. This film portrays that the role of science in man’s life is limited. It could not exceed to the extent that it contradicts the morals in which the people and the society abide.
I think that the Monster was made dumb to add horror and scare to the film. It was changed to make the character more effective. Also, to emphasize that creation made by man through the help of science, if it surpasses the limitations, will result to monstrous forms that will destroy and devastate mankind.  I think it did work in the film.  


-Kimberly Pacle
2013-02319

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