Lisa Frankenstein: A Modern Twist on a Classic Tale
A new movie called “Lisa Frankenstein” puts a contemporary spin on the 200-year-old story by Mary Shelley. In this version, a teenage girl gives the animated corpse a makeover, including a stint in a tanning bed.
The Revolutionary Origin of Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel introduced readers to Victor Frankenstein, who creates a creature from human corpses that ultimately wreaks havoc. While many film adaptations show the creature coming to life through lightning or electricity, Shelley left the animating agent open to interpretation.
Scientific Influences on Shelley’s Work
Shelley was immersed in a world of scientific exploration while writing “Frankenstein.” Surrounded by leading scientific minds like Erasmus Darwin and Humphry Davy, Shelley drew inspiration from their work. Her husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, also shared a fascination with science, further shaping the novel’s themes.
The Spark of Life
Shelley’s vague description of the “spark” that brings Frankenstein’s creature to life has sparked debate among scholars. While some suggest it could be fire or chemicals, references to lightning and galvanism in the novel hint at the scientific inquiries of the time.
The Legacy of Galvanism
In the revised 1831 edition of “Frankenstein,” Shelley replaced lightning references with allusions to galvanism. This scientific theory, popularized by Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta, explored the concept of “animal electricity” through experiments on dissected animals and corpses. Aldini’s gruesome demonstrations raised questions about the boundaries between life and death, leaving a lasting impact on Shelley’s narrative.