1.
Discuss the allegorical dimensions of
Frankenstein implied by its subtitle, The Modern Prometheus.
Read the following article. There are some spoilers, particularly in the first paragraph, but you can skate over that part and still get the gist of it.
So, argue the for or against the following statement:
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg is today's Dr. Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who created a monster, shares a relationship with the titan Prometheus. Prometheus tricked Zeus, and so Zeus took away man's fire, claiming he will give it back after some time. Prometheus, perhaps to make himself seem better than Zeus, stole fire from Olympus and gave it to the humans. Prometheus wasn't interested in providing help for the humans with the fire, but rather he caused destruction in mankind for it. One of the few qualities he possessed was his cleverness, and he was envious of Zeus. This is relatable to the book Frankenstein because the scientist stole the power of life from God and created a monster. The scientist did this not for the betterment of mankind, but rather for his own desire, and possibly to become a god like Zeus. His creation caused destruction. Also, he is a clever man for knowing how to create the living monster. These reasons help to provide understanding for why the book Frankenstein is also known as The Modern Prometheus.
ReplyDeleteI would not call Mark Zuckerberg the Modern Frankenstein. His ability to influence elections is not a very unique one like Frankenstein's ability at creating life. Various media outlets can do the same thing. If anything, Mark Zuckerberg would be less of a Frankenstein then the others, because of his implantation of new tools to help stifle the amount of fake news on FaceBook.
Timmy you make many great points, and I know I said this one other time. But I think you can really make a top notch blog if you extend your thoughts! It can be so much better!
DeleteI think you made some great points, but I'm searching for more. You have great ideas and you need to expand on them. Overall, nice job!
DeleteThe book Frankenstein is a work of actual art, the way the story is told is breathtakingly captivating and I just can't seem to put the book down. This article peaked my interest thoroughly but sadly I was quite disappointed in the way it delivered. Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, the modern Frankenstein? I cannot agree to this statement. Yes, facebook is a widely used social networking site that can LEAD to a lot of controversy and fights but it is not the one causing the fights that is the people themselves who take their opinions and fight about them on the internet like children fighting over a red or blue crayon. Not every fight is like this, I understand that there are intelligent fights between intelligent people on the internet. I believe that instead of Mark being the modern doctor Frankenstein I theorize that there are people who can be the Modern Frankenstein. The theory itself is quite simple really, however it does slander some subjects that could be quite delicate to others. This could probably cause a huge fight on the internet if I posted on a social media cite such as facebook or what not. Anyway into the theory.
ReplyDeleteThe human race continues to advance in many aspects of life such as technology and our generation has adapted to these new products and make them better or advance even farther than the predecessors, however we often hear that our generation is doomed and has no hope for a steady life because we are lazy, procrastinate, no respect for nature, etc. The truth of the matter is that the generation before us has created a horrible image of our generation just as how Frankenstein created a terrible image of his creation and then to cope with their creation and the horrible image they both have made Frankenstein and the generation before us has insulted and fully given up on the millennials and the monster. Thus to retaliate our generation has made many wrong decisions, destroyed many things, and filled the image that was so wrongfully created. I know not every person in our generation is like this there are some who have a steady head on their shoulders and who can go into life and succeed, we have all been effected by this stereotype that has been bestowed upon us. People of our generation often take to Facebook to argue or complain about our love lives, family, and so many microscopical details that don't truly matter in our lives. These fights can turn into fights whether it be huge or small the earlier generations sees them and again forms a image in their head of how we behave socially and they think we cannot make it in this life or that we are going to destroy the country. Mark Zuckerberg is only a creator to a website that creates in and of itself. Facebook is not the monster, it is the doctor, just as how the generation that came before us is the doctor to a monster they so wrongfully judged and stereotyped.
I liked your vision of Facebook as a "monster." I also really like your views on the generation and how we are the ones that seem to make things worse. Well done.
DeleteNichole, I like how you twist the argument around into how Facebook is not the monster, but rather the doctor of the monster. Good Job.
DeleteVictor Frankenstein is often referred to the modern Prometheus. However, this was a century ago that he gained this title. Victor is known by this title because of his creation of a human and how it came back to punish him in the end. He wanted to create life, to show humanity what science was capable of. The monster grew into some thing dangerous, and eventually led to its own destruction. Prometheus tried to give gifts from the gods to the humans, which resulted in him being punished by the king of the gods, Zeus. They just wanted to give, but the power was too much for them to handle. It led to constant anguish and punishment for them. He was the modern Prometheus of that time, maybe, but that has now been slightly outdated. This is the 20th century, we are the modern times. Some have begun to argue that Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg is our modern Prometheus. To some extent, this is unarguably factual. All Prometheus wanted was to give to the mortals something that the gods had. Zuckerberg wanted to provide an innovative method of communication to people worldwide, no matter their background, ethnicity, or homeland. He was simply a young man who wanted to better the world, and his website grew into some thing much bigger than a small excursion. He is constantly bashed for the things available and spread through his website, which is not entirely his fault. He is blamed for election interference, as well as criticized for the occasional lack of censorship on the site. It's mankind's abuse of this gift that made his situation so terrible. Perhaps this is why the god Zeus tortured and punished Prometheus: for fear of the gifts growing into some thing uncontrollable and sometimes dangerous. If you've ever seen the film "The Social Network," which is based off Zuckerberg's creation of Facebook and the struggles he endured to do so, you know it was seemingly hell on earth for him. This dream to give tortured him when it wasn't working out, much like Victor and Prometheus. These men just wanted to give, but the power consumed them and just came back to bite them in the butt in the end.
ReplyDeleteNick, I like your use of outside sources to help solidify your argument. Keep up the good work.
DeleteThe way you delivered your input and opinion to this blog created a great sense of understanding between your claims. Good blog!
DeleteIt's quite obvious that technology has taken over our world today and even our ancestors world. Since the beginning of technology, it has been benefactor in all areas of life: war, industry, material possessions, and science. No one person can imagine how different our world would be today if the introduction to the simplest technological advancements would not have been created, because it's quite impossible. Those advancements of this age, is social media, Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg in particular. And Mr. Frankenstein with the creation of his monster. However, there was a time that technology had no relation to Frankenstein, but rather mythology; Prometheus to me more specific. Frankenstein the novel has a subtitle of "The Modern Prometheus." Victor Frankenstein is referred to as the Prometheus of mythology that was punished by the great god, Zeus. Prometheus wanted to "share the wealth" so to speak- he desired to grant humans the gifts from the gods, but in conclusion, this only led to his punishment by Zeus. Victor is shared in relation to Prometheus due to his involvement with his creation of human (monster). This no sooner came to create adversity for Victor because of the future actions of it and how it affected him in the end. The human monster had a definition to destruct in the end, it became very dangerous. Reasoning for his actions was just that of Prometheus: to show it's possible to transfer roles in terms of "sharing the wealth." Frankenstein with the capability science has to create he unimaginable, to the transfer of gifts from god to human. The destruction for the two was the end result, but the capability is what stands strong.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison of Zuckerberg to Frankenstein, I feel, is irrational. Although Zuckerberg created a mass empire of world wide social interaction, the equality of social network and human creation does not match up. Even though, Zuckerberg has created some benefactors with world wide interaction, there has been some retracting information that brings up one question, "Was it worth it?" The same question applies to Prometheus. Was it worth the backlash the received from their actions of creating a world wide interaction empire or the walking human monster? We can ask ourselves in the 21st century that same question, is it all worth it?
In the story of Frankenstein there are many instances in which Mary Shelley uses allegories to relate the book to reality. For example, when The creature in Frankenstein wasn't planning to kill everyone Victor loved and cared about. However, when victor refused to do as the creature requested the creature acted in such murderous. This relates to reality because of all the war and crime that goes on in the world today. It also relates to the fact that victor feels loss and despair which is how Mary Shelley felt from the loss that occurred in her life. Another instance that Shelley uses is humans meddling with the natural order of things. The time period that this book was published was a time of new industrial advancements. Machines were taking jobs from people that needed the money. The machines because the monsters. Frankenstein is still read and is still relevant to this very day because with new technology and new social media web sites people because something they aren't. People post things on social media that they would never say face to face with someone especially on Facebook. There are so many people on Facebook that fight whether it is on political views or a sporting event that was "rigged". People are bullied on Facebook and some are bullied into suicides. People turn into monsters. So do I think that Mark Zuckerberg is today's modern Frankenstein? Yes, in a way I would have to say that Mark, the creator of Facebook, is the cause for this.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned the time period in which this work was written, because it holds significance
DeleteYes!!! I definitely agree with Abby! Great work!
DeleteFrankenstein and Prometheus were rebels. There have been many parallels spotted between Prometheus and Frankenstein, and one parallel is that they both defied the public norm and pushed back boundaries in attempts to help the betterment of the human race. They both acted like the heroic characters in the two stories because of their actions. Prometheus stole fire from heaven in order to benefit mankind, and Frankenstein created man in order to bring advancement to the human race. As a consequence to these actions, both rebels had experienced complications for their actions. Prometheus was ordered by Zeus to be chained to a rock, and an eagle pecked out his liver every night. It is said that this punishment lasted for thousands of years. As the article described Victor's consequences, "Showing how his attempt to create one life destroys countless others." This is only one of the many consequences Victor had to undergo.
ReplyDeleteI have found many similarities between Mark Zuckerberg and Dr. Frankenstein. I can agree that Mark Zuckerberg and Frankenstein stepped out of their boxes and created inventions like never before. For example in this article, it argued, "Facebook has arguably taken on a life of its own, as its algorithms seem to influence the course of elections." Facebook is somewhat a different from of life. It is an electronic life. Individuals are able to create themselves a new character by the content that goes online or they can remain true to themselves. Zuckerberg was able to create this new type of life online which is to some extent what Frankenstein accomplished, but he physically created new life that turned into a monster. Could Facebook be looked at as a monster? Although there are many positives that go along with social media, there are also problematic issues as well. Cyber bullying has been a major issue with social media which is the monster of Facebook. Therefore, they have manipulated natural life, and have created monsters through the virtual and physical worlds.
I love you're closing statement! The blog itself was well written
DeleteBefore writing this blog, I was almost disappointed to read what our assignment was. I thought to myself, "This is a dumb topic. How can I compare a nonfictional character who was a scientist that created a monster to a very real person who created a social media?" As I discussed my frustration with my mom, she offered me her own insight, to which I agree with as well. I was explaining to her that I originally disagreed that Zuckerburgh was a modern Frankenstein because they're few similarities wasn't enough to outweigh their differences. So I asked my mom what she thought and all she said was, "Frankenstein created a living, breathing monster. But did Zuckerburgh created a nonliving one?" In my opinion, Zuckerburgh is a lesser Frankenstein just as Timmy said, but a modern Frankenstein nonetheless. From the information I know of Zuckerburgh, he created facebook as a way for the less fortunate people to make a way for themselves. I'm sure we all can agree that access technology can dramatically change the probable outcome of a certain persons situation Zuckerburgh developed Facebook, but it eventually took on a life of its own, as Marcy said. Facebook (and really any social media) has the ability to chance one's mind, influence someone, education someone. All these qualities make it alive. I think Facebook itself isn't really the monster, but it can change people into becoming a monster. I think the fact that Zuckerburg gave the people this opportunity makes him a monster as well, just as the article stated, "We all know that Frankenstein is the doctor and his creation is the monster, but to some extent it’s the doctor himself who’s made monstrous by his inability to take responsibility for what he’s wrought."
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that the connections are really strange. I never really thought of Zuckerberg as the monster as opposed to his creation. Interesting perspective.
DeleteI enjoyed your different perspective on this idea. I also liked your statement on Facebook creating monsters. Interesting perspective!
DeleteThis made me see things much differently than when I first thought about it. I like the twist you put on something that was going to be a "boring blog."
DeleteThe story of Prometheus, at first glance, is quite sad. However, when I thought about how Prometheus related to Frankenstein, I seemed to understand why Prometheus got himself into the situation he did. Both Frankenstein and Prometheus created something with decently good intentions and sent the creation off into the world. Neither Frankenstein and Prometheus had the authority to create life or give the humans the power of fire. Creating life is God's job and helping the humans was Zeus' job. Frankenstein and Prometheus both overstepped their boundaries.
ReplyDeleteRelating Frankenstein to Mark Zuckerberg was also quite interesting to think about. Just like the monster, created by Frankenstein, Facebook, created by Zuckerberg, has taken on a life of its own. It seems that there is a latest story of cyber-bullying or something related to Facebook everyday on the news. Frankenstein and Zuckerberg knew exactly how to create something new with the technology of the time. They both did not know how to put up with the aftermath, good or bad, their inventions created. Victor brings the monster to life, then abandons it. Mark creates Facebook, and all we hear about in relation to him is the money he is making from his website. The monster comes back and wants to establish his rights. Facebook has people who speak out against the cyber-bullying and some of the other issues the website has in regards to harmful social behavior. The response from both Victor and Frankenstein was nothing. That is when things get really bad. The monster goes on a rampage killing people, Facebook is still harvesting more social issues. Zuckerberg and Frankenstein did not have pure evil intentions when creating their "monsters." Facebook was, and still is, a place for people to spread positive ideas and reconnect with old friends. The monster was supposed to be an outlet for Victor and his scientific creativity. Victor neglected the monster once he was created, Zuckerberg doesn't seem to come up with ways to regulate the harmful activity on his website. If we neglect the serious issues in life, we will just end up chasing after the consequences into our own "Arctic."
I agree with you points about Facebook and the monster; neither of them wanted this! It's sad and makes them more alike then we often think! Good job!
DeleteFrankenstein is called Modern Prometheus for a variety of reasons; the biggest of all, what they created to be good, such as the gifts or the monster, quickly backfired to become something horrible. Didn't Mark Zuckerberg experience this with Facebook? He wanted people to be able to connect with friends and family across the country, even the world, but it seems that although that occurs, people use Facebook for other things as well. People began sharing too much. One idea that contrasts the three men is their feelings about their unfortunate siituations. While Frankenstein and Prometheus are both regretful, Mark Zuckerberg is not. There could be a variety of explanations for that though; maybe it is the money he's making or his management not allowing him to say it. Therefore, Zuckerberg may be today's Dr. Frankenstein, but it is a bit of a stretch, whereas Frankenstein and Prometheus parallel one another.
ReplyDelete