The movie vs. the book

"on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from a beautiful old oak"- Page 40

After the cute white board activity I thought it would be interesting to point out the differences between the movie and book of Frankenstein. Granted I saw the film version when I was 8 or so, therefore most of my judgment will be based on knowledge gained from society mostly.

The lighting:

The book tells the tale of how Victor is inspired by a lighting bolt striking a tree when he was 15. It was this moment that bought his scientific mind to create. However in the movie it is lighting it self that bought his creation to life. In my opinion I think it's because the movie could just leave the plot with "life insterments" but needed a concrete thing to show the audience that something was being done.

The creature's color

Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, the film makers decided on green instead of yellow. In reality they probably didn't want to make a hideous monster that had a skin color that was close to humans. It is important to note that book version has a monster that is easier to hide in society (at least I think it's important)

He's ALIVEEE?!?!?!?!?!

The book (at least from what I gather) is more of a morality/emotional issues not really a plot on the monster it self. The movie however creates this climatic scene of creation so which Dr. Frankenstein can scream with his crazy mad scientist hair.

Who knows what movie vs. book discussions lie in the future!

"My application was at first fluctuation and uncertain; it gained strength as I proceeded and soon became so ardent and eager that the stars often disappeared in the light of the morning whilst I was yet engaged in my laboratory." Page 49 Frankenstein

One major theme found in this novel is duty (and if you don't believe me look at the nifty sheet of paper given to you from Mr. Costello. Any complaints should be given to him). In this lovely frame story we have the duty/passion/obsession/drive of Walter. The man in search of a pole, and then we have the obsession of Frankie. The way he just wilted away at his work (first seen in the quote above) just hits this theme home. Frankie/Victor neglects his family and relationships FOR SCIENCE!!! *lighting flash* (although lighting is hardly in this book at all, except for a inspiring childhood story). Frankie becomes pale, hungry tired and although he creates life he kills his own. It's this sense of duty to create a perfect race that presses him forward. This sense is also a great trait that pulls Walter and Victor together. They both have this sense of duty, and it is this that gets them in their roles of the story.

And then one of my favorite things to read in class ended terribly. How typical

"He had not stopped loving her; his feelings toward he remained the same..."-Page 274

After this point my *this story isn't going to end well* senses started tingling. Up to to this point Winston just told O'Brien how life was going to defeat the Party, even if it committed suicide, how the Party will never become omnipotent. I was raising my fist to the sky and pumping the air, happy that Winston was telling O'Brien what was up. Then the cherry on the cake, Winston praised his love for Julia, and I silently congratulated Orwell for the touching love scene. Then O'Brien did nothing. He didn't get angry, thrash or scream. I then realized how Winston would never win and the rest of the story crashed around me. I know that that BB had to win in order for Orwell to get his point across but I still was disappointed in Winston for loving Big Brother, of Julia and Winston betraying each other and how they lose. However even if the ending was a terrible one, I found this book to be quite enjoyable and a great diving board for thoughts on the current. I award Mr. Orwell a 93%, sure it's not an A+, but it's enough to wave the final.

Sing me a song

"The birds sang, the proles sang, the Party did not sing"- Page 221

Throughout the book bits and parts of songs are sprinkled throughout. Some are put in to make points about the government or the past. One interesting point I found (and that was quoted, how nice). Is that Party members don't sing. Only the proles and Winston/Julia (those against the Party) and birds sing. I failed to find a reason Orwell would do this unless he was trying to show the difference between proles and the Party. The proles are free enough to sing, to show thoughts through an outward action, and for the world to see. The past sang as well (seen throughout the book with the Church's tolling bells). The songs are more about freedom then any movement Winston and Julia do. Outside of their relationship it's the worst offense they have against the Party.

What ... ISYOUR FAVORITE COLOR?!?!?!

"Before we bring this session to an end you can ask me a few questions if you choose"

"Any questions I like?"

"Anything"

Page 259 conversation between O'Brien and Winston

Orwell has this annoying and persistent style choice throughout the novel in that the reader is NEVER DIRECTLY TOLD ANYTHING. In this particular scene (found on pages 259-260) Winston is still left in the dark even if he was allowed to ask any questions. This style setting of not answering any questions, makes the reader themselves question. In a way it's a good story telling technique, a great cliff-hanger, but in the end the questions are left unanswered. The reader isn't important enough to know the answers, only the Brotherhood will ever know. I doubt Orwell even knows. This style technique can be sprinkled throughout the book, however this instance with O'Brien I think it brings up the theme that civilization is stupid and BB is needed for them to survive. They need someone to know those answers.

Room 101- not to be confused with room 002

"There's nothing I won't confess, nothing! Just tell me what it is and I'll confess it straight off. Write it down and I'll sign it-anything" Not Room 101"- Page 236

Room 101 really is a jumping point about Orwell's settings in the last half of 1984. I think Orwell introduces the Room about 50 pages before the reader and Winston find out what's inside it to install fear. Creating fear of a thing, which could be of been avoided. Let's take it with the rats, Room 101 and O'Brien great this atmosphere of terror that has the reader pause from reading and make sure that there aren't any rats around. The description of the room itself is blank and scary, especially in the fact that's personalized for everyone. Look how different the rats become from the bedroom above the shop to Room 101. Winston loses himself due to the suspense and the setting of this room. This technique of fear paves the theme of fear through the book. How the government gets what it wants from fear of poverty, fear of war or even fear of rats.

Oh I love you Ken

He love big brother - 298

One major theme from this book is government force. Similar to how Barbie is forced by the little girls of the world to live and think a certain way (seen in the video ) Winston breaks down from his original hatred of Big Brother. In retrospect I don't think Winston hated BB, as much as he didn't want to be part of his society. The ending of the book is kind of a let down. The evil character(from Winston's point of view), BB, wins. However because Orwell was trying to illustrate how humanity was leading to this path of destruction the ending isn't that much of a shock. The ending of the book would of been completely different if Winston had protected his love for Julia and kept faced as his face was being chewed off by a rat. I think Orwell picked this ending as a statement, of what can be. Our society to can become like Barbies if we let it.