August 30 is Frankenstein Day #FrankensteinDay and I know both Charlie and David will be over the Moon because they love #Frankenstein. How about you. Do you like Frankenstein? If so you could watch movies with Charlie and David which I will pass on.
Frankenstein Day is on August 30th and were celebrating all the details surrounding this classic novel Frankenstein. I have a question for you . Can you believe it’s been over 200 years since the original “Frankenstein” story was published?
That’s two centuries since a young Scientist named Victor Frankenstein breathed life into his very own creature. The Monster we all know as Frankenstein! Which has led to countless Halloweens of young children covered in green paint with box-shaped foreheads.
The novel published in 1818 by English author Mary Shelly, “Frankenstein” is considered one of the most important Science fiction pieces ever written. Frankenstein tells the tale of a young Scientist named Victor Frankenstein who is fascinated with the creation of life.
Frankenstein conducts an experiment where, using a variety of human parts, he is able to bring life to a creature, which would later be known as ‘the Monster.’ The story then follows Victor and the Monster’s tumultuous connection, as both seek the secret to peace and happiness.
The novel Frankenstein received mixed reviews at the time of publication. As a female writer, Mary Shelly faced challenges in gaining acceptance and reverence from some of her male counterparts. But as time passed, especially since the mid-20th Century, “Frankenstein” has received generally positive reviews. It is widely considered one of the seminal works in gothic-, science-fiction-, and romantic literature.
Almost as soon as Frankenstein was published, “Frankenstein” quickly lent itself to a variety of mediums. Theatres and Opera houses would put on fantastic shows and musicals based on the Scientist and his creature. As film and television grew in prominence throughout the 1900s, the number of “Frankenstein” adaptations multiplied.
Two iconic additions of Frankenstein lore came in the 1930s, with the movies “Bride of Frankenstein” and its sequel “Son of Frankenstein.” While some stories would stick more closely to Mary Shelly’s source material, others would take a more liberal approach, adding new layers to the Frankenstein world, including time travel, superhuman abilities, and world domination.
Frankenstein Day Activities
- Odds are you haven’t read the original since 10th-grade English class. August 30th is an excuse to crack open a classic and take yourself on a trip to the 1700s and the mind of Victor Frankenstein. At 280 pages, it’s a relatively quick read that you can finish over a few days.
- You still have eight weeks before Halloween and what better way to celebrate than to dress up as the Frankenstein himself? Better yet, find a friend and coordinate going together as both Victor and his Frankenstein. The two months of prep will give you plenty of time to design the perfect costume for that Halloween party.
- Frankenstein-shaped Cookies and Cakes have become all the rage lately. If there is a type of sweet you love, we can guarantee there is a Frankenstein-themed recipe out there. Whether it’s Ginger Cookies, Birthday Cakes, or Licorice, the internet has you covered. Dim the lights and turn on some spooky music if you really want to recreate that Gothic, Science fiction feel while you bake.
Facts About Frankenstein
- Mary Shelly’s Father, William Goldwin, was a prominent writer, and her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a philosopher and feminist.
- Victor attends the University of Ingolstadt where he develops an interest in Science and the creation of life.
- Frankenstein has differed over the years, but Shelly originally describes the Frankenstein as being over 11 feet tall.
- Frankenstein’s normally green in color, however, in Shelly’s original work, he is actually said to have yellow skin.
- “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” the 1970s musical was a derivative of Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” the Musical spokes fun at horror movies from the early- and mid-1900s, while loosely including a number of characters and themes from the original novel.
Why People Love Frankenstein Day
- It’s been over 200 years since “Frankenstein” was first published and the story still resonates with people today. Whether it’s movies and graphic novels that have spawned from the original, or high school students uncovering the deeper meaning and metaphors of Shelly’s work, the story and characters live on.
- Importance of female writers like Mary Shelly was able to break through with this incredible piece of literature at a time when there were very few female writers.
- The square head, green skin, bolts coming from the neck, bad haircut, and boxy suit Frankenstein’s costume has become an iconic part of Halloween and a fixture in modern horror popular culture.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
