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When it comes to horror, observations on humanity, even science fiction.
Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is a different kind of beast, and yes, that pun was as intentional as the eponymous character's intention to create life.
Where, or how to begin?
There is nothing I can say here that hasn’t been documented before in countless thesis', discussed endlessly in debates and lectures or the endless string of re-imaginings, retellings and portrayals.
It's a story so firmly cemented in modern culture, so deeply rooted in our subconscious that it’s nearly impossible to find someone who doesn't know the name 'Frankenstein', whether they've read the book, seen any of the various film adaptations or how it's crossed over into every form of creative medium and/or franchise.
Just the mention of the name will cause most people's imaginations to conjure up images of the famous creature, be it grotesque, cheesy or comical, the classic stereotype, or something more absurd and abstract. Some would even think of the actual scientist, claiming him to be the real monster for creating such an ‘abomination’ and then treating it with such loathing and disdain, when it is ultimately, his child.
Like my previous piece on David Lynch, this is not a review or overly detailed dissection/education of a timeless work of literature, but more a reflective tribute to it, its impact on the world and the profound influence it has had on my life, perhaps that in itself could prove an interesting read or even a fresh perspective on this immortal classic.
Since childhood, I was aware of the mythos surrounding Mary Shelley's masterpiece.
Through cartoons, the often quoted 'IT'S ALIVE!', and the classic image of Boris Karloff from vintage cinema. But it was one of my all time favourite movies that planted the seeds of my interest and provided the markers for a path that I will always be grateful for travelling and re-treading.
The movie in question was Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein', to which I'm sure many of you would immediately realise, is quite the contradiction to the source material it drew its inspiration from.
But hey, it is what it is, and before I entered my teenage years, I had acquired a copy from my local library and devoured it.
You can imagine my surprise at the juxtapositional nature I had exposed myself to when compared to the brilliant comedic, satirical content of Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman and Peter Boyle under the direction of Mel Brooks.
Much like my exposure to William Blake, Gibson, HG Wells, Philip K Dick and Hunter S Thompson (Lynch was still gestating at this point), my eyes were open to things they could never be closed to and my mind expanded in ways that I'm still, to this day, learning to appreciate.
Much like how Kerouac's 'On The Road', Sun Tzu's 'Art of War', Lewis Carroll's 'Alice In Wonderland' and countless other classics are deemed as 'sacred texts' by their audiences, Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' became one of mine.
I related to and sympathised with the creature on so many levels, not in the way of family. Thankfully, they were supportive, kind and did not abandon or forsake me.
No, it was in relation to the world, society, human nature and how one shapes themselves that I felt like I had found a kindred spirit in what Frankenstein had created.
Through very formative years and experiences of my life, I was an outcast amongst my peers, and even amongst friends.
I sought out and educated myself on a variety of things, much like the creature did as he had no one to guide him, as kind and supportive as my family were, I was left to my own devices.
Because of my diverse and eclectic tastes in music, film, history and literature, it was like my very personality was stitched together from so many different parts for which I was often ostracized and ridiculed.
Like Yin and Yang, the creature was torn between the two quintessential things that comprise what we call a soul, even if it is just chemical reactions in our brains.
I felt this struggle, echoed by the words he said;
'I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend'
Everytime I revisited or sought the counsel of this story, which was often during my tumultuous late teens, I vowed to myself, more and more, that I would take the other path, the one that the creature was denied.
I reversed another famous line (the one I used as the title for this piece) and turned it into a mantra;
'I will not cause fear, I shall inspire love'. Out of all the things that have had an impact or influence on my life, this work of gothic literature written by the wife of renowned poet Percy, will always have a slightly louder voice than the rest.
The creature is the Yin to my Yang, I have found a way for us to exist in harmony.
"The companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain."
Though fictitious, Mary Shelley gifted me a companion that will always possess a certain power over my mind, but in my later years I have been blessed with real friends that have also obtained that power.
If you want some light hearted fun, watch 'Young Frankenstein', if you want something heavy, thought provoking and ultimately depressing, then read 'Frankenstein', or perhaps even watch the 1994 rendition directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh with Robert De Niro as the creature.
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