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Frankenstein Museum: A Modern Fear Metaphor
16 Feb
Summary
- The museum in Bath explores Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as a metaphor for modern fears.
- Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-nominated film offers a new interpretation of the Creature.
- The attraction highlights Shelley's life and the novel's enduring relevance.
- The museum opened in 2021, celebrating Shelley's groundbreaking work.
A unique museum in Bath, England, is dedicated to Mary Shelley and her seminal 1818 novel, "Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus." This immersive attraction, Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, opened in 2021 and explores the novel's lasting influence and its relevance to contemporary issues.
Co-founder Chris Harris views "Frankenstein" as a profound exploration of prejudice and societal fears. He notes that the story, conceived by an 18-year-old Shelley, resonates today as a "very modern story" about abandonment and rejection, themes that can lead to violence. The museum showcases Shelley's life, the tragedies she endured, and her fascination with science, highlighting her genius.
The museum also draws parallels to recent adaptations, including Guillermo del Toro's acclaimed film, which received nine Oscar nominations. This cinematic version portrays the Creature as gentle and eager to learn, yet facing societal resentment, a perspective that garnered acting nominations for Jacob Elordi. The museum features an animatronic figure in Victor Frankenstein's recreated laboratory, allowing visitors to engage with the story's elements.
Bath, where Shelley penned key chapters of her novel, now celebrates this literary giant. A plaque near Bath Abbey marks the residence she occupied in 1816-1817. Harris advocates for greater recognition of Shelley, emphasizing that her novel remains an extraordinary and timeless work.
