zombies and jane austen

Seth Grahame-Smith juxtaposes the calm, classical world of Jane Austen with the violent, irrational world of zombies to create an amusing and modern take on Pride and Prejudice. The characters and setting are very similar to the original, as the Bennett sisters live in the English countryside and are stirred by the arrival of two wealthy bachelors, except that they are also battling hordes of zombies that threaten their country home. Elizabeth Bennett is still headstrong and intelligent, yet she is well-trained in the martial arts, a vital skill in the zombie-ridden land. There are many of the same conflicts, notably Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship, yet all are played out in the way of battle and contest. The author could have taken a very gruesome route with the use of zombie battle scenes, but instead it came off more laid-back and humorous, adding to the readability of the novel. He manages to keep much of Austen's style and vocabulary, while also simplifying it with more excitement in the subplots. This version could have come off as very gimmicky, but Seth Grahame-Smith stays true to the story and characters, creating an interesting and humorous retelling.

frankenstein

Through the characterization of Frankenstein and his creation, Mary Shelley exposes the cruelty of humans and their ultimate desire for acceptance. Victor Frankenstein alienates himself from society, capitalizing on his own suffering misery, which ultimately keeps him from leading a normal life. His creation is just another version of himself; sad, without companionship and facing rejection from regular society. As the story progresses, Frankenstein seems to get more and more like the monster he created, feeling vengeful and hateful towards the people that will not acknowledge him. The monster puts this feeling into perspective, saying, "There was non among the myriads of men that existed who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery." It was only because society rejected him and were disgusted by him did the monster seek revenge. This shows a major weakness in humans, as we allow others to deduce us to hateful and meaningless acts. The monster only wanted to be a part of the society and instead faced criticism and alienation. This is a dark reflection on man's treatment of outsiders, and how vengeance can easily stem from it. Shelley uses Frankenstein and his creation to illustrate the faults of humans, and the consequences of those actions.