Science Fiction Monster Theory - Annotated Bibliography Example

?Annotated Bibliography Alkon, Paul. Science Fiction Before 1900: Imagination Discovers Technology. New York, NY: Twayne Publishers, 1994. Print. This source is a summary of the works and scholarships of pre-twentieth century science fiction. The first chapter covers some topics covered in modern science fiction and rest of the three chapters covers the masterpieces of nineteenth-century science fiction. He approaches these topics in the form of reference works, historical and theoretical studies, anthologies, and studies of individual writers and works. Over all though the author, Paul Alkon’s, bias in favor of post-modern science fiction is apparent, he does a good job of presenting information over persuasion. Due to this fact based approach, this source would be exceedingly useful in the research of where science fiction has originated. Bloom, Abigail B. The Literary Monster on Film: Five Nineteenth Century British Novels and Their Cinematic Adaptations. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2010. 9-42. Print. This source analyzes: Shelley's Frankenstein, Stoker's Dracula, H. Rider Haggard's She, Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Wells's, The Island of Dr. Moreau, in comparison with the twentieth century film adaptation of the works. She mainly points to the notion that the novels were intimately connected with the protagonist and would point to the personal failings of the character and the failings of the society as a whole. Where as, in the movie adaptations, the characters are seen as arbitrary monsters meant to strike meaningless fear and violence on society. The first chapter in particular focuses on the post-modern adaptations and the purpose the authors had in writing them. The author, Abigail Bloom, intends to persuade her audience to this notion using a logical fact based approach. This source would prove useful in the research of the meanings presented post-modern science fiction in comparison with the purpose of the modern film adaptations. Botting, Fred. Making Monstrous: Frankenstein Criticism Theory. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1991. Print. This is a critical reading of “Frankenstein”. The author of this work, Fred Botting, attempts to demonstrate the author of Frankenstein, Mary Godwin’s, intentions and literary antecedents. He also shows the complexities of the novel itself and why it was necessary to demonstrate the flaws presented by popular culture through a “hideous progeny”. This book is organized into four sections: the introduction, a critical section, a theoretical section, and the conclusion which deals with the penetration of the legend of Frankenstein into modern literature and life. In these sections the different ways Frankenstein’s character can be seen mirroring, duplicating, overlapping, superseding, and overtaking each other can be seen. This would be a great source in the research of the literary elements and creation that went into post-modern science fiction, particularly Frankenstein. Cohen, Jeffrey J., Ed. Monster Theory: Reading Culture. Minneapolis, MN: The University of Minnesota Press, 1996. 3-25. Print. This book explores the concepts of monsters in western civilization literature and films, from Beowulf to Jurassic Park. It shows how critical theorist sometimes study the use of monsters in literature and films in order to examine what the culture of the time may have been trying to express. Chapter 1 in particular covers the, “new modus legendi: a method of reading cultures from the monsters they endanger” (3). This source takes on a fact base approach but the author’s intent is to persuade the reader to the theory stated. This would be a useful source in researching how culture creates the monsters in literature and films. Graham, Elaine L. Representations of the Post/Human: Monsters, Aliens and Others in Popular Culture. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2002. Print. The author, Elaine Graham, uses this book to discuss what it is to be human. She approaches this topic by exploring matters of “post humanism”. In pursuit of this quest she explores many things from Frankenstein’s monster to the Human Genome Project. Although she explores popular culture she gives a uses a very fact based, academic approach throughout the book. This source would be useful when researching the idea that characters in literature and other modes of science fiction can be directly linked to the study of society and human nature. Harris, Mason. "Vivisection, the Culture of Science, and Intellectual Uncertainty in the Island of Doctor Moreau." Gothic Studies. 4.2 (2002): 99-116. Print. This book discusses the relation of images and characters in, The Island of Doctor Moreau, by H.G. Wells, with how they impacted the cultural view of the Darwin theory of evolution. This particular potion of the book focuses how the characters in this book showed the opposing side of the, late-Victorian era, view of vivisection. This book takes on a fact based but highly persuasive point of view. This source would be useful in the research of how science fiction literature has impacted modern and post-modern theories, and cultural view of those theories. Huntington, John. The Logic of Fantasy: H.G. Wells and Science Fiction. New York, NY: Columbia University press, 1982. Print. This book goes into a study of H.G. Wells and how his books have both represented and impacted popular culture. The author, John Huntington, attempts to demonstrate that “opposition” is the structural basis of the scientific fictions/romances written by Wells. He states that he does this, “not by developing a theoretical justification for it, but by...studying the texts closely" (10). This book would prove a valuable resource in the research of meaning and culture that went into the works of H.G. Wells. Kenneth, Sherman. What the Furies Bring. Erin, Ontario: The Porcupine's Quil, 2009. 21-26. Print. This book is a collection of scholarly philosophy. The author, Sherman Kenneth, presents a collection of essays which are intended to enlighten the reader on issues within: Judaism, poetry, other religions, terrorism, the works of Anne Frank, and much more. He also relates his own thoughts on these works to the reader with the goal of persuading the reader to rethink the way the view the world. This is a fantastic resource for many scholarly essays and enables the researcher to view them in a new light. Page, Michael. "The Darwin before Darwin: Erasmus Darwin, Visionary Science, and Romantic Poetry." Papers on Language & Literature . 41.2 (2005): Print. In this article the author, Paige Michael, demonstrates how theories on evolution and societal interactions can be seen in modes of visionary science, and science fiction/poetic works long before Darwin published his view. The author uses a fact based approach to persuade the reader. This is a useful article when researching how literature can be a mode of expressing philosophical concepts and societal ideas. Philimus, Robert, and David Hughes. H.G. Wells: Early Writings in Science and Science Fiction. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1975. 13-47. Print. The authors, Philimus and Hughes, brought together twenty eight of H.G. Wells’s writings from 1880-1890 that are related to science or science fiction. There is also an introduction and footnotes throughout the book. The introduction specifically discusses how the editors hope to clarify H.G. wells vision of the “poetry of science”. This is a useful anthology in the review of themes and concepts seen throughout the works of H.G. Wells regarding science fiction. Powers, Richard. "Rousseau's 'Useless Science:' Dilemma of Paradox?." French Historical Studies. 2.4 (1962): 450-469. Print. In this journal article author, Richard Powers, discusses whether or not Rousseau’s primitivism is supposed or real. The author uses fact in an attempt to persuade the reader that any opposition to the, “supposed glorification of the state of nature holding the balance of power”, only to so because the arguments, “attempt to do too much” (450). This source would be most beneficial in the research of Rousseau’s works and how the relate to the human concepts and ideals in society at that time. Rauch, Alan. "The Monstrous Body of Knowledge in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein." Studies in Romanticism. 34.2 (1995): 227-253. Print. In this article author, Alan Ranch, shows a little investigated notion of Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein. This idea is the notion that nature of knowledge and as a cultural artifact can be seen throughout the novel. Rauch attempts to show this idea through the fact that Frankenstein, “represents a remarkable ‘body’ of knowledge” (227). This persuasive, fact based essay would be useful in the research of the notion that Mary Shelly intended Frankenstein’s character revealing cultural ideals. Rieder, John. Colonialism and Emergence of Science Fiction. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2008. 97-122. Print. This book shows how new ideas and technology are often added to literature and films to show whether they are good or bad for society. This demonstrates how mainstream media has made an effort to shape societies ideas both during post-modern and modern times. The author, John Rieder, looks at different works through history and modern day science fiction, and is a good overview and introduction to this major field of popular culture. This particular section of the book focuses on the characters of the post-modern literature community and there attempts to rely messages to society. This is a useful resource in the research of modern and post-modern attempts by “media” outlets to affect society’s ideas and acceptance of certain notions. Read More