 Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
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Artificial monsters
| Document Type |
Paperback Novel |
| | | Category |
Horror |
| | | Conventions |
- the mad scientist's laboratory
- the mechanical creature
- assemblage and reanimation |
| | | Examples |
- Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
- Elie Wiesel, The Golem: The Story of a Legend
- John Bellairs, The Eyes of the Killer Robot |
| | | Description |
The artificial monster is created by man, either through mechanical means or by assembling materials from disparate organic sources. The key element is that of construction however: it is a man-made monster that turns on its creators. Thematically, the artificial monster serves as a warning against 'playing God,' or allowing technical capability to outstrip moral reasoning.
This subgenre has a fair amount of overlap with science fiction, in terms of the use of technology and pseudo-science. Traditionally, creatures such as Frankenstein's monster have been composed of existing material, transformed into something new through assemblage. However, plots featuring robotics and artificial intelligence turned malevolent are becoming more prevalent as our technology continues to advance and new fears emerge.
See also: Monsters, Inhuman monsters, Nuclear Creatures
| | | | Comments |
1 comment [view/add]
Last comment by Design Monkey at 13:08:44 on 6 August 2004 |
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Genre record edited by Andrea Hasenbank at 2004-05-27 13:14:32
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