Of Monsters and Dinosaurs
Created by: Taylor and Maria
Frankenstein: Characters
Protagonist
The monster possesses multiple protagonist traits and characteristics. His utmost longing and desire is for a companion and compassion. Thus shows the monster’s motives are not altogether destructive-seeking. When looking at the story as a whole, the monster is the only one who performs any acts of grace, (such as saving the girl in the river) and not being prejudice based on appearance.
Antagonist
The monster (if considering Victor as the protagonist) is the enemy by default. The monster has been the cause of multiple deaths in the community and repeatedly acts out of anger.
Jurassic Park: Characters
Protagonist
Dr. Ian Malcolm “God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs. Since the beginning of the movie he makes it clear that man should not be playing God. He tries to warn John Hammond of the dangers of genetics, “your scientist were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should”.
Dr. Ellie Sattler, like Dr. Grant she is mesmerized by the concept and discovery of Jurassic Park. However she points out “the question is, how can you how anything about an extinct ecosystem? And therefore, how could you ever assume that you can control it?”
Antagonist
Dr. Henry Wu (chief geneticist) comparable to John Hammond, as the chief geneticist Dr. Wu was determined to recreate dinosaurs not realizing the power of the knowledge at hand. He was sure that his discoveries would work due to his extensive research and that nature could not find a way. He defied the course of nature and as a result nature found a way like it always does.
Dennis Nedry (computer system guy) Fueled by avarice Dennis jams the computer systems, which shuts down the system that deactivates the electric fences and stops the tour cars and causes chaos. If he hadn't done that the story would be completely different.
Frankenstein: Conflict
Man vs. Himself
Man vs. Society
Jurassic Park: Conflict
Man vs. Himself
Man vs. Society
Frankenstein: Themes
Appearance
Jurassic Park: Themes
Power of Nature
Frankenstein + Jurassic Park: Themes
Danger of Knowledge and Technology
Knowledge is powerful as well as technology, when these two are combined it can be very dangerous. The Jurassic Park scientists had the knowledge and with technology there were able to recreate dinosaurs, however they did not stop to think the catastrophic consequences of such power. Furthermore, in the novel Frankenstein, the pursuit of knowledge continues to grow stronger and stronger. Victor is able to create a living being, while the monster ambitiously seeks out culture, language, novels, and society.
Comparing Ending Scenes
Similarities
“Hammond, after some consideration, I’ve decided, not to endorse your park.” (Dr. Grant)
“So have I.” (John Hammond)
Just like Walton and Victor agree that pursuing their quests were not good ideas, Dr. Grant and John Hammond agree that Jurassic Park is not an intelligent thing to pursue.
- The “monsters” were created by artificial means and in the end were left alone with no one to take care of them. Both Victor and the Jurassic Park scientists played with science and the outcome was unexpected.