Group+3

__**Part 1**__

Our response to the provided analysis begins with commentary on the relation of Frankenstein to the original and romantic interpretations of the myth of Prometheus. Particularly, we assert that the story of Frankenstein is focused on the interplay between romanticism and conservatism and, as an extension of this idea, that the story serves as a speculative consideration of the dangers of excessive romanticism. In fact the story of Frankenstein may be interpreted as an argument that the original "bound" version of the myth of Prometheus holds more weight than the "unbound" version as a guide to optimizing the human condition.

Victor Frankenstein's story is characterized by a romantic high leading up to the monster's creation followed by an interminable period of regret as the creature terrorizes those around him. Ultimately, blind romanticism in the name of science causes negligence of important consequences. Victor does not realize his folly until the damage is done. As Orlin Damyanov states in his critique "Technology and its dangerous effects on nature hand human life as perceived in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein", "This is why science-fiction is so important in investigating and raising such questions [of scientific Prometheanism]. It is our responsibility as humans to address them accordingly before it has been too late."

Essentially the "unbound" version of the myth of Prometheus loses much of its majesty after a read-through of Frankenstein. Frankenstein transforms the sentiment of glorious defiance into one of rashness and inconsideration. While romantics may note the triumph of humanity in Victor Frankenstein's endeavor, realistic observers will note that the monster's creation ultimately had a negative effect on the condition of the doctor and those around him.

The creation of Frankenstein was a relatively small-scale example of scientific prometheanism gone astray. There were few casualties, but it is not hard to imagine the impact of scientific romanticism on a larger scale. The text argues that progress for the sake of glorious progress should not be undertaken, as it may worsen the condition of humanity if thought is not given to the ramifications.

http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5972/gibson.html http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-112,pageNum-81.html

From Sparknotes - "The pursuit of knowledge is at the heart of //Frankenstein,// as Victor attempts to surge beyond accepted human limits and access the secret of life. Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to surpass previous human explorations by endeavoring to reach the North Pole. This ruthless pursuit of knowledge, of the light (see “Light and Fire”), proves dangerous, as Victor’s act of creation eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him, and Walton finds himself perilously trapped between sheets of ice. Whereas Victor’s obsessive hatred of the monster drives him to his death, Walton ultimately pulls back from his treacherous mission, having learned from Victor’s example how destructive the thirst for knowledge can be.Sublime Nature The sublime natural world, embraced by Romanticism (late eighteenth century to mid-nineteenth century) as a source of unrestrained emotional experience for the individual, initially offers characters the possibility of spiritual renewal. Mired in depression and remorse after the deaths of William and Justine, for which he feels responsible, Victor heads to the mountains to lift his spirits. Likewise, after a hellish winter of cold and abandonment, the monster feels his heart lighten as spring arrives. The influence of nature on mood is evident throughout the novel, but for Victor, the natural world’s power to console him wanes when he realizes that the monster will haunt him no matter where he goes. By the end, as Victor chases the monster obsessively, nature, in the form of the Arctic desert, functions simply as the symbolic backdrop for his primal struggle against the monster."

__**"Jurassic Park" as a Modern Prometheus Myth**__

In a search for a modern work of literature or cinema that acts as a modern prometheus myth, one might come across "Jurassic Park" as a prime example. Of course before exploring such a suggestion, establishing what makes a story a Prometheus-styled myth is invariably important. In this regard, it could be said that a Prometheus myth generally deals with a person, or people, who delves deep into science or knowledge to break past what society normally accepts, and then paying a price for such an action. In this light, "Jurassic Park" fits quite perfectly into the Prometheus myth niche as the story essentially focuses on the work of a scientist who wishes to bring dinosaurs back into existance through new techonology, and the price he ends up paying for endevoring in such work. Also, "Jurassic Park" functions as a commentary on modern society, showing that technology is as dangerous as it is useful.

In "Jurassic Park" a paleontologist, Alan Grant, his research partner, Ellie Sattler, and a mathematician, Ian Malcolm are sent to an island off of Costa Rica to act as consultants for a bioengineering firm. At this island they find John Hammond who has turned the island into a type of wild dinosaur zoo via new techniques in genetic engineering. Of course things end up going awry as a worker in the new park tries to steal an embryo of a dinosaur to sell, shutting down the park's security systems to aid his theft. This action sets off a chain of events leading the main characters to deal with the problems of a highly-technology dependant system and the dinosaurs which Hammond has helped to recreate. At this point it should be clear how this could relate to Prometheus. Hammond has stuck his hands too deep into the far reaches of science to do something extraordinary, but his endevors lead him and the three consultants to come face to face with what he has created. In this sense, they are punished as Prometheus was. Hammond (along with Malcolm), the creator, dies in the end to the dinosaurs, his ultimate punishment. Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler manage to escape the island, which is then blown up by the Costa Rican National Guard. However, long term consequences remain as unidentified lizards have reached the jungle mainland in Costa Rica. Thus the full effect of the actions of Hammond come into fruition.

Functioning as a critism of modern society, "Jurassic Park" mainly warns readers of the potential for dependance on technology to be disasterous. This is made obvious through the eventual failure of the park's security system, which is fortold by Ian Malcolm. Malcolm, citing the laws of "chaos theory", asserts that the park's computer system, which it is extremely dependant on, cannot anticipate any disaster that might befall it, thus something unexpected will eventually happen with certain consequences. This concept of technology being potentially dangerous was important at the time the novel was being written, which was in the 1990s. At this period in time computers were being focused on and the general populace was beginning to use the to automate various functions in life. Crichton, contending that this dependance on technology could have far-flung consequences, wanted to display just how it might one day come into fruition. In a different way, "Jurassic Park" also warns against seeking out "stretches" of discovery in science. By having the dinosaurs basically being replicated by computer-operation, Crichton shows how mankind can develop a process or idea without understanding it. When we don't understand it, thats when we have troubles that arise with complications, as in "Jurassic Park".

"Jurassic Park" helps continue a tradition in writing in which the Prometheus concept of "over-stretching science" clashes with society and reality. The novel, in a whole, once again delivers the lesson that dealing in far-flung concepts and imagination can be dangerous, even disasterous. The reader, in consequence, can take this knowledge as another, more modern, Prometheus myth.

__**Part 2 Notes**__

Jurassic Park as a Prometheus Myth:

- Deals with the creation of dinosaurs using advanced biotechnology. (alike Frankenstein's creation of the creature) - Various visitors must face the consequences of the creation of the dinosaurs - John Hammond, the founder of the park, eventually dies because of what he has created. - Dinosaurs are released back into the world, as they have reportedly made it to Costa Rica, causing future consequences

As a commentary on modern society:

- Technology is shown as being undependable - Computers can't compensate for all things that could go wrong, eventually they'll come across the unexpected (unlike extremely-adaptable humans) - Using discoveries in science without understanding them in shown as being a dangerous action (in regards to the biotechnology which created the dinosaurs)