This year 29 October is National Frankenstein Friday! Generally, the day is celebrated on the last Friday of October every year. Frankenstein pays homage to the greatest Gothic story of all time. In 1818, Mary Shelley wrote a novel about the young scientist Victor Frankenstein, who discovered how to give life to an inanimate body. He created a monster that chased him to the ends of the world and eventually destroyed everything he cherished.
History of National Frankenstein Friday
There has never been a monster in human history. There are one or two monsters in myths, folk tales, and epic stories, and even stories from ancient civilizations such as the Aztecs or the Incas. Although the appearance and characteristics may be different, these monsters have appeared in different cultures. Among them, Frankenstein’s monster is one of the most famous monsters ever.
In 1816, Mary Shelley, wife of the poet Percy Bich Shelley, went to Geneva, Switzerland, to visit their friend, the poet Lord Byron, at Villa Diodati. The team also includes doctor John Polidori (John Polidori). An eruption of a volcano in Indonesia caused heavy rainfall and abnormal weather, which meant that the group of people were trapped in the house, where they read ghost stories to pass the time. Lord Byron then proposed to hold a competition to see who can come up with the best ghost story. Mary Shelley won the game with “Frankenstein”; Lord Byron and Percy Bich Shelley did not complete their story, but Polydori was named for Bram Stoker’s “De “Gula” and “Vampire” wrote the inspiration. “Frankenstein” was published anonymously two years after Mary was only 20 years old. The first edition of the dedication is dedicated to Mary Shelley’s father, William Godwin. Percy Shelley wrote the preface, which is why many people think that this book was written by him. This final version is familiar to most readers today. In nearly two centuries, this story gave birth to print editions in various languages and countless film adaptations.
Although Shelley has always insisted that she came up with the name “Frankenstein” (meaning “Frankenstein”), critics believe that she was influenced by the castle of the same name. The former resident of this castle was Konrad Dippel, a mentally disturbed alchemist obsessed with creating an elixir that could help people live for more than a hundred years. Rumor has it that he exhumed the body and experimented on it, just like Victor Frankenstein in Shelley’s book. Ryan MacCloskey from Westfield, New Jersey founded Frankenstein Friday in 1997 to celebrate these characters, the book, and the author. He chose to celebrate on Friday because it was interesting with Frankenstein’s alliteration. In addition, he said, Friday is easier to celebrate than any other day.
Celebration of National Frankenstein Friday
Read the book that produced it all
Read the original version of “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, and then read the newer version. If the film fits your style better, watch one of the various film adaptations starting in 1931.
Meet Mary Shelley
Check her biography and read her other works such as “The Last Man” and “Faukner”. You can take the movie route again by watching the 2018 movie “Mary Shelley”.
Host a Frankenstein Party
Dress up as the characters in the book, play trivia games, and even conduct small scientific experiments. Make (or order) Frankenstein-themed food, such as cakes in the shape of the protagonist, “dead” chicken fingers, etc. As Halloween is approaching, you can merge the two parties and spend a spooky night with the Frankenstein monster as the theme.
5 Interesting Facts about Frankenstein
Monster has no name
People often refer to creatures in books or movies as “Frankenstein”, but in reality, monsters are called “monster”, “creature”, “demon” and “it”.
There are multiple Frankenstein Days
Other Frankenstein-themed events include National Frankenstein Day and Frankenstein Day.
The first book review is not kind
When the book first came out in 1818, many critics criticized it, but due to the popularity of Gothic novels during that period, it quickly reached the top of the “reading” list.
This is the first science fiction novel
Many people think that “Frankenstein” is the first science fiction novel. Through it, Mary Shelley also invented the concept of “mad scientist” and helped establish the genre of horror fiction.
The monster we know
James Whale’s 1931 movie “Frankenstein” shaped the creatures in our minds today—square heads, heavy eyelids, and bolts on the neck.
