The Differences and Similarities of Shelley’s 1818 vs. 1831 Version of Frankenstein-
Mary Shelley’s two versions of her novel “Frankenstein,” exhibit both similarities and differences. While some are easily apparent, others require careful evaluation and understanding to detect. Firstly, the structural differences are effortlessly detectable. Shelley’s first version (1818),was published into three volumes. Meanwhile, her second version (1831) was consolidated into a single book.
Despite the structural format of the novel had changed over time, the most significant changes in Shelley’s versions are rooted within the themes explored and the character developments. In the 1818 version of Frankenstein, Shelley portrays a sense of free will among the characters within the novel, including Victor, Elizabeth, and others. This version created a sense of hope for the characters, and an idea that the characters in the novel are capable of making meaningful moral choices. In her later version, a shift occurs within the novel, which emphasizes a sense of predetermined outcomes for the characters. To better understand this thematic change in her novels, I conducted some extra research. The Stanford Daily wrote an article on Shelley’s tragic family occurances, which more than likely led to the change in tone from the first to the second version. “By 1831, Shelley had become a widow and witnessed the deaths of two of her children, so she had a different perspective on the story.”Her personal tragedies before 1831 likely reshaped the tone shift between both editions.
Victor’s character goes through a notable transformation between the two editions. In the first version, Victor posses a strong sense of what is ‘right or wrong’. He has the moral capacity to reject his creation of the creature and the lack of responsibility for being it’s creator. If we take a look at the second version, the perspective shifts, and the novel focuses on how Victor came to the idea of creating the creature. Shelley implies that the ‘luck’ and someones destiny is already in the fate of their destiny.
Lastly, the endings are essentially the same. Both editions end with Victor’s demise and the death of the creature. Both versions hold differences and similarities, making them equally as interesting and a great read.
The Disadvantages and Advantages of Transcription vs. an Archival Photograph / Scan-
When analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the of transcriptions versus archival photographs/scans, it is evident that both formats offer benefits and limitations. This can impact the reader’s understanding of the text as the format changes. An advantage to transcriptions is that it prioritizes readability, by presenting information in a legible manner. This can limit the confusion that presents itself with photographic scans, as some issues might be image quality issues, or the inability to decipher handwriting. Additionally, transcriptions provide readers with the opportunity to expand their understanding through footnotes or annotations contributed by other readers. Personally, I find annotations helpful in enhancing my comprehension of the book’s content. Lastly, my favorite, is searchability within the text. Transcriptions are incredibly easy pieces of writing to navigate, especially when searching for a specific word, sentence, chapter, etc.
However, there are some disadvantages when discussing transcriptions. Transcribing handwritten novels into digital formats can potentially result in a loss of authenticity during the conversion process. Human error could be taken into account when analyzing the transcription progress. This could lead to potential inaccuracies within the text.
On the other hand, archival photographic scans offer authenticity to the reader, allowing them to still access a piece of writing digitally, by still reading the original piece of work. The digital scans offer additional images that wouldn’t be included in a transcription, adding to the authenticity of the material.
However, digital scans of original work could pose some issues. Handwritten scans might be difficult for the reader to understand due to deterioration of the book overtime, and or, quality of the scan / image. Here is an example of Shelley’s handwritten draft notes of Frankenstein:
Pictured above, is Mary Shelley’s handwritten draft of Frankenstein, 1818 version. The image shows Shelley’s cursive handwriting on two sheets of paper. The handwriting is blurry, smeared, and has many parts scribbled out in black ink. Additional image information can be found on The New York Times Archive.
As the reader can see, the scanned image is blurry, illegible, and dated. Cursive handwriting is an outdated form of writing, so younger generations will more than likely have a hard time deciphering the writing. This is one of many reasons why I prefer the transcription method.
Each reader experiences different advantages and disadvantages with both transcriptions and digital scans. I prefer transcriptions, as they are easier for me to navigate. I enjoy searching up key words to find common themes, connections, and to go back and reread a certain part of a book that interests me. I find it difficult to navigate photographic scans, as the text is usually too small for me to read on my computer.
Which Version I Prefer & Why?
As previously mentioned, my preference leans toward transcriptions when considering the choice between transcriptions and scans. When deciphering between which edition of Shelley’s novel I prefer, I would lean towards her 1818 version. I had originally read her 1831 version first, many years ago. I had never read the 1818 version until taking this course. My reasoning behind this decision is because it captures Shelley’s raw essence of her narrative without subsequent alterations or revisions. The narrative and flow of this novel is more straightforward, making it an easier read. Lastly, it holds great historical significance. The 1818 version of Frankenstein is not only iconic, but it is Shelley’s raw ideas and feelings, which is reflected deeply throughout her novel.
Shaping and Facilitating Reading Experiences –
Comparing Mary Shelley’s 1818 “Frankenstein” to the 1831 edition unveils structural and thematic differences. The first novel, which is divided into three volumes, highlights characters with free will and moral agency, contrasting with the second novel’s sense of predestined outcomes. Victor’s character also evolves; the earlier version shows moral conflict, while the second version suggests fate influences choices. The medium through which we engage with literature significantly influences our reading experience and the insights we derive from it. For instance, reading a printed book versus an e-book can alter the reading experience. While specifically breaking down transcription versus archival scans, transcriptions prioritize accessibility and searchability but risk losing authenticity and may contain errors. Scans maintain authenticity but face challenges with deteriorating handwritten text. These mediums shape reading experiences uniquely, with transcriptions aiding navigation and scans providing originality despite potential readability issues, offering diverse insights to readers.