KOSCIUSKO — One State/One Story: Frankenstein and Kosciusko Literacy Services celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein;” or, “The Modern Prometheus” locally and in communities throughout Indiana.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus, a Titan and trickster, created mankind from clay and enabled civilization by stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humanity. The title foreshadows the intended and unintended consequences of one’s actions. Therefore, one of the main reasons for reading “Frankenstein” is that the story and themes remain relevant because the plights of the characters exemplify the many issues and concerns of modern societies.

In addition to the message in “Frankenstein,” readers are exposed to the Romantic writing style from two centuries ago. Sentences are complex and the prose uses vocabulary not commonly used today. The structure of the novel is a framed narrative or a story within a story. The novel begins as a series of letters or as an epistolary story. The letter writer Robert Walton hears and writes the story of Victor Frankenstein who recounts the tale of the reanimation of his “Creature” and the Creature’s story.

Therefore, the novel has three points of view: that of Walton, Frankenstein, and the Creature. Shelley uses descriptive language to paint a picture not only of the characters, but also of the settings. Shelley writes in detail of the landscapes of Geneva and other settings that may seem like a travelogue.

Though the story has been recreated in films with varying messages, the novel poses many theological, moral, and philosophical questions. While the mood of the story is solemn and despondent, the films tend to rely on the conflict between an un-empathetic monster and its conflicted creator.

The characters of the Creature, or the Monster, and his creator, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, expose the capacity for good or evil. Shelley develops the two main characters as both repulsive yet empathetic. The scientist Frankenstein wants to create life so that he can be godlike and worshipped. The treatment of the monster by Frankenstein and others illustrate the impacts of nature and nurture. Frankenstein immediately abandons the Monster and leaves him to survive on his own.

The novel explores unintended consequences of science and technology when it is released unchecked upon society. As the Monster interacts with others, he develops his personality and values. The Creature is intelligent, and the method of acquiring his language and knowledge is very creative. While hiding near a family he learns about caring for others. The Monster wants to be accepted by the family and others. When the family rejects him because of his grotesque appearance, the Monster believes that his subsequent vengeance and murderous actions are justified.

The novel also illustrates that humans are influenced by their surroundings and interactions with other people. When a person is treated with kindness and understanding he or she is more likely to show kindness. If a person is ostracized and experiences vitriol and hate, he or she is more likely to be a hateful, resentful individual. Shelley illustrates that people have the capacity to be good and evil influenced by their inherent nature, environment, and interactions with others.

Kosciusko Literacy Services has placed copies of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” at various sites in Kosciusko County. Kosciusko Literacy Services will host a Frankenstein craft and a Zombie Walk at October’s First Friday in Warsaw. For more information, visit www.kcread.org.

One State/One Story: Frankenstein is an Indiana Humanities program and has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book. Locally, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up provided additional funding.