----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I think that J. Roberson has a good point re: the new Frankenstein movie. That is, it *was* written as an exploration of other issues (science, etc.), as the subtitle (of the Shelley's book) tells us: _Frankenstein, Or the Modern Prometheus_. For all those who don't know the Prometheus myth, he was the guy who gave fire to humans (when, according to the gods, he wasn't supposed to). He did this because he felt sorry for them, supposedly, but he was then chained to a rock/mountain (the myth varies) and had his liver pecked out by large and horrible birds. Connect this to Victor and the issues that science brings to us, such as surrogacy, in vitro, etc., and J. Roberson mentioned. This was precisely my point when I said to read the book -- *these* are the issues, not whether Kenneth Brannaugh re-made the movie better than James Whale back in 1931. Pretty good call, J. Roberson, for someone who hasn't a) read the book or b) seen the new movie or c) seen the old movies. As a result of Victor's "taking on" of the role of God/the gods, whether or not he is interested in/delighted by the monster's ability (in the book or the movie) to read, to talk, and so forth, is *not* the main point, or possibly even a main "sub" point. Other opinions? The book (in my opinion) has many interesting themes, and open to much analysis. The new movie? I still liked it, despite the large groups of audiences who are still panning it. O well! Donna Harrington NOVA/LOUDOUN- UNIV. of MD