Content Category
Literary Criticism
Abstract/Description
This paper studies Richard O'Brien's film The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) as an adaptation of Mary Shelley's gothic novel Frankenstein (1818), battling the academic and pop culture perception of the piece as a mere parody or castaway spoof. Through this paper, it is made evident that there are distinct thematic elements of Rocky Horror that establish it as a major conceptual adaptation of Frankenstein. First, the definition of adaptation is clearly established. Next, Shaun Soman’s research on Robert Stram’s “selection” and “amplification” as it applies to Frankenstein’s transformation into Rocky Horror is summarized and put into context. Finally, the beginnings of my research concerning the concept of vulnerability as it pertains to Frankenstein and Rocky Horror is detailed. In proving the substantial connection that exists between these two works, I hope to show the relevance and possibilities that remain for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in the world of adaptation and to provide The Rocky Horror Show with a sense of scholarly gravity necessary for it to receive additional academic attention. I will also reveal how both pieces have managed to stay relevant year after year.
Copyright and Licensing of My Content
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Origin of Submission
as part of a class
Faculty Involvement
Dennis Perry
Vulnerable Monsters: A Comparison of Shelley’s Frankenstein and O’Brien’s Rocky Horror
This paper studies Richard O'Brien's film The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) as an adaptation of Mary Shelley's gothic novel Frankenstein (1818), battling the academic and pop culture perception of the piece as a mere parody or castaway spoof. Through this paper, it is made evident that there are distinct thematic elements of Rocky Horror that establish it as a major conceptual adaptation of Frankenstein. First, the definition of adaptation is clearly established. Next, Shaun Soman’s research on Robert Stram’s “selection” and “amplification” as it applies to Frankenstein’s transformation into Rocky Horror is summarized and put into context. Finally, the beginnings of my research concerning the concept of vulnerability as it pertains to Frankenstein and Rocky Horror is detailed. In proving the substantial connection that exists between these two works, I hope to show the relevance and possibilities that remain for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in the world of adaptation and to provide The Rocky Horror Show with a sense of scholarly gravity necessary for it to receive additional academic attention. I will also reveal how both pieces have managed to stay relevant year after year.