logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2025
12m 39s

36: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Dr. Vishwanath Bite
About this episode

This episode provides an overview of Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, detailing the framework narrative of Robert Walton's Arctic journey and his discovery of Victor Frankenstein, who then recounts his life story. The episode highlights Victor's idyllic childhood, his scientific obsession leading to the creation of the monster, and the tragic consequences that follow, including the deaths of loved ones. Key characters, such as Victor, the Monster, and Walton, are described, along with analyses of their motivations and roles. The episode also explores significant literary elements from the novel, such as themes like dangerous knowledge and monstrosity, recurring motifs like passive women and abortion, and symbols like light and fire, all of which contribute to the complex narrative.

Up next
Mar 4
87: Nissim Ezekiel & Indian Modernist Poetry
In this episode of Literary Rides, we examine Nissim Ezekiel—widely regarded as the foundational voice of Indian English modernism. Moving away from romantic nationalism, Ezekiel brought irony, urban realism, and psychological introspection into Indian poetry written in English.W ... Show More
31m 46s
Mar 2
86: Language Standardization & “Correct English”
What makes English “correct”? Is it grammar, authority, tradition, or power?In this episode of Literary Rides, we examine how Standard English was historically codified through dictionaries and grammar manuals, often reflecting the speech patterns of social elites. From the presc ... Show More
32m 11s
Feb 28
85: Posthumanism in Literature
What does it mean to be human in an age of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and ecological crisis? In this episode of Literary Rides, we explore the philosophical and literary dimensions of posthumanism—a movement that challenges the idea of the human as autonomous, ... Show More
30m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Special Two Hour Episode
<p>Tonight's sleep story is a special two hour episode of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Published in 1818, this novel, written by a teenaged Mary Shelley, is one of the most influential stories in literature and is possibly the first science fiction novel. In the episode, Captain ... Show More
1h 56m
Jul 2025
Close Readings: ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
Born from grief, exile, intellectual ferment and the ‘year without a summer’, Frankenstein is a creation myth with its own creation myth. Mary Shelley’s novel is a foundational work of science fiction, horror and trauma narrative, and continues to spark reinvention and reinterpre ... Show More
34m 21s
Jul 2025
The Mother of Science Fiction: Inventing Frankenstein
This week NPAD is on vacation, but as a special treat, we wanted to share an episode of our other podcast, Watch Her Cook, with you. This episode has a few surprising NPAD tie ins, and we are so excited to share it with you all. We will be back to our regularly scheduled National ... Show More
1 h
Oct 2025
Re: Frankenstein is Crowdfunding!
We're crowdfunding for our next adaptation, which is FRANKENSTEIN!Find out more (and support our new show) at igg.me/at/refrank.In this trailer you heard Sena Bryer as Victor Frankenstein and Josie D. Sumner as The Monster. Dialogue editing and sound design by Stephen Indrisano. ... Show More
1 m
Oct 2024
104: Donna Tartt - The Secret History
<p>Donna Tartt's novel The Secret History is a loveletter to Greek tragedy, that begins with a dedication from Nietzsche and Plato. Central to the story is the concept of the Dionysian, and the attempt of the main characters to experience the Dionysian. Richard Papen's fatal flaw ... Show More
2h 5m
Dec 2024
Nosferatu Rises Again (feat. Robert Eggers)
**For this HTW special feature, Sally interviews director Robert Eggers about his new historically inspired film, Nosferatu.** Winter, 1476. Vlad III is a prince in Wallachia, in present-day Romania. He is a violent man, so violent that he earns the nickname "Vlad the Impaler." H ... Show More
24m 30s
Dec 2024
Is the Loch Ness Monster real?
<p>What lurks beneath the dark waters of Loch Ness? The legendary monster? A piece of Celtic folklore? A warning of the Nazis' rise to power? A fraudster?</p><br><p>Today Anthony and Maddy are examining grainy photographs, picking over descriptions of monsters and trying to work ... Show More
43m 43s
Mar 2025
250 | Beginner - Short Story: The Mysterious Lighthouse [English Listening Practice]
tail spinning
7m 4s