Seminar Presentation: Frankenstein — Who Is the Real Monster?

Okay, folks, let's settle down. Sofia, the floor is yours.

好了，各位，安靜一下。Sofia，換妳上場了。

Thanks, Professor. Um, okay... here goes.

謝謝教授。嗯，好……那我開始囉。

So, quick question first. Who is Frankenstein?

那麼，先問個小問題。Frankenstein 是誰？

Most people say the big green monster, right?

大部分的人會說是那個綠色大怪物，對吧？

Actually, Frankenstein is the scientist. Victor Frankenstein.

其實，Frankenstein 是那個科學家。Victor Frankenstein。

Mary Shelley started writing the story when she was eighteen.

Mary Shelley 開始寫這個故事時才 18 歲。

And it came out in 1818, when she was just twenty!

而且這本書 1818 年出版時，她才 20 歲！

Victor builds a creature and brings it to life.

Victor 造出一個生物，並賦予它生命。

But the moment it opens its eyes, he runs away!

可是它一睜開眼，他就逃走了！

The creature is alone, and nobody will even look at him.

那個生物孤零零的，連看都沒人願意看它一眼。

Everyone screams and attacks him because of his face.

每個人都因為它的長相尖叫著攻擊它。

He teaches himself to speak and read, all alone.

它完全靠自己，學會了說話和閱讀。

So, here's my question. Who's the real monster here?

所以我想問：真正的怪物到底是誰？

Sorry, can I jump in? I'm not sure I agree.

不好意思，我可以插個話嗎？我不太確定我同意。

He still murders people, including a little boy.

它畢竟還是殺了人，連一個小男孩都不放過。

A bad childhood doesn't make that okay, does it?

童年不幸也不能讓這種事變得情有可原吧？

Ooh, that's a fair point. You're right, it's not okay.

喔，這點說得有道理。你說得對，那確實不對。

But Victor creates him, and then refuses any responsibility.

可是 Victor 創造了它，之後卻拒絕承擔任何責任。

He even lets an innocent woman die for one of those murders.

他甚至眼睜睜看著一個無辜的女人因其中一起命案而死。

Wait, he knew the truth and said nothing?

等等，他知道真相卻一聲不吭？

Exactly. He stays silent to protect himself.

沒錯。他為了保護自己而保持沉默。

Hmm... okay, so maybe they're both monsters?

嗯……好吧，那也許兩個都是怪物？

Yes! I think that's actually Shelley's point!

對！我覺得這正是 Shelley 想表達的！

At the end, Victor dies chasing him across the Arctic ice.

結局中，Victor 在北極冰原上追趕它時死去。

And the creature cries over his body before disappearing.

而那個生物在他的遺體旁哭泣，然後消失了。

For me, the scariest thing is how people treat outsiders.

對我來說，最可怕的是人們對待異類的方式。

That's all from me. Thanks for listening!

我就講到這裡。謝謝大家聆聽！

Wow, great job! That debate was exactly what I wanted.

哇，講得太好了！這正是我想看到的討論。

Next time, try adding a quote or two from the novel.

下次試著加一兩句小說裡的原文引用。

Will do. Thanks, Professor!

好的。謝謝教授！

Okay, okay, you've convinced me. Mostly.

好啦好啦，你說服我了。大致上啦。