Seminar Presentation: Frankenstein — Who Is the Real Monster?

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

好了，各位，安静一下。Sofia，请开始吧。

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

谢谢教授。嗯，好……那我开始了。

So, quick question first. Who is Frankenstein?

那么，先问个小问题。Frankenstein 是谁？

Most people say the big green monster, right?

大多数人会说是那个绿色大怪物，对吧？

Actually, Frankenstein is the scientist. Victor Frankenstein.

其实，Frankenstein 是那个科学家。Victor Frankenstein。

Mary Shelley started writing the story when she was eighteen.

Mary Shelley 开始写这个故事时才 18 岁。

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

而且这本书 1818 年出版时，她才 20 岁！

Victor builds a creature and brings it to life.

Victor 造出一个生物，并赋予它生命。

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

可是它一睁开眼，他就逃跑了！

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

那个生物孤零零的，连看都没人愿意看它一眼。

Everyone screams and attacks him because of his face.

每个人都因为它的长相尖叫着攻击它。

He teaches himself to speak and read, all alone.

它完全靠自己，学会了说话和阅读。

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

所以我想问：真正的怪物到底是谁？

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

不好意思，我能插一句吗？我不太确定我同意。

He still murders people, including a little boy.

它毕竟还是杀了人，连一个小男孩都不放过。

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

童年不幸可不能让这种事变得情有可原吧？

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

哦，这点说得有道理。你说得对，那确实不对。

But Victor creates him, and then refuses any responsibility.

可是 Victor 创造了它，之后却拒绝承担任何责任。

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

他甚至眼看着一个无辜的女人因其中一桩命案而死。

Wait, he knew the truth and said nothing?

等等，他知道真相却一声不吭？

Exactly. He stays silent to protect himself.

没错。他为了保全自己而保持沉默。

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

嗯……好吧，那也许两个都是怪物？

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

对！我觉得这正是 Shelley 想表达的！

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

结局里，Victor 在北极冰原上追赶它时死去。

And the creature cries over his body before disappearing.

而那个生物在他的遗体旁哭泣，然后消失了。

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

对我来说，最可怕的是人们对待异类的方式。

That's all from me. Thanks for listening!

我就讲到这里。谢谢大家的聆听！

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

哇，讲得太好了！这正是我想看到的讨论。

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

下次试着加一两句小说里的原文引用。

Will do. Thanks, Professor!

好的。谢谢教授！

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

好吧好吧，你说服我了。差不多吧。