Unit One: Literary (and film) interpretation

The Essay Assignment: Write a 750-900-word essay (thats 212 to 3 pages of text, plus a Works Cited list after that) that responds to the prompt below. In your essay you are required to quote from both of the main works you are discussing (the story Robot Dreams and the film Frankenstein) and also quote from my Class Notes, Unit One: Prometheus, Literature, Technology, and … Us! You are also welcome, but not required, to quote from any or all of the other sources in this unit, the TedEd video, by Iseult Gillespie, entitled The Myth of Prometheus, the Psychology Today post by John Nosta entitled “The Modern Prometheus in the Form of AI,” and the article “What Greek Mythology Can Teach Us About the Dangers of AI,” by Michael Buckley. Quotes should include in-text citations, and the essay needs a works cited list at the end, in MLA style. The Prompt: Please write an essay that discusses the Promethean theme in Isaac Asimovs 1986 story Robot Dreams and James Whales 1931 film Frankenstein and connects those texts to our current age of technological developments and potential dangers. Here are some questions you might think about as you prepare to write (you do not need to focus on these questions or necessarily answer them; they are meant simply to be starting points for thinking about the topic, if you get stuck): In what ways are the scientists in these two texts similar to one another, and how do they differ? What is the danger presented by their creation, and which protagonist, Frankenstein or Dr. Calvin, responds more appropriately to that danger, in your view? Finally, do you see ways in which these texts predict current debates and concerns over technological innovations and how their impacts can be controlled? Please try to set up your discussion by referring to the Prometheus story early onand this would be a great spot to get support by quoting from your sources (my class notes, the TedEd video and/or one of the brief articles)and then go on to discuss both Robot Dreams and Frankenstein. If you feel more comfortable with one of those texts than the other, you can focus more on that one, but be sure to at least refer to both and to quote from each of these source and discuss those quoted passages. Try to conclude your essay by connecting the ideas in these texts to real life today and one of the “Promethean” technological developments currently impacting our lives. An MLA formatted works cited list should follow the essay, on its own as the last page. Classwork and class materials will help you in the preparation of this works cited list.