By Kimberly G. Landeros/reporter

SE philosophy professor, Michael Vendsel, will discuss Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and illustrate philosophical trends present in the novel April 17 on SE Campus.

“Thinking about the Monster: Philosophical Themes in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” will be hosted in conjunction with the exhibit “Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature,” which will be on display in the SE library until the end of the semester.

“‘Frankenstein’ is an important book that raises profound questions and enters into conversation with important philosophers,” Vendsel said. “I am excited to show those things to people who may not know about them.”

Vendsel has been a TCC faculty member since the fall of 2014, teaching philosophy and religion. He attended the University of Dallas where he studied how the humanities relate to each other and philosophy. It was during this time that Vendsel explored philosophy in literature.

“Frankenstein” author, Mary Shelley, as the daughter of two philosophers, grew up with a strong concentration of philosophy in her formal education.

With that background, she would later go on to write about Dr. Frankenstein and his monstrous creation.

“Though ‘Frankenstein’ recently reached its 200th anniversary of publication, the characters and their dilemmas about individual and societal responsibility are still relevant to us today,” said Tracey Minzenmayer, SE library services assistant director.

Thinking About the Monster
2-3:20 p.m. April 17
Library Classroom (ESED 1212) on SE Campus