12. Murder Trial of the Century: Execution, Dissection and Revenge (Ep 2)

The Prelude is a seminal work of English Romantic literature, written in blank verse. It was intended as the prologue to a larger epic poem, The Recluse, but Wordsworth completed only The Prelude and parts of The Excursion. The poem narrates Wordsworth's spiritual and intellectual journey, using literal journeys as metaphors for his inner growth. It emphasizes the importance of personal emotion, the natural world, and the interconnectedness of human experience and nature, key elements of Romanticism.

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.

The story, narrated largely through the perspective of Mr. Gabriel John Utterson, a London lawyer, revolves around the mysterious and sinister figure of Mr. Edward Hyde and his connection to the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals Jekyll's secret: he has created a potion that allows him to transform into the evil Mr. Hyde, embodying his repressed desires and darker impulses. The novella delves into themes of dual identity, the struggle between good and evil, and the social hypocrisy of Victorian society.