Personal Transformation in Texts and Film - the Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

In most novels and films, transformational thinking is a major theme. In The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, Griffin transforms from a creative scientist into a greedy monster. H.G. Wells also demonstrates individual transformation in the story Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when Jekyll transforms into a mean, uncaring monster. Similarly, in The Island of Dr. Moreau transformation is seen in Prendick as his views of vivisection change throughout the novel. During Flowers for Algernon, Charlie transforms into a productive member of society and back into a disabled man. Lastly, the patients' families in Awakenings transform as they begin to better understand their disabled love ones. Personal transformation is something that occurs in everyone's life at some point that changes their point of view and morals, either positive or negative.

When some people go through transformation, the outcome is not constructive. At the beginning of The Invisible Man, Griffin was known as a creative scientist who completed many successful experiments. As he became more obsessed with power, Griffin developed into a fanatic who only cared about himself and his science. This is an example of personal transformation that is not moral or positive. Likewise, in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll's experiment took him to a negative place and forced him to grasp the dark side of himself. Dr. Jekyll became so caught up in controlling his dark side that it transformed him into a careless maniac. His change also illustrates a transformation in which the outcome is not good. Overall, there are transformations that can worsen the person as opposed to helping them, as seen in The Invisible Man and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Positive transformations are ones in which the person has a better understanding of life and is opened up to a new point of view or new values. This type of transformation is seen in Island of Dr. Moreau, Flowers for Algernon, and Awakenings. As Prendick is exposed to the horrors of vivisection in Island of Dr. Moreau, he transforms as his point of view change. He receives a full understanding and a new outlook. This would be a positive transformation. Similarly, in Flowers for Algernon, we see Charlie Gordon obtain a fresh viewpoint on life when he is transformed into a productive member of society. This transformation would be constructive because it allows him to understand why people treat him differently and that it is okay to be like him. Lastly, we witness the patients' families in Awakenings go through a positive personal transformation when they begin to understand their disabled love ones. When the patients "wake up", it allows their families to talk to them and better understand their point of view and what it is like to be like them. All in all, positive transformations allow the person to better understand certain things and obtain a new viewpoint.

Overall, personal transformations are evident in almost

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