Wednesday night we had a great Twitter/X space to discuss Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein as an allegory for transgenderism. Shelley was wrestling with the results of the French Revolution, a theme that resonates with the most controversial consequences of the feminist revolution in our time. Her novel still enchants readers because it stands at the transition point from pseudoscience to science, from obscurantist alchemy to biochemistry. We use the text to reference autogynephilia as well as detransitioners. Listeners had excellent suggestions for future episodes. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did.
Here are the lyrics to the Audioslave song “Show me How to Live” referenced in the recording.
And with the early dawn
Moving right along
I couldn't buy an eye full of sleep
And in the aching night under satellites
I was not received
Built with stolen parts
A telephone in my heart
Someone get me a priest
To put my mind to bed
This ringing in my head
Is this a cure or is this a disease?
Nail in my hand
From my creator
You gave me life
Now show me how to live
Nail in my hand
From my creator
You gave me life
Now show me how to live
And in the after birth
On the quiet earth
Let the stains remind you
You thought you made a man
You better think again
Before my role defines you
Nail in my hand
From my creator
You gave me life
Now show me how to live
Nail in my hand
From my creator
You gave me life
Now show me how to live
And in your waiting hands
I will land, and roll out of my skin
And in your final hours I will stand
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Nail in my hand
From my creator
You gave me life
Now show me how to live
Nail in my hand
From my creator
You gave me life
Now show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
'Show Me How To Live': A Gender Critical Story Time With Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'