Erick Ibarra, & Dr. Rachel Olsthoorn
Frankenstein, Hamlet, and Rumpelstiltskin are thought to be well known literature works that have a variety of cultural interpretations and adaptations worldwide. From the modern understandings of the stories to the current adaptations of these works, and the interpretations of popular characters within these works, we can examine cultural and societal shifts based on events in our lives. Additionally, the recent events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, being the key event which stopped the world in its tracks, altered individuals’ interpretation of stories and thus can be utilized as a mirror to gauge the changes in cultural practices and beliefs. Through an examination of published literature pertaining to previous understandings of the stories Hamlet, Frankenstein, and Rumpelstiltskin, and comparisons of individuals general beliefs from self-reported online survey focusing on one’s own reading and streaming habits, as well as their interpretations about those popular stories today. This research aims to evaluate how cultural values might have shifted over the course of the pandemic through the interpretations people have on these famous stories. Preliminary results show that on average most feel unaffected in their own beliefs, but the overall understandings of the stories seem to interpret that the modern anti-heroes become more sympathetic through time.