Title: The Composite Brain

Author: Robert S. Carr

Date of First Publication: 1925

Place of Publication: Weird Tales

Type: Short Story

Characters: No Character

Themes: ANDROID; BYRONIC HERO; POSTHUMAN; MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER

Critical Summary: Professor Hurley and his assistant Leroy become hell-bent on creating a living protoplasm, which quickly turns into the desire to create an entire living being using chemistry. They succeed in creating a simple flesh, which they graft onto various parts of different animals. The creature is made from the heart of a bull, parts of an octopus, the limbs of a man, thick matted black hair, and the body of a bulldog. The creature has simple nervous and circulatory systems, making it nearly impossible to kill. The professor soon discovers that he can control the beast with his thoughts. After realizing the power this gives him, the professor and Leroy devise a plan to rid themselves of Hurley’s nemesis, Dr. Forrestor, from the university. The beast is sent to Forrestor’s residence, and it drags him back to their lab. Professor Hurley and Leroy prepare to remove Dr. Forrestor’s brain; however, their plan is foiled when Forrestor awakens and realizes that he too can control the beast with his mind. Forrestor wills the beast to attack and kill the professor, and Leroy, petrified by fear, releases Forrestor from his bindings. Observing the bloody scene, Forrestor realizes the terrible consequences of using the powers of the hideous beast and decides it must be destroyed. He allows the lab and the beast to become engulfed in flames.

Though the story resembles Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by incorporating the themes of the Mad Scientist/Monster, here the creator has control of his creation. The theme of the Byronic Hero is also represented in Professor Hurley, who is a man of intellect, set on discovery and innovation all while at the same time trying to satisfy his Godlike superiority complex – traits similar to Victor Frankenstein. Furthermore, like Victor, the professor is overwhelmed by his creation, which quickly becomes his downfall. Although Hurley’s demise is explicitly detailed in the story, it seems much quicker and less traumatic than that of Victor Frankenstein. The Android and Posthuman themes are seen in the creature, as aggregated parts of vivisected bodies are used to create the beast. At the same time, The Posthuman figure iterates a classic concept of the Mad Scientist/Monster by being involved with the creation and destruction of humanity in the act of bringing inanimate organic matter to life resulting in chaos and death.

 Administrative Notes: Samantha Henshaw, CSUF; Adam Shelley, CSUF (editing)