Presentation: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Making Friends with the Monster Within
Saturday, 10/25/2025
11:00 - 12:00
Golden Gate Valley Meeting Room
Golden Gate Valley

1801 Green Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
United States

415-355-5666

"There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand…there is a love for the marvelous …even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore." ― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

We all have monsters inside us. It's just that most people manage to keep them hidden.

The monster, as a symbol of the darker, rejected and hidden aspects of our self, evokes a deep-seated fear and revulsion in those who encounter it.  

We will explore the horror narrative and the grotesque creatures that emerge from the depths of gothic imagination in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus. How does our human experience with the monster and the shadow lead to greater self awareness and becoming more human in all our fragmented parts? 

As a Jungian-certified coach, my craft combines an endless passion for discovery. I guide others on this journey of self-discovery and hold space for your whole self to emerge (and that includes the darker and less receptive side of ourselves, Jung’s term for the shadow). I am certified Jungian coach with accreditation from IACTM. And I am an advanced certified dream analyst from the Assisi Institute: International Center for the Study of Archetypal Patterns. The methodology is grounded in objective Jungian dream translation. I have also studied other methodologies such as embodied dream work and focusing. I am also an Archetypal Pattern Analyst™️ and dedicated to how patterns work in the psyche and in systems. Archetypal wisdom is universal and can be applied in various fields such as psychotherapy, cinema, the arts, bodywork, business consulting, diplomacy, and healthcare systems, among others. - Jana Hirsch, program presenter

I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.” ― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

 

Author Readings & Lectures

Engage with your favorite writers and discover your next read.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.