Chapter 1: The Genesis of 'The Shrinking Man'

Richard Matheson negotiated to sell the film rights of his second novel only on the condition that he would also pen the screenplay. I vividly recall watching ‘The Incredible Shrinking Man’ (1957) on BBC2 almost five decades ago during a themed movie night. The lineup included the original ‘The Fly’ (1958), featuring Vincent Price, both films memorable for their iconic spider scenes. One tale ends in despair while the other offers a glimmer of hope.

However, there’s much more connecting these two narratives, which is why I chose to examine them together. Notably, significant contrasts exist. Despite Matheson’s screenplay, I was taken aback by the book's depth, which skillfully intertwines the current plight of the protagonist, Scott Carey, with flashbacks illustrating the traumatic transformation of his life, heavily involving his wife and young child. Unlike Andre Delambre, a scientist reminiscent of Dr. Frankenstein, Scott is portrayed as an innocent victim ensnared in a web of ethical dilemmas brought about by scientific ambition.

Scott's bizarre journey begins while fishing, where he is engulfed by a strange fog that leads to his gradual shrinking—an inch per week. With no remedy in sight, he faces an increasingly larger world around him. Matheson vividly narrates Scott's descent into a battle for survival against a black widow spider lurking in his basement. Now merely an inch tall, he finds himself on the precipice of death, confronting the terrifying reality of becoming prey.

This grotesque creature, complete with eggs, serves as a harbinger of the monstrous Alien mother that Ridley Scott would later depict in ‘Aliens’ (1986), created by the advanced “Frankensteins” of his universe with assistance from a dysfunctional android.

The book's flashbacks reveal a marriage deteriorating into a nightmarish existence, where sexual desire morphs into something bizarre, as Scott finds himself wearing children’s clothing due to his shrinking stature. Some scenes are profoundly unsettling; for instance, a night spent with a woman suffering from dwarfism, part of a freak show, where both seek intimacy. This desire, though natural, feels tainted as Scott grapples with infidelity, despite his wife's understanding.

Matheson masterfully portrays a world that perceives Scott as a mere spectacle, reducing him to an object of curiosity and sensationalism. The normalization of his plight within the entertainment culture of 1950s America renders the everyday struggle both surreal and horrifying.

The narrative of ‘The Fly’ revolves around modern scientific exploration and its inherent hubris, echoing the 19th-century blend of horror and science fiction found in the works of Shelley and Poe. Matheson successfully bridges these literary worlds, bringing their themes into the contemporary era. Unlike the scientist in ‘The Fly’, who embodies hubristic folly, the real perversion in Scott's journey emerges from his obsession with a caretaker for his daughter, reflecting unsettling truths about male behavior under pressure.

Matheson seeks to uncover the essence of human nature when faced with insurmountable adversity, contrasting with Shelley and Poe, who explore human behavior's darker facets through the lens of scientific overreach and god-like ambition. While Shelley and Poe delve into the subconscious drives of Eros and Thanatos, Matheson's protagonist is isolated, relying solely on his intellect for survival.

Scott's journey is both a literal and metaphorical descent, as he finds himself uniquely alone in a world devoid of parallels. While his physical form diminishes, his mental acuity remains intact, preserving his will to live. Rather than a descent into death, Scott's journey is a reaffirmation of life itself.

Chapter 2: Philosophical Reflections

In the realm of Western philosophy, invoking Greek thought inevitably brings forth Protagoras's doctrine of humanity as the measure of all things. By the conclusion of ‘The Shrinking Man’, Scott Carey emerges as Protagoras's most articulate disciple, reflecting on human intelligence.

He reaches a new understanding, exploring a submicroscopic reality, hopeful of discovering “intelligence” at this deeper level, perhaps even companionship. However, he faces a significant revelation; he realizes that the corporeal form is no longer relevant. His mind is now his only means of perceiving this new existence, emphasizing that true freedom transcends physical measurements.

In the first video, “The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson - The Easton Press,” the narrative delves into the themes of isolation and transformation in Matheson’s work, exploring how these elements resonate with his broader philosophical reflections.

The second video, “The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson (Book Review),” provides insights into Matheson's unique blend of horror and science fiction, shedding light on the profound implications of human existence within a shrinking reality.