In the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the enigmatic Doctor Frank N Furter arrives on Earth with a clear purpose, or so it seems. But what exactly was this Transylvanian transvestite’s mission? While Frank revels in hedonism and creation, a closer look at the dialogue and actions of other characters suggests a more complex objective beyond mere pleasure or playthings. Let’s delve into the opinions of those around Doctor Frank N Furter and analyze the potential – and actual – aims of his visit to Earth.
Character Perspectives on Frank’s Mission
Dr. Scott, a seemingly knowledgeable earthling, immediately suspects that Doctor Frank N Furter‘s intentions are far from benevolent. During the chaotic scene with the Sonic Transducer, Dr. Scott’s dialogue reveals a crucial insight:
DR. SCOTT: You won’t find earth people quite the easy mark you imagine. This sonic transducer – it is, I suppose, some kind of audio-vibratory, physiomolecular transport device….
Dr. Scott astutely recognizes the Sonic Transducer’s advanced technology, even mentioning that earth scientists have been working on similar concepts. This implies Frank’s mission might be related to this technology, and not necessarily for positive purposes.
Eddie, another character caught in Frank’s web, also hints at a darker mission. In a cryptic warning delivered during the song “Eddie’s Teddy,” Eddie’s note reveals a sense of urgency and alarm:
I’m out of my hed. O hurry or I may be dead! They mustn’t carry out their evil deeds!
Dr. Scott holds up Eddie's teddy bear, revealing a note warning about Frank N Furter's evil plans in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.Eddie’s “evil deeds” warning, coming from someone with insider knowledge of Frank’s operations, strengthens the idea that Frank’s mission is not as simple as it appears.
Debunking Misconceptions: Failed Mission Interpretations
Hedonism as the Goal?
While Doctor Frank N Furter undeniably embraces a lifestyle of “absolute pleasure,” attributing this to his mission is a misinterpretation. Riff-Raff’s final judgment clearly states:
Frank N. Furter, it’s all over. Your mission is a failure; your lifestyle’s too extreme.
The “extreme lifestyle” isn’t the mission itself, but rather the reason for its failure. Hedonism is Frank’s nature, but not his objective. If pleasure-seeking were the mission, Frank would be deemed incredibly successful.
Rocky’s Creation as the Purpose?
Another tempting interpretation is that creating Rocky was Doctor Frank N Furter‘s primary goal. Frank’s pride in Rocky’s creation is evident:
FRANK: Oh, I just love success!
RIFF-RAFF: He’s a credit to your genius, Master.
However, Riff-Raff’s subsequent actions and Frank’s own words reveal Rocky’s creation to be a secondary pursuit. Riff-Raff’s hostility towards Rocky and the eventual termination of the creature suggest Rocky was not central to the mission. Frank himself admits:
FRANK: I didn’t make him for you!
And later, explaining Rocky’s creation after Eddie’s demise:
FRANK: Oh, don’t be upset. It was a mercy killing. He had a certain naive charm, but no muscle.
Rocky is presented as a plaything, a replacement, not the mission’s objective. Riff-Raff further clarifies this by referring to Rocky as:
Your new playmate is loose and somewhere in the castle grounds.
Riff Raff reacts with hostility towards the newly created Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, highlighting Rocky's role as a diversion from Frank N Furter's main mission.This hostility and the “playmate” designation emphasize Rocky’s role as a diversion, not the mission’s core purpose.
The Sonic Transducer: Unveiling the Real Mission
Dr. Scott’s initial observation about the Sonic Transducer becomes increasingly significant. While he speculates about its use for space and time travel, the true purpose might be more insidious. The crucial detail is that the Transducer only affects earthlings – Brad, Janet, Scott, Rocky, and Columbia – while leaving Frank, Riff-Raff, and Magenta untouched.
This selective effect suggests the Sonic Transducer is specifically designed to manipulate earthlings. Considering the context of Transsexual Transylvanians visiting Earth, the transducer’s purpose becomes clearer.
The likely true mission of Doctor Frank N Furter was to develop and perfect the Sonic Transducer to control earthlings, bending them to the will of Transsexual Transylvania. This explains the need to come to Earth – to test and refine the device on humans. Frank’s experiments and interactions with Brad and Janet, and later Rocky and Columbia, can be seen as tests of the Transducer’s capabilities. While Frank may have been sidetracked by his hedonistic desires and the creation of Rocky, the Sonic Transducer and its potential for controlling humans likely represents the core, albeit sinister, mission of Doctor Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
