THE DARK SIDE OF ROMANTICISM FRANKENSTEIN MARY SHELLEY “You are my creator, but I am your master.”

ELEMENTS OF A GOTHIC NOVEL (THE DARK SIDE OF ROMANTICISM) 1.Great importance of emotion and intuition over reason and logic. 2. Bizarre (unusual) 3. Appreciation of beauty and nature. 4.Set in exotic, foreign, obscure places. 5.Characters are often unbelievable. (Example: unusually intelligent, strong, beautiful)

THEMES Nature vs. Nurture Nature vs. Nurture Loneliness vs. Isolation Loneliness vs. Isolation Duty vs. Responsibility Duty vs. Responsibility Social Prejudice Social Prejudice

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MARY SHELLEY ( ) Born in London, England Born in London, England Had a sad life with much death. Had a sad life with much death. Parents were well known English writers Parents were well known English writers Two weeks before her 16th birthday-ran away with Byshe Shelley, a famous poet (he was married). Two weeks before her 16th birthday-ran away with Byshe Shelley, a famous poet (he was married). Went to Switzerland with friends- ghost story begins. Went to Switzerland with friends- ghost story begins.

TRAGEDY IN SHELLEY’S LIFE (LIFE IMITATES ART) Her mother dies shortly after her birth Her mother dies shortly after her birth Mary’s half-sister commits suicide Mary’s half-sister commits suicide P. Shelley’s wife commits suicide -Mary and Percy are wed P. Shelley’s wife commits suicide -Mary and Percy are wed P. Shelley drowns at 29 and Mary becomes a widow at 24 P. Shelley drowns at 29 and Mary becomes a widow at Mary dies at 54 from a brain tumor Mary dies at 54 from a brain tumor

ABOUT THE NOVEL…. Novel was subtitled The Modern Prometheus Novel was subtitled The Modern Prometheus Prometheus was a titan (giant) who stole fire from the Greek gods to give to the people, and he was punished. Prometheus was a titan (giant) who stole fire from the Greek gods to give to the people, and he was punished. The story was inspired by a trip to the Swiss Alps The story was inspired by a trip to the Swiss Alps Shelley, Percy, and Lord Byron challenged each other to write the ultimate “ghost” story. Shelley, Percy, and Lord Byron challenged each other to write the ultimate “ghost” story. She won! She won! She turned her story into a novel over the next year; she was 19 when it was published. She turned her story into a novel over the next year; she was 19 when it was published. She did not attach her name to the novel at first; many believed her husband wrote it. She did not attach her name to the novel at first; many believed her husband wrote it.

CONNECTION TO LITERATURE…. Shelley was a fan of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Shelley was a fan of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He recited “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in the living room of Shelley’s family’s home when she was young. He recited “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in the living room of Shelley’s family’s home when she was young. The poem is cited several times in the novel. The poem is cited several times in the novel.

NOVEL SETTING Switzerland Switzerland Germany Germany The Arctic The Arctic

NOVEL TIMELINE (FRAME STORY) VictorVictorMonster Frankenstein’sSchoolCreatesProblems/THE Story Childhoodthe MonsterLETTERS Ending MonsterLife(novel starts here) Goes back to the beginning

MAIN CHARACTERS Robert Walton Explorer; the narrator Explorer; the narrator Writes to his sister, Margaret Saville in London (the letters advance the story) Writes to his sister, Margaret Saville in London (the letters advance the story) The Creature Victor’s “monster” Victor’s “monster” Victor Frankenstein Young man born in Switzerland Young man born in Switzerland Fascinated with science and natural philosophy Fascinated with science and natural philosophy This leads to his tragic creation of the monster This leads to his tragic creation of the monster

Alphonse Frankenstein Victor’s father Victor’s father Wealthy, influential man Wealthy, influential man Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein Victor’s mother Victor’s mother Dies shortly before Victor leaves for college (motivates his “God Complex”) Dies shortly before Victor leaves for college (motivates his “God Complex”) Elizabeth Lavenza Adopted by Victor’s family as a young girl Adopted by Victor’s family as a young girl

Henry Clerval Victor’s best friend Victor’s best friend Ernest and William Victor’s younger brothers Victor’s younger brothers Justine Moritz Live-in servant; treated like family Live-in servant; treated like family M. Waldman Victor’s professor; becomes his mentor Victor’s professor; becomes his mentor More characters appear – take good reading notes.

THE BIG QUESTIONS (WRITE DOWN A FEW IDEAS ABOUT EACH TOPIC; THEY MAY REAPPEAR IN AN ESSAY LATER) What consequences do we face if we do not take responsibility for our actions? What consequences do we face if we do not take responsibility for our actions? How does lack of compassion and understanding lead to prejudice and stereotyping? How does lack of compassion and understanding lead to prejudice and stereotyping? How can failure be beneficial? How can failure be beneficial?