Frankenstein Mary Shelley

Objectives - Identify elements of Gothic Romance and Verisimilitude and explain their purpose in telling the story Identify how point of view changes the perspective of the reader in regard to identifying the true victim Identify literary techniques used by Shelley to convey the theme or answer the central question of the novel Apply knowledge of literary lenses to the novel

Book Info Published in 1818 Subtitled “The Modern Prometheus” Originated in a “scary story contest” between Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley and Lord Byron

Mary Shelley Born in London, 1797 Parents were famous radical writers Mother, also named Mary (Wollstonecraft) died shortly after Mary’s birth Married Percy Bysshe Shelley after his first wife committed suicide Had four children, only one survived Percy Bysshe Shelley drowned in 1822 and Mary continued to write until her death in 1851

Atmosphere of mystery and suspense Gothic Romance Atmosphere of mystery and suspense How is this created? Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events High emotion

We see three different perspectives throughout the novel Point of View We see three different perspectives throughout the novel Robert Walton (author of the letters) Victor Frankenstein Creation/Monster We know the general significance of multiple perspectives but we need to specifically identify why they are used in this novel

The Book Begins… Characters R. Walton, the explorer who encounters Victor in the Arctic, author of the letters, frame narrator Victor Frankenstein, the narrator beginning in Chapter 1 Creature/Monster – the creation made by Victor, also narrates some of the novel (Chapter 3 of Volume 2 OR Chapter 11) The novel opens with a series of letters addressed to Mrs. Saville, England The letters are from her brother , R. Walton who is traveling the Arctic On his journey, he encounters a man, on the run from something The man begins to tell his story with Chapter 1

Due Wednesday, January 3rd – Volume I Chapters 1-8 Reading Assignments Due Wednesday, January 3rd – Volume I Chapters 1-8 Due Wednesday, January 10th – Volume II Chapters 9-17 Due Wednesday, January 17th – Volume III Chapters 18-end