Introduction to Frankenstein

Frankenstein is the story of… Victor Frankenstein Swiss scientist Creature is produced out of old body parts Human-like monster Ruins Victor’s life

Structure Form: Epistolary novel Story within a story, series of documents Usually letters Adds elements of realism, mimics real life Letters in Frankenstein document correspondence between Captain Robert Walton and his sister, Margaret Walton Saville

Language of Frankenstein Side notes through the text in parenthesis (side comment from narrator) Diction makes images through story more vivid and dramatic Adds to suspense Reminder that story is told orally Lengthy descriptions – can be dry, but are important Intertwined with action Foreshadowing and paranoia Emotional outburst after significant events Emotional connection to characters allows for personal connection between author and reader

Gothic and Romantic Literature Elements of horror and romance Extension of romantic elements (nature, etc.) An atmosphere of mystery and suspense A threatening feeling, a fear enhanced by the unknown. Plot built around a mystery: disappearance, etc. Omens, portents, visions A character has a disturbing dream, vision or some phenomenon may be seen as an impending event Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events Dramatic, amazing events occur, such as ghosts or giants walking, or inanimate objects The metonymy of gloom and horror Metonymy is a subtype of metaphor, in which something (like rain) is used to stand for something else (like sorrow) http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm

Odds and Ends Early example of science fiction Largely influenced many science fiction novels of today Author, Mary Shelley Wrote the book when she was 19 Recent events of industrial revolution transition to new manufacturing processes Many people nervous about new scientific and technological possibilities Science vs. God became big issue

It’s time to write… Think about new scientific and technological advancements and possibilities we’re currently working with or considering. (brainstorm as a class) Do these scientific/technological advancements concern you? Why or why not? What are the possibilities of violating the ethical limits with the application of technological discovery and unleashing an uncontrollable evil to roam within this world? Stem cell debate? *Dolly the sheep: female sheep – domestic, cloned from adult somatic cell (biological cell) using the process of nuclear transfer(for of cloning – remove DNA, inject, so on and so forth.