Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley All passages and page numbers noted on the slides correspond with the 1831 version of Frankenstein. Publisher: The Penguin Group; ISBN 9780141439471 © 2008 Wendy O’Sullivan dba High Yield Lessons These materials are protected by copyright law. For each purchased copy of this work, a limited license is granted allowing use to one teacher for use with that teacher’s class(es).

Mary Shelley titled her work: Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus Therefore, it is important to understand who Prometheus is and how he relates to Frankenstein.

PROMETHEUS was the Titan god who was entrusted with the task of molding mankind out of clay. As mankind’s creator, he desired to better the lives of his creation by giving them fire. However, Zeus did not believe that mankind should be allowed to have this gift, as he thought only the gods deserved to have fire. So, Prometheus disobeyed Zeus, stole fire from the gods, and delivered it to mankind. For Prometheus’ crime, both he and mankind were punished. For man’s punishment, Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora (the first woman) as a means to deliver misfortune into the house of man through the opening of Pandora’s Box. Prometheus, meanwhile, was arrested and bound to a stake on a mountain where an eagle was set to feed every day upon his ever-regenerating liver. “Promethean” means having a tendency to follow Prometheus, the “thief of fire.” Fire is a symbol for the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, but it can also represent power, glory, riches, fame, etc.

Prometheus Escapes with Fire

Prometheus Bound

Prometheus – Rockefeller Center – New York

What does Prometheus have to do with Frankenstein? Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein: Alike: Prometheus creates man. Frankenstein creates a new species. Prometheus defies the gods by stealing fire. Frankenstein defies God and the universe by stealing “fire” (the ability to create life). Prometheus is punished by Zeus and suffers endlessly. Victor Frankenstein is punished and suffers for the remainder of his life. Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein: Different: Prometheus feels love for his creation. Victor Frankenstein shuns his creation and denies him love. Prometheus’s Man and Frankenstein’s Creature: Both man and the creature suffer due to the actions of the creator.

What does Prometheus have to do with Frankenstein? One of the ideas we will explore while reading Frankenstein is “Prometheanism.” As you read, you will need to identify, analyze, and discuss how Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein display Promethean traits.

First: What is a Promethean? Promethean means having a tendency to follow Prometheus, the “thief of fire.” Fire is a symbol for the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, but it can also represent power, glory, riches, fame, etc. The following are examples of character traits that make someone a “Promethean.” These traits are listed for you on your handout: “Understanding Prometheanism”

PROMETHEAN TRAITS Prometheans are impatient with limitations. They believe that the universe, nature, or God is withholding from them something that they deserve, and the only way to “get fire” is to steal it. They will also defy authority to achieve their goals.

PROMETHEAN TRAITS Prometheans will become completely intoxicated by their quest, and will stop at nothing to attain it. They are willing to risk their own death or destruction in pursuit of the desired “fire.”

PROMETHEAN TRAITS Prometheans will misuse imagination and creativity in their pursuit, and are often dangerously out of touch with reality. They think that by sheer will power they can conquer ignorance and perform tasks beyond their competence.

PROMETHEAN TRAITS Prometheans are elitists and express great bravado about what they can do. They also may feel a need to share their ideas and be applauded for them.

PROMETHEAN TRAITS The ideal is everything to them. The imagination of what can be or what may be drives them, but often the reality brings something quite different. And, when the reality does not match the vision, they will often avoid their own responsibility and culpability. They will attribute the pursuit to “fate,” “destiny,” or some unknown working within them.

PROMETHEAN TRAITS Prometheans become so obsessed with whether or not they “can,” that they often don’t stop to ask whether or not they “should.” This irresponsible obsession with the quest often leads to unintended, disastrous consequences.

Punishment for Man: Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box: Connection to Frankenstein As punishment for Prometheus’ crime, his creation, man, suffers when Pandora opens the jar given to her by Zeus and releases all of the evils of the world. The only thing to remain in the jar is hope. Today, “Opening Pandora’s Box” means creating or unleashing “evils” into the world that cannot be undone. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley warns that Promethean ambitions combined with the misuse of science, technology, and imagination can lead to the unleashing of unforeseen and unknown “evils” into the world.

Before we begin reading and analyzing, there are a few things to understand about the story. . .

A Note on Romanticism The English Romantic Period came about as a reaction to the “Age of Reason.” The Age of Reason was a time period that focused heavily on the intellect, rational thought, and science. There was a focus on “conquering” and “structuring” nature, moving away from a simple appreciation of and communion with nature. Mysticism, intuition, and even spiritual thinking fell by the wayside. Romantics valued intuition, emotion, imagination, and a return to sublime nature. Through a connection to nature, and not a mastery of it, one could become connected to the universe. Being a part of the universe, and not the masters of it, was the Romantics’ path to peace and happiness. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley makes the argument that combining the misuse of imagination with the pursuit of science and intellectual thought is a recipe for disaster. Trying to learn the secrets of the universe, instead of simply being a “part” of the universe, can lead to destruction.

Frankenstein Before we proceed further, and so there is no confusion, please make a note: Frankenstein IS NOT the name of the “monster.” Frankenstein is the name of the scientist who creates the “monster.” The creature is never given a name.

Epistolary Frame Story A Frame Story is a story that “frames” an inside story. An Epistle is a letter. An Epistolary Frame Story is a story told through letters. Frankenstein is an Epistolary Frame Story.

Frame Story & Point of View Frankenstein is told from the 1st person point of view of three different characters. Robert Walton’s Letters to His Sister Victor Frankenstein’s Story to Walton Creature’s Story to Frankenstein

The Frame Character: Robert Walton Narrator: 1st Person Point of View (Wal: Defense Ton: Town) Narrator: 1st Person Point of View On a journey of discovery to the North Pole Writes four letters to his sister, Mrs. Saville At the beginning of the fourth letter, he writes that his ship is unable to move as it is surrounded by ice. He and the crew then spot a figure out on the ice riding away from them in a sledge pulled by dogs. Soon after, they discover a man on the ice; he is very sick and very weak. They bring him on board. We will later learn that this stranger’s name is Dr. Victor Frankenstein.

Walton’s Sister: Mrs. Saville Sav: pearl or jewel Ville: town She is the “listener” of the entire tale and represents all readers (citizens of civilized society). She represents civility, community, and kindness, coupled with deep love and concern.

Promethean Traits in Frankenstein As you read Frankenstein, annotate, highlight, and keep notes of textual evidence that reveals how the Promethean traits we discussed are seen in the characters: Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein Use your handout as a guide!

Assignment #1 Read Letters I – IV As you read, please make note of the selected passages given on your “Understanding Prometheanism” handout. Sample analysis, explaining how those passages demonstrate promethean traits is also provided for your understanding. For all three letters, annotate, and highlight other passages that you believe could be used to support traits of Prometheanism. For Each Letter (1, 2, 3, & 4), record one passage that you believe supports Promethean traits and provide a brief analysis for each explaining how/why it supports a Promethean trait.