Introductory Lecture Notes on Mary Shelley ’ s Frankenstein Mr. Cleon M. McLean Department of English Ontario High School

About the Book Who is the author of Frankenstein? –Answer: Mary Shelley What is the subtitle (or other name) for Frankenstein? Answer: The Modern Prometheus In which century was Frankenstein written? –Answer: Frankenstein was written in 1818 (19 th century), i.e., the Romantic Period

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Mary Shelley’s first publication of Frankenstein was anonymously Mary Shelley’s husband, the famous Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote the preface, i.e., the introduction, for the novel The novel was dedicated to Mary Shelley’s father—the philosopher William Godwin

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Frankenstein is a framed story (a story within a story). It begins and ends with letters Frankenstein is told in flashback: Captain Walton writes to his sister, Mrs. Saville, telling her about the life of Victor Frankenstein Mary Shelley had four children—all of whom died before age two. Mary’s half-sister committed suicide the same year Mary lost two of her children. These events made Mary depressed, and she dreamt about them.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein when she was 19 years old Mary Shelley read and relied on the most recent findings and theories of science to create her tale. Mary Shelley replaced the mythological theme of "heavenly fire" with the latest experiments of electricity. Benjamin Franklin, whose name has been suggested for the "Frank" in Frankenstein, may have been the modern Prometheus from whom Shelley drew inspiration

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Mary Shelley's Frankenstein defies strict categorization as either a Gothic novel or a science fiction novel. While containing elements of both, it moves beyond these two genres – Definitions: Gothic novels: stories often set in the medieval period (typically in gloomy castles), focusing on the sufferings imposed on an innocent character by a cruel and lustful villain (antagonist). Ghosts, mysterious disappearances, and other supernatural occurrences are also involved. Genre: A category of artistic, musical or literary composition characterized by a particular form, style, or content. E.g., poetry is a literary genre. Sidelight: The term genre is frequently used interchangeably with “ “ type ” and “ kind. ”

In the 19 th century, Romantic writers… 1.Stressed emotions and imagination 2.Wrote about subjective experiences of the individual, such as desires, hopes, and dreams 3.Exalted nature in all its creative and destructive forces 4.Believed in spontaneity of thought and action 5.Believed in experimentation 6.Reflected on the experiences of childhood, primitive societies, and the common man 7.Celebrated intense passion and vision 8.Sought a more natural poetic diction and form

Vocabulary from the Preface & Introductory Letters 1.ardent 2.harrowing 3.dilate 4.odious 5.emaciated 6.wretched 7.capacious 8.progeny 9.paroxysm 10.expedient a.hateful b.miserable c.children; offspring d.spacious; roomy e.expand f.spasm; convulsion g.suitable; practical h.distressing; agonizing i.passionate; enthusiastic j.thin; wasted

Annotation Key for Bookmark Rom. Info. about the Romantic Period (≈1800—≈1850) M/P Man’s nature mirroring physical nature P/M Physical nature mirroring human nature  A question about the meaning of a word or sentence or passage ‼ WOW! General noteworthy info.  Supports theme of “dangerous knowledge” via the motif “light” Use of literary terminology Rom. Info. about the Romantic Period (≈1800—≈1850) M/P Man’s nature mirroring physical nature P/M Physical nature mirroring human nature  A question about the meaning of a word or sentence or passage ‼ WOW! General noteworthy info.  Supports theme of “dangerous knowledge” via the motif “light” Use of literary terminology

Chapter One How did the speaker’s father meet his mother? –Answer: The speaker’s father met and married the orphaned daughter of his friend. Under what sort of economic condition did the Frankenstein people live? –Answer: The family was rich, and traveled the world frequently. Where did the Frankenstein family call home? –Answer: The Frankenstein family called Geneva, Switzerland home

Chapter One What is the name of the speaker in the story? –Answer: Victor Frankenstein Why did Victor choose to read Medieval books on alchemy (preparations for the elixir of life) over modern Enlightenment books? –Answer: Victor thought that modern Enlightenment (natural sciences) was unsound

Chapter One Where does Victor’s mother find his sister, Elizabeth? –Answer: Elizabeth was an orphaned German girl who was left in the hands of an Italian peasant family How was Victor introduced to his adopted sister, Elizabeth? –Answer: Victor’s mother introduced Elizabeth to Victor as his “present”

Chapter Two By what names did Elizabeth call her adopted family? –Answer: She called them “cousins” and “uncle” When/why did the Frankenstein family give up touring the world? –Answer: When Victor’s younger brother was born

Chapter Two What were Elizabeth’s intellectual interests? –Answer: Elizabeth’s intellectual hobbies were in languages and art What was Victor’s intellectual pursuit? –Answer: Unlike Elizabeth who admired and delighted in the appearance of things, Victor investigated the cause of things

Chapter Two What was the name of Victor’s friend, and what was he forced to do? –Answer: Victor’s friend was Henry Clerval. Henry’s father forced him to give up studying alchemy to study business

Chapter Two What was Elizabeth’s affliction? –Answer: She had the scarlet fever Of what disease did Victor’s mother die? –Answer: She had the scarlet fever What was Victor’s mother dying wish? –Answer: Victor’s mother’s dying wish was for Victor and Elizabeth to get married

Chapter Three Why did Victor go off to the university in Ingolstadt, Germany? –Answer: Victor left to study in Germany because he wanted to escape the sadness of losing his mother How did Victor’s first professor, Prof. Krempe, treat Victor? –Answer: Professor Krempe was rude to Victor. Krempe told Victor that studying Medieval alchemy was rubbish

Chapter Three How was Victor’s second professor, Professor Waldman, to Victor? –Answer: Prof. Waldman was a calm and amiable man who respected Victor and urged him to study all branches of natural philosophy—i.e., chemistry, biology, and physics, and mathematics