1. Frankenstein
Chapters 5 to 8

2. Chapter 5
This is a significant chapter because it marks the birth and abandonment of the creature, and the start of a spiral into tragic regret for Frankenstein.

3. The Science that inspired Shelley
All of Europe was talking about the latest experiments and Galvanism. In fact, it is Percy’s and Byron’s discussion of such issues that partly inspires Mary’s story. She dreams about the birth of the creature and Frankenstein’s horror at his result the night she listens to Byron and Shelley speak of Darwin and Galvanism.

4. The Creature’s Birth
Shelley spends little time describing the process of bringing the creature to life but director Kenneth Brannagh spends much more time of the creature’s birth. Why is there a difference and what is the effect on the audience and meaning of the scene? Bullet point your ideas using the worksheet provided.

5. Chapter 5
‘It was a dreary night in November…’ was the original opening for the story.
With a partner discuss the following:
The use of pathetic fallacy in this opening line.
The choice of November as a setting. (Think of All Souls night)
The later addition of Walton’s letters and Frankenstein’s introcuctory narrtive.

6. Chapter 5
The Gothic elements that can be found in this chapter are the grotesque (description of the monster's features), the eerie environment (Victor's lab at 1 a.m.), the undead quality, and some type of psychic communication (Victor's feeling of being followed). Also, this chapter builds fear in the reader, another big part of Gothic writing. Cliffnotes

7. Chapter 5 ALLUSION in the chapter
The creation of the creature alludes to the creation of Adam. But whereas God created Adam and looking ‘upon him saw he was good’, Victor looks upon his creation with horror and repulsion.
Coleridge’s poem is alluded to also. Both the mariner and Victor seek knowledge in a passionate Romantic way. But for Victor his search ends in a horrifying way because his pursuit is selfish and unnatural.

8. Chapter 6
This chapter chronicles Frankenstein’s recovery. His creation of the monster brought him the brink of destruction. This emphasises the unnatural process Frankenstein has put himself through to create his creature.

9. Chapter 6
Pay attention to the recurring images and references to sight and eyes. There are a number of reasons for this:
Foreshadowing
Contrasts with the watery unhuman eyes of the creature
Flashbacks to when Victor first laid eyes on the creature.
God sees Adam as good but Victor sees his creature as bad.

10. Chapter 7
Victor learns of his brother’s murder and the tragedy of the story begins. He returns home to Switzerland and the sight of the Swiss countryside momentarily restores his spirits in a very Romantic way.
However, a Gothic element interrupts this narrative as the recurring image of lightning reveals flashes of the creature travelling over the submit of a mountain. Once again, Shelley highlights that Victor has broken the laws of nature.

11. Chapter 7 GOTHIC elements
Lightning and pathetic fallacy play a role in creating mood and atmosphere.
Atmosphere and setting exude a sense of foreboding building ultimately to Victor’s horrifying realisation that the monster murdered his brother
The tragedy of Justine underpins Victor and the reader’s sense of helplessness and exaggerates the dramatic irony as we are aware of the unnatural hand at play in the novel and this world.
Psychic connections – Victor knows the creature is guilty and the creature knew where Victor’s family lived. They are bound together in destiny and psychically, like God and Adam.

12. The role of women and class
When Victor repeats his assertion of Justine's innocence, her father remarks, "She is to be tried today, and I hope, I sincerely hope, that she will be acquitted." Justine is already a martyr, in the Frankenstein family's eyes, in that she is willing to suffer the guilt for a crime she did not commit. Perhaps Shelley is making a subtle point about the criminal justice system in England during her time. The rights that are enjoyed today are not the same rights enjoyed in the late 1700s. This passage plays a commentary about the rights of the accused and poor in English society, which is obviously a concern of Shelley's mother and probably a concern of her own.
Cliffnotes

13. Chapter 8
Injustice in the criminal justice system – Justine is a play on the word justice
Immorality vs immortality – While Victor agonises over the immoral creature he brought into the world, Justine confesses to a crime she did not commit to save her immortal soul.

14. Homework
Writing: To what extent do these chapters establish Frankenstein as a Romantic/Byronic hero? Give reasons for your answer.
Reading: Chapters 9 to 13
(HINT:)