1. Frankenstein
Mary Shelley

2. Anticipation Guide
Answer each question based on your previous knowledge. Do not worry about getting an answer right or wrong. The idea of this guide is to get your “wheels turning” as we introduce our new unit of study.

3. Draw what you think Frankenstein looks like.
Below the drawing, explain your reasoning for what you drew.
Who is Frankenstein
Who created “the monster” we refer to as Frankenstein
Why was “the monster” create
Write the first three words or adjectives that come to mind when you hear the word “goth” or “gothic”.

4. Write True or False for Each Statement
It is a parent’s job, more than society’s, to nurture his/her child.
All children are innately good.
Every child needs “nurturing” in order to become “human.”
People who are “deformed” physically or mentally should be isolated from society.
Absolute evil does exist in the world.

5. Mary Shelley Born in 1797 to Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin
Both parents were writers and radicals.
Wollstonecraft- A Vindication of the Rights of Women
Godwin- political journalist
Mary read and re-read many of her mother’s works, greatly influenced her.

6. Marriage to Percy Shelley
He was a young, married poet when they met.
They decided they were in love, but that it would be better if they part after a series of events.
Percy’s threat to kill himself in front of the entire Godwin family.
Ended up running off to France together and were married two years later.
Lost three children and a miscarriage
Turbulent marriage
Percy drowned in 1822

7. Frankenstein Begin in summer of 1816
Neighbors of Lord Byron in Switzerland
Rainy summer
Found some ghost stories
Let’s all write one!
Discussion of Erasmus Darwin’s experiments with galvanism (uses of electricity)
Mary Shelley’s started out as a short story, ended up a 15 year process of rewriting.

8. The Gothic Novel
Popular in the late 18th century- Romanticism Characterized by mysterious settings and atmosphere of terror and/or gloom. All the elements are calculated-monsters, violence, obscenities, death Common Motifs: supernatural/natural sacred/profane dreams and/or visions multiple narratives madness reason/passion Light/dark

9. The Gothic Novel
There is always the egotistical protagonist, usually isolated either voluntarily or involuntarily. Villain who is the epitome of evil, either by his (usually a man) own fall from grace, or by some implicit malevolence. Setting is greatly influential- nature is used to create atmosphere. Serve to show the dark side of human nature

10. Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould Me man
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould Me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me?--- Paradise Lost [X.743-5]

11. Given what you’ve heard about the book, the Prometheus connection with the advancement of humanity and the gothic novel, what kinds of themes do you think we’ll run across during the reading?

12. Theme Topics
Alienation and Loneliness Nature vs. Nurture Appearance vs. Reality Duty and Responsibility Justice and Injustice Use of knowledge for good or evil Use of technology in modern world

13. Captain’s Log- Stardate 18th Century
Have C1-6 read by next class.
Captain’s Log- Stardate 18th Century

14. Letter 1 Summary
Captain Robert Walton of England is on an expedition to the North Pole. He writes a series of letters to his sister, Margaret to pass the time, and, you know, keep in touch.
Walton has some goals: see new places, walk where no man has walked before, etc.
Letter 2 Summary
Walton tells his sister that he has no friends. He won’t be friends with the men on the ship, either, because they are, um, not as awesome as he. We think we know why he has no friends.
Walton is lonely. No one could possibly understand him because he’s special and more sensitive than the other men. English majors would probably call him a Romantic figure.
Letter 3 Summary
The ship sets sail.
Walton is overly confident in his outlook for the trip. Since things are going well, something bad is probably going to happen soon.

15. Letter 4 Summary
Something bad happens! The ship is stuck in sheets of ice in the ocean.
The crew sees a giant figure in the distance going across the ice on a "sledge," whatever that is. We’re thinking "dog sled."
The next day the ship crew finds another man on yet another sledge. Unfortunately for said man, all but one of his dogs are dead. This man also looks like he has one foot and possibly half a leg in the grave.
So the crew brings the new guy on board the ship, rubs his body with brandy, and gets him drunk to warm him up. This was back before they knew it actually lowers your body temperature.
Walton wants the new guy all to himself to be the friend he’s dreamed of having, which is weirdly possessive.
At the end of this letter, he tells his sister that the man is going to tell his story the next day.

16. References
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Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Ed. Johanna Smith. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Print.
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