1. Introduction to Frankenstein

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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.