1. Frankenstein
Mary Shelley

2. Mary Shelley Born in 1797 to William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft
Father was an influential political philosopher & novelist
Mother was a pioneer in promoting women’s rights and education
Her mother died shortly after Mary was born

3. Mary Shelley Received no formal education
Married (scandal!) Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1816
“romantic beyond romance”
Frankenstein was published in 1818
She died in 1851

4. “I busied myself to think of a story…One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and awaken thrilling horror.
Introducing the Novel

5. Gothic Novel Main ingredients: mystery, horror, supernatural
In literature the term applies to works with a brooding atmosphere that emphasize the unknown and inspire fear
Settings: wild and remote (haunted castles, wind-blasted moors)
Plot involves violent or mysterious events

6. Historical Context
Takes place in the late 1700s, various parts of Europe, especially Switzerland, Germany, & the Arctic
Published at the height of the Romantic movement
Enlightenment (reason & logic)  Romanticism (individual, imagination, emotions)
Labeled “romantic fiction”- powerful work of imagination, exotic settings, and emphasizes the emotions of fear and awe

7. Structure and Point of View
Robert Walton’s letters
Frankenstein's story to Walton
Creature's story
to Frankenstein
Frame Story
Epistolary – carried by letters

8. Themes Consequences of irresponsibility in the pursuit of knowledge
Consequences of pride
Consequences of society’s rejection of someone who is unattractive
Destructive power of revenge
Sympathy

9. Major Characters
Victor Frankenstein – protagonist, product of an idealistic Enlightenment education
The Creature - never named; is Victor’s doppelganger (alter ego);
Robert Walton – Arctic explorer who’s obsessed with gaining knowledge and fame; rescues Victor in the Arctic; tells the story
fueled by possibilities of science and a desire for acclaim; becomes obsessed with creating life from spare body parts. Rational demeanor dissolves and by story’s end, consumed by primitive emotions of fear and hatred.

10. Major Characters
Henry Clerval – Victor’s childhood friend; true romantic, wants to leave mark on the world, but never loses sight of “the moral relations of things”
Elizabeth – adopted as an infant by Victor’s family;

11. Classwork Read Shelley’s Introduction to Frankenstein (734-737)
Answer Recognizing the Gothic Tradition questions

12. Frankenstein
Letters 1-4

13. Small Group Discussion
What do you think spurs people to explore the unknown?
list ways in which people throughout the ages have explored the unknown.
identify some reasons why individuals devote themselves to a life of exploration and discovery.
Does such devotion involve sacrifices?

14. Stylistic Devices
Point of View
Frame Story Technique
We “hear” the story from
3 different points of view -
these “versions” are framed
within one another.

15. F r a m e S t o r y

16. F r a m e
Point of View #1
Robert Walton writes
letters to his sister. S t o r y

17. Frankenstein
Chapters 1-10

18. F r a m e
Robert Walton
Point of View #2
Victor Frankenstein
tells his story to
Walton -- who then
tells it to his sister. S t o r y

19. Characterization Flat Character Round Character Not well-developed
Seems like a cardboard figure, stereotype
Round Character
Life-like, three dimensional
Depth, experiences personal change, growth

20. Small Group Discussion
How do you define personal responsibility?
When something bad happens that involves you, how do you know whether or not you bear some responsibility for it?
Evaluate these situations, in each case, discuss whether person B has a responsibility to person A
A falls off B’s roof while mending it
B walks by A, who is homeless and begging on the street
B lends A his car, which has faulty brakes, and A has an accident.

21. Frankenstein
Chapters 11-16

22. Focus Activity
What are some reasons why a person might be rejected by others?

23. Allusion
Paradise Lost by John Milton – story of man’s fall from innocence to painful knowledge; Victor can be compared to Adam, Satan, and Eve
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, like narrator, tells story as a warning and a confession

24. Analyze the Creature’s Personality
Discuss the different aspects of his character by addressing questions such as these (support your analysis by citing events from the story as well as quoting statements made by the creature):
In what ways is he like any human being? In what ways is he different?
What does he want most in life? Why does his goal seem unattainable?
How have the creature’s experiences shaped his opinion of himself? Does he have the potential for good as well as evil?
Do you think he is justified in declaring an “ever-lasting war” against the human species and his creator?

25. Do the monster's eloquence and persuasiveness make it easier for the reader to sympathize with him? Why do you think most film versions of the story present the monster as mute or inarticulate?

26. Literature Groups
Evaluate the character of Victor Frankenstein using evidence from Chapters Focus your discussion on the following questions as well as others that occurred to you as you were reading:
What can you infer about Frankenstein’s character from his close personal relationships? His scientific project? In your opinion, is he an appealing person?
Do you think that Frankenstein went too far in his quest for knowledge? Did he have a good motive for his project? Did he have adequate knowledge to begin his project? Did he consider possible consequences of his actions?
How is Frankenstein affected by what happens after he abandons the creature? Why does he call himself the “true murderer” of William?

27. Debate Questions Is it better to be ignorant?
Is Frankenstein the “true murderer” of Justine and William?

28. Debate Rubric

29. Debate Order Opening Statement (Pro) Opening Statement (Con)
Speaker 1 (Pro)
Cross Examination
Speaker 1 Rebuttal (Pro)
Speaker 1 (Con)
Speaker 1 Rebuttal (Con)