2. Introductory Material
Frankenstein Notes
Introductory Material

3. Author – Mary Shelley

4. 1. Author – Mary Shelley
She was 17 or 18 when she wrote Frankenstein.
How did she come to write the novel? --be specific

5. Key Literary Terms for the Novel
Frame narrative or frame story: a story in which another story is enclosed – the main action is relayed as second hand

6. Key Literary Terms for the Novel
Gothic Novel: a genre of fiction that uses gloomy settings and supernatural elements to create an atmosphere of mystery and terror

7. Five elements of gothic fiction
Grotesque elements: the monster
Mysterious elements: how the monster could follow Victor Frankenstein around the world
Desolate environment: arctic circle

8. The horrible: the many murders
The ghastly: appearance of the monster in rainstorms and other eerie situations

9. Key Literary Terms for the Novel
Setting: the events of the novel take place sometime in the 18th century / an arctic setting frames the novel while the story ‘s principle setting is in Switzerland and Germany

10. Theme: 3 major themes –
the consequence of irresponsibility in the pursuit of knowledge
the consequence of society’s rejection of someone who is not attractive
the destructive power of revenge

11. Irony – two major ironies found in Frankenstein
The creature is much more sympathetic than its creator.
Frankenstein’s creature has many pleasing qualities, but it is not physically attractive and is an outcast.

12. Hey Dudes and Dudettes:
You may be asked to identify literary devices we’ve previously studied as they are found in the novel.

13. List of Characters: Major characters:
Robert Walton: an arctic explorer who finds Victor Frankenstein near death in the arctic

14. Major Characters
Victor Frankenstein: young scientist / protagonist of novel / excited by the possibilities of modern science / he becomes obsessed with creating a living being from spare body parts

15. The monster – creature: the novel’s antagonist / is never named / wishes to be a part of human society / only becomes violent when rejected
Will you be my friend?

16. Henry Clerval: Frankenstein’s best friend from childhood / is killed by the Creature
Elizabeth Lavenza: a young girl who was adopted as an infant by Victor’s parents / beautiful and virtuous / marries Victor and is killed by the Creature on their wedding night.

17. Minor Characters
Caroline Frankenstein – Victor’s mother / dies of scarlet fever when Victor is seventeen
Alphonse Frankenstein – Victor’s father / a noble humanitarian

18. Ernest Frankenstein – Victor’s brother
William Frankenstein – Victor’s youngest brother / killed by Victor’s “monster”

19. Justine Moritz – an orphan adopted by the Frankenstein family / accused of murdering young William Frankenstein and is executed
Margaret Saville – Robert Walton’s sister