Frankenstein Or, the Modern Prometheus

Summer Reading Packet

Note: It is very important to read and complete all parts of this packet!

Frankenstein, or a Modern Prometheus

Assignment #1: What’s Up with the Weather?

When reading a novel or short story, we so often focus on the “basics”—the characters, where the story is

located, and what happens overall (plot). While those things are definitely important, AP students need to

consider some of the other less obvious choices that the author makes. Professional writers think about

everything; details like names of characters, the weather, when people share meals, and so on are usually not

random but instead carefully selected for a specific purpose.

Your first task is to read the chapter “It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow” from the book How to Read

Literature Like a Professor. This chapter is located on my school website; just scroll down on the homepage

and you will find the link. Once you have read the chapter, explain three major takeaways that you learned

from this chapter. What do you know to be looking for regarding the setting—particularly the weather—when

reading from now on?

1)

2)

3)

Task 2: Connect to Frankenstein

In Chapter 7, Victor learns of William’s death and immediately sets off to Geneva. Pay close attention to

the scene that Shelley paints as Victor comes into town. How does the weather play into this scene? Why

might Shelley have chosen this weather at this particular time in the novel? ____________________________

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Describe another moment in the novel where Shelley’s inclusion of specific weather may be symbolic,

reflecting a character’s mood, foreshadowing a future event, etc. Cite the chapter, the situation, and what you

believe is the purpose of the weather in that scene._____________________________________________

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1. Using Volume II, Chapters IV-VIII, what does the Monster learn from observing the people

in the cottage. Fill in the following chart with your findings.

ASSIGNMENT #2: VOLUME II, Chapters IV-VIII

FEELINGS KNOWLEDGE

Frankenstein, or a Modern Prometheus

Assignment #3: Why is the allusion to Prometheus significant?

One thing that I stress to my AP students is the importance of considering the title. So often, students read

the title but do not take the time to ponder its significance. You should know that most authors use the title as a

way to get across a major point or theme about the text. Therefore, it is important to note that the full title of

Shelley’s novel references the Greek Titan, Prometheus. Before you complete the chart below, you will need to

read the Prometheus myth. I have put this document on my website (scroll down on the homepage and you

should find a link), and I will send this out through Remind. Once you have read both the novel and the myth,

complete the chart below.

What similarities do you see between Dr. Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus? You should be able to

identify at least 3 similarities, but I have provided more blanks if you identify more than 3.

How do Frankenstein and Prometheus differ in how they treat their creation?

Shelley calls Frankenstein, a MODERN Prometheus; how does the inclusion of that

adjective comment on how she may view scientific discoveries during her

time?____________________________________________________________

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