Frankenstein

Student Interactive PPT

Responses are to be put into

the class submit folder

Introduction Frankenstein is a hybrid Gothic/Science

Fiction/Horror text that continues to disturb readers today.

To better understand Frankenstein, you need to follow the prompts on the following slides and use the suggested online resources.

You will focus on the novel’s context and how issues arising from the era’s Industrial and Technological Revolutions, Enlightenment thinking, innovations in science and medicine, and early feminism are addressed.

Time to explore! Please read all instructions carefully before you begin the assignment.

Study Premise Frankenstein was written almost 200

years ago, but its themes such as man playing God and the abuse of science remain relevant. With great power comes the risk of corruption and tragic turmoil.

The novel explores monstrosity on several levels making modern readers conscious of both the benefits and perils of science.

Information SourcesThese sites will provide basic background information about the author,

context, themes, and genre of Frankenstein. They will need to be supplemented by your own research.

Mary Shelley: http://home-1.worldonline.nl/~hamberg/ & http://www.kimwoodbridge.com/maryshel/maryshel.shtml

Themes in Frankenstein: http://frankenstein.lcc.gatech.edu/allThemes.html &

http://ntserver.shc.edu/www/Scholar/neal/neal.html &

http://www.watershedonline.ca/literature/frankenstein/faq4.html

Gothic literature: http://members.aol.com/iamudolpho/basic.html & http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art27161.asp

Tasks – Some are done as you go while others are due at the end.

1. Re-read Frankenstein-Annotate the text

2. Explore online sites and sources about the module, Frankenstein and its literary, historical and social context.

3. Follow instructions on slides

4. Annotate a Visual

5. Write an polished essay

Syllabus Directions – Module A, Elective 2

Student Task: Go to the BOS website Download and annotate the syllabus directions

for this module Summarise the main points about what must be

covered and focused on when studying Frankenstein and Bladerunner (Director’s Cut)

Write a 200 word reflection statement outlining what you need to learn and understand from your comparative study of these texts.

Be prepared to voice your ideas of what is required as part of class discussion

Frankenstein the Novel –Context Written between the Romantic and Victorian periods, viewed by critics as a hybrid text.

Era was one of sweeping economic, scientific, industrial and social change.

Confronting issues dealt with in a highly dramatic style

Novel has a didactic message. Enduringly popular

"The Anatomy Lecture of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" [1632] by Rembrandt van Rijn.

Context continued

Student Task – Identify eight key points about the novel’s context

Literary Influences: Prometheus Legend Basics: Prometheus, whose name means Forethought, was a titan who had sided with the Olympian gods in their rebellion against Kronos, the ruler of the titans. Zeus became ruler after the revolution but took no interest in the human race on Earth, leaving them primitive, without knowledge and forbidden enlightenment. Prometheus pitied these mortals and bestowed the gift of knowledge and fire which enabled men to overcome their ignorance. Zeus was enraged by this rebellious act and had Prometheus chained with shackles to a mountain side while carnivorous birds swooped down to pecked out his liver. Given that he was immortal, his liver would grow back during the night, and his torture would daily continue. Ovid's version of the Prometheus story has him as the creator rather than the saviour of men.

Prometheus tortured by the birds

Student ResponseTask: In a polished paragraph of five to six sentences, discuss how both versions of the Prometheus myth are used in Frankenstein?

Structure A nested, multiple narrative structureFrankenstein uses many text types: letters,

notes, journals, inscriptions, and books fill the novel, sometimes nestled inside each other, other times simply alluded to or quoted.

Multiple narrators with Walton’s letters enveloping the entire tale.

Victor’s story fits inside Walton’s letters while the monster’s story fits inside Victor’s.

Issues and Themes1. How does the personality of the creature

change through the course of the novel, and why? What does this say about Shelley's views on human nature?

2. Analyze the importance of setting within the novel. How does it relate to the Romanticist elements of the text? Include examples that support your answer.

3. Compare Victor Frankenstein with the monster he created. In what ways does the author’s characterisation reflect the Gothic doppelganger convention. In what ways do their experiences mirror each other?

Rime of the Ancient Mariner A seven part poem written by Samuel Coleridge, a friend

of Mary Shelley's father, it is often alluded to in Frankenstein. The poem is about a mariner who must serve a terrible penance after killing an an albatross, a sea bird of good luck. Mary Shelley alludes to the albatross in her story, and the idea of an outcast scorned and enduring suffering is incorporated.

Read it here: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/stc/coleridge/poems/Rime_Ancient_Mariner.html

Student Task: Write a brief paragraph comparing Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner to the structure and themes of the novel Frankenstein.

Monstrosity The eight feet tall and hideously ugly monster who is rejected by

creator and society as a whole, lies at the center of the action. His monstrosity results not only from his grotesque appearance

but from the unnatural manner of his creation, which involves the secretive animation of a stolen body parts and scientific experimentation.

He is the archetypal Gothic outcast, the product not of collaborative scientific effort but of dark, supernatural workings.

Critics argue that Victor is made monstrous; his ambition, secrecy, and selfishness serving to alienate him from human society until he is eventually consumed by his obsessive hatred of his creation.

Critics also argue that the novel itself as monstrous; a stitched-together combination of different voices, texts, and tenses

Scientific Themes, Motifs & Symbols The pursuit of forbidden knowledge is at the heart of Frankenstein, as Victor attempts to go beyond accepted human limits and access the secret of life.

Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to surpass previous explorations by reaching the North Pole.

This ruthless pursuit of knowledge proves dangerous,

Victor’s act of creation eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him,

Walton ultimately pulls back from his treacherous mission, having learned from Victor’s example how destructive the thirst for knowledge can be.

Symbolism Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent

abstract ideas or concepts.

Light and Fire

“What could not be expected in the country of eternal light?” asks Walton, displaying a faith in, and optimism about, science.

In Frankenstein, light symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment.

The natural world is a place of dark secrets, hidden passages, and unknown mechanisms.

The goal of the scientist is then to reach light. The dangerous and more powerful cousin of light is

fire and the monster’s first experience with a still-smoldering flame reveals the dual nature of fire:

He discovers that fire creates light in the darkness of the night, but also that it harms him when he touches it.

Shelley explores the dichotomy of light, darkness and fire

Visualisation

Find or create a visual that reflects an important contextual element within the novel.

Find or create a visual that reflects a key theme that is developed within the novel.

Support by visuals by close annotation

The Essay Question With close reference to the novel, evaluate what were

Shelley's views of science, and how they are represented within the novel? Reference needs to be made to any historical trends and contextual influences that might make her view science in this way.

Length: 600 words

Cite sources by using the MLA format: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html

Include a bibliography and submit in typed, size 12 font, double-spaced format