The Frankenstein Unit

Mary Shelleys background

(August 30, 1797-February 1, 1851)

Born on August 30th 1797.

Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft

a famous feminist author

who died 11 days after

giving birth to Mary

Father: William Godwin

A famous 19th century

philosopher who believed

in the rights of the

individual.

Shelleys marriage

At 15 years of age Mary met her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, a disciple of William Godwin and a famous poet.

Despite being previously married to another woman, Percy ByssheShelley convinces Mary to elope with him in France when she was 17.

The Making of Frankenstein

On 19 March 1815 Shelley recorded in her journal, after the death of her first child: "Dream that my little baby came to life again--that it had only been cold & that we rubbed it before the fire & it lived."

Byrons Challenge

In the summer of 1816, Percy and Mary visit Lord Byrons estate in France.

The summer of 1816 had fall like weather because a massive volcano in Indonesia spewed ash around the world.

Because of the gloomy weather, Byron issued a challenge to his guests to create the best horror story.

The Publishing of Frankenstein

At Byrons estate, Mary

has a dream about a man

who plans to bring life to

the dead.

She turns her idea into a

story and is encouraged by

her husband to turn the

story into a novel.

In 1818, Shelley publishes

the novel at the age of 19.

The Title of the Novel

The name Frankenstein

originates not from the

Creature, but the Creator,

Victor Frankenstein.

Victor, like Shelley,

suffers the loss of many

loved ones at an early age.

He creates his creature as

a way to bring back the

dead.

The Doppelganger

The story is a Doppelganger, or German word for double image.

Both the Creature and Victor mirror each other in their effort to destroy the other.

The Doppelganger represents a divided self, or two alter egos who are more alike than different.

Famous Doppelgangers

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Batman and the Joker

Bruce Banner and The

Incredible Hulk

James Bond and Blofeld

Mario and Donkey Kong

Optimus Prime and

Megatron

The Modern Prometheus

Mary Shelleys subtitle for Frankenstein is The Modern Prometheus

In Greek Mythology, the titan Prometheus stole fire from the sun and gave it to humanity.

This angered the Greek god Zeuswho did not want humans to control fire.

He was punished by being chained to a lake while an eagle would feast on his liver.

The Prometheus Myth has become a metaphor of what happens when humans get a hold of something they cannot control and reach beyond their ability.

The Creature

Unlike the Hollywood

stereotype, the

Creature is an

intelligent being

whose rage stems

from his neglect from

Victor.

Themes in the Novel

1. Personal Responsibility:

Are we responsible for

our own actions?

2. Responsibility to Others:

Are we responsible for

the actions of others?

3. Recreate the Past: Can

we reshape the past?

The Hollywood Stereotype

James Whale directed the 1931 film Frankenstein where our image of the Creature comes from.

In the film, a mad scientists creates a creature with little intelligence who rages against humanity.

The Cultural Myth

There are over 100 films

about Frankenstein.

Frankenstein has been

used to sell merchandise

such as Twix candy bars,

Levis Jeans, Coca-Cola,

Frankenberry Cereal,

M&Ms, Penzoil, and Pez.

Favorite Titles of Frankenstein

Movies

Frankensteins Musical

Christmas

Alvin and the Chipmunks

meet Frankenstein

Frankenstein vs.

Dracula

Frankenstein: the College

Years

Blackenstein

Films, Films, Films Oh My!

Because the myth of

Frankenstein has

become such a part of

our pop culture we

will be watching clips

from various versions

of Frankenstein.

Read the Book, then the Sparknotes!

I realize there are

websites like

Sparknotes that

summarize the book,

please use this as a

resource. To pass

you must read the

book!!!