 Create a list of the elements that might be found in a horror story. Which ones do you think will be present in Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley

  Mary Shelley was married to Percy Bysshe Shelley.

 He was already married and left his wife for Mary.

 His wife eventually committed suicide.

Mary Shelley had the inspiration for Frankenstein after a night of telling ghost stories with her soon-to-be husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron.

  Frankenstein was published in 1818.

 Written during the Romantic period    Focus on the individual Nature Movement away from reason, wit, and elegance The story is an example of a Gothic romance.

   Often deal with mysterious and supernatural subjects Usually take place in rugged, natural settings, near castles or monasteries Plots are suspenseful and usually deal with good vs. evil

  The creation and rejection of creation   There is a responsibility in creation.

 You must be held accountable for what you create.

Shelley had recently lost a child when she told the story of Frankenstein. Nature   The monster looks to greenery and spring.

 The restorative quality of nature  It provides happiness and warmth to the monster.

Victor Frankenstein looks to the mountains and ice.

 Nature offers solitude and is threatening.

 Danger of knowledge  Selling your soul for furthering your wants  Love  Beauty  Science

   Frankenstein is an example of a frame story.

 A story within a story.

The novel begins with Robert Walton, an explorer, describing his trip to the Arctic in letters to his sister, Margaret Saville.

Walton and his crew see a gigantic man on the ice, and the next day encounter a second man, gravely ill, who tells them his story.

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Letters 1-4 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What sort of fears do people have? What are you afraid of? Why do people enjoy things that frighten them?

    Why do you think Robert Walton is so eager to visit a hostile environment?

Discuss the similarities between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein, the man he rescues. Why does Walton feel such compassion for Victor, a total stranger?

Why is Walton so impressed with the shipmaster’s actions regarding his fiancée?

What Romantic concepts do the characters of Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein illustrate?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 1-3 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What are some problems that science has solved? What are some problems that technological advances have caused?

   Victor is deeply affected by Caroline’s death. Discuss Victor’s reaction to his mother’s death and the influence it has on his scientific studies.

Discuss Victor’s friendship with Henry Clerval and compare it to his father’s relationship with Beaufort.

What is “modern science” as explained by M. Waldman, and how does it differ from the theories of Agrippa and the other scientists Victor studies?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 4-6 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 Once a parent has a child, what are his or her responsibilities to that child?

  Why do you think Victor created such a horrible-looking creature? Did he realize what he was doing? Explain your answer.

What are some of characteristics of the Gothic novel, and how does Mary Shelley use them in these chapters?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 7-8 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What are some ethical issues that have arisen around scientific discoveries and inventions?

   After Justine is accused of William’s murder, why do you think Victor never tells anyone about the creature?

Explain why Justine confesses to the crime, even though she is innocent.

Discuss Victor’s experience with lightning and Shelley’s use of it when Victor sees the creature.

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 9-10 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What are a parent’s legal responsibilities toward a teenager? What happens if the teenager gets into trouble? Is the parent legally responsible?

   The creature says that his misery made him into the monster that he has become. Do you think the creature’s unhappiness justifies his murderous behavior?

Victor contemplates suicide while sailing on the lake, and again when climbing the mountain. Discuss the change in Victor’s personality from his university days.

Describe the creature’s feelings toward Victor when he first came to life. How do they differ from Victor’s first reaction to his creation?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 11-13 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 Should the government scrutinize scientists’ experiments more closely or allow more freedom?

  Discuss the creature’s attitude towards knowledge. Why does learning new things excite him and at the same time cause him so much pain?

Explain how the creature feels towards the peasant family. Why do you think he is so moved by their gentleness and kindness?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 14-17 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What do you think a parent should do about a teenager who is out of control – say, getting into trouble with the police? What should a parent do about a teenager who is a danger to other people?

   Recall the fundamentals of British Romanticism. Discuss the Romantic notion of good and evil. How does it relate to the creature’s actions so far?

Explain why the creature feels it is so important to come out of hiding and talk to the elder De Lacey.

Describe how the creature feels when he finds Victor’s journal in his pocket.

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 18-19 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What does the phrase “medical ethics” mean?

  Discuss Alphonse’s influence on Victor and Victor’s feelings towards his father.

Give some examples of the Romantic concept in Shelley’s use of physical locations. How does it help establish character and mood in the novel?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 20-21 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What problems are faced by a person who has a physical deformity?

   Discuss Victor’s reluctance to create the second creature. Why do you think he destroys it in front of the other creature?

What does the creature mean when he tells Victor “I shall be with you on your wedding night” (173)?

Compare Alphonse and Victor’s relationship to Victor’s relationship with the creature.

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapters 22-23 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 What are some of the ethical questions that have come up surrounding medical research? What is your opinion about these questions?

   Compare the events that occur on Victor’s wedding night to the night when Victor destroyed the second creature.

Did it surprise you that the creature killed Elizabeth and not Victor? Explain your answer.

Why do you think Victor finally tells the magistrate about the creature?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Read Chapter 24 of Frankenstein and answer corresponding questions.

 Have you ever seen others taunt or avoid someone who is physically different? How do you explain their reactions?

     When Victor is chasing him, why does the creature keep leaving clues to help Victor follow his trail?

Do you think Victor is right when he urges Walton to abandon his ambition? Explain your answer.

Is Victor justified in blaming himself for the deaths of Henry, Elizabeth, and his other family members? Explain your answer.

Discuss the creature’s final speech to Walton. How does he really feel about Victor? Is he happy or sad about his death?

Why do you think the creature wants to eliminate any evidence of his own existence?

 Complete classwork worksheet.

 Prepare three questions for the test review.