"Frankenstein" Introduction

Poll

In the novel, there is a young scientist who creates a creature in an unorthodox experiment. You may have heard of the story from movies or books. Based on your assumptions, can you guess who "Frankenstein" is?

• Frankenstein is the name of the creature.

• Frankenstein is the name of the young scientist who performs the experiment.

Frankenstein; or,

The Modern Prometheus

Open Ended

What did you find interesting/memorable about Mary Shelley and the making of Frankenstein?

• Ethics

• Morality

• Obsession

• Ambition

• Science

• Social Justice

• Creation

• Responsibility

• Isolation

• Nature

• Exploration

​

Themes

Cultural Context

• Early 19th century physicians and natural philosophers were interested in exploring the possibilities for generating life and reanimating dead tissue by dissecting and experimenting on animals.

• A friend of Mary's father (William Godwin) held public demonstrations of chemical phenomena in London

• While she was working on the book she was reading "Elements of Chemical Philosophy" by Humphry Davy

Open Ended

Do you think scientific discovery should be based in morality - or do you think anything is justified in the name of science?

• Greek demigod

• Master craftsman, trickster

• Created from clay along with humanity, Prometheus defied the rule of the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity. He is punished for eternity because of his trickery.

• Promethean: relating to Prometheus, especially in being rebelliously creative and innovative.

​

...Or, The Modern Prometheus??

• Unintelligent

• Mute

• Brute

• Violent

• Cruel

• Not responsible for his actions

Over Time...Pop Culture's Monster

• Sensitive

• Reasoning

• Articulate

• Emotional

• Independent

• Pain and Suffering

• Free Will

Shelley's Monster

The Creature

• In Shelley's book, the monster turns to violence due to abandonment and rejection

• In the 1931 film, the monster is violent because he has the brain of a criminal

• 1930s - societal obsession with eugenics

​

Adaptations

• Victor Frankenstein

• Robert Walton (the Arctic explorer)

• Henry Clerval (Victor's friend)

• Elizabeth Lavenza Frankenstein (Victor's cousin and future wife)

• The Creature

• Europe - The beautiful Swiss Alps provide a contrast to the ugliness in the novel.

• The Arctic - Exploration and discovery of the arctic was happening at this time.

• Late 1700s - The novel takes place in Shelley's present.

Major Setting and Characters

Poll

What genre is Frankenstein?

• Romanticism

• Romanticism Gothicism

• Gothicism

Open Ended

What are some themes you expect to find in Frankenstein?

• Use classroom website for help on Unit 2 assessments

• Next Monday, 3/27, permanent 0%'s will be effective for the end of Unit 1 and temporary 0%'s will be put in for the first half of Unit 2

• Attend Open Office Hours Mondays and Thursdays at 1:30

• Complete Window 3 Benchmark

• English 12 course ends on May 23rd

​

Wrap Up