FrankensteinFrankenstein“Now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream had vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart…”What do you know about the story of Frankenstein? Have you ever seen a Frankenstein movie? What style of writing do you expect? What do you know about Frankenstein? What do you think the quote above means in relation to the story?

“Now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream had vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart…”What do you know about the story of Frankenstein? Have you ever seen a Frankenstein movie? What style of writing do you expect? What do you know about Frankenstein? What do you think the quote above means in relation to the story?

FrankensteinFrankensteinBy Mary ShelleyBy Mary Shelley

Original name was…Frankenstein or

The Modern Prometheus

Original name was…Frankenstein or

The Modern Prometheus

Prometheus: noun (Greek mythology) the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind; Zeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where an eagle gnawed at his liver until Hercules rescued him

Prometheus: noun (Greek mythology) the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind; Zeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where an eagle gnawed at his liver until Hercules rescued him

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

1797-1851

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

1797-1851What can you tell me about her from your readings from yesterday?

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

First published Frankenstein in March 1818

Anonymous, but powerful debut (first and most remembered/recognized novel)

Only 19 years old when she began writing

First published Frankenstein in March 1818

Anonymous, but powerful debut (first and most remembered/recognized novel)

Only 19 years old when she began writing

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Husband: poet Percy Bysshe Shelley

Visiting Lord Byron at Lake Geneva, Switzerland (setting)

Byron challenged his guests to write a ghost story…

Fireplace…imaginations…stormy weather = Frankenstein

Husband: poet Percy Bysshe Shelley

Visiting Lord Byron at Lake Geneva, Switzerland (setting)

Byron challenged his guests to write a ghost story…

Fireplace…imaginations…stormy weather = Frankenstein

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

She imagined the “hideous phantasm of a man” who became the confused yet deeply sensitive creature in Frankenstein.

Movies oversimplify the complexity of the intellectual and emotional responses of Victor Frankenstein & his creature…(don’t miss out !)

She imagined the “hideous phantasm of a man” who became the confused yet deeply sensitive creature in Frankenstein.

Movies oversimplify the complexity of the intellectual and emotional responses of Victor Frankenstein & his creature…(don’t miss out !)

RomanticismRomanticism

Shelley was inspired by Romantic authors and wrote during the Romantic period

Essentially a response to social norms, expectations and growing trends of the period (Industrialization)

What did you learn about Romanticism in your readings from yesterday?

Shelley was inspired by Romantic authors and wrote during the Romantic period

Essentially a response to social norms, expectations and growing trends of the period (Industrialization)

What did you learn about Romanticism in your readings from yesterday?

Qualities of Romanticism

Qualities of Romanticism

Power of the individual-movement away from institutions

Spirituality, mysticism, the fantastic- “making the ordinary, extraordinary”

Marriage of science/reason and emotion

Support of progressive causes- lit. as didactic/educational

Response to industrialization- return to nature away from technology

Power of the individual-movement away from institutions

Spirituality, mysticism, the fantastic- “making the ordinary, extraordinary”

Marriage of science/reason and emotion

Support of progressive causes- lit. as didactic/educational

Response to industrialization- return to nature away from technology

Audiences of the time…

Audiences of the time…

Critics… combination of praise and disdain

Readers… fascinated and a bit horrified by the macabre aspects of the novel

Macabre: shockingly repellent; inspiring horror. Syn: ghastly, grisly, gruesome, sick

Critics… combination of praise and disdain

Readers… fascinated and a bit horrified by the macabre aspects of the novel

Macabre: shockingly repellent; inspiring horror. Syn: ghastly, grisly, gruesome, sick

Audiences now…Audiences now…

Macabre has transformed into the possible as we approach the 21st century. How?

What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering?more recently, the cloning of

livestock?

Macabre has transformed into the possible as we approach the 21st century. How?

What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering?more recently, the cloning of

livestock?

Audiences now…Audiences now…

Novel resonates philosophical and moral ramifications through the themes of:Nurture vs. natureGood vs. evilAmbition vs. social responsibilityAlienation & lonelinessJustice vs. injusticeAppearances vs. realityScinece vs. natureForbidden knowledge

Novel resonates philosophical and moral ramifications through the themes of:Nurture vs. natureGood vs. evilAmbition vs. social responsibilityAlienation & lonelinessJustice vs. injusticeAppearances vs. realityScinece vs. natureForbidden knowledge

Frankenstein is divided into four

parts

Frankenstein is divided into four

partsIntroduction by Mary ShelleyVolume 1:

Opening letters and Victor’s Story, Part 1 (8 chapters)

Volume 2: The Monster’s Story (9 chapters)

Volume 3:Victory’s Story, Part 2 (7 chapters)

Introduction by Mary ShelleyVolume 1:

Opening letters and Victor’s Story, Part 1 (8 chapters)

Volume 2: The Monster’s Story (9 chapters)

Volume 3:Victory’s Story, Part 2 (7 chapters)

CharactersCharacters

Be able to identify and understand relationships of the following characters:

Robert Walton, The Creature, Victor Frankenstein, Alphonse Frankenstein, Beaufort, Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein, Elizabeth Lavenza, Henry Clerval, Ernest Frankenstein, William Frankenstein, Justine Moritz, M. Krempe, M. Waldman, Felix De Lacey, Agatha De Lacey, M. De Lacey, Safis, Safie’s father, Mr. Kirwin, Daniel Nugent, Nurse, Magistrate

Be able to identify and understand relationships of the following characters:

Robert Walton, The Creature, Victor Frankenstein, Alphonse Frankenstein, Beaufort, Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein, Elizabeth Lavenza, Henry Clerval, Ernest Frankenstein, William Frankenstein, Justine Moritz, M. Krempe, M. Waldman, Felix De Lacey, Agatha De Lacey, M. De Lacey, Safis, Safie’s father, Mr. Kirwin, Daniel Nugent, Nurse, Magistrate

HomeworkHomework

Read Mary Shelley’s Introduction and Letters pages 5-32

Answer all reading questions in your packetThe questions ARE NOT

extra credit for this novel!!!

Read Mary Shelley’s Introduction and Letters pages 5-32

Answer all reading questions in your packetThe questions ARE NOT

extra credit for this novel!!!