Frankenstein An Interactive Guide to Mary Shelley’s Novel
Jan 12, 2016
Frankenstein
An Interactive Guide to Mary Shelley’s Novel
Table of Contents• Historical Context– Romantic Period– Enlightenment
• Characters– Map
• Themes– Responsibility, Alienation, Justice
• Book vs. Movie– Video
Romantic Period
Late 18th to Mid 19th CenturyCharacteristics:
InnovationSpontaneityFreedom of ExpressionGlorification of Nature
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EnlightenmentLargely concerned with reason
and progress of society.Disdain for tradition and
authority.Preoccupation with science,
analysis, and observation.Basis of many revolutions to
come.
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CharactersVictor Frankenstein – created the monster, spends
large portion of his life trying to destroy it. The Monster – created from human parts. Spends
most of the novel trying to befriend humans, only to find he is unable. Kills several members of Frankenstein family.
Henry Clerval – Frankenstein’s close friend. Elizabeth Lavenza – Frankenstein’s love. Justine Moritz – Frankenstein family’s housekeeper.
She is accused of William’s murder and executed.
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Character Map
Each character connects in a meaningful way to the other characters in the novel.
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Who is responsible for the monster’s actions?
The monster killed Frankenstein’s loved ones because he has been shunned by his creator and his “family” the De Laceys.
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Alienation from Society or Self
• Robert Walton is alienated from people while at sea.
• Frankenstein feels alienated at school because of his chosen field.– He also feels alone because no one knows about
the monster.• The monster feels alienated because everyone
is afraid of him.– He has no “people” of his own.
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Justice
Who is treated justly in the novel? Unjustly?
What does that tell you about Shelley’s society? About ours?
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Frankenstein (1931)
Book vs. Movie
• Frankenstein keeps the monster’s creation a secret.
• The monster is literate and intelligent.
• The monster murders Frankenstein’s family out of anger.
• Frankenstein shares his discovery with others.
• The monster communicates with grunts and moans.
• The villagers attack the monster.
• Frankenstein is portrayed as a “mad scientist.”
What are some other differences that you see?
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Resources
“Background to Frankenstein.” Heckmondwike Grammar School, 2008. Web. 20 June 2010. <http://www.heckgrammar.kirklees.sch.uk/index.php?p=10726>
BN Studio. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The Book Files. YouTube, 2008. Web. 20 June 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS6CA9ZpWZY>
Coghill, Jeff. “Frankenstein: Study Guide and Homework Help - CliffsNotes.” Cliffnotes on Frankenstein, 2000. Web. 20 June 2010. <http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/Frankenstein.id-112.html>
“Major Themes in Frankenstein.” University of Pennsylvania. Web. 20 June 2010. <http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Themes/index.html>
pzmyers. “It's Alive!” YouTube, 2006. Web. 20 June 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H3dFh6GA-A>