FrankensteinFrankenstein

Volume I Volume I

AnalysisAnalysis

LonelinessLoneliness► The first Volume introduces the reader to a The first Volume introduces the reader to a

major theme in the work: loneliness.major theme in the work: loneliness.

► Robert Walton first expresses his loneliness to Robert Walton first expresses his loneliness to his sister via the letters. his sister via the letters.

► Next, Victor’s seclusion from society while he Next, Victor’s seclusion from society while he works on his creation could be one of the works on his creation could be one of the potential causes of his madness (among other potential causes of his madness (among other factors).factors).

► The theme of loneliness and alienation from The theme of loneliness and alienation from society will continue when the creature has his society will continue when the creature has his turn in narrating the story.turn in narrating the story.

SymbolsSymbols

Definition: Definition: Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Light and FireLight and Fire

► ““What could not be expected in the country of What could not be expected in the country of eternal light?” asks Walton, displaying a faith in, eternal light?” asks Walton, displaying a faith in, and optimism about, science. and optimism about, science.

► In Frankenstein, light symbolizes knowledge, In Frankenstein, light symbolizes knowledge, discovery, and enlightenment. discovery, and enlightenment.

► The natural world is a place of dark secrets, hidden The natural world is a place of dark secrets, hidden passages, and unknown mechanisms.passages, and unknown mechanisms.

► The goal of the scientist is then to reach lightThe goal of the scientist is then to reach light. .

FireFire

► The dangerous and more powerful cousin of light is The dangerous and more powerful cousin of light is fire. fire.

► The presence of fire in the text also brings to mind The presence of fire in the text also brings to mind the full title of Shelley’s novel, the full title of Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein: or, The Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus.Modern Prometheus. The Greek god Prometheus The Greek god Prometheus gave the knowledge of fire to humanity and was then gave the knowledge of fire to humanity and was then severely punished for it.severely punished for it.

► Please note that we will delve more deeply into the Please note that we will delve more deeply into the fire (ah, yes, a play on words) when we discuss the fire (ah, yes, a play on words) when we discuss the Creature’s viewpoint.Creature’s viewpoint.

Fire /LightFire /Light

► Victor, attempting to become a modern Victor, attempting to become a modern Prometheus, is certainly punished, but Prometheus, is certainly punished, but unlike fire, his “gift” to -humanity—unlike fire, his “gift” to -humanity—knowledge of the secret of life—remains a knowledge of the secret of life—remains a secret.secret.

Tonight for HomeworkTonight for Homework

►Research the Prometheus myth. Find out Research the Prometheus myth. Find out as much information on the myth as as much information on the myth as possible.possible.

►Answer the questions in your notebook in Answer the questions in your notebook in complete sentences.complete sentences.

1.1. What similarities do you note between Prometheus and What similarities do you note between Prometheus and Frankenstein?Frankenstein?

2.2. How are the two life-creators/givers different, with How are the two life-creators/givers different, with respect to their values, goals for humankind, respect to their values, goals for humankind, punishment received for their actions, and anything punishment received for their actions, and anything else that you can think of? else that you can think of?

3.3. Why does each of the two characters (Frankenstein and Why does each of the two characters (Frankenstein and Prometheus) try to "play with fire" in his own way? Prometheus) try to "play with fire" in his own way? What are their motivations? How are these alike and What are their motivations? How are these alike and different?different?

4.4. Who are the ultimate "creators" in their two stories? In Who are the ultimate "creators" in their two stories? In other words, who's in charge at Olympus/Earth and in other words, who's in charge at Olympus/Earth and in FrankensteinFrankenstein? How do you know? Defend your answer ? How do you know? Defend your answer with evidence from the texts. with evidence from the texts.

5.5. Who are some of the other main characters in the lives Who are some of the other main characters in the lives of Prometheus and Frankenstein? How do the actions of of Prometheus and Frankenstein? How do the actions of Prometheus and Frankenstein impact their loved ones? Prometheus and Frankenstein impact their loved ones?

Shelley’s views on ChildrenShelley’s views on Children►In writing Frankenstein, Mary Shelley drew

on the philosophies of John Locke and Jean- Jacques Rousseau. Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) argued that a child is a “blank slate” that is formed only through experience.

►Rousseau’s’ Emile, or On Education (1762) promotes the idea that a child’s upbringing is responsible for his education.

Chapters 6-10 VocabularyChapters 6-10 Vocabulary

1.1. fetterfetter- shackle- shackle2.2. immutableimmutable-unchanging-unchanging3.3. vacillatingvacillating-fluctuating, wavering-fluctuating, wavering4.4. salubrioussalubrious-healthful-healthful5.5. carnagecarnage-destruction of life-destruction of life6.6. ignominiousignominious- disgraceful- disgraceful7.7. timoroustimorous- fearful- fearful8.8. obdurateobdurate-stubborn-stubborn9.9. perditionperdition-damnation, complete ruin-damnation, complete ruin10.10. inexorableinexorable-relentless, unyielding-relentless, unyielding

Putting words into SentencesPutting words into Sentences1. He looks upon study as an odious 1. He looks upon study as an odious fetterfetter; his time is ; his time is

spent in the open air, climbing the hills or rowing on spent in the open air, climbing the hills or rowing on the lake.the lake.

2. The blue lake, the snow-clad mountains, they never 2. The blue lake, the snow-clad mountains, they never change; and I think our placid home, and our change; and I think our placid home, and our contented hearts are regulated by the same contented hearts are regulated by the same immutableimmutable laws.laws.

3. The poor woman was very 3. The poor woman was very vacillatingvacillating in her in her repentance.repentance.

4. We passed a fortnight in these perambulations: my 4. We passed a fortnight in these perambulations: my health and spirits had long been restored, and they health and spirits had long been restored, and they gained additional strength from thegained additional strength from the salubrious salubrious air I air I breathed, the natural incidents of our progress, and breathed, the natural incidents of our progress, and the conversation of my friend.the conversation of my friend.

5. Alas! I had turned loose into the world a 5. Alas! I had turned loose into the world a depraved wretch, whose delight was in depraved wretch, whose delight was in carnagecarnage and misery; had he not murdered my and misery; had he not murdered my bother?bother?

6. Justine also was a girl of merit, and possessed 6. Justine also was a girl of merit, and possessed qualities which promised to render her life qualities which promised to render her life happy: now all was to be obliterated in an happy: now all was to be obliterated in an ignominiousignominious grave; and I the cause!grave; and I the cause!

7. ...but fear, and hatred of the crime of which 7. ...but fear, and hatred of the crime of which they supposed her guilty, rendered them they supposed her guilty, rendered them timoroustimorous, and unwilling to come forward., and unwilling to come forward.

8. He threatened excommunication and hell fire 8. He threatened excommunication and hell fire in my last moments, if I continued in my last moments, if I continued obdurateobdurate..

9. Dear lady, I had none to support me; 9. Dear lady, I had none to support me; all looked on me as a wretch doomed all looked on me as a wretch doomed to ignominy and to ignominy and perditionperdition..

10. ...happy beyond his hopes, if this 10. ...happy beyond his hopes, if this inexorableinexorable fate be satisfied, and if fate be satisfied, and if the destruction pause before the the destruction pause before the peace of the grave have succeeded to peace of the grave have succeeded to your sad torments.your sad torments.