Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Before your read the novel visit this site to learn a bit about the background of the novel. Mary Shelley was a teenager (like you) when she wrote this novel.
http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment1.html
http://members.aon.at/frankenstein/frankenstein-novel.htm
Online Versions of the book:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/84
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/SheFran.html
Concepts to know:
Romantic Literature (elements, authors, time period)
Gothic Literature (elements, authors, time period)
Creation of life ... science ... ethical considerations (connect with Brave New World)
Eugenics
Wanting to "fit in"
The concept of LONELY
Prometheus Myth
Nature vs Nurture
What defines HUMANITY/being a CREATURE
Why does the creature have no name?
A story w/in a story w/in a story
Comparison of the creature and ADAM
Victor's childhood, family dynamics
Victor's Fatal Flaw
Creature...GOOD or EVIL
Victor's parting thoughts
Nature and its effects upon the story (compare w/ Macbeth)
Guilt (VICTOR) and its physical manifestation (Connect with Macbeth)
Role of Females in Story (connect with Macbeth)
Culpability of Victor, Culpability of the Creature
Can either be charged with a crime? If so, what?
UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights - apply declaration to how characters treat one another
Romantic Literature/Poetry that is important to know/textual references to the work in the book:
Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (http://www.poetry-online.org/coleridge_rime_of_the_ancient_mariner.htm)
Romanticism in POETRY:
Nature and love were a major themes of Romanticism favored by 18th and 19th century poets such as Byron, Shelley, and Keats. Emphasis was placed on the personal experiences of the individual.
Response to novel: It's a Sin Do you agree or disagree with this?
Article 8 Best Songs Inspired by Literature ("All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan inspired by Frankenstein)