Literary Analysis Essay/Personal Reflection on Frankenstein:
Frankenstein is a 200-year-old novel, yet it is still relevant in today’s world. This relevance is the major reason the novel is so important. To explore some of the novel’s issues, this assignment combines two writing genres: literary analysis and personal essay.
Assignment: In a four to five page essay you need to answer your group’s question and then offer your own ideas based on your experience and/or reflection. To put it another way: What does the novel say? Do you agree or disagree?
Your formal analytical essay on Frankenstein will be processed in class; you will have the advantage of peer and teacher review.
In an analytical essay, you make a claim about the text and prove that claim by using direct and indirect textual support. Your essay will be evaluated on the following:
the clarity and complexity of the point;
the accuracy and range of the textual support;
your knowledge of the novel;
the depth of the analysis and the range of your interpretation;
the organization of the writing;
the effectiveness of the writing;
and the command of writing conventions.
All references to the text-- direct or indirect--need to be cited. Remember, your audience for the essay: people who have read and know the novel. The essay should be as least 1250 words.
Topics: (Please choose the topic of your group’s notes)
A. Education: Some critics would argue that Frankenstein is a novel about the “staging of different educational opportunities” in that the author has described each character’s educational background: Walton, Victor, and the Creature’s. In an essay, compare and contrast Victor’s education and the Creature’s education. Be sure to mention at least three elements. As part of your analysis, discuss whose education is championed in the novel and why. Then write about your own education. How would you characterize your education?
B. Limits of Science: In early 1997 word reached America that Scottish researchers had cloned a sheep — "Dolly." There was widespread excitement and amazement at what these scientists had achieved. But there was also troubled speculation. Can we allow scientists who hold the kind of power cloning represents to proceed without constraint? Dare we embrace such a breakthrough's benefits heedless of its risks? In an essay, explore what the novel says about Victor’s experimentation. Be sure to mention at least three different ideas. Then write about your own view. What do you think are the limits of scientific experimentation on cloning, if any? Why?
C. Moral Responsibility: Victor faces a moral choice to care for the Creature he has created. Rather than claiming the Creature and raising him as a parent would his child, he runs from it. As a result of Victor’s abandonment of the Creature, many people die. What does the novel say about Victor’s responsibility for the Creature? Why does Victor abandon the Creature at first and what leads him to change? Then reflect on your own idea of moral responsibility.
D. Human nature: One of the central issues in the novel is the debate between nurture vs. nature. We can see this debate in the description of the Creature’s early life and his attempt to be accepted by the human community. Is a human being a “blank slate” that is formed only by experience? Or are there qualities all human beings have? Is human nature naturally good? What is the role of the human community in shaping each individual? Mention at least three different ideas. Then, write your own view on the question of nature/nurture.
Length:
This is essay is to be three to five pages, so make sure you have a clear thesis with textual support to back up your claims.
Format:
Please submit final revision to turnitin.com