Frankenstein
Syllabus Important Dates • Independent Project Proposal Due: Nov. 18 • Group Project Proposal Due: Nov. 11 • Group Project Conferences: Nov. 25-26 • Independent Project Rough Draft: Dec. 6 • All Projects Due: Week of Dec. 16
“I busied myself to think of a story, . . . One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and awaken thrilling horror.” • Written in 1816; published in 1818. • First published anonymously; this led to controversy over authorship • Percy Shelley wrote the preface
Archangel NW European Russia – near the mouth of the White Sea Although icebound much of the year, it is a leading Russian port and can generally be made usable by icebreakers. Arkhangelsk is 300 km south from Northern Polar Circle, that is why it hasn't polar days or polar nights. Be prepared to be awaked by sun looking at you window at 2 AM in summer. The other side of this is 2-3-4 hours of light per day in winter. Spring is late First snow comes in October or November Winters are harsh (-20-30C, windy). From November to May Northern Dvina and White Sea are covered with ice, and ship navigation is possible with icebreakers only.
Geneva, Switzerland Lake Geneva is formed by a retreating glacier. The beauty of the shores of the lake and of the sites of many of the places near its banks have long been celebrated.
Mont Blanc: meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps Mont Blanc, Lines Written in the Vale of Chamouni By: Percy Bysshe Shelley The everlasting universe of thingsFlows through the mind, and rolls its rapid waves,Now dark--now glittering-now reflecting gloomNow lending splendor, where from secret springs The source of human thought its tribute brings Of waters-with a sound but half its own, Such as a feeble brook will oft assume In the wild woods, among the mountains lone, Where waterfalls around it leap forever,Where woods and winds contend, and a vast river Over its rocks ceaselessly bursts and raves.
Ingolstadt Germany It is Victor's time at Ingolstadt that really shapes who he will become. Here he learns everything he needs to know to create the creature.
Edinburgh Scotland Destination chosen for Victor’s second lab where he intended to create the monster a mate.
Island off Edinburghhome of Victor’s second lab
Characters • Victor Frankenstein: protagonist, student of science • The Creation: protagonist, monster/creature created by Victor Frankenstein • Alphonse Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein’s father • Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein: Victor’s mother • Elizabeth Lavenza: Victor’s adopted sister and betrothed
Characters • Henry Clerval: Victor’s childhood and closest friend • Robert Walton: Arctic seafaring captain whose letters open and close the novel • William Frankenstein: Victor’s younger brother • Peasants: the Creation’s first “family” • Justine Moritz: family friend of the Frankenstein’s • M. Waldman and M. Krempe: Victor’s professors in Ingolstadt
Frankenstein and Genre Frankenstein is classified as both “Gothic” and “Science Fiction” Gothicism is part of the Romantic Movement. It is characterized by innovation, spontaneity, freedom of thought and expression, an idealization of nature and the belief of living in an age of "new beginnings and high possibilities.” Although Gothic novels were written mainly to evoke terror, they also served to show the dark side of human nature.
Frankenstein and Genre Science fiction explores "the marvels of discovery and achievement that may result from future developments in science and technology”. The concepts of electricity and warmth led to the discovery of the galvanization process, which was said to be the key to the animation of life. Indeed, it is this process which animates Frankenstein's monster.
Epistolary Novel An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters. The epistolary form can add greater realism to a story, because it mimics the workings of real life. It is thus able to demonstrate differing points of view without recourse to the device of an omniscient narrator.
What’s Up With the Epigraph? • Epigraphs are like little appetizers to the great entrée of a story. Frankenstein’s epigraph comes from John Milton’s Paradise Lost. The epigraph was Adam’s plea to God after he was cast out of Eden. "Did I request thee, Maker, from my clayTo mould me Man, did I solicit theeFrom darkness to promote me?"– Paradise Lost, X, 743-45
