Frankenstein Frankenstein n Published in 1818 n Gothic
Frankenstein
Frankenstein n Published in 1818 n Gothic romance
Mary Shelley n English novelist n Married to poet Percy Bysshe Shelley August 30, 1797 – February 1, 1851
Introduction n n The novel opens with Robert Walton’s letter from Russia, to his sister in England. The letters that follow will then tell the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation of the monster.
Characters n Victor Frankenstein q n Protagonist & narrator The monster q q q 8’ tall, hideous Intelligent & sensitive Shunned by society
Characters n Robert Walton q q q n Arctic seafarer Learns Victor’s story of creating the monster Records the story in letters to his sister Alphonse Frankenstein q Victor’s father
Themes n n Alienation/Loneliness Appearance & Reality Nature vs. Nurture Science vs. Nature
Symbols n n Weather The monster
Style n n Narration Letters q q q Epistolary form – letters tell a story Between Walton & his sister Margaret Frame Victor's and the creature's narrative
Style n Letters q q q Before the 1 st chapter, Walton writes to his sister Builds suspense about the “monster” Once Victor tells the story you learn of his childhood Then the monster interrupts Victor - hear his life and the fact that he wants a partner Walton's letters introduce and conclude the novel
Point of View n Robert Walton q n n Frame device - told by someone who reads it or hears it from someone else Victor Frankenstein The monster
Gothicism n n n n Mysterious Supernatural events occur Evil human action Dramatic language Psychological fears and insecurities Repressed anxieties Setting far away from reality
Romanticism n n n 1785 -1830 Beginning of modern industrialism Imagination Isolation Nature
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