Mary Godwin Shelley 1797 1851 Parentage William Godwin

Mary Godwin Shelley 1797 -1851 Parentage William Godwin & Mary Wollstonecraft Literary & social radicals and activists Marriage Percy Shelley 1814 at age 17 Tragic & revolutionary Novel Ghost story Somewhat autobiographical

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley v Published 1818 written at age 19 v Combination of Gothic ideals & science fiction v Social comment on man’s position in society

CHARACTERS ROBERT WALTON writes to MARGARET SAVILLE Arctic explorer British matron provides frame sister Victor’s savior VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN HENRY CHERVAL MONSTER ELIZABETH LAVENZA DE LACEY FAMILY WM FRANKENSTEIN JUSTINE MORITZ

THEMES THE COEXISTENCE OF GOOD & EVIL AS VIEWED THROUGH AND IN ONE MAN. v Dangerous Knowledge v Alienation v Mystery/Secrecy v Nature

Romantic Elements Gothic Element § § § Themes = nature, human feelings, compassion, freedom, rebellion Rural life vs urban living Travel in foreign lands Folklore and legends Fate of the common man Self-education/love of learning § § Supernatural & mysterious Gloomy settings Raising of the dead/ghost story Mortal & supernatural worlds intertwined

LETTERS Framing: Literary device which gives structure and background to main plot Ø Letter #1 Ø Letter #2 Ø Letter #3 Ø Letter #4 Arctic Circle WHY? ? ? Walton-lonesome Romantic elements? ? ? p 5 friend Heart vs mind 3 separate days Ø 2 occurrences Ø Gothic elements? ? ? Ø Romantic elements? ? ? Freedom

Chapters 1 -5 q Chapter 1 q Chapter 2 q Chapter 3 q Chapter 4 q Chapter 5 Victor’s background alchemy mentor Henry Cherval as a romantic? ? ? Creation idea p. 26 Desire for knowledge p. 27 Victor’s education When? ? ? Where? ? Romanticism? ? Creation of monster Knowledge for good or evil p. 39 All-powerful p. 38 Guilt p. 41 Gothic elements Description of monster p. 42 Adam vs monster? ? ? Contrast Foreshadowing? ? ? P. 43/ p. 44

Chapters 6 -10 q q q Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Elizabeth’s Letter William’s murder Significance? ? Lightning? ? ? Gothic element? ? Victor’s internal conflict? ? ? Accusation? ? ? Chapter 8 Justine=justice (irony? ? ) Elizabeth’s testimony Justine’s confession & death Chapter 9 Victor’s depression (Where? ? ) IRONY? ? ? Romantic elements? ? ? Chapter 10 Meeting with Monster p. 84 ‘fallen angel’ Romanticism-Man is good; society makes him evil

Chapters 11 -16 The Monster’s Tale § Chapter 11 Narrator? ? ? De. Laceys/ Romantic element? ? Love p. 93 § Chapter 12 De. Lacey background § Monster’s realization § Chapter 13 Safie? ? ? § 2 central concepts p. 104 -5 § Monster questions position in society p. 105 § Chapter 14 § Chapter 15 De. Lacey story § Chapter 16 2 stories blend § p. 121 -Monster’s reaction § p. 126 -Monster as victim of injustice § p. 127 -Murder—Why? ? ? § Framing Justine-p. 128 § Monster’s request p. 129 Safie & Felix § Monster’s education/lack of love § Confrontation / Beating

Chapters 17 -21 Ø Chapter 17 Monster’s demand p. 130 -131 Victor’s decision-Why? ? ? P. 132 -33 Ø Chapter 18 Grand Tour with Henry Romantic elements? ? nature Victor’s conflict p. 137 Ø Chapter 19 Scottish lab-desolate/remote p. 148 Ø 2 Gothic elements? ? ? Mystery/eeriness/supernatural Ø Chapter 20 Destruction of Mate p. 150 -1 Monster’s reaction p. 153 threat Mr. Kirwin (magistrate) /Ireland Accusation? ? ? Ø Chapter 21 Murder for revenge Victor’s acquittal-WHY? ? Alibi/in lab Ironic twist? ? ? pleasure/tragedy

Chapters 22 - 24 and Final Letters v Chapter 22 Victor’s confession To whom? About what? Significance of ‘my hands’ Literary device? ? ? Conflict in Victor v Chapter 23 Elizabeth’s death/Victor’s revenge (p. 184) Gothic elements? ? v Chapter 24 Deaths? ? ? p. 188 Monster’s hatred p. 192 Victor’s plea v Final Letters Narrator? ? Walton; s 2 losses