Mary Shelleys FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 4 and Chapters

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Chapter Summaries Allusions, History, and Science Introducing Themes Dopplegangers

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Chapter Summaries Letter 4 Letter 1 • Robert Walton going to North Pole • ”I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven” • Prepared “day and night” for voyage • Six years since start of planning • Looking to accomplish a great purpose Letter 2 • Lonely – no one of similar mind to share success with on ship • “I shall certainly find no friend on the wide ocean” – Foreshadow • Story of the Master of the Ship • Allusion to “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (Coleridge) Chapter 1 • History of Frankenstein’s family / relationship/friendship of mother and father • Adoption of Elizabeth and plan for her and Victor to marry • Early interests in science Letter 3 • Promise to Margaret that he will be safe and responsible • “Success shall crown my endeavours” Chapter 2 • Friendship between Victor, Elizabeth and Henry Cerval • First interested in alchemy and out-dated sciences • Inspiration for natural sciences comes during lightning storm • Sees a “gigantic figure” on a sled • Next morning ship rescues Victor Frankenstein • “I never saw a man in so wretched a condition” • Descriptions of Frankenstein’s emotions • Walton tells of wanting a friend – Frankenstein explains situation

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Allusions, History and Science ALLUSION: Making reference to another text, person, literature, art, etc. He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all. PROMETHEUS: (Greek Mythology) -Sought knowledge and stole fire from Gods -Gave fire to man; man caused destruction -Punished my being chained to rock and having liver removed from body every day by an eagle WHY DO AUTHORS USE ALLUSIONS? EMOTIONS -Walton’s emotions in letters -Victor’s emotions upon rescue -Happiness and warmth of Victor’s childhood

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Allusions, History and Science ROLES OF WOMEN CONSIDER… -Loving mother -Innocent and beautiful child -Lover -Women need care and protection of men WEIRD RELATIONSHIPS -Frankenstein’s father married girl he was taking care of, despite age difference -Elizabeth “given” to Frankenstein as “a beautiful present”. Mother later states “my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union. "

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Allusions, History and Science STUDY OF SCIENCES FRANKENSTEIN: “It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things, or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or, in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world. ” (Chapter 2) METAPHYSICAL Studying the nature of being and the connections within the world. Philosophy Studying how things work, like chemistry, geology, biology. True Science Allusions to outdated beliefs of Cornelius Agrippa (divine connected to natural world) and new understandings of galvanism and electricity

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Introducing Themes Sciences Letters, Chapters 1 &2 Relationships Letters, Chapters 1 &2 Quest for Knowledge (Letter 1, Chapter 2)

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1 -4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Dopplegangers Robert Walton A twin, dark double or “shadow self”. (i. e. “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Situation Goals Attitude Personal Qualities Other Victor Frankenstein