Introducing Frankenstein Senior English Introducing Frankenstein Before reading any of the novel

Facts about the author Archetypical settings Frame Story Essential questions

Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Daughter of two intellectual radicals Early women’s rights activist Mother died ten days after Mary’s birth William Godwin: political philosopher and novelist Admired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge As a child, Mary heard him recite “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in her living room.

More about Mary Ran away with Percy Shelley when she was 16 Percy was married at the time and left his wife. He and Mary married when she was 18 after the death of his legal wife (who had been 16 when they married). Percy Shelley was well-known literary figure in England.

Publishing Frankenstein Mary Shelley did not attach her name to the novel, so many people assumed her husband wrote it. The story was inspired by a trip to the Swiss Alps when she, Percy, and Byron challenged each other to tell ghost stories. She wrote the novel in a year, and it was published when she was 19.

Turn and talk Turn to someone nearby and tell him/her something about Mary.

Setting Switzerland Germany The Arctic

Archetypical Setting Mountains Obstacles/knowledge/ better vantage point Snow Ice Death, dying, waiting for rebirth

Scarlet Letter was a frame story “Custom House” The Scarlet Letter

Frame Story The first part you read is the letters. This is actually the END of the story, but you read it FIRST. The second part you read is Victor Frankenstein's story. It’s the BEGINNING of the story, but you read it SECOND. The third part you read is the monster’s tale. It’s the middle of the story, but you read it LAST.

Walton’s Letters to his sister Frankenstein’s Story to Walton Creature’s Story Frame Story

Turn to someone new What is a frame story? What is archetypical about the settings in this novel?

Age of Enlightenment Scientific observation of the outer world Logic and reason; science and technology Belief in following standards and traditions Appreciation of elegance and refinement Interest in maintaining the aristocracy Follow and validate authority Favored a social hierarchy Nature should be controlled by humans

Gothic Novel Frankenstein is generally categorized as a Gothic novel, a genre of fiction that uses gloomy settings and supernatural events to create an atmosphere of mystery and terror. Shelley adds to her development of the plot the use of psychological realism, delving into the psyches of the characters in an attempt to explain why they react as they do and what drives them to make their decisions.

Genre Watch for elements of Gothic literature (this is the type of lit that inspired Hawthorne and Poe).. Eerie and supernatural events Melancholy atmosphere Reflects wild, unpredictable aspects of nature Desolate and harsh landscapes

Return and talk What is one trait value from the Age of Enlightenment? Identify two characteristics of the Gothic genre.