1. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein The Modern Prometheus

2. Facts about Frankenstein Written in 1816 when Mary Godwin was vacationing near Lake Geneva with her family. Written in 1816 when Mary Godwin was vacationing near Lake Geneva with her family. Written in response to a contest put forth by Byron (Mary won the contest) Written in response to a contest put forth by Byron (Mary won the contest) Published anonymously in 1818. Published anonymously in 1818. Also considered the first science fiction novel. Also considered the first science fiction novel.

3. Characteristics of a Gothic Novel Combines both horror and romance Combines both horror and romance Psychological and physical terror Psychological and physical terror Mystery Mystery The supernatural (ghosts) The supernatural (ghosts) Haunted houses and Gothic architecture Haunted houses and Gothic architecture Doubling of characters Doubling of characters Generational revenge Generational revenge Satanic/ Byronic heroes Satanic/ Byronic heroes

4. Who was Mary Shelley? Wrote Frankenstein at 19 Wrote Frankenstein at 19 Mother was Mary Wollstonecraft - famous feminist: A Vindication of the Rights of Women Mother was Mary Wollstonecraft - famous feminist: A Vindication of the Rights of Women Fell in love with married Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Fell in love with married Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Married Shelley after his wife drowned herself Married Shelley after his wife drowned herself

5. Who is Prometheus? Figure in Greek mythology Figure in Greek mythology Titan, created man out of clay. Titan, created man out of clay. Stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humans Stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humans Punishment: chained by Hephaestus to a rock. Vulture (eagle?) eats his liver each day. It regenerates over night. Punishment: chained by Hephaestus to a rock. Vulture (eagle?) eats his liver each day. It regenerates over night. Punishment of humans: Pandora’s box (1st woman - releases evil into the world) Punishment of humans: Pandora’s box (1st woman - releases evil into the world)

6. Ideas to consider as you read Revenge Revenge Opposites/ Doubles Opposites/ Doubles Sympathy to other men Sympathy to other men Social class Social class Creation Creation Depravity: sin/ original sin Depravity: sin/ original sin Destiny Destiny Duty: to someone else? To yourself? Duty: to someone else? To yourself? Family Family Education Education Gender Roles Gender Roles Use and abuse of knowledge Use and abuse of knowledge Naming Naming Religion Religion Effect of solitude Effect of solitude Sympathy Sympathy

7. Major Characters Captain Walton Captain Walton Victor Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein The Creature The Creature Elizabeth Lavenza Elizabeth Lavenza Henry Clerval Henry Clerval William Frankenstein William Frankenstein Justine Moritz Justine Moritz