1. Frankenstein The Modern Prometheus me?
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould
me Man, did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote
me?

2. Author

3. Author Author: Mark Shelley Born 1797 in London
Shelley is the bi-product of two multi-talented parents, who were extremely forward-thinking
Shelley’s mother was an acclaimed author
Shelley’s father associated with great thinkers such as Thomas Paine and William Blake

4. Author Author: Mary Shelley
Within Shelley’s own life she was married to the famed poet Percy Shelley
Shelley’s masterpiece, Frankenstien was a rare bright spot in her life:
Her mother died shortly after her birth
Her husband drowned
Her 4 children died as infants
Her own life was ended by a prolonged illness

5. General Information

6. General Information General Information First published in 1818
Frankenstein is alternately titled The Modern Prometheus
Prometheus, like the character Victor in Frankenstein, was given knowledge that no other human possessed (knowledge of fire)

7. General Information General Information
Frankenstein was created as the result of a “ghost story” competition with Shelley’s husband, Percy
The story was an immediate best seller and its featured monster is now iconic

8. Literary
Focus

9. Literary Focus Literary Focus Narrator Point of View
Robert Walton, who, in his letters, quotes Victor Frankenstein’s first-person narrative at length
Adding complexity to the narrative, the point of view shifts with the narration, from Robert Walton to Victor Frankenstein to Frankenstein’s monster, then back to Walton

10. Literary Focus Literary Focus Protagonist Antagonist Setting (time)
Setting (place)
Victor Frankenstein
The Monster
 Eighteenth century
Geneva; the Swiss Alps; Ingolstadt; England and Scotland; the northern ice

11. Literary Focus
 Victor uses words such as “fate” and “omen” to hint at the tragedy that has befallen him
Gothic, Romantic, emotional, tragic, fatalistic
Light is symbolic in the novel of knowledge and the seeking of knowledge
Fire is symbolic of the dangers linked to knowledge that hurt and even destroy
Literary Focus
Foreshadowing
Tone
Symbols

12. Themes

13. Themes and Focus Themes and Focus Isolation vs. Companionship
The Danger of Naked Ambition
Man’s need to be with someone and to be a part of society is explored. Part of the reason the monster lashes out is because of its feeling of alienation
Victor becomes so consumed with his owns desire for knowledge that he doesn’t reflect on the possible consequences of his actions

14. Themes and Focus Themes and Focus Ethics and Science
Perception vs. Reality
Questions hang over the novel whether or not Victor’s creation is an abomination and evil; these questions are raised again when the monster requests a partner
The monster’s horrific appearance is contrasted by his knowledge of literature and eloquent speech

15. Summary

16. Summary and Plot Overview
The story is told through various forms of flashback
Victor Frankenstein, sick and near death, relays the story of a monster he created to the captain of a ship named Robert Walton

17. Summary and Plot Overview
Victor has discovered the secret of life and is able to create a creature out of old body parts
Although the creature comes to life, its sight horrifies him

18. Summary and Plot Overview
The results of the creation are distastorous: innocents are killed and a domino effect of death is created
One of the deaths is Victor’s own brother, William

19. Summary and Plot Overview
The monster eventually confronts Victor and demands he create a mate to give him companionship
Victor is faced with a moral dilemma: create another monster or appease the persuasive monster

20. Characters

21. Character Analysis Character Analysis Victor Frankenstein
Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster
Victor keeps his creation of the monster a secret, feeling increasingly guilty and ashamed
Whereas the monster is hideous on the outside, Victor’s actions throughout the novel reveal him to be hideous on the inside

22. Character Analysis Character Analysis The monster
Standing eight-feet-tall, the creature is strewn together by the body parts of the dead.
Intelligent and sensitive, the monster desperately wants to be a part of society
His feelings of abandonment compel him to seek revenge against his creator