Frankenstein+Unit

//Frankenstein// Reading Schedule
 * Nov. 4/5 to page 62
 * Nov. 10/11 to page 128
 * Nov. 17 to page 175
 * Nov. 24 to page 231 (probable quiz)
 * Nov. 25/26 book is Finished

CRITICISM [|Some contemporary criticism]

Travel Why is Victor's trip north a pilgrimage. Beyond plot, why the trip? and why to the cold and icy climes? What is the purpose of geography?

So a stranger appears and tells a story. Why or why not should Walton believe?


 * REQUIRED - Page 232 "Our conversations . . . fall." Please read and discuss.

Page 233 Last paragraph. Why the dissertation?

Did Walton learn his lesson? What is the lesson, if any? "Allegory of the Cave" might enter the discussion.

Read end of para on page 242. "No crime . . . alone." Discuss.

Only if time permits. . . pg. 239 -- Walton's reaction to Victor. Compare to Marlow.

Discuss the last two paragraphs of the book. Then maybe compare to the first two.

Other and your own discussion points? Continue those below?

Alex-Frankenstein is a popular source for many people to draw allusions from. What are some works that do this job?

Lauren- Was Frankenstein evil from the beginning? Or is he evil at all? Lauren- Discuss the role of responsibility and duty throughout the story. How does Victor ignore many of his responsibilities and how do they come back at him?

Please feel free to add interesting discussion questions. Put your name next to your question so you can receive credit.

The Frame
Why do we hear Walton’s voice first and last? What kind of man is he? Is our location important? Where are we? Why is this novel written in letters? What does it mean to write a letter or tell a story? What is the question you should be asking yourself? 

The Body
Consider the physical nature of characters and things in the novel. The monster, the dead bodies, etc. What does it mean to be made as the monster is made, from pieces? What affect does his work have on Victor’s body? Also, consider what we learned from __Heart of Darkness__ about colonizing and bodies. 

Friends, Family, More
What is the importance of friends and family in the text? For Walton? For Victor? For the monster? What impact does his mother’s death have on Victor? Read his dream. When does he dream it? How are familial relationships presented throughout the novel? Some critics think (and some vehemently disagree) there is something incestual about Victor and Elizabeth. Thoughts and evidence? -- Consider for next time -- How is Victor’s relationship to mankind different from the monsters? Does he see this distinction? 

Invention, Creation, and Childbirth
What is the difference between invention, creation and childbirth? Consider what Professor Donelan said in class - do you agree that the monster is an invention rather than a creation? Why or why not? What defines either? Read the creation scene. Consider it both in light of Biblical creation or physical childbirth. Consider Victor as both a godlike creator and a mother. What is the role of the feminine or female in the creation of the monster? What other scene in the book does this creation scene parallel? 

Romance and Realism
Remind yourself of the elements of Romanticism (that you learned last year). Can you recognize elements in the novel? What kind of character is Victor? Henry? Elizabeth? The Monster? What role does Romantic poetry play in the novel? 

The “Extraordinary Man” and Ego
First, remind yourself of the psychological definition of Ego. Why does Victor do what he does? Why does he believe he has the right? Is Walton similar? Do you believe Victor’s representation of himself? Why doesn’t Victor defend Justine with the truth? Consider the myth of Prometheus. Were his actions justifiable? Why or why not?

Education of Young Monsters -- for next time
Parallel the education of Victor and his creation. How is Victor educated? What does he desire to know? Contrast Victor’s interests with Henry’s. Notice the verb choice when Victor talks about “penetrating” nature which he genders as female (pg. 39, others). What’s going on there? Read the chapters in which the monster details his education carefully. How is he like a child here? How unlike? What does the monster learn from the deLaceys? What do we learn? Why are the specific books the monster finds important? What do they each teach the monster? How is the monster like Adam or Lucifer? How is he different? 

Race, Class and Gender -- consider for next time
What kinds of critique of race, class, and gender does the novel attempt? How is this complicated? Consider Justine’s role as a woman, servant and orphan. Why does the monster frame Justine? Two of the women in the story are foreign-born. What might this mean? What information and what kind of opportunities are available to the women in the novel?