Frankenstein Outline

Directions and then turn in with your name and FO as the title (ex: Rachel FO).

Write a working outline in semi-proper outline format. This does not need to be a sentence outline, key phrases are okay. Consider were quotes may go and write page numbers. Consider where sources may go and reference them.



I. Introduction
*A. Thesis- The ugly, hideous appearance of the monster only accentuates the uglier inner nature of mankind.

- “It's not the situation. It's your reaction to the situation.” Bob Conklin
- We see what we want to see. We believe what we want to believe.
- What we see and believe reflects truth about ourselves.
II. Human’s shallow nature
*A. Victor’s immediate reaction solely depending on the appearance of the “thing” he has created

- Victor intended to create something beautiful – “his limbs were in proportion, and [he] had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful!” (85)
-Yet the result was something unexpected, in other words, not beautiful. – “horrid contrast,” “shriveled complexion, and straight black lips”
*2. Evidence 2 with critic

- “the presumptive works of man must be frightful, vile, and horrible; ending only in discomfort and misery to himself.”
The Belle Assemblée, or Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine 17 (March 1818) 139-142.
Review of Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus (1818)
- “while it may be considered to be innocent by the reader, it is never considered to be so by Victor--its existence itself is monstrous, not innocent.”

Anderson, Robert W. Frankenstein, or The Modern Cyborg?" Women Writers [online journal]10/5/99
*B. Not only Victor, but all human beings (except the blind man) who encounter the “monster” as a monster.
*1. Even when the monster “saved” a girl with “extreme labour from the force of the current,” no mercy was shown. The man “aimed a gun...at [the monster’s] body, and fired” without even trying to learn what has exactly happened.
*2. The reaction of this man parallels that of Victor. Both men do not try to learn about the monster. Their hasty reaction to the situation--monster’s appearance itself--blinds them.
III. Injustice
*A. In the book, there do stand some human figures that are noble and innocent, yet they are crushed by other people’s greed and the prevailing injustice of the world; their innocence and naiveté only emphasizes ugliness of rest of the human population.
*1. Felix – the innocence being crushed by the Turkish merchant’s greed and selfish nature
*2. Justine – poor Justine being sacrificed as the mob mentality makes people go mad, and as Victor tries to avoid the situation due to cowardice
IV. The monster’s initial innocence and confession
*A. The monster wanted to intermingle into the society, become friends with De Lacey, and be loved by others.

*B. Even when his dream gets crushed and he turns “evil,” he does not feel good about killing others. –his confession.