An Introduction to
Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein
|
Monsters. The concept is as old as time . . . and as current as today's horror movies and political cartoons. Long before the
written word, myths and folk tales abounded with monsters. Today, we invoke Frankenstein's name to conjure up images of
Science gone awry.
In the early 1800s, Mary Shelley and other members of her literary circle discussed and reacted to a new belief that Science
would allow Man to control Nature, thus "playing God." Victor Frankenstein attempts to create the perfect man; instead, he
creates a monster. Does Victor's ultimate hubris, or arrogance, lie in the fact that he tries to imitate God, or because he hopes
to surpass God's creation of flawed humanity?
Now that we actually have the technology to create life, through biotechnology and cloning, is Mary Shelley's monster more or
less frightening? What, or who, are our monsters? How were they created? What is 'monstrous?' What is 'human?' Is one
inherently the opposite of the other? Can humans be 'monsters?' Can 'monsters' be more humane than humans? Why do we
make monsters?
Monster, maker . . . Creature, creator . . . . From the Book of Genesis to the Sistine Chapel to the 2004 announcement by the
Raelians that they had cloned a 7-pound baby girl named "Eve," the creation image is one of the most powerful images in
Western culture. In Mary Shelley's Gothic incarnation of that image, hope becomes horror as the creator sees what he has
created come to life. This idea continues to thrill, haunt, and speak to us across the centuries. We reincarnate Mary Shelley's
tale again and again . . . . Does that say more about us or more about Frankenstein, as a myth, fable, legend, or cautionary tale?
The depth and power of this novel allow it to be viewed though a kaleidescope of lenses. Frankenstein was the first Science
Fiction novel. Frankenstein is a seminal work of Women's Literature. Frankenstein was an important work of Romantic
Literature. ". . . Frankenstein has become one of the most popular texts for literature courses, and Mary Shelley has become
known as a major writer and something of a culture hero, one of the major "Romantics."2
A final lens through which Frankenstein should be viewed is the biographical. In her introduction to the third edition she wrote,
" And now, once again, I bid my hideous progeny [Frankenstein] go forth and prosper. I have affection for it, for it was the
offspring of happier days, when death and grief were but words, which found no true echo in my heart."
Creature and creator . . . Child and parent . . . Student and mentor . . . Character and writer. It is in Mary's story that we see the
source and depth of meaning of the birth image for her. It is finally, in her story that we see how Mary Shelley may have seen
herself as both maker and monster. It is, perhaps, the most Gothic tale of all.
This webquest will help you to better understand Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. After this webquest, you should be able to
understand the psychology behind Shelley's writing, why her novel has been given the accolades that it has, and how her
writing applies to our lives now. Mary Shelley was an extremely powerful 18th century author who was very interested in the
human psyche and how the way we think affects why we live the way we do. By researching Shelley, psychology, and the
novel, you should be able to have a better understanding of Shelley and Frankenstein.
Which is the madman? Who is the monster? How does the story of their struggle still hold us in it's thrall? Why is Mary
Shelley's novel, written while she was a teenager, so compelling that we have told and retold Frankenstein for almost 200
years? A modern myth, a cautionary fable, an enduring legend, Frankenstein has been translated into the world's many
languages, transformed on the stage, and transmuted into film. What does this story "say" about us? What do we "say" about
this story?
Your task: to write an analytical essay based on a thought provoking passage or theme of the novel with a
physiological slant. You will be expected to draw from the 18th century and present day research and critique. From this
research it is up to you to decide why Shelley wrote the way she did. You will do the research, decide what aspect of
psychology and Frankenstein you want to discuss for your essay, further discussed in the process, and then write a 4+ page
paper based on what you have analyzed from the novel. There are many resources which I have provided for you and you are
welcome to use any outside sources you feel will help enhance clarity in your project. (Just remember all sources need to be
credible and clearly cited in your paper in MLA format. Passing off any other person's information as your own is plagiarism,
and will earn a ZERO; please keep this in mind.)
You and two others students should work together on one aspect and approach it from three different viewpoints. You will
assist each other in locating the information, will discuss the information you find and place a value on it for each group
member, and will peer edit each other's papers.
Each of you should accept a position and will need to bring together what you have learned to your group although each of you
will be responsible for your own papers. The three people in your group will be divided into the psychologist, the scientist, and
the monster. Use the resources provided to begin looking up information.
literacy.calumet.purdue.edu/STUDENT/petronel/
teachnologist.com/frankenquest/main.html
mail.nvnet.org/%7ecooper_j/FrankensteinWQ2018/
Ms. Bailey's Honors English IV
|
Sire administrator: Genji Bailey
Last Updated: 06.28.07