GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE: FRANKENSTEIN TEACHER GUIDE ...

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GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE:

FRANKENSTEIN

TEACHER GUIDE & STUDENT WORKSHEETS

This booklet is a companion to the online curriculum available at www.yourfavouriteteacher.com.

It includes the content from the ‘Frankenstein’ course.


Frankenstein

This pack covers context, plot outline, character and theme analysis, together with some exam style questions and answers.

This booklet contains:

• Suggested teaching order

• Learning objectives for each session

• Questions or activities that tutors could use in their sessions

Suggested Teaching Order and Learning Objectives

Lesson Focus Learning Objectives 1 Plot Overview

Structure To consolidate understanding of the plot and be able to detail key events.

2 Victor Frankenstein To be able to form a critical response to Victor Frankenstein’s characterisation in the novel, using textual references to support interpretations.

3 The Creature To be able to form a critical response to The Creature’s characterisation in the novel, using textual references to support interpretations.

4 Elizabeth, William & Clerval

To be able to identify the key events that link to these characters and analyse how Shelley has used them for effect within the plot.

5 Settings To be able to use textual references to show an understanding of the key settings within the novel.

6 Minor Characters To be able to understand the significance of the minor characters and how they impact the plot of the novel.

7 Structure To be able to show an understanding of the novel’s structure and begin to analyse how Shelley uses structure to achieve effects.

8 Theme: Science To be able to evaluate the concepts and ideas surrounding the theme of science which Shelley creates within the text.

9 Theme: Family To be able to evaluate the concepts surrounding and the importance of the theme of family within the text.

10 Theme: Nature, Life & Death

To be able to evaluate the importance of, as well as concepts and ideas which Shelley evokes surrounding the themes of Nature, Life and Death.


Suggested Questions for Discussion and/or Activities

Lesson Questions/ Activities 1 • What form does the Prologue take, who writes it and why?

• Which characters are introduced within the Prologue and how is the main plot and narrative introduced?

• What details do we get about Frankenstein’s childhood life? What was enjoyable about his childhood and what was not enjoyable?

• What is the plot of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner and how does it relate to the events of the novel?

2 • How does Frankenstein first introduce himself in his narrative? • What details do we learn about Frankenstein’s upbringing? • When does Frankenstein’s character change within the novel? How and why do

these changes occur? • What are Frankenstein’s greatest character flaws, and most admirable qualities? • How are readers meant to sympathise with Frankenstein’s decision to abandon the

monster? How might readers criticse his decision? • Who is Prometheus, and how does Frankenstein compare to this mythical character?

3 • How is the Creature first described? • How is the Creature characterised by Frankenstein and Walton within their

narratives? • How does the Creature’s speech and use of language compare with his

appearance? • What happens to the Creature after he is first created? Create a time-line of events

for the Creature’s life. • How does the Creature’s account of his creation compare with Victor’s? • What mythical figure(s) does the Creature compare himself to? Why?

4 • How are William and Elizabeth significant within Frankenstein’s life? • Who is Henry Clerval? When does Frankenstein meet him and what role does

Clerval play in the novel? • How does Frankenstein treat each of these characters? • How does the creation of the Creature affect Frankenstein’s relationships with each

of these characters? • What is the order in which each of these characters die? What is the impact of each

characters death on the plot? 5 • How does Shelley describe the night on which the Creature is created?

• What are each of the different settings within the novel? • Which settings in the novel are the most extreme? Why do you think Shelley has

included extreme, exotic settings? • What examples of gothic imagery has Shelley included in the settings’ descriptions? • How many settings are there in which characters are isolated? When do they appear

within the plot and what do these settings each have in common? • What is the significance of the Ornkeys within the novel? What key plot points occur

here? • Which settings does the Creature appear in? What imagery is used to describe the

setting when the Creature appears?


6 • Which characters would you say are minor? • What do we learn about the character of Walton and how does he compare to

Frankenstein? • Both Walton and Frankenstein are men of science who leave their families behind to

make new discoveries. Why do you think Shelley has drawn a parallel between these two characters?

• Who are the De Laceys and what is their impact on the plot? • What theme(s) could you link the minor characters to in the novel? • Which minor characters could you link to the novel’s main characters and why?

7 • What is a frame narrative? • What is the conflict between Frankenstein and the Creature? How does the conflict

begin and increase throughout the novel? • What internal conflict does Frankenstein face throughout the novel? • What moments in the novel affect Frankenstein’s internal conflict? • How does the plot of this novel compare with a conventional horror story? How

does it compare with a conventional tragic play? • When do the Nurse and Juliet have conflict? What does this reveal about their

characters? 8 • Early in his life, what experiences influenced Frankenstein’s interest in science?

• What sorts of imagery and language are used to describe the creature’s creation and Frankenstein’s scientific studies?

• How does the concept of science contrast with the concept of nature? • Was science a positive or a negative influence on Victor Frankenstein? Why? • How do Frankenstein’s studies impact his family life and happiness? Why? • What scientific discoveries and changes in society were developed in the 19th

century? How did they affect humans, nature, and family life? • What are the features of Romantic / Gothic Fiction? Where are these features found

within the novel? 9 • What details do we get about Frankenstein’s family life?

• How are the characters of Elizabeth and William important in Frankenstein’s life? Why?

• When Frankenstein moves to Geneva, what role does Henry Clerval have in his life? Why is this character important to Frankenstein?

• Why does the Creature request for a wife to be made for him? Do readers understand this request? Why or why not?

10 • Which characters die within his novel and how? • Which deaths within the novel are the most tragic? Why? • How does the Creature feel about life and why? • Do readers sympathise with the creature’s view on life? Why or why not? • How might religious and non-religious readers view the Creature’s life differently

and why? • How do we know that Elizabeth and William are special to Frankenstein? Why? • What role does God play within the novel? • What is the effect of the Creature’s birth on Frankenstein’s own life?


Plot Overview

Below, fill in the key plot-points within each section of the novel.

Walton’s Letters Frankenstein’s Early Life Frankenstein’s Life in Geneva The Creature’s Narrative The De Lacey Family’s Narrative The Creation of the Creature’s Wife & The Orkneys The Chase & The North Pole


Victor Frankenstein

Below is a list of qualities Frankenstein’s character possesses.

Match the character qualities to the quotes below and write an explanation of how these qualities are shown.

Ambitious Regretful Lonely Respected God-Like Vengeful Guilty Desperate

Quote Quality Explanation

“What glory would attend the discovery, if I could banish disease from the

human frame.”

“You seek for knowledge as I once did […] I hope that may not be a serpent to

sting you.”

“My family is one of the most distinguished.”

“I thought I had prepared only my own death; but I

hastened that of a far dearer victim.”

“… pour a torrent of light into our dark world.”

“Swear […] that you will seek him and satisfy my

vengeance in his death.”

“Think you that any can replace those who are

gone?

“It was the wretch, the filthy daemon to whom I had

given life.”


“The beauty of the dream vanished, […] horror and disgust filled my heart.”


The Creature

Below is a list of qualities The Creature’s character possesses.

Match the character qualities to the quotes below and write an explanation of how these qualities are shown.

Isolated Vengeful Powerful Sympathetic Human-like Intelligent Emotional Evil

Quote Quality Explanation

“I cannot describe to you the agony that these

reflections inflicted upon me.”

“I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen

angel.”

“I have murdered the lovely and the helpless”

“his hair was of lustrous black, and flowing,” “watery

eyes” “yellow skin” “shrivelled complexion.”

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”

“You are my creator, but I am your master – obey!”

“Have I not suffered enough, that you seek to

increase my misery?”

“I am malicious because I am miserable.”


“I was, besides, endued with a figure hideously

deformed and loathsome; I was not even of the same

nature as man.”


Elizabeth, William & Clerval

For each character, fill in the blank with the word which best describes their character.

Elizabeth Elizabeth is ______________by the Frankenstein family and raised as one of their own. She becomes extremely ______________ when Caroline (Frankenstein’s mother) dies and looks after the “younger children” in the family. In a way, she is put on a pedestal as an ______________ woman. Shelley emphasises her feminine characteristics, penning her as ______________, accepting and content with her life. She also has a positive influence on those around her, including Frankenstein. Some critics argue that Elizabeth is almost too perfect, which means her death is something that is bound to happen. In fact, her death is ______________ after Justine dies as Elizabeth says she “cannot live in this world of misery”. Finally, she is portrayed quite clearly as a victim and she comes across as very ______________ throughout the novel. She loves Frankenstein and wants to marry him, but refuses to if it makes him unhappy. Shelley also uses a lot of possessive pronouns and metaphors which emphasises the hold that Frankenstein has on Elizabeth. It’s almost as if she is his ______________. property foreshadowed maternal adopted idealised passive vulnerable Henry Clerval Clerval acts as Frankenstein’s ______________. This means Shelley has characterised him as a good, kind and happy character, which emphasises many of Frankenstein’s ______________ character traits. The pair are old school friends, but follow different paths which is evident when Frankenstein goes off to university. Although they are both highly academic and therefore ______________, his dreams are different from Frankenstein’s. In a nutshell, Clerval is the character that Frankenstein could have become if he didn’t drive himself crazy trying to create life from death, then destroy it again. His character helps to emphasise the importance of family and ______________ within


the novel Overall, Clerval has a positive effect on Frankenstein. He nurses him back to health when Frankenstein falls ill after the creation of the monster. Clerval also ______________ Frankenstein to ______________to his family and society by writing to them. Clerval is “so thoughtful in his generosity” that he highlights Frankenstein’s ______________ throughout the novel. encourages reconnect selfishness foil academic friendship negative


Setting

For each setting below, identify the key plot points which occur in these settings.

The Arctic Geneva Ingolstadt The Alps De Lacey Cottage The Orkney Islands


Irish Prison


Minor Characters

Other than the key characters within the novel, there are also several minor characters who play an important role in the plot:

- Justine Moritz: Justine is employed by the Frankenstein household. She cares for the dying mother of Frankenstein and is greatly loved by the family. Justine is wrongly accused for the murder of William and therefore imprisoned.

- Agathe, Felix and Mr. De Lacey: The De Lacey’s are a family made up of three characters – Felix, Agathe and their blind father. The three characters live in a cottage near a hovel where the creature hides after leaving Frankenstein’s lab. The Creature observes them and learns from them early in his life.

- Walton: Walton is an explorer travelling to find the north pole. In the beginning of the novel he writes to his sister to describe his journey and, along the way, encounters the creature and Frankenstein. Walton helps Frankenstein aboard his ship and listens to the Frankenstein’s life story.

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Choose one set of characters above and answer the questions below.

1. How is their character first introduced?

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2. What effect does this character have on the plot of the novel? Which characters do they help or harm? Why?

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3. Why do you think Mary Shelley has included these minor characters? How do they relate to the main characters in the novel and why are these similarities/differences important?

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Structure

Mary Shelley tells the story of her novel, Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, through multiple narrators. Each narrative is meant to reveal different insights into the Creature’s life, creation, and the effects of Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with science.

Below, chart what we learn about Victor Frankenstein and/or the Creature in each narrative. How has he and his scientific ambitions effected the people around him?

Walton’s letters

Ex. In these letters, we meet Frankenstein in a state of ruin, near death. These letters foreshadow the negative effects of science throughout the novel.

Frankenstein’s early narrative &

Studies

Frankenstein’s return home

The Creature’s narrative on the

Alps

Frankenstein’s journey to The Orkney Islands


Walton’s final narrative


Theme: Science

Within the novel, Frankenstein’s character and actions show the tragic consequences caused by the pursuit of science above all else. Within Shelley’s life-time, the author witnessed the progress and effects of The Enlightment Era – a time of great scientific progress – and The Scientific Revolution. Similarly, The Industrial Revolution – the advent of industry and the increased urbanisation of the world – was changing the way people lived every day. As a result, Shelley wrote Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus as a response to these negative effects.

For each quote below, analyse the kind of language and imagery Shelley uses to discuss science.

Quote Imagery / Language Used

Analysis

1. “It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn.” – Victor Frankenstein

2. “You seek for knowledge and wisdom as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” – Victor to Walton

3. “Study had before secluded me from the intercourse of my fellow-creatures, and rendered me unsocial; but Clervel called forth the better feelings of my heart; he taught me again to love the aspect of nature, and the cheerful faces of children.” - Victor

4. “Chemistry is that branch of natural


philosophy in which the greatest improvements have been and may be made […]. A man would make but a very sorry chemist, if he attended to that department of human knowledge alone.” - Victor


Theme: Family

Throughout the entire novel, Frankenstein recounts his past life and discusses his family members with great nostalgia. Frankenstein had a very privileged childhood himself, however the deaths in his family early in his life disrupted what he saw to be a perfect childhood. Frankenstein admits that he was a well-loved child, as was Elizabeth, his adopted sister. However, Frankenstein fails to give the same level of love and affection to his own creation.

For each quote below, analyse the kind of language and imagery Shelley uses to discuss family.


Analysis

1. “My mother’s tender caresses and my father’s smile of benevolent pleasure while regarding me are my first recollections. I was their plaything and their idol and something better -- their child, the innocent and helpless monster bestowed on them by Heaven..” – Victor Frankenstein

2. “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.” – Victor Frankenstein, about the Creature

3. “I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in


dejection.” – Walton, to his sister in a letter 4. When I looked around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, a monster, a blot upon the earth from which all men fled and whom all men disowned?” – The Creature, to Frankenstein.


Theme: Nature, Life & Death

A part of the famous Romantic Literary Tradition, Shelley’s novel is filled with descriptions of nature which emphasise the perfection and sublime experience of nature. This experience of nature is one that is found when nature is completely undisturbed and pure. Victor Frankenstein’s creation of the Creature, a monster given life out of death, is a disruption of Nature’s purity. Therefore, Shelley writes her novel to show the dangerous effects of disrupting the sublime and natural.

For each quote below, analyse the kind of language and imagery Shelley uses to discuss Nature, Life & Death.


Analysis

1. “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.” – Victor Frankenstein

2. “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” – Victor Frankenstein

3. “The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was the most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest, or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage: but my


eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” – Frankenstein, whilst creating the Creature. 4. “When I was about fifteen years old, […] we witnessed a most violent and terrible thunder-storm. […] I remained, while the storm lasted, watching its progress with curiosity and delight.” – The Creature, to Frankenstein.


EXAM STYLE QUESTION & EXAMPLE PARAGRAPHS

The extract below comes from chapter 12 of the novel, when the monster is observing the De Lacey family.

A considerable period elapsed before I discovered one of the causes of the uneasiness of this amiable family: it was poverty, and they suffered that evil in a very distressing degree. Their nourishment consisted entirely of the vegetables of their garden and the milk of one cow, which gave very little during the winter, when its masters could scarcely procure food to support it. They often, I believe, suffered the pangs of hunger very poignantly, especially the two younger cottagers, for several times they placed food before the old man when they reserved none for themselves. ‘This trait of kindness moved me sensibly. I had been accustomed, during the night, to steal a part of their store for my own consumption, but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained and satisfied myself with berries, nuts, and roots which I gathered from a neighbouring wood. ‘I discovered also another means through which I was enabled to assist their labours. I found that the youth spent a great part of each day in collecting wood for the family fire, and during the night I often took his tools, the use of which I quickly discovered, and brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days. ‘I remember, the first time that I did this, the young woman, when she opened the door in the morning, appeared greatly astonished on seeing a great pile of wood on the outside. She uttered some words in a loud voice, and the youth joined her, who also expressed surprise. I observed, with pleasure, that he did not go to the forest that day, but spent it in repairing the cottage and cultivating the garden.

Starting with this extract, explore the extent to which Shelley paints the monster as having a natural tendency to be good.


Grade 5 Paragraph:

Although the Monster is painted as evil multiple times throughout the novel, he still has a natural tendency to be good at times. In chapter 16 he says ‘I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and glutted myself with their shrieks and misery.’ The phrase ‘with pleasure’ shows the reader the darker side of human nature. The Monster would gain pleasure from others’ pain, which is reinforced by Shelley’s use of the verb ‘glutted’. However, the word ‘could’ is used, showing that the Monster has the ability to keep his anger under control and be a good person. This reinforces the idea that the Monster can be good, but society has shunned him, making him evil.

Grade 7/8 Paragraph:

In chapter 17 of the novel, the Monster seeks revenge on Frankenstein which shows that although at times he has a natural inclination to be good, he is mainly characterised by Shelley as evil. The monster says: ‘I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth.’ Shelley has used the imperative phrase ‘I will’, which shows the Monster’s determination once Victor destroys his work on the female monster. The noun ‘destruction’ means the action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired. Here, the Monster can only be characterised as enraged, evil and hellbent on revenge. Shelley also uses the phrase ‘desolate your heart’, meaning he hopes to instil a great loneliness within Victor, the same way the Monster himself has endured so much loneliness and emptiness. Finally, ‘curse the hour of your birth’ creates a sense of deep loathing for Victor. This phrase hints at the Monster cursing the hour of his own birth, which was down to Victor creating him in the first place. This shows the reader that the Monster wants Victor to understand how he has felt since the day he was created, thus evoking sympathy from the reader despite the evil sentiment in his words.

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