iNTRO TO Frankenstein

HOMEWORK FOR WEEK 17

  • ASAP go take the Class Reflection Survey.

  • Read Frankenstein, (Open free pdf book here.) Letters 1-4, and chapters 1-10 and complete the Starting Points workbook questions pages 196-205.

The primary purpose in reading Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is to explore two opposing views of the nature of man. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, takes one position while Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, takes the opposing viewpoint.

frankenstein, jekyll & hyde

The next two books you are reading are written at a more advanced level reading ability. Don't stress! You got this! Just take your time, use your dictionary, mark difficult passages for class discussion, and give yourself extra time. The Narnia books are written at about a 4th or 5th grade level, these books at an 11th or 12 grade level.

AUDIO OF FRANKENSTEIN

A full unabridged audio recording of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Open the full description (within Youtube) for a chapter by chapter clickable timeline. Read along with your eyes as you listen with your ears.

Great Intro to the Story

Great intro of the first science fiction work that explores the origins of Frankenstein and the modern ethical dilemmas it addresses.

Everything you need to know

Everything you need to know before reading Frankenstein. (5 min)

Sparknotes overview

This is a 9 min illustrated summary of Frankenstein. DON'T WATCH THIS BEFORE READING THE BOOK. If you're lost or confused then watch it. (9 min)

MARKING THE TEXT AS YOU READ WILL HELP YOU TO ANALYZE FRANKENSTEIN

As you are reading Frankenstein, focus your attention on Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. Try to determine Mary Shelley's view of God and her view of man.

character world view

  • What do Dr. Frankenstein and the monster believe about life?

  • What do they base their life on?

  • What life perspectives are the characters taking?

  • What do they consider ultimate truth?

  • What is at the heart of their nature?

In Frankenstein You Will Explore and Consider 5 Major Worldview Themes

  1. Essential Nature of Man: Is man born/created innocent or wicked? What influence does nature and nurture play in the decisions man makes?

  2. Creator/Creation Accountability: What is the ethical relationship (moral responsibility) between creator and creation? How important are acceptance and approval from our Creator?

  3. Creation & Child Birth: What makes mankind unique? When is the soul present? What does it mean to be made in the image of the Creator?

  4. The Quest for Knowledge: What is Truth? Is knowledge the solution to man’s problems? Does science, philosophy and history have all the answers?

  5. Science & Ethics: Just because man can, ought he? What happens when science assumes the role of creation? What are man’s moral obligations, if any?