Year 12 Frankenstein Wiki



Welcome to the Year 12 Frankenstein Wiki
Resources and ideas for Year 12 study of the great Gothic novel, 'Frankenstein'.

AO3: critical interpretations
Add your most useful critical reading material below, either in the form of weblinks or bibliographical entries. Don't forget to include a brief explanation of why they're useful!

Social Critique in Frankenstein
Curious about how 'Frankenstein' is more than just Gothic horror? Follow this link to see how Shelley uses the novel to engage in social critique of C19th society:

http://social-critique-in-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Social_critique_in_%27Frankenstein%27_Wiki?title=Social_critique_in_%27Frankenstein%27_Wiki&cb=1796

Frankenstein Study Day
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Session 1: Frankenstein in Context
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Frankenstein and the Epoch of Revolution

Context - AO4

Frankenstein is a culture text,in the sense that it has been absorbed into our society. There have been many adaptations of Frankenstein and as it is a complex novel, it is open to wide interpretations.

The novel is greatly concerned with creation and birth and how this is linked between to death. Shelley may have viewed birth and death as almost inseparable due to her life's experiences. Her mother - Mary Wollstencraft died in childbirth with Mary and so she will have always viewed her birth as being linked with death. In addition although Mary had five pregnancies only one of her children survived into adulthood. Death was very present in Shelley's life from an early age.

This is demonstrated in Frankenstein as the character of Victor continually reflects on death and actually creates life through death - as he creates the monster from dead matter found in the grave yard.

Shelley refers to the novel as "my hideous offspring" as it has taken on the form of her own grotesque child. As the novel is Shelley's 'child' the creature is also Victors offspring. However the 'child' lacks one parent. He has a 'father' but no mother. Victor refuses to accept his responsibility as father and creator of the monster. He rejects the monster and wont care, educate or nurture him. The creature rejection by his '' single parent' is the source of all later problems. A feminist interpretation highlights the irresponsible male attitudes to reproduction and care and the rejection of the role of women in Frankenstein.

The novel gives much attention to scientific discovery and is actually the first proper science fiction novel. At this time artists and scientists weren't as separate as they are today. Therefore Shelley's circle of writers and people interested in Romanticism were also involved and interested in scientific experimentation.

During the Enlightenment work of Luigi Galvani was at the forefront of scientific discovery. He realised that he could cause muscle contraction in a dead body through the application of electrical stimulus. It is thought that this is where Shelley gained her inspiration for her novel.

Session 2: Narrative Voices in Frankenstein
All three narrators engage with the natural world. Miltonic voice which permeates the whole novel, tying Shelley's works into the Romantic movement. Adam, feeling lonely, goes to sleep and dreams of eves creation and awakes and finds her to be real.

Shelley was trying to think of a story, and had a dream which terrified her, tried to change her mind to something else, (her frustrated desire to find a story) then she linked the two

Epistolary novel used as it gives a strong impression of realism

The enthusiasm experienced by both Walton and Victor would have been seen as them being possessed.

Session 3: The Gothic in Frankenstein
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Session 4: Exploration in Frankenstein
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Community and isolation stand from scientific and geographical discovery.

The background of the novel focuses on the outward and inward process of Walton and Victor and the discoveries of the world on different scales. The 19th century focuses on both and see them to be very heroic. Contemporary science is used in the element of production, and the best forms of reproduction between two organisms. Shelley was influenced by Percy's fascination of electricity and its power. The tone and content of the novel focus on the chemical elements and Victors dominating attitude, to combine all the knowledge for the creatures creation. He talks of coming aquatinted with the secrets of nature and hidden powers, and Shelley uses it to criticise Victor's actions.

Victor and Walton present the deep curiosity and takes to loneliness to great extents. The novel is dedicated to Shelley's father and shows the corruption of society, to reflect on the connections between the human nature and society. A lot of her concentration is on the results leading to isolation and the effects of such decisions. Walton is used to foreshadow the main themes of the novel, curiosity, isolation, loneliness. Victors obsessive views are reflected through Walton, his loneliness and Victors separation are shown through many nature descriptions of both. They illustrate the view of a mans natural goodness being accepted by the allowance of greatness, and the views of Victor being God like. He sets himself deliberately through man kind, and his self awareness shrinks throughout the novel while the creature grows. Walton is his only friend, he's tempted by him and his actions, and still looses his self awareness by telling him to stay. The story has become a test of masculine heroism, and he returns with reluctance with moral from Victor.

The creature is the tragic hero that has a bitter relationship with Victor, who's exploring the world of humanity. The idea of a fresh discovery and the duty to it which is denied.

-Volume three chapter seven- the fallen angel

He's set apart from his origins and brought from dead parts that he's origin end. Out of the three he's the one who most desires companionship, while the others focus on their own needs. His distress is caused by his illegitimate to the world and his long to make sense of it. The moral significance of Frankenstein, and how the creatures wishes turn to destruction of Victor.

The livery context is based around Paradise Lost. It reflects on Satan's fall, and that there is no alternative community to the creature. Victor sins against the community and doesn't come forward for its crimes.

Chapter Summaries for Revision
Walton's letters and Vol. 1 Chap 1: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Walton%27s_opening_letters_and_Volume_1%2C_Chapter_1?venotify=created

Vol. 1 Chap 2, 3 & 4: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._1_Chapters_2%2C_3_and_4?venotify=created

Vol. 1 Chap 5 & 6: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._1_Chapters_5_and_6?venotify=created

Vol. 1 Chap 7 & 8: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._1_Chapters_7_and_8?venotify=created

Vol. 2 Chap 1, 2 & 3: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._2_Chapters_1%2C_2_and_3?venotify=created

Vol. 2 Chap 4 & 5: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._2_Chapters_4_and_5?venotify=created

Vol. 2 Chap 6 & 7: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._2_Chapters_6_and_7?venotify=created

Vol. 2 Chap 8 & 9: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._2_Chapters_8_and_9?venotify=created

Vol. 3 Chap 1 & 2: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._3_Chapters_1_and_2?venotify=created

Vol. 3 Chap 3 & 4: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._3_Chapters_3_and_4?venotify=created

Vol. 3 Chap 5 & 6: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._3_Chapters_5_and_6?venotify=created

Vol. 3 Chap 7 and Walton's final letters: http://year-12-frankenstein.wikia.com/wiki/Vol._3_Chapter_7_and_Walton%27s_final_letters?venotify=created