Frankenstein Notes

Introductory Material

Author – Mary Shelley

1. Author – Mary Shelley

• 1797-1851

• She was 17 or 18 when she wrote Frankenstein.

• How did she come to write the novel? --be specific

Key Literary Terms for the Novel

• Frame narrative or frame story: a story in which another story is enclosed – the main action is relayed as second hand

Key Literary Terms for the Novel

• Gothic Novel: a genre of fiction that uses gloomy settings and supernatural elements to create an atmosphere of mystery and terror

1) Grotesque elements: the monster

2) Mysterious elements: how the monster could follow Victor Frankenstein around the world

3) Desolate environment: arctic circle

Five elements of gothic fiction

4) The horrible: the many murders

5) The ghastly: appearance of the monster in rainstorms and other eerie situations

Key Literary Terms for the Novel

• Setting: the events of the novel take place sometime in the 18th century / an arctic setting frames the novel while the story ‘s principle setting is in Switzerland and Germany

Theme: 3 major themes –

1) the consequence of irresponsibility in the pursuit of knowledge

2) the consequence of society’s rejection of someone who is not attractive

3) the destructive power of revenge

Irony – two major ironies found in Frankenstein

1) The creature is much more sympathetic than its creator.

2) Frankenstein’s creature has many pleasing qualities, but it is not physically attractive and is an outcast.

Hey Dudes and Dudettes:

• You may be asked to identify literary devices we’ve previously studied as they are found in the novel.

List of Characters:

• Major characters:

Robert Walton: an arctic explorer who finds Victor Frankenstein near death in the arctic

Major Characters

Victor Frankenstein: young scientist / protagonist of novel / excited by the possibilities of modern science / he becomes obsessed with creating a living being from spare body parts

The monster – creature: the novel’s antagonist / is never named / wishes to be a part of human society / only becomes violent when rejected

Will you be my friend?

Henry Clerval: Frankenstein’s best friend from childhood / is killed by the Creature

Elizabeth Lavenza: a young girl who was adopted as an infant by Victor’s parents / beautiful and virtuous / marries Victor and is killed by the Creature on their wedding night.

•Minor Characters

Caroline Frankenstein – Victor’s mother / dies of scarlet fever when Victor is seventeen

Alphonse Frankenstein – Victor’s father / a noble humanitarian

Ernest Frankenstein – Victor’s brother

William Frankenstein – Victor’s youngest brother / killed by Victor’s “monster”

Justine Moritz – an orphan adopted by the Frankenstein family / accused of murdering young William Frankenstein and is executed

Margaret Saville – Robert Walton’s sister