AP English Lit Name: Rae Cwach & Aleiya Holyoak

Major Works Data Sheet: Do not cut/paste from a website, which is

a form of plagiarism.

Title: Frankenstein Biographical information about the

author:

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born

Author: Mary Shelley August 30, 1797 in London. Her mother,
also named Mary Wollstonecraft, died
soon after Shelley was born. After her
Date of Publication: January 1, 1818 father remarried, Shelley had a difficult
home life with a stepmother she didn't
get along with. In 1814 Shelley started a
Genre: Gothic novel, Science Fiction relationship with poet Percy Bysshe
Shelley, with whom she left England
with, though he was still married to his
Historical information about the period
first wife. In 1815, during a visit to Lord
of publication or setting of the novel: Byron, Shelley wrote the first part of
Frankenstein in a competition for who
could write the best ghost story. She
In the early 1800s, Frankenstein was
anonymously published the finished
published. During this time, Europe was novel in 1818, though most credit was
going through massive changes. given to Percy since he wrote the
European nations at this time were introduction. She had four children, but
industrializing and imperialising the only one lived to adulthood, and lost her
world. Romanticism was also popular in husband in 1822 when he drowned
literature and art in this time period. while sailing. In order to support her
This popular movement’s elements and surviving child, Shelley wrote and
other cultural influences are evident published more novels, as well
throughout the novel. promoted her deceased husband's
poetry. She died of cancer February 1,
1851 in London, and was buried with
her husband.
 Characteristics of the genre:

Gothic Novel: A combination of

horror and mystery popular during
the late 1700s and early 1800s. They
usually take place in mainly dark and
gloomy.

Science Fiction: Fiction inspired by

possible or current scientific and
technological advancement and
major social or environmental
change. Normally takes the most
extreme route that they believe these
changes can lead to in order to warn
people against those changes or tell
people to improve or accept them.

Plot Summary: Do not cut/paste from a website, which is a form of plagiarism.

A curious and distraught young man named Victor Frankenstein finds a way to
create life. His disgust of his creation causes it to turn against him and
humanity. After years of being haunted by his monster and it’s terrible actions,
he searches Europe to destroy the monster. He fails to find the monster, but is
able to narrate his story to Robert Walton, the captain of a boat traveling near
the Northern Ice, before dying.

Major Works Data Sheet

Memorable Quotes at least 3 – more is better

Quotation Significance

“I looked upon them as - This passage sets the beginning of the monster’s
superior beings, who would character arc, wherein he hopes to be accepted by
be the arbiters of my future humans. As he is the only one of his kind, the monster
destiny. I formed in my assumes that if he works to be like humans he can be
imagination a thousand accepted, instead of attacked. The family he has
pictures of presenting myself observed represent the best qualities of humanity, at
to them, and their reception least to him. He believes that if he can be like them then
of me. I imagined that they he can truly live amongst humans without their fear or
would be disgusted, until, by prejudice.
my gentle demeanor and
conciliating words, i should
first win their favour, and
afterwards their love.”
(pg.108)

"These wonderful
narrations inspired me with - This scene marks the turning point of the monsters
strange feelings. Was man, beliefs. While he has convinced himself that the family
indeed, at once so powerful, he watches is representative of most humans, and by
so virtuous and magnificent, succeeding with them he shall succeed with others, he
yet so vicious and base? He has now learned that this is not the case. However, he
appeared at one time a mere refuses to believe it, as accepting it would be accepting
scion of the evil principle, that he is truly alone and hated. So while he is disgusted
and at another as all that can by the acts he hears of, he refuses to accept that that is
be conceived of noble and universally the case in order to keep his hope of having
godlike. To be a great and companions.
virtuous man appeared the
highest honour that can
befall a sensitive being; to be
base and vicious, as many on
record have been, appeared
the lowest degradation, a
condition more abject than
that of the blind mole or
harmless worm. For a long
time I could not conceive
how one man could go forth
to murder his fellow, or even
why there were laws and
governments; but when I
heard details of vice and
bloodshed, my wonder
ceased, and I turned away
with disgust and loathing.”

“He had sworn to quit the

neighbourhood of man and - In this passage, Frankenstein reflects on possible
hide himself in deserts, but outcomes because of the creation of a female monster.
she had not; and she, who in His thoughts now draw a contrast to that of
all probability was to Frankenstein’s thoughts while creating his first
become a thinking and monster. While at first he was overjoyed by the thought
reasoning animal, might of creating life, he is later met with misfortune because
refuse to comply with a he forgot to keep in mind that the creature would have
compact made before her agency. In this passage, it shows how his naivety of
creation. They might even thinking the monster will be compliant is now replaced
hate each other; the creature with caution and hindsight.
who already lived loathed
his own deformity, and
might he not conceive a
greater abhorrence for it
when it came before his eyes
in the female form? She also
might turn with disgust from
him to the superior beauty of
man; she might quit him, and
he be again alone,
exasperated by the fresh
provocation of being
deserted by one of his own
species.”

Major Works Data Sheet

Characters
Name Role in the story Significance Adjectives

- Victor Frankenstein - Main character - Creates the monster -Ambitious,

that ultimately Intelligent, Self-
destroys him obsessed, Gloomy.
 (Edgy)
- Robert Walton
-Beginning and end - Narrates the end of -Intelligent, Curious,
narrator both Frankenstein and Adventurous, Lonely.
the monsters lives.
-Frankenstein’s
Monster -Main adversary -Is created by -Lonely, Sensitive,
Frankenstein and Intelligent, Vengeful.
eventually, through his (Edgy)
own downfall, brings
about Frankenstein's
end.
-Alphonse
Frankenstein -Frankenstein’s -Very loving towards -Loving, Kind,
father his son, allows him Sensitive, Giving.
many privileges and
opportunities.
-Elizabeth Lavenza
-Frankenstein's -A calming influence on -Passive, Sensitive,
adopted relation and Frankenstein who is Kind, Patient
intended bride. then murdered on their
wedding night.
-Henry Clerval
-Frankenstein's best -Takes care of -Intelligent, Cheerful,
friend Frankenstein after the Curious, Kind.
creation of the
monster, is later
murdered by him.
-William
Frankenstein -Frankenstein's -The first member of -Innocent, Cheerful,
younger brother Frankenstein’s family Dead, only really
to be killed by the mentioned when he
monster. was killed.
-Justine Moritz
-William’s caretaker -Is blamed for Williams -Caring, Innocent,
murder and is Virtuous. Also only
executed. introduced before she
died.
-Caroline Beaufort
-Frankenstein's -Doting mother who -Caring, Generous.
mother dies early in the novel.
Inspires Victor to
pursue the secret to
 giving life.

-De Lacey -Inspires the monster

-Blind old man who to learn to speak and -Kind, Non
lives in the cottage gives him hope of Judgemental.
with Felix, Agatha, acceptance. Was more
and Safie. receptive to the
monster because he
could not see the
monster’s appearance.

-Felix -Inspires the monster

-Son of De Lacey, to learn to speak and -Noble, Caring.
brother of Agatha, gives him hope of
lover of Safie. acceptance. When the
monster reveals
himself, Felix attacks
him and drives him
away.

-Agatha -Inspires the monster

-Daughter of De to learn to speak and -Selfless, Kind.
Lacey, sister of Felix. gives him hope of
acceptance. When the
monster reveals
himself, she reacts with
extreme disgust and
fear.

-Safie -Allows Frankenstein

-Lover of Felix to learn how to read -Kind, Beautiful.
and speak when she is
taught by Felix. When
the monster reveals
himself, she reacts with
extreme disgust and
fear.

-M. Waldman -Helps set Victor on the

-Professor of path that ultimately -Intelligent,
Frankenstein’s who leads to his destruction Encouraging.
encouraged him in by encouraging his
the search for the interest in his search
 origin of life. for the origin of life.

-Due to Victors dislike

-M. Krempe -A professor disliked of this professor, Victor
by Victor. instead listens to M. -Unlikable, Intelligent.
Waldman instead of
following M. Krempe’s
suggestion.

Major Works Data Sheet

Setting Significance of the opening scene

Northern Ice - Walton’s boat - late 1790s The story begins with a frame narrative from
the perspective of Robert Walton. While
Geneva - Frankenstein family’s home - 1777 traveling through the northern ice, Walton
onward finds Frankenstein, who then narrates his
story to Walton. His search for adventure and
Italy - Elizabeth’s original foster family’s the unknown parallels Frankenstein’s story.
home/Victor’s birth country - 1770 This opening scene helps illustrate the
parallels between the two men and their
Ingolstadt - Frankenstein’s college - 1788 to stories.
1794

Orkney Islands - Frankenstein’s second lab

(create second monster) - 1795

Swiss Alps - Where monster confronts

Frankenstein - late 1790s

Symbols or Motifs (at least three) Significance of the ending / closing scene

Light/Fire - Throughout the novel light and At the end of the novel, Frankenstein dies
fire are used to symbolism gaining knowledge while on Walton’s ship. The monster later
in an unknown area of study. It also comes and cries over Frankenstein’s body
symbolizes the danger knowledge can be if before disappearing. In this scene, both
used incorrectly. Frankenstein and his monster’s come to the
sad conclusion that their obsession for each
Compliant Women - The novel lacks assertive other’s destruction and misery led to them
and complex women characters. The passive creating their own. The closing scene taking
women are used to highlight the detrimental place on Walton’s boat also brings the frame
and neurotic qualities of Victor Frankenstein narrative full circle. For Walton,
and his creation. Frankenstein’s story also serves as a
cautionary tale for those who attempt to
Documentation - From the very beginning of surpass human limitations.
the novel, letters, journals, and other types of
text are used to express the characters’
thoughts and reasoning. This provides a
physical form of their emotions.

Possible Themes – Topics of Discussion (elaborate) minimum of 3

Nature - Emphasis on nature and the natural world aligns with the Romantic theme in the
novel. Romanticism is not only portrayed through the emphasis on nature but also through the
primal, expressive emotions of the characters, especially Frankenstein and his monster. This
connection to the natural world is also conveyed through the vivid landscapes and terrains
described throughout the novel.

Monstrosity - The theme of monstrosity is not only seen in the monster’s appearance and
actions, but also in Frankenstein’s reasoning and motivations. The creature’s monstrous nature
is obvious to the audience through his grotesque appearance and remorseless, murderous
actions. Frankenstein’s monstrousness, however, can only be seen from his perspective. The
knowledge he has concerning the monster and his inhibiting fear to stop his creation is what
drives Frankenstein to become like the monster he created.

Knowledge - The pursuit of knowledge can be identified in Frankenstein’s, his monster’s, and
Walton’s actions. For each character, their pursuit of knowledge brought misfortune to them
and those around them. Frankenstein continually illustrates this theme throughout the text.