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Lesson 3

We will investigate Mary Shelley’s life and any impact her experiences may have had on her writing of Frankenstein.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use text evidence and original commentary to support an analytic response about Chapters 1–3 of Frankenstein?

  • Can I analyze relationships among thematic development, characterization, point of view, significance of setting, and plot in Chapters 1-3 of Frankenstein and “Mary Shelley: A Biography.”

  • Can I analyze how characters’ behaviors and underlying motivations in Chapters 1–3 of Frankenstein contribute to moral dilemmas that influence the plot and theme?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Signet Classics, 1831
  • Digital Access
    • “Mary Shelley: A Biography,” National Theatre UK, National Theatre UK, 2015

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss – Write

We will work in groups to review our answers to the guiding questions from chapters 1–2 of Frankenstein.

Step 1

Join your group to review your homework reading. Use the following questions to guide your discussion and be sure to cite evidence from the text to support your responses:

  1. What details stand out to you about Victor’s family history? Why would Shelley include these details?

  2. How does Shelley portray the relationship between Frankenstein and Elizabeth? What imagery may be significant in Victor’s description of Elizabeth? Why?

  3. What scientific inspirations does Victor share? How does his interest in the pursuit of knowledge develop over time?

As you discuss your answers, consider adding notes to your Frankenstein Big Ideas Note-Taking Tool.

Step 2

Take a few moments to record additional notes in your Frankenstein Big Ideas Note-Taking Tool.

Activity 2: View – Write – Discuss

We will watch a video providing historical context about Mary Shelley and record notes in our Learning Logs.

Step 1

Watch "Mary Shelley: A Biography." As you watch, respond to the following guiding questions in your Learning Log:

  1. What surprises you about Mary Shelley’s life? Do you notice any correlation to what we have read in Frankenstein?

  2. While the video does not give away the story plot, what can you predict about the text based on what you have learned about the story’s origins?

Step 2

In small groups, discuss your responses to the guiding questions.

Activity 3: Read – Write

We will read chapter 3 in Frankenstein and answer guiding questions in our Learning Logs.

Step 1

Independently, read Chapter 3 in Frankenstein. Respond to the following questions in your Learning Log:

  1. Reflect on what you have learned about Victor’s family. What impact might his family members have on his life?

  2. Describe the teachers that Victor chooses to study under at Ingolstadt. What does Victor’s interest in these particular scholars tell you about his character?

Record new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal.

Add character entries for Victor’s mentors in your Learning Log.

Step 2

Take a few moments to record any additional notes in your Frankenstein Big Ideas Note-Taking Tool.

Activity 4: Read – Write

For homework, we will read Chapter 4 of Frankenstein and answer guiding questions in our Learning Logs.

For homework, we will read and annotate Chapter 4 of Frankenstein. Respond to the following questions in yourLearning Log:

  1. What is Victor’s perspective on scientific studies? In what way does his changing perspective reveal a developing conflict?

  2. What does Victor say about a "human being in perfection"? How does this connect to our Central Question: What does it mean to be human? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

  3. What ironies do you see developing between Victor’s words and actions?

Record new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal. Refer to the words in the Vocabulary List for additional guidance.