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Lesson 2

We will continue our examination of how Frankenstein informs the debate between nature and nurture.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I synthesize information from several videos and Frankenstein to create new understanding?

  • Can I analyze relationships among thematic development, characterization, point of view, significance of setting, and plot in videos and Frankenstein?

  • Can I analyze how characters’ behaviors and underlying motivations in Chapters 13–14 contribute to moral dilemmas that influence the plot and theme?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Signet Classics, 1831
  • Digital Access
    • “Teaching the Monster Manners” from Bride of Frankenstein (1935), James Whale, TCM, 1935
    • “The Abnormal Brain” from Frankenstein (1931), James Whale, TCM, 1931

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss

We will work in groups to review our answers to the guiding questions from chapters 13–14 of Frankenstein.

Step 1

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

  1. Compare Safie and the creature. In what ways are they similar? Different? What impact does the inclusion of Safie's character have on the novel?

  2. What knowledge does the creature seek? What impact does knowledge have on the creature? What does the novel suggest about knowledge? Cite evidence from the novel to support your answer.

  3. What revelation does the creature come to concerning his own development? What other events and information in this chapter inform your understanding of the creature’s development?

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

Step 2

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

Activity 2: View – Discuss

We will watch two short video clips featuring alternative lenses through which to view the text and compare the film versions to the novel.

Step 1

Watch two videos that feature alternative versions to what happens in the original story:

  • "The Abnormal Brain" from Frankenstein (1931)

  • "Teaching the Monster Manners" from The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

As you watch, record in your Learning Log any key differences or similarities from the novel.

Step 2

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

  1. How does the clip from Frankenstein (1931) differ from the novel? Use specific details from the novel and film to support your answer.

  2. What point does the clip from Frankenstein (1931) make about regular and abnormal brains? What does it suggest about the creature’s development? Why do you think the film producers chose to include this scene?

  3. In what ways do any of the three classic theories of human development align with this clip?

  4. How does the clip from Bride of Frankenstein (1935) differ from the novel? Use specific details from the novel and film to support your answer.

  5. What point does the clip from Bride of Frankenstein (1935) make about education and human development? What does it suggest about the creature’s development? Why do you think the producers chose to include this scene?

  6. In what ways do any of the three classic theories of human development align with this clip?

Step 3

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

Activity 3: Read – Write

We will use our Mentor Sentence Journal to identify and write down sentences that are strong examples of language concepts.

Use the Working with Mentor Sentences Tool to analyze the sentence provided by your teacher.

Be sure to record it in your Mentor Sentence Journal to expand your writer’s toolbox.

Activity 4: Read – Write

For homework, we will read chapters 15–16 of Frankenstein and answer guiding questions in our Learning Logs.

For homework, we will read and annotate Chapters 15-16 of Frankenstein. Respond to the following questions in your Learning Log:

  1. The creature begins to study several books as part of his self-education. In what ways do the books develop his character? What works would you have recommended to the creature? Why?

  2. What are the repercussions, or consequences, of the creature’s interaction with Felix? In what ways do the creature’s actions make him more or less human?

  3. This chapter ends in suspense. Without reading ahead, how do you think Victor will react to the creature’s desire? What is Victor’s responsibility to the creature?

Record new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal. Also, record at least one sentence that stands out to you as interesting or that represents a strong example of a particular concept you have learned in your Mentor Sentence Journal.