Lesson 2

Lesson Goals

Texts

Core

• • Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Signet Classics, 1831

• • “Frankenstein’s Monster Makes a Logical and Emotional Appeal,” Sam Leith, Financial Times, 2018

Materials

Tools

• Frankenstein: Big Ideas Note-Taking Tool

• Mentor Sentence Journal

• Vocabulary Journal

• Frankenstein: Vocabulary List

• Working with Mentor Sentences Tool

Question Sets

• Frankenstein: Section 4 Question Set

Editable Google Docs

• Frankenstein: Big Ideas Note-Taking Tool

• Mentor Sentence Journal

• Frankenstein: Section 4 Question Set

• Vocabulary Journal

• Working with Mentor Sentences Tool

Activity 1: Read – Discuss

We will work in groups to review our answers to the guiding questions from chapters 20–21 of Frankenstein.

Step 1

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

1. Why does Frankenstein decide to destroy the creature’s mate? In what ways might his reasoning reflect a cultural bias of the early 19th century?

2. Identify rhetorical devices in the following citation: "You have destroyed the work which you began; what is it that you intend? Do you dare to break your promise? I have endured toil and misery; I left Switzerland with you; I crept along the shores of the Rhine, among its willow islands and over the summits of its hills. I have dwelt many months in the heaths of England and among the deserts of Scotland. I have endured incalculable fatigue, and cold, and hunger; do you dare destroy my hopes?” (p. 181)

3. Considering the example above, does the creature’s use of rhetoric make him more or less human? Explain your thinking.

4. Describe how Shelley depicts Victor’s health. What might his changing health symbolize?

As you discuss your answers, consider adding 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: Read – Discuss

Students will review rhetorical appeals and reflect on the monster’s efforts to convince victor to make him a companion.

Step 1

Another important consideration in rhetorical analysis is the concept of rhetorical appeals.

Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, identified the following three primary ways an author or speaker appeals to their audience:

• pathos: convinces audience using emotion

• logos: convinces audience using logic

• ethos: convinces audience using the author or speaker’s authority

With a partner, review the three rhetorical appeals and how the creature utilizes any of them in the text.

Step 2

Share what you and your partner discussed with the class. As you listen to other pairs, take notes in your Learning Log.

Activity 3: Read – Write – Discuss

We will read an article that evaluates the monster’s appeals, then evaluate the rhetorical merit of both the article and the monster’s appeals.

Step 1

Read the article "Frankenstein’s Monster Makes a Logical and Emotional Appeal." Use the following questions to guide your reading:

1. What is the author’s claim? What evidence does the author use to support it?

2. What is the author’s purpose in writing this article? How do you know? Cite evidence from the text to support your explanation.

3. Who is the author’s audience? In what ways does the author tailor his argument for his specific audience?

4. Identify the rhetorical devices the author analyzes in the article. Do you agree with his analyses? Why or why not?

5. Identify the rhetorical appeals the author analyzes in the article. Do you agree with his analyses? Why or why not?

6. How has this article informed your understanding of the big ideas in Frankenstein? Cite specific examples from the text.

Step 2

After reading the article, discuss the guiding questions in a small group.

Activity 4: 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 5: Read – Write

For homework, we will read chapters 22–23 of Frankenstein and answer guiding questions in our Learning Logs.

For homework, we will read and annotate Chapters 22-23 of Frankenstein. Respond in your Learning Log to the following questions:

1. What does Elizabeth convince Victor to do? Conduct a brief rhetorical analysis of her letter. Use the following items for guidance:

   1. What is her claim? What evidence does she use to support it?

   2. What does she want to achieve?

   3. In what ways does she tailor her argument for her specific audience?

   4. Identify and discuss at least one rhetorical device she uses.

   5. Identify and discuss at least one rhetorical appeal she uses.

2. These chapters end in more tragedy for Victor, who claims that "no creature had ever been so miserable as I was." Yet, his creation also claims to be alone and miserable. How are Victor and his creature alike? How are they different?

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