Skip to Main Content

Lesson 3

We will finish the novel while engaging in meaningful discussion about the rhetorical choices of Shelley’s characters and the big ideas of the novel.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use text evidence from Chapters 22–24 and original commentary to support an evaluative response about Frankenstein?

  • Can I analyze relationships among thematic development, characterization, point of view, significance of setting, and plot in Chapters 22–24?

  • Can I analyze the effects of rhetorical devices on the way Chapters 22–24 are read and understood?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Signet Classics, 1831

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 22–23 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. 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?

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 – Write – Discuss

We will read chapter 24 in Frankenstein and answer guiding questions in our Learning Logs.

Step 1

Independently, read Chapter 24 until "Walton, in continuation" in Frankenstein. Please respond in your Learning Log to the following questions:

  1. Get a map and track the places Victor mentions as he tries to catch his creation. What might be significant about the journey? About the locations along the way?

  2. What do the notes the creature carves in trees for Victor tell us about his character? How has he changed throughout the text?

  3. How might this chapter differ if told through the creature’s perspective? Why?

  4. What request does Victor make of Walton? Does he make his request using convincing rhetoric? What evidence supports your response?.

  5. How do you predict Walton will respond to the request? Why?

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

Step 2

In pairs, discuss your responses to the guiding questions for Chapter 24.

Step 3

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

Activity 3: Read – Write

For homework, we will read “Walton In Continuation” of Frankenstein and answer guiding questions in our Learning Logs.

For homework, we will finish reading and annotating Chapter 24 of Frankenstein after "Walton, in Continuation." Respond in yourLearning Log to the following questions:

  1. In his final moments, Victor acknowledges that in making a "rational creature" he became responsible for it but feels justified in the way he treated the monster because he owed more to "beings of his own species." How does this scene inform our understanding of what it means to be human? Cite evidence from the chapter to support your conclusion.

  2. Shelley crafts her novel so that it begins and ends the same way: with Walton’s letters. Now that you have finished the novel, what is the overall impact of the epistolary format? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

  3. What parallels can you draw between Frankenstein and modern scientific experimentation?

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.