Development Unit: Frankenstein
What does it mean to be human? How does our thinking about humanity develop as we evolve? In this unit, we read Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, along with several supplemental texts and poems while we explore the Central Question: What does it mean to be human? We will trace several big ideas throughout the novel: human companionship, science and the pursuit of knowledge, nature versus nurture, and unintended consequences. Simultaneously, we will study Shelley’s narrative craft, particularly, how she uses character, structure, plot, and setting to develop these big ideas. Our work will culminate with an expository essay where we examine the Central Question through the lens of one of the big ideas.