background information by mary shelley eng3u: mr. s. wilson
TRANSCRIPT
ENG3U: Mr. S. Wilson
Goals of Unit
What is
PLOT?
What is
PLOT?
The main events that make up the beginning, middle and end of a story. Understand WHAT HAPPENS in a story is crucial to figuring out WHY things happen.
What is SETTING?
What is SETTING?
Essentially the setting is WHERE and WHEN the story takes place. Frankenstein takes place during the late 1700s in Europe at a time of new scientific discoveries and these greatly influence the novel
What is CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT?
What is CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT?
As the characters develop we see changes that are reflections of the plot. As things happen they learn things and move on, hopefully keeping the reader’s interest in the process.
Background Information
Background Information
ENG3U: Mr. S. Wilson
Theme, Vocabulary, Critical Thinking and History
What is THEME?
What is THEME?
Theme refers to the main idea and the purpose of the work. What is the novel trying to accomplish and/or teach the reader?
Improve VOCABULARY!
Improve VOCABULARY!
Frankenstein makes use of many words that you may not know. If you do not know the word you will not be able to understand the plot, setting, characters or theme. Therefore, this unit will focus on regular vocabulary improvement.
Learn HISTORY!
Learn HISTORY!
This novel documents society’s scientific discoveries and the moral questioning that arose with science. Be prepared for history lessons!
Think CRITICALLY!
Think CRITICALLY!
You will learn how to question why authors make decisions about the words they use, the decisions of the characters and the events of the plot and how these things tell the reader an important message.
Background Information
ENG3U: Mr. S. Wilson
To help your understanding of the novel you will be first introduced to:
Characters Plot Events Background
Information
Themes & Symbols
Background
Information
The Author
Background Information
ENG3U: Mr. S. Wilson
Major ThemesMajor Themes
-The Creature-Frankenstein
-Overstepping bounds-Moral reasoning
-Healing power of nature-Romantic movement-Nature and moods
-Literal “monster”-Figurative “monster”
Background Information
ENG3U: Mr. S. Wilson
About Mary ShelleyAbout Mary Shelley
Wrote Frankenstein during ghost story contest
Born August 30, 1797; Died February 1, 1851
Married Percy Shelley against father’s wishes and abandoned by family
Surrounded by philosophy and literature her entire life: Mother and father famous historical philosophers, husband is famous poet, many friends are important Romantic poets/authors/thinkers
Inspired by husband, Percy Shelley and friend, Lord Byron. (Bryon is regarded as greatest of Romantic poets)
Common themes and motifs in her works include autobiographical elements, travel, enlightenment (science) vs. religion, Romanticism, and equality of women
Background Information
ENG3U: Mr. S. Wilson
Resources and Bibliography
Resources and Bibliography
Mayer, Laura. Penguin Guide to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Online. us.penguingroup.com/static/pdf/teachersguides/Frankenstein.pdf Accessed 24 September 2011
SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Frankenstein.” Online. SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2007. Accessed 24 September 2011
Wikipedia Editors. “Frankenstein.” Online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein Accessed 24 September 2011
Wikipedia Editors. “Mary Shelley.” Online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Shelley Accessed 24 September 2011