tuscaloosa county school district · web viewfrankenstein in chapter 7, victor learns of...
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Frankenstein
Or, the Modern Prometheus
Summer Reading Packet
Note: It is very important to read and complete all parts of this packet!
Frankenstein, or a Modern Prometheus
Assignment #1: What’s Up with the Weather?
When reading a novel or short story, we so often focus on the “basics”—the characters, where the story is located, and what happens overall (plot). While those things are definitely important, AP students need to consider some of the other less obvious choices that the author makes. Professional writers think about everything; details like names of characters, the weather, when people share meals, and so on are usually not random but instead carefully selected for a specific purpose.
Your first task is to read the chapter “It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow” from the book How to Read Literature Like a Professor. This chapter is located on my school website; just scroll down on the homepage and you will find the link. Once you have read the chapter, explain three major takeaways that you learned from this chapter. What do you know to be looking for regarding the setting—particularly the weather—when reading from now on?
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Task 2: Connect to Frankenstein
In Chapter 7, Victor learns of William’s death and immediately sets off to Geneva. Pay close attention to the scene that Shelley paints as Victor comes into town. How does the weather play into this scene? Why might Shelley have chosen this weather at this particular time in the novel? ____________________________
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Describe another moment in the novel where Shelley’s inclusion of specific weather may be symbolic, reflecting a character’s mood, foreshadowing a future event, etc. Cite the chapter, the situation, and what you believe is the purpose of the weather in that scene._____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Using Volume II, Chapters IV-VIII, what does the Monster learn from observing the people in the cottage. Fill in the following chart with your findings.
ASSIGNMENT #2: VOLUME II, Chapters IV-VIII
KNOWLEDGE
FEELINGS
Frankenstein, or a Modern Prometheus
Assignment #3: Why is the allusion to Prometheus significant?
One thing that I stress to my AP students is the importance of considering the title. So often, students read the title but do not take the time to ponder its significance. You should know that most authors use the title as a way to get across a major point or theme about the text. Therefore, it is important to note that the full title of Shelley’s novel references the Greek Titan, Prometheus. Before you complete the chart below, you will need to read the Prometheus myth. I have put this document on my website (scroll down on the homepage and you should find a link), and I will send this out through Remind. Once you have read both the novel and the myth, complete the chart below.
What similarities do you see between Dr. Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus? You should be able to identify at least 3 similarities, but I have provided more blanks if you identify more than 3.
How do Frankenstein and Prometheus differ in how they treat their creation? Shelley calls Frankenstein, a MODERN Prometheus; how does the inclusion of that adjective comment on how she may view scientific discoveries during her time?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________