The Frankenstein Unit
Mary Shelley’s background
(August 30, 1797-February 1, 1851)
Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft a famous
British feminist author who died 11
days after giving birth to Mary
Father: William Godwin
A famous 19th century British philosopher
who believed in the rights of the
individual.
Shelley’s marriage
 At 15 years of age, Mary met her
future husband Percy Bysshe
Shelley, a disciple of William
Godwin and a famous British
poet.
 Despite being previously
married to another woman,
Percy Bysshe Shelley convinces
Mary to elope with him in France
when she was 17.
The Making of Frankenstein
 On 19 March 1815 Shelley
recorded in her journal, after
the death of her first child:
"Dream that my little baby came
to life again--that it had only
been cold & that we rubbed it
before the fire & it lived."
Byron’s Challenge
 In the summer of 1816, Percy
and Mary visit Lord Byron’s
estate in Geneva, Switzerland
(one setting for the novel).
 The summer of 1816 had fall like
weather because a massive
volcano in Indonesia spewed ash
around the world.
 Because of the gloomy weather,
Byron issued a challenge to his
guests to create the best horror
story.
The Publishing of Frankenstein
 At Byron’s estate, Mary has a
dream about a man who plans to
bring life to the dead.
 She turns her idea into a story and
is encouraged by her husband to
turn the story into a novel.
 In 1818, Shelley publishes the novel
at the age of 19.
The Title of the Novel
 The name “Frankenstein”
originates not from the
Creature, but the Creator,
Victor Frankenstein.
 Victor, like Shelley, suffers
the loss of many loved ones
at an early age.
 He creates his creature as a
way to bring back the dead.
The Doppelganger
 The story is a Doppelganger, or German word for “double
image.”
 Both the Creature and Victor mirror each other in their effort
to destroy the other.
 The Doppelganger represents a divided self, or two alter
egos who are more alike than different.
Famous Doppelgangers
 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
 Batman and the Joker
 Bruce Banner and The
Incredible Hulk
 James Bond and Blofeld
 Mario and Donkey Kong
 Optimus Prime and
Megatron
Frame Narrative
 A frame narrative is a
literary technique
whereby a story or
narrative is presented
with the purpose of
putting emphasis on
the telling of a
second story.
Basically, it’s a story
within a story.
 Robert Walton, in
letters to his sister,
tells a story of Victor
Frankenstein, who
tells the story of the
Creature, who tells
the story of a
family…
Epistolary Novel
 A story told through
writings like letters
and diaries.
 Robert Walton
writes letters to his
sister to tell of his
adventure and how
he met Victor
Frankenstein…and
then he tells
Frankenstein’s
story.
The Modern Prometheus
 Mary Shelley’s subtitle for Frankenstein




is “The Modern Prometheus”
In Greek Mythology, the titan
Prometheus stole fire from the sun and
gave it to humanity.
This angered the Greek god Zeus who
did not want humans to control fire.
He was punished by being chained to a
lake while an eagle would feast on his
liver.
The Prometheus Myth has become a
metaphor of what happens when
humans get a hold of something they
cannot control and reach beyond their
ability.
The Creature
 Unlike the Hollywood
stereotype, the
Creature is an
intelligent being
whose rage stems
from his neglect from
Victor.
Themes in the Novel
1.
The Consequences of
Irresponsibility: Are we
responsible for our own actions?
Are we responsible for the actions
of others?
2.
The Consequences of Isolation:
What is the importance of human
relationships in life?
3.
The Danger of Knowledge: How is
knowledge both an asset and a
liability?
Shelley’s Time Period
 Romanticism
 A literary period of the 1800-1840. A response to
Industrial Revolution and Age of Enlightenmentwhere scientific understanding and rationalization
of nature was highly prized.
Characteristics of Romanticism
Interest in the
common man & in
childhood
Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans
which is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They
believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and
the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to
soar.
Strong senses,
emotions, and feelings
Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through
intuition rather than deduction. This is best summed up by
Wordsworth (a famous British poet) who stated that “all good
poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
Awe of Nature
Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and
the experience of sublimity through a connection with nature.
Romantics rejected the rationalization of nature by those of
the Enlightenment period.
Celebration of the
individual
Romantics often elevated the achievements of the
misunderstood, heroic individual outcast.
Importance of
imagination
Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a critical
authority.
Elements of Gothic Literature
Mystery
Environment/Setting
Nightmares
Omens and Curses
Decline and Decay
Supernatural Elements
Damsel in Distress
Villains
Protagonists
The Hollywood Stereotype
 James Whale directed
the 1931 film
Frankenstein where
our image of the
Creature comes from.
 In the film, a mad
scientists creates a
creature with little
intelligence who
rages against
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKyiXjyVsf
humanity.
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The Cultural Myth
 There are over 100 films about
Frankenstein.
 Frankenstein has been used to sell
merchandise such as Twix candy
bars, Levi’s Jeans, Coca-Cola,
Frankenberry Cereal, M&Ms,
Penzoil, and Pez.
http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/crunch_fitne
ss_frankenstein
Favorite Titles of Frankenstein
Movies
 “Frankenstein’s Musical

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
Christmas”
“Alvin and the
Chipmunks meet
Frankenstein”
“Frankenstein vs.
Dracula”
“Frankenstein: the
College Years”
“Blackenstein”