Frankenstein
or
The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Shelley
All passages and page numbers noted on the slides correspond with the 1831
version of Frankenstein. Publisher: The Penguin Group; ISBN 9780141439471
© 2008 Wendy O’Sullivan dba High Yield Lessons
These materials are protected by copyright law. For each purchased copy of this work,
a limited license is granted allowing use to one teacher for use with that teacher’s class(es).
Mary Shelley titled her work:
Frankenstein
or
The Modern Prometheus
Therefore, it is important to
understand who Prometheus is and
how he relates to Frankenstein.
PROMETHEUS was the Titan god who was
entrusted with the task of molding mankind
out of clay. As mankind’s creator, he desired
to better the lives of his creation by giving
them fire. However, Zeus did not believe
that mankind should be allowed to have this
gift, as he thought only the gods deserved to
have fire.
So, Prometheus disobeyed Zeus, stole fire
from the gods, and delivered it to mankind.
For Prometheus’ crime, both he and
mankind were punished.
For man’s
punishment, Zeus ordered the creation of
Pandora (the first woman) as a means to
deliver misfortune into the house of man
through the opening of Pandora’s Box.
Prometheus, meanwhile, was arrested and
bound to a stake on a mountain where an
eagle was set to feed every day upon his
ever-regenerating liver.
“Promethean” means having a tendency to
follow Prometheus, the “thief of fire.”
Fire is a symbol for the pursuit of forbidden
knowledge, but it can also represent power,
glory, riches, fame, etc.
Prometheus
Escapes
with
Fire
Prometheus
Bound
Prometheus – Rockefeller Center – New York
What does Prometheus have to do
with Frankenstein?
Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein: Alike:
•
•
•
Prometheus creates man. Frankenstein creates a new species.
Prometheus defies the gods by stealing fire. Frankenstein defies
God and the universe by stealing “fire” (the ability to create life).
Prometheus is punished by Zeus and suffers endlessly. Victor
Frankenstein is punished and suffers for the remainder of his life.
Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein: Different:
•
•
Prometheus feels love for his creation.
Victor Frankenstein shuns his creation and denies him love.
Prometheus’s Man and Frankenstein’s Creature:
•
Both man and the creature suffer due to the actions of the creator.
What does Prometheus have to
do with Frankenstein?
One of the ideas we will explore while
reading Frankenstein is “Prometheanism.”
As you read, you will need to identify,
analyze, and discuss how Robert Walton
and Victor Frankenstein display
Promethean traits.
First: What is a Promethean?
Promethean means having a tendency to
follow Prometheus, the “thief of fire.”
Fire is a symbol for the pursuit of forbidden
knowledge, but it can also represent power,
glory, riches, fame, etc.
The following are examples of character traits
that make someone a “Promethean.”
These traits are listed for you on your handout:
“Understanding Prometheanism”
PROMETHEAN TRAITS
Prometheans are
impatient with
limitations.
They believe that the
universe, nature, or
God is withholding
from them something
that they deserve, and
the only way to “get
fire” is to steal it. They
will also defy authority
to achieve their goals.
PROMETHEAN TRAITS
Prometheans will
become completely
intoxicated by their
quest, and will stop at
nothing to attain it.
They are willing to risk
their own death or
destruction in pursuit
of the desired “fire.”
PROMETHEAN TRAITS
Prometheans will
misuse imagination
and creativity in their
pursuit, and are often
dangerously out of
touch with reality.
They think that by
sheer will power they
can conquer ignorance
and perform tasks
beyond their
competence.
PROMETHEAN TRAITS
Prometheans are
elitists and express
great bravado about
what they can do. They
also may feel a need to
share their ideas and
be applauded for them.
PROMETHEAN TRAITS
The ideal is everything to
them. The imagination of
what can be or what may
be drives them, but often
the reality brings
something quite different.
And, when the reality does
not match the vision, they
will often avoid their own
responsibility and
culpability. They will
attribute the pursuit to
“fate,” “destiny,” or some
unknown working within
them.
PROMETHEAN TRAITS
Prometheans become
so obsessed with
whether or not they
“can,” that they often
don’t stop to ask
whether or not they
“should.” This
irresponsible
obsession with the
quest often leads to
unintended, disastrous
consequences.
Punishment for Man: Pandora’s Box
Pandora’s Box:
Connection to Frankenstein
As punishment for Prometheus’ crime, his creation,
man, suffers when Pandora opens the jar given to her by
Zeus and releases all of the evils of the world. The only
thing to remain in the jar is hope.
Today, “Opening Pandora’s Box” means creating or
unleashing “evils” into the world that cannot be
undone.
In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley warns that Promethean
ambitions combined with the misuse of science,
technology, and imagination can lead to the unleashing
of unforeseen and unknown “evils” into the world.
Before we begin
reading and
analyzing, there are
a few things to
understand about
the story. . .
A Note on Romanticism
The English Romantic Period came about as a reaction to the
“Age of Reason.”
•
The Age of Reason was a time period that focused heavily on the
intellect, rational thought, and science. There was a focus on
“conquering” and “structuring” nature, moving away from a simple
appreciation of and communion with nature. Mysticism, intuition,
and even spiritual thinking fell by the wayside.
Romantics valued intuition, emotion, imagination, and a return to
sublime nature. Through a connection to nature, and not a
mastery of it, one could become connected to the universe.
Being a part of the universe, and not the masters of it, was the
Romantics’ path to peace and happiness.
In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley makes the argument that
combining the misuse of imagination with the pursuit of science
and intellectual thought is a recipe for disaster. Trying to learn
the secrets of the universe, instead of simply being a “part” of
the universe, can lead to destruction.
Frankenstein
Before we proceed further, and so there is
no confusion, please make a note:
• Frankenstein IS NOT the name of the “monster.”
• Frankenstein is the name of the scientist
who creates the “monster.”
• The creature is never given a name.
Epistolary Frame Story
A Frame Story is a story that “frames”
an inside story.
An Epistle is a letter.
An Epistolary Frame Story is a story
told through letters.
Frankenstein is an Epistolary Frame Story.
Frame Story & Point of View
Frankenstein is told from the 1st person point of view of three different characters.
Robert Walton’s Letters to His Sister
Victor Frankenstein’s Story to Walton
Creature’s Story to Frankenstein
The Frame
Character: Robert Walton
•
(Wal: Defense Ton: Town)
Narrator: 1st Person Point of View
On a journey of discovery to the North Pole
Writes four letters to his sister, Mrs. Saville
At the beginning of the fourth letter, he writes that his
ship is unable to move as it is surrounded by ice. He and
the crew then spot a figure out on the ice riding away
from them in a sledge pulled by dogs. Soon after, they
discover a man on the ice; he is very sick and very weak.
They bring him on board. We will later learn that this
stranger’s name is Dr. Victor Frankenstein.
Walton’s Sister: Mrs. Saville
Sav: pearl or jewel
Ville: town
She is the “listener” of the entire tale
and represents all readers
(citizens of civilized society).
She represents civility, community,
and kindness, coupled with deep love
and concern.
Promethean Traits in Frankenstein
As you read Frankenstein, annotate,
highlight, and keep notes of textual
evidence that reveals how the
Promethean traits we discussed are
seen in the characters:
Robert Walton
and
Victor Frankenstein
Use your handout as a guide!
Assignment #1
Read Letters I – IV
As you read, please make note of the selected passages
given on your “Understanding Prometheanism”
handout. Sample analysis, explaining how those
passages demonstrate promethean traits is also
provided for your understanding.
For all three letters, annotate, and highlight other
passages that you believe could be used to support
traits of Prometheanism.
For Each Letter (1, 2, 3, & 4), record one passage that
you believe supports Promethean traits and provide a
brief analysis for each explaining how/why it supports a
Promethean trait.