Frankenstein Compare/Contrast Essay (3-4 pages)
Due 8am November 13th to dropbox and in hard copy
Instructions: Throughout this entire process, you will be working entirely in a Google doc. Please title
the document Last Name, First Name Frankenstein Essay and share it with me.
Days 1 and 2:
1. For homework (Tuesday night):
a) First, decide what you will focus on. See topic ideas below.
Do not begin by trying to create a thesis statement.
2. During Class (Wednesday) & for homework (Wednesday night):
a) List three similarities and three differences.
b) Next, pull 3 quotes that illustrate those similarities and 3 quotes that illustrate those
differences.
You want your quotes to be of solid length (at least three sentences, if not more).
c) Begin annotating those six quotes during class time. Compete for homework. (20 points)
3. During class (Thursday)
a) Review quotation analysis charts with a peer.
b) Then, go through your annotations and write a one-paragraph analysis of similarities and a
one-paragraph analysis of differences. Each paragraph should begin with an assertion that
strives to synthesize your findings in one sentence.
In each paragraph, consider character traits, tone, motive, word choice (diction) and theme as
you work your way through your quotes. What connections can you make between the
similarities? How about between the differences? Complete for homework (20 points)
Day 3&4:
4. Decide which of these two paragraphs (similarities or differences) is the strongest. You will use the
stronger paragraph to create your working thesis statement.
5. Use the outline below to start building your essay. Your goal is to focus and build out your initial
paragraphs from last class into ones filled with deeper analysis and quotes. You might consider
block quotes when appropriate, as they give you more to grab onto.
Days 5&6
6. Fifth, begin organizing your paragraphs and ideas into a formal essay. Put the thesis at the
beginning and an introduction. Body paragraphs 1-2 will be the weaker section from the third step
above (which will serve as a springboard for your stronger ideas), while the rest of the essay will be
on the stronger of the two sections.
7. We’ll do an introduction and conclusion workshop too.
Frankenstein Compare/Contrast Essay (3-4 pages)
Due 8am November 13th to dropbox and in hard copy
Final version should be organized like this:
MLA Formatted Heading
Title
Introduction and Thesis:
Where you argue that the similarities outweigh the differences (or the differences outweigh the
similarities) and how or why it does.
You’ll introduce us to your title (stay away from really broad sentences like “Frankenstein is a book.”
Instead, get right into it “Frankenstein deals with the duality of man”).
Weaker argument 1-2 paragraphs (antithesis--develop this argument)
 This is your springboard for your main section of your essay.
 Your paragraph(s) should have:
o Assertion Statement
o Context - introduce a quote or two
o Analysis of the quotes to prove your assertion.
o Conclusion sentence.
Transition paragraph to move us into the stronger argument (if needed)
Stronger Argument
 This is your main argument
 Plan to write 2-3 paragraphs to prove why the difference or similarities matter most.
 Use at least one long quote and one or two shorter quotes per paragraph.
 Again each paragraph should have:
o Assertion Statement
o Context - introduce a quote or two
o Analysis of the quotes to prove your assertion.
o Conclusion sentence.
Conclusion:
Contains the “so what” of your findings. What has your compare/contrast helped us to understand about a
character, a theme, or idea in the text? This should not be a recap of your argument, but rather move us
forward to a place we were not at the beginning of your essay.
Frankenstein Compare/Contrast Essay (3-4 pages)
Due 8am November 13th to dropbox and in hard copy
Possible Topics:
In Frankenstein, Victor calls the Creature “my own spirit.” In what ways are Victor and the Creature
doubles - or opposites - of each other? First decide if they are doubles or opposites (aka are they more
similar or more different?) How does seeing them as doubles or opposites illuminate the novel?
Victor and his creature both function as tragic figures who cause the suffering of others. Compare and
contrast the suffering they cause and explain how these two figures contribute to the tragic vision of the
work as a whole. Ultimately, are they more similar or more different?
The subtitle of Frankenstein is “The Modern Prometheus”. Compare and contrast Victor and Prometheus.
Are they more similar or more different? How does Shelley use this allusion to illuminate the meaning of
her work?
Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as your guide, compare and contrast two characters from
Frankenstein and where they fall on this pyramid. How do the two attempt to fulfill their needs? How do
they cope with their failures? Are their needs more similar or more different? How does an understanding
of their place on the hierarchy help us understand a crucial idea or theme in the novel?
Compare and contrast the Creature with Satan in Paradise Lost. Are they more similar or more
different? What conclusion can be drawn from their roles in their respective stories?
Compare and contrast the Creature with Adam in Paradise Lost. Are they more similar or more
different? What conclusion can be drawn from their roles in their respective stories?
Compare and contrast the creature’s development and actions to those of a child. Does viewing the
creature as a child alter one’s view of him? Why or why not?
Your own topic. (Please see me so that I can help and guide you.)