The activities in a curriculum guide to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein provide readers with an opportunity to explore various concepts in depth. First, groups research controversial scientists, examine their work, and decide whether or not, in their opinion, the scientist went too far. Next, readers analyze Mary Shelley's style and rewrite a scene from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in Shelley's style. Another lesson has class members research the Prometheus myth to determine why Shelley subtitled her novel "Modern Prometheus." Scholars also investigate the Gothic elements in the novel and then create a portrait of a modern monster. The activities focus attention on the moral and ethical questions at the heart of the tale.

Concepts

mary shelley, frankenstein, literary analysis, critical thinking, author's style, frame stories, myths, gothic literature

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Instructional Ideas

• Have class members create a Gothic-theme wall, posting images of Grant Wood's "American Gothic," depictions of the monster from films, of young people dressed in Goth style, and of their modern monsters
• To explore the concept of scientists going too far, pair the reading of the novel with Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, Rappaccini's Daughter"

Classroom Considerations

• The packet includes five lessons and three worksheets
• The lessons are designed to be taught in order
• Page numbers are based on the Enriched Classics edition of the novel
• Requires copies

Pros

• Each lesson is richly detailed, with step-by-step directions

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.9-10.1 RL.9-10.10a RL.9-10.10b RL.11-12.1 RL.11-12.10a RL.11-12.10b