THE LETTERS

Robert Walton captained the ship – “a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. This expedition has been the favourite dream of my early years.”

Sailed into the arctic – “I am going to unexplored regions to ‘the land of mist and snow.”

Stuck on ice + saw gigantic figure on sled – “a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature.”

Pick up ill old man – “you may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed to me from a man on the brink of destruction…”

Walton + Frankenstein develop friendship – “My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree.”

ACTUAL STORY

Dr Frankenstein is a child, Geneva is his home – “I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic”

We are told about his family – “… my father had filled several public situations with honor and reputation.” “Two years after this event Caroline  became his wife.”                                                                                       ” I, their eldest child, was born at Naples, and as an infant accompanied them in their rambles. I remained for several years their only child.”                                                                                                                          “…this child was thin and very fair. Her hair was the brightest living gold, and despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed to set a crown of distinction on her head. Her brow was clear and ample, her blue eyes cloudless, and her lips and the molding of her face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness that none could behold her without looking on her as of a distinct species, a being heaven-sent, and bearing a celestial stamp in all her features.”                                                                                                                                                “On the birth of a second son, my junior by seven years, my parents gave up entirely their wandering life and fixed themselves in their native country.”

Travels to Ingolstadt university – When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

Elizabeth (sister) gets ill, mother gets ill. Mother dies – “Elizabeth was saved, but the consequences of this imprudence were fatal to her preserver.”

Initially disappointed by university – “Have you,’ he said, ‘really spent your time in studying such nonsense?”

Chemistry teacher inspires Frankenstein, showing him that science isn’t all nonsense – “They ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breathe. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers.”                                                                                            “‘I am happy,’ said M. Waldman, ‘to have gained a disciple; and if your application equals your ability, I have no doubt of your success.

Tells us he has a secret – “I see by your eagerness and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted.”

He takes his studies further and creates a monster –

He runs away from this monster –

William is murdered –

Frankenstein sees the monster –

Janise is murdered –

Went to mountains he wrote in as a kid –

Family depressed because of will and justine being killed.

Thanks abut killing himself. Feels guilty  but doesn’t want to be pursued

2. New Language:

Syndics – I have no idea what this means

Definition: a government official in various countries.

Perpetually – I think this means eventually

Definition: in a way that never ends or changes; constantly.

Irksome – I have no idea what this means

Definition: irritating; annoying.

Wretchedness – Maybe rough on the outside

Definition: Wretched, miserable, sorry refer to that which is unhappy, afflicted, or distressed. Wretched refers to a condition of extreme affliction or distress, especially as outwardly apparent: wretched. Miserable refers more to the inward feeling of unhappiness or distress: a miserable life.

Abode – I have no idea what this means

Definition: a place of residence; a house or home.

3. Table

4. Tone and Mood

Mood: The mood given off by the novel ‘Frankenstein’ written by Mary Shelly is a rather dark mood. This mood is created by the type of writing used in the novel. There is a lot of talk about death which creates this dark mood but however there is also a mood of optimism as Victor Frankenstein wants to discover new things about science which in those days was very undeveloped.

Tone: Tone is the attitude of the piece of writing. There are some very contrasting tones in this novel. There is a negative tone but at the same time there is a positive tone. There is a negative attitude created with all the talk about life however there is a positive attitude created by talking about science. However this science that Frankenstein is trying to prove could also end up killing him.

5. Foreshadowing

6. Age of enlightenment

Science: In the age of enlightenment the idea of science was starting to take off. Things that couldn’t be explained by religion were starting to be questioned. This is when famous scientists such as Isaac Newton and Galileo, Kepler and Leibniz started to discover new things. For instance laws of motion. In this age more people were starting to believe in science and not religion

Politics: This time was also a great advancement in politics. For example the english monarchy was made. The concept of democracy ‘a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives’ was put forth.

Gender Roles: During the age of enlightenment, females were thought to be of lesser worth compared to males.Their work was often overlooked or claimed by males of a higher social class. Men had more opportunities with education, work etc. The world was very sexist in this time period.

Religion: Christianity was the main religion in this time period however there was a lot that religion could not explain which is why science became so popular. More and more people were explaining things that religion couldn’t explain. This was causing a lot of people to stop believing in religion and instead believe in science.

Society: