New
New
Year 8

A written analysis of 'Frankenstein'

I can confidently explain Shelley's intentions with the character of Frankenstein.

New
New
Year 8

A written analysis of 'Frankenstein'

I can confidently explain Shelley's intentions with the character of Frankenstein.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. It is important to understand a text's context, as this enhances our understanding of why it was written.
  2. To keep focus on the writer’s intentions in your response, ask yourself ‘why’ at each stage in the writing process.
  3. Victor Frankenstein is characterised as irresponsible to reflect Shelley’s concerns about unethical science.
  4. A convincing analytical response should follow one line of argument.
  5. Focusing on an author's intention results in stronger analytical writing.

Keywords

  • Writer's intentions - The writer’s intentions are what they hope to achieve through writing the text.

  • Irresponsible - To be irresponsible means not behaving in a sensible or responsible manner

  • Method - This is anything a writer does intentionally.

  • Convincing - A convincing response is well-evidenced, with a clear line of argument and a formal, academic tone.

Common misconception

Students often simply 'method spot' in analytical responses.

The writer's intention should form part of students' analysis of the text, as they should be outlining why the writer has used the method.

For the feedback task in learning cycle 2, it might be nice to take a student response and model the self-assessment process using the questions on the slide.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to the extract taken from Chapter 10 of 'Frankenstein' used throughout his lesson. This can be found in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
In which year was 'Frankenstein' published?
Correct answer: 1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
Q2.
Why did some people fear new discoveries made in the Scientific Revolution?
the Victorian population did not support civil progress
Correct answer: the discoveries contradicted the teachings of the Bible
the Victorians were very nervous and superstitious people
the discoveries were not well-researched enough to be credible
Q3.
In what way is Victor Frankenstein punished for his irresponsible actions in 'Frankenstein'?
his Creation is ultimately destroyed
his wife (Elizabeth) divorces him
Correct answer: many of his loved ones are murdered
he is unsuccessful in his scientific experiment
Correct answer: he suffers psychological torment and trauma
Q4.
What made the Creature in 'Frankenstein' turn to violence and aggression?
ignorance
poverty
Correct answer: isolation
Correct answer: rejection
failure
Q5.
When planning an essay, what does the supporting detail in a paragraph outline not need to contain?
Correct answer: plot summary
quotations from the text
relevant contextual details
identification of the writer's methods
Q6.
Which is the best opening to an analytical response?
Mary Shelley uses a simile in the novel 'Frankenstein' because..
The famous book 'Frankenstein'...
'Frankenstein' is a story about...
In Mary Shelley's novel...
Correct answer: In her novel 'Frankenstein', Mary Shelley....

6 Questions

Q1.
Which question forces you to focus on the writer's intentions?
what?
how?
Correct answer: why?
who?
Q2.
Which of these would not be a useful question to ask yourself when thinking about the writer's intentions?
Why did the writer create this character?
Why did the writer choose to use this specific word and not another?
Why did the writer make this happen at this moment?
Correct answer: Why did the writer choose to have a particular text size?
Why did the writer publish the book in the first place?
Q3.
Which of the following is an embedded quotation?
Correct answer: The Creature's lips are "straight [and] black".
The Creatures states: "misery made me a fiend".
Victor tells Walton: "there is nothing so dangerous..."
Correct answer: Victor scolds his "wretch" by reminding him...
Q4.
Why was Victor agreeing to create a second female Creature in 'Frankenstein' an irresponsible decision?
It wasn't Victor's ambition to create two Creatures.
Correct answer: The second Creature might mate with the first and create a line of Creatures.
Victor did not have the time to create a second Creature.
Correct answer: Victor had to break his promise to the Creature, which enraged him more.
Victor had run out of money and so couldn't actually afford to make her.
Q5.
Why might Shelley have characterised Victor in 'Frankenstein' as careless and irresponsible?
to show the wonders of ambition
Correct answer: to warn about the potential dangers of scientific advancement
to show that scientific progress was not something to aspire to
to warn about the consequences of being a parent
Correct answer: to show the consequences of moral transgression
Q6.
Which of the following makes a convincing analytical essay?
long and detailed quotations
Correct answer: a clear focus on the writer's intentions
a comprehensive plot summary
Correct answer: a formal and academic tone
a wide variety of punctuation

Additional material

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