"The story of Victor Frankenstein and the monster he created has held readers spellbound since it was first published more than two centuries ago. On the surface, it is a novel of tense and steadily mounting dread. On a more profound level, it illuminates the triumph and tragedy of the human condition in its portrayal of a scientist who oversteps the bounds of conscience, and of a creature tortured by the solitude of a world in which he does not belong". - Citation provided below!

Through our course, we will read the infamous story of the scientist who creates life from death but who is abhorrent of his own creation. Together, we will dive into the history of the novel and its complex use of character development, symbolism, allusion, allegory, and more! We will debate controversies of the story while working together to understand the choices of the characters, many of which have gained cultural recognition for their actions. We will spend time examining the misconceptions of the novel while focusing on the original text as it was meant to be read: in a campfire-like discussion! The conversation will dive into the nitty-gritty details of the novel's science while debating the moral aspects of human behavior. A schedule of topics is provided below and while we will cover these topics, often they will occur over multiple weeks as we build on the previous week's conversation. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out!

*** Students can complete several optional activities while reading the novel, including annotations note-taking, a research project, short and long essay prompts, and more. If you are interested in any of these activities, I am happy to provide them throughout the unit! ***

Week 1: Frankenstein Novel Study
     - Introduction to Frankenstein and Mary Shelley
     - The Horror, Gothic, and Science Fiction Genres
     - Women in Literature: Redefining Writing
     - Concepts and Themes of the Novel

Week 2: Frankenstein Novel Study
     - Socratic Seminar Discussion with Frankenstein
     - Social Customs and Beliefs of the 1800s
     - Horror, Gothic, and Science Fiction Elements

Week 3: Frankenstein Novel Study
     - Socratic Seminar Discussion with Frankenstein
     - Women in Writing: Breaking Stereotypes

Week 4: Frankenstein Novel Study
     - Socratic Seminar Discussion with Frankenstein
     - Controversies and Debates: Science Fiction Elements
     - Frankenstein Wrap-Up
     - Optional Prompt Writing and Creative Writing

Citation:
          Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein, Or the Modern Prometheus. New York, Signet Classics, 2013.