YEAR 13 LESSON TWENTY SEVEN [9th May 11]: Homework.

Note the image used to accompany this blog entry. This is Rudston Church with its famous Pagan Stone.

Students were reintroduced to the fact that they are literature students. Class discussion flickered around questions such as 'Who is the Monster?' in Shelley's novel and 'What are the key features of a Gothic text?'

The main focus of the lesson was a consideration of the question ' Why do Shelley/Marlowe refer to the myths of Prometheus and Icarus? ' The discussion explored how the thematic nature of the Prometheus myth is reflected in Shelley's novel and how the motif of fire is the central metaphor that shapes the narrative of the novel. Fire is a relevant symbol for representing the duality of man as fire can illuminate and destroy. Focus was placed on the creature and his moving Victor towards the fire at the conclusion of chapter 10, how 'the prolonging light by the use of tapers' illuminates the loving community of the De Lacey family and allows the creature to observe his 'human neighbours', the destruction of the DeLacey cottage, the creature's education by fire in chapter 11 [ ..'How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce such opposite effects!'], and the creature's embracing of the 'torturing flames' at the conclusion of the novel. Students were bullied into considering the representation of the creature's character development and how the use of fire is linked to this development. What is the symbolic significance of the fire at these points within the narrative? Author's aim?

Marlowe's chorus uses the myth of Icarus [ 'His waxen wings did mount above his reach'] to provide the audience with a clue as to the nature of the dramatic narrative that the play will present and clues relating to Faustus's tragic demise. How does the myth reflect the themes explored in the play? Images of fire are also significant in the play. Where? Why? Author's aim?


Homework: Complete the myth essay if you are not drowning in revision. One of the most effective forms of revision is to attempt an essay....so if you can...DO!