YEAR 13 LESSON TWENTY-TWO [9th March 2012]: Homework.

Students considered the following questions:

• What is the gothic tradition?
• What is the meaning of 'The Modern Prometheus'? How does this alternative title reflect themes and issues being explored in Shelley's novel?
• What is Shelley's aim when offering the creature's final speech?

This final question was the focus of the final session. Students were encouraged to consider the significance of language, rhetorical questions, the role of Walton, images of fire, and whether the reader is being encouraged to sympathise with the creature.

The general opinion of the class was that Shelley is attempting to create a sense of sympathy, pity and pathos and it is important that students understand how this sympathy is created and why.

HOMEWORK: Read the creature's final speech and compare this final speech with Faustus's final soliloquy. When we meet next week we will compare and contrast these two moments and consider the aim of Marlowe and Shelley. Students also need to consider the symbolic significance of Victor, the creature and Walton. What ideas is Shelley attempting to offer through the symbolic representation of these characters?

I also expect to receive the final draft of the Anthology coursework from most of the class.