YEAR 13 LESSON NINE [4th Oct 13]: Homework.

The aim of today's session was to consider the role of the Natural World in the first ten chapters of Shelley's Frankenstein. Students were placed in groups to consider the ideas that Shelley is shaping through the representation of Nature. Students were asked to consider:

• The restorative/healing effect that Victor appears to experience when confronted with the majesty of the Natural World.
• Why the creature appears in Chapter 7 immediately after Victor states that 'This noble War in the sky elevated my spirits..'
• Why Victor appears to be disconnected from the healing power of the Natural World at the end of Chapter 9.

Discussion considered how Victor's seeming isolation from 'divine' and 'omnipotent' nature could be linked to the reading of the text as a Christian Fable. Students must develop an awareness of how Shelley uses Victor's relationship with Nature to shape meaning.

The second section of the session considered the narrative purpose of Justine. Thematic and philosophical links were made between Shelley's use of Nature and the ideas being expressed through Justine, the 'saintly sufferer', in Chapter 8. The class were asked to consider how they view Victor at the end of this chapter. Is he an arrogant coward drowning in his own self-pity or a man trapped in an impossible situation? How should the reader react to Victor's comments in Chapter 10 when he states:

'Justine died; she rested; and I was alive...' ?

Homework: Continue to read the text. Students need to be familiar with the introduction of the creature's narrative and our textual focus will be Chapters 10 to 12. Students must be aware of the key moments in these three chapters as this textual awareness will result in an informed and detailed class discussion.

Students must also provide a written response to the following questions:

1. How does Shelley use the Natural World in the first ten chapters of the novel?
2. What is the narrative significance of Justine?
3. What, in your opinion, is the key quote within the first ten chapters and why?

Students are expected to construct one paragraph in response to each question. The paragraph needs to follow the usual structure. This structure will allow students to construct a specific, detailed and concise response:

• Opinion.
• Supporting opinion with specific textual reference.
• Explaining how the textual reference supports your opinion.
• Concluding the paragraph with a FUSION of author's aim and specific question focus.

Remember, these questions are asking you to show an awareness of the key philosophical ideas being offered by Shelley within the first 10 chapters. This is a novel of 'ideas' and the aim of this task is for students to show me that class discussion is allowing students to develop an awareness of the key ideas being shaped by Shelley. I look forward to receiving your written work before our next session.