YEAR 13 LESSON FIVE [20th Sept 13]: Homework.

The aim of this session was to blast the opening chapters of Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN at the good youngsters of the Beaverlay. Class discussion considered the nature of the language used by Shelley to express Victor's 'SUPERNATURAL ENTHUSIASM' for his scientific experiment. Specific focus was placed upon the content of Chapter Four but students were asked to consider the significance of the opening three chapters which serve to illustrate the nature of Victor's childhood, his familial connections, and his scientific motivation. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT STUDENTS ARE AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WALTON'S LETTERS AND THE OPENING FIVE CHAPTERS OF THE NOVEL.

Homework: The key homework is to read the text. Students should arrive at the next session having considered the significance of:

• Catherine's death.
• The language used to describe Elizabeth and Victor's attitude toward his 'cousin'.
• The significance of Walton's letters and his representation of Victor.
• The representation of Victor offered by Shelley within Victor's own narrative.
• The significance of location.
• The representation of nature.
• The significance of the language used by Victor to describe how his scientific passion placed him in a 'trance'.
• Author's aim and the extent to which this novel conforms to our understanding of a gothic text.
• The themes being explored by Shelley.

Students were offered material within the lesson that will provide contextual knowledge that should provide assistance with textual understanding. I also offered a potential structure for the first formal essay. The aim of the reading homework this week is for students to be fully prepared for the first essay that will be presented to the class for homework next week. This is a complicated philosophical text and students must offer a detailed reading of the opening section of the novel. We will be discussing possible essay content next week. WATCH THE DOCUMENTARIES FROM THE PREVIOUS BLOG ENTRY. CLICK ON LINK BELOW:
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/year-13-lessons-onetwothree-6th11th13th.html

READ. READ. READ. READ.

:)