The aim of this lesson was to discuss the impact of the creature as he enters Victor's narrative in Chapter 10 and discuss the relevance of Mary Shelley's use of Percy Shelley's MUTABILITY. Students were asked to consider why Mary Shelley uses her husband's poetry and how this illustrates Victor's state of mind. Students were encouraged to consider how Victor's negative perception of the ephemeral nature of being human amplifies his sense of isolation. This poem was linked to Victor's definition of 'human perfection' that he offers Walton in Chapter 4: ' A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquillity.' Remember, this is the same chapter within which Victor states: '...how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.' ALL these references serve to amplify Victor's retrospective sense of grief and regret after his experiments in the 'slaughterhouse' create the 'catastrophe'.
The second section of the lesson considered the students' first impression of the creature.
Homework: On Friday I will feedback my observations gathered from the opening set of essays and we will continue to discuss the creature. Students need to develop their awareness of:
- The philosophy of John Locke.
- The educational philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
- How the creature is humanised.
- The narrative purpose of the De Lacey family.
Students need to read the creature's narrative as I will expect all students to support their view with specific textual reference. On Friday we will discuss how Shelley presents the creature and whether students feel that Shelley wishes the reader to sympathise with the creature.
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