The first session looked at the introduction to Mary Shelley's 'FRANKENSTEIN or The Modern Prometheus.' Reference was made to the significance of the PROMETHEUS MYTH and the idea that Shelley's novel could also be interpreted as being a 'creation myth' or didactic fable.
Focus was placed upon the character of Walton and the first impression of Victor.
HOMEWORK: Read the whole of Walton's opening narrative and consider why Shelley chooses to begin the novel in this manner. What kind of character is Walton? What is the significance of the reference to Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner? What are the key themes being explored in this opening section? How would you describe the tone of the language? What is Walton's attitude to his family? What kind of man is Walton?
Students should consider all these questions and begin Victor's narrative.
Here are some resources to inform your understanding of the text:
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/frankenstein-video-lectures-from.html
http://becuriouslit.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/why-gothic-is-more-popular-than-ever.html
10 possible readings:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12711091
BBC FRANKENSTEIN Documentary...this is 'okay'..still worth a watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7MDJNmI13A
BBC's The Secret Life of Books:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKNVkavv8Vs
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