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Cheryl Harness takes a closer look at a familiar monster whose origin story may not be quite as familiar to our students as we expect. |
English/Language Arts
Explore the story behind the story
The story of Frankenstein has been co-opted my popular culture since the first book-based Frankenstein movie appeared in 1931. While most students will have heard of Frankenstein, they are not likely to know the key plot points. Ask students what they know. Chart how they know it. Take this opportunity to talk to students about the actual plot points of the original story.
Explore literary devices: allusion
The subtitle or Shelley’s original book was “Or, The Modern Prometheus” - an allusion to Prometheus from Greek mythology. Funny thing about that, as Frankenstein has been alluded to in hundreds of media creations since the 1818 publication. Brainstorm with your students about things they have seen or read that may contain allusions to Shelley’s Frankenstein. From music like Monster Mash to television shows like Spongebob, Frankenstein appears everywhere!
Explore genres: Science Fiction
Some claim that Frankenstein was the first science fiction novel. Have your students explore the characteristics that define this genre. How does Frankenstein fit those characteristics? What are some other examples of modern science fiction novels?
Explore writers: poets
Percy Shelley, Mary’s husband, and Lord Byron, their friend, were influential poets of their time, and both influenced scores of poets and playwrights long after they were gone. Have students explore the legacy of these two authors.
Social Studies
Explore medieval history - castles
Author Harness mentions that Mary Shelley had visited the medieval castle Frankenstein. Have your students do some digging. Where is this castle? What does it look like? What are some common characteristics of castles from this time period, and what was the purpose of these features?
Explore women’s roles in history
Mary Shelley’s book was originally published anonymously, though her husband wrote the preface and the book was dedicated to Mary’s father. Many people originally assumed that Percy Shelley was the author of the book, and even after Mary was revealed as the actual author, rumors persisted about the authorship. Ask your students to consider why this might have been the case? Can they find other examples of women publishing anonymously or with pen names of men?
STEM
Explore scientists
Author Harness mentions the scientist Luigi Galvani, whose name loves on in the verb galvanize. Have students explore this founder of animal electricity, a pioneer in the field of bioelectromagnetics, and look at some of the current work done in this field of science.
Research Skills
Explore online repositories for poets, poetry and authors
Use this Minute to have students explore sites like the Poetry Foundation and Biography both reliable sites to find fast information on authors and poets. One is a commercial site, the other a nonprofit. What differences do students notice? The parent company of the “Biography” site is A&E Television. How might this affect the information students find there?
Explore keyword and Boolean searching
Where can a good keyword take you? Just about anywhere you want. Use this Minute to explore developing keyword lists. Author Harness jumps from the author of Frankenstein, to Prometheus, to Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, and then to medieval castles. Have your students play with how far they can get using keyword searches. Start with a person, then identify something within the results and try it out with boolean operators. Compare results umber using OR and AND. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Explore the story behind the story
The story of Frankenstein has been co-opted my popular culture since the first book-based Frankenstein movie appeared in 1931. While most students will have heard of Frankenstein, they are not likely to know the key plot points. Ask students what they know. Chart how they know it. Take this opportunity to talk to students about the actual plot points of the original story.
Explore literary devices: allusion
The subtitle or Shelley’s original book was “Or, The Modern Prometheus” - an allusion to Prometheus from Greek mythology. Funny thing about that, as Frankenstein has been alluded to in hundreds of media creations since the 1818 publication. Brainstorm with your students about things they have seen or read that may contain allusions to Shelley’s Frankenstein. From music like Monster Mash to television shows like Spongebob, Frankenstein appears everywhere!
Explore genres: Science Fiction
Some claim that Frankenstein was the first science fiction novel. Have your students explore the characteristics that define this genre. How does Frankenstein fit those characteristics? What are some other examples of modern science fiction novels?
Explore writers: poets
Percy Shelley, Mary’s husband, and Lord Byron, their friend, were influential poets of their time, and both influenced scores of poets and playwrights long after they were gone. Have students explore the legacy of these two authors.
Social Studies
Explore medieval history - castles
Author Harness mentions that Mary Shelley had visited the medieval castle Frankenstein. Have your students do some digging. Where is this castle? What does it look like? What are some common characteristics of castles from this time period, and what was the purpose of these features?
Explore women’s roles in history
Mary Shelley’s book was originally published anonymously, though her husband wrote the preface and the book was dedicated to Mary’s father. Many people originally assumed that Percy Shelley was the author of the book, and even after Mary was revealed as the actual author, rumors persisted about the authorship. Ask your students to consider why this might have been the case? Can they find other examples of women publishing anonymously or with pen names of men?
STEM
Explore scientists
Author Harness mentions the scientist Luigi Galvani, whose name loves on in the verb galvanize. Have students explore this founder of animal electricity, a pioneer in the field of bioelectromagnetics, and look at some of the current work done in this field of science.
Research Skills
Explore online repositories for poets, poetry and authors
Use this Minute to have students explore sites like the Poetry Foundation and Biography both reliable sites to find fast information on authors and poets. One is a commercial site, the other a nonprofit. What differences do students notice? The parent company of the “Biography” site is A&E Television. How might this affect the information students find there?
Explore keyword and Boolean searching
Where can a good keyword take you? Just about anywhere you want. Use this Minute to explore developing keyword lists. Author Harness jumps from the author of Frankenstein, to Prometheus, to Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, and then to medieval castles. Have your students play with how far they can get using keyword searches. Start with a person, then identify something within the results and try it out with boolean operators. Compare results umber using OR and AND. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission
