Introduction
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the biographical and historical contexts of Mary Shelley's Novel, Frankenstein using multiple reputable online resources, to explain how context illuminates meaning in fictional texts.
Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of biographical and historical context and how it aids in interpretation of fictional texts.
- Identify and explain connections between context and themes within the novel.
Today, you will work with a partner to complete a WebQuest on biographical/historical contexts of the novel Frankenstein. You will work together to investigate the life of Mary Shelley, specifically her parentage and marriage to Percy Shelley, as well as the historical contexts of the novel's publication (political, social, and scientific). You will aim to draw connections between the novel's characters and key themes and the context within which the novel was published.
Task
For this assignment, your task is to navigate the blog series, academic article, and embedded video. Together with your partner, take notes of important contextual details that you believe may have explicit connection(s) to the novel. After completing the WebQuest, you will be expected to compose a one-page analysis the explains how context illuminates thematic meaning in Frankenstein. You must directly reference the online sources and the primary texts to support all claims.
Process
To begin your investigation, you will first read the Frankenstein 200 Anniversary Blog Series by Kristin Mills:
http://www.kirstinmills.com/blog/frankenstein-at-200-anniversary-blog-series/
Next, you will read Ohio State's Origins publication for Frankenstein:
https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/march-2018-mary-shelleys-frankenstein
Finally, you will watch the following video:
Evaluation
Rubric for One-Page Analysis (50 pts possible)
(30) Development of Analysis: The students present a clear and adequately developed explanation/analysis of how biographical and historical context works to illuminate thematic meaning in the novel.
(15) Evidence/Support: The students provide specific examples from both the online sources and the primary text to support the analysis.
(5) Grammar and Mechanics: The document is free of all major grammatical and/or mechanical errors.
Conclusion
After you complete the WebQuest, reflect on the importance of context when studying literature. Further, think about how our own contemporary context affects our understanding of the text. How does our society define monsters or monstrosity? What does the continued interest in Frankenstein's creature in current popular culture reveal about our fears and desires? What happens when humans push the boundaries of science too far?
Teacher Page
This WebQuest was created for the 11-12th grade English Classroom in alignment with the MSCCRS.