Library Guides: Frankenstein: Overview

Source: Black, S. (2019). Frankenstein [Digital montage].

"Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus (1818), is a combination of Gothic horror story and science fiction. The book tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss student of natural science who creates an artificial man from pieces of corpses and brings his creature to life." (Britannica, n.d.)

Don't forget to cite and reference your sources. For help see the Junior School or Senior School referencing guides, and / or CiteMaker.

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Frankenstein | Keywords

Click on the terms to access a simple definition from the Oxford Dictionary online.

Abhorrence, Alchemist, Benevolence, Charnel house, Dogmatism, Frankenstein, Physiognomy

Frankenstein | Fast facts

"Author: Mary Shelley
Publisher: Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones
Year Published: 1818
Genre: Gothic, horror, science fiction
Type of Work: Novel
Original Language: English
Themes: Pursuit of knowledge, importance of family, nature and the sublime
Characters: Victor Frankenstein, the creature, Elizabeth Lavenza, Henry Clerval, Captain Robert Walton, the De Lacey Family
Notable Adaptions: Frankenstein (1931 Universal Studios film), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994 film directed by Kenneth Branagh)
Fun Fact: Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein because of a horror story competition between herself and the poets Lord Byron and Percy Shelley (her husband)."

Source: Pearson, Julia. (2019, January 3). 'Frankenstein' Overview. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/frankenstein-overview-4582525

Frankenstein | Study Guides

Frankenstein chapter summaries (Saddleback Education, 2010, p. 7.)
Simple summary of the chapters in the novel.
"Frankenstein" Plot summary, (Gale, 2016, p. 5.)
"Frankenstein" Plot summary, (LitCharts, n.d.)
Provides a short overview of the plot and main characters.

Frankenstein - text analysis, (LitCharts, n.d)
Provides a step-by-step guide of the plot linked back to major themes.
Summary and Analysis in "Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein", (Bloom, H., 2010., p. 27)
Provides a detailed analysis of the plot, characters and themes.
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Reference / Citation: Bloom (2007, p. 27) or (Bloom, 2007, p. 27)

Reference list / Bibliography: Bloom, H. (2007). Summary and Analysis in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. New York: Facts on File, Inc. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=355909&site=ehost-live&scope=site&authtype=sso&custid=mggsvic

Frankenstein - themes, (Gale, 2016, p. 12.)
Frankenstein - themes, (LitCharts, n.d.)
Provides an overview of themes found in the text.

"Frankenstein" Quotes, (LitCharts, n.d.)
Find quotes relating to characters and themes found in the text.

Facts about the characters (Saddleback Education, 2010, p.6.)
Simple summary of the characters in the novel.
Frankenstein - characters, (Gale, 2016, p. 8.)
Frankenstein - characters, (LitCharts, n.d.)
Provides a description and background to the main characters in the text.

Frankenstein - symbols, (LitCharts, n.d.)
Provides an overview of the symbols used in the text to highlight key themes.

Frankenstein | Easy reads

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley; Dotti Enderle (Adapted by); Eric Scott Fisher (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781602707054
Publication Date: 2010
In Mary Shelley's classic tale of horror, Victor Frankenstein creates life--and a monster beyond his control. In trying to bring human life into being, Frankenstein lets loose a monster that will stop at nothing to destroy all that Frankenstein holds dear. Follow the powerful story of love, friendship, and fiends in the Calico Illustrated Classics adaptation of Shelley's Frankenstein. Calico Chapter Books is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades 3-8.
Frankenstein by Elizabeth Genco (Adapted by); Jason Ho (Illustrator); Mary Shelley
ISBN: 9781602700598
Publication Date: 2007
Dr. Victor Frankenstein dreamt of achieving great things through science - even create life. But it all went horribly wrong and he turned away from the monster he had created. Now his creation is filled with hatred and roaming the countryside. The horrific tale is captured in this striking graphic novel adaptation of Mary Shelley's frightening novel. A creator biography and glossary help reluctant readers take the first step on the road to classic literature.
Frankenstein Graphic Novel by Mary Shelley
ISBN: 9781562548988
Publication Date: 2010
These literary masterpieces are made easy and interesting. This series features classic tales retold with color illustrations to introduce literature to struggling readers. Each 64-page eBook retains key phrases and quotations from the original classics. When Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist, tries to create life in his laboratory, the result is an ugly monster. Instantly feared by all who see him, the hated monster is driven into the countryside. Never given a chance at friendship or human companionship, the monster plots a terrible revenge!

Frankenstein | Audio books

Don't forget to use your OverDrive Sora app to download and listen to these audiobooks offline. See the Kerferd Library Sora help page for details. These Sora audio books can be reserved by teachers for book assignments.

Frankenstein [OD audio book] by Mary Shelley; Daniel Philpott (Narrated by); Roger May (Narrated by); Jonathan Oliver (Narrated by)
ISBN: 9781843794509
Publication Date: 2012
Mary Shelley's poignant exploration of the true depths of ambition and humanity has had a profound effect on readers since its conception in 1816. When scientist Victor Frankenstein forms a creature from the body parts of corpses, thus shattering the perceived limits of scientific understanding, the consequences are devastating on both a personal and a wider level. Our natural sympathies are challenged as Frankenstein becomes disgusted with his creation, who, in turn, begins to suffer from an acute sense of loneliness. When his desire for a companion is thwarted, he vows to take revenge upon Frankenstein. What ensues is singularly chilling in this gothic classic, which has spawned numerous film and theatre interpretations.
Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus [OD audio book] by Mary Shelley. Narrated by Anthony Heald, Stefan Rudnicki and Simon Templeman
ISBN: 9781483089591
Publication Date: 2005
A masterpiece of nineteenth-century Gothic horror, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein also has the distinction of being the first science fiction novel. Dr. Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious young scientist, is consumed by a fanatic desire to create a living being. He fashions an eight-foot creature and succeeds in animating him but, horrified by his visage, perceives his creation to be a monster and frightens him away. The monster, wandering in search of human companionship, is spurned and repulsed by all he approaches and learns to hate and to kill. He confronts his maker with a terrible choice: unless Frankenstein creates for him a mate, he will go on a rampage of destruction. A subversive tale about the corrupt tendencies in humanity's most "civilized" ambitions, this haunting thriller maintains its hold in the collective imagination centuries after its first publication.

Frankenstein | Curriculum alignment

This Mentone Girls' Grammar School LibGuide supports the following Victorian curriculum outcomes.

VCE Unit 1 | English & English as an additional Language - Area of Study 1: Reading and comparing texts, Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare the presentation of ideas, issues and themes
in two texts.
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Key skills: • explain and analyse – similarities and differences between texts in the presentation of similar or related ideas, issues and themes • explain and analyse – the choices made by authors to convey particular perspectives • apply the conventions of discussion • use textual evidence appropriately to support comparative responses • plan comparative responses, taking account of the purpose, context and audience in determining the selected content and approach • develop and clarify ideas and insights gained through comparison using discussion and writing • draft, review, edit and refine comparative responses, making choices about features of texts and using feedback gained from individual reflection and peer and teacher comments • apply the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English accurately and appropriately.
Key knowledge: • an understanding of the ideas, issues and themes presented in texts • the ways authors convey ideas, issues and themes in texts • the features of written, spoken and multimodal texts used by authors to convey ideas, issues and themes, such as settings, events and characters • the ways in which different texts provide different perspectives on ideas, issues and themes and how comparing • them can offer an enriched understanding of the ideas, issues and themes • the conventions of discussion such as active listening, checking for understanding and questioning • the features of comparative analysis: structure, conventions and language, including relevant metalanguage • the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English.
VCE Unit 3 | English & English as an additional Language - Area of Study 1: Reading and creating texts, Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to produce an analytical interpretation of a selected text, and a creative response to a different selected text.
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Key skills: • identify and analyse the explicit and implied ideas and values in texts • synthesise ideas and interpretations to develop an interpretation of their own • apply the conventions of discussion • use textual evidence appropriately to justify analytical responses • plan analytical interpretations of texts • develop, test and clarify ideas using discussion and writing • apply the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English accurately and appropriately.
Key knowledge: • an understanding of the world of a text and the explicit and implied values it expresses • the ways in which readers’ interpretations of texts differ and why • the features of analytical interpretations of literary and other texts: structure, conventions and language, including relevant metalanguage the features of creative interpretations (written, spoken and multimodal), including structure, conventions and language, and how they create voice and style • the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English.