TODAY IN CLASS
3rd--We started with Frankenstein, thinking about family values and the degree to which VF has absorbed them, which was good except for when the response to a very solid question took a decidedly odd turn (mea culpa, entirely). But we turned to the prompt, rubric, and sample responses to the 2010 Question 2; we will pick up (briefly) with the second and third sample scores, and then you will score your own essay.

4th--I thought we'd get the passage analysis work out of the way first and then turn to Frankenstein (staying on point). But the discussion of the essays, though good and useful, was more protracted than I expected, and so we aren't much behind on that, AAAnd we didn't do anything with the novel.

Sigh.

FOR TOMORROW
Homework:  Look closely at the Creature's story. Use these  questions to review the sensory, intellectual, and emotional awakening described:

Chapters 10-17:  The Creature’s Story

1.  Consider the creature’s earliest development—the part most closely associated with “infancy.”  Trace his initial awareness . . . to what else does it correspond?

2.  What does the creature learn from his first encounters with human beings?  Are his conclusions valid or paranoid?

3.  The whole cottage section:

            What are the “natural instincts” that we become aware of?

            What does he value?  What brings him pleasure?

            How does the creature learn . . .

                        language

                        to read

                        what humans value?

            What else supports his education?

            What is the significance of the whole Safie subplot?   I’m asking two things,

                        really:  how is it important to the creature’s development, and why is that

 subplot important to the overall novel?

            Summarize (something like on yesterday’s quiz) the array of qualities we can

                        recognize in the creature at this point.

            How do you think Shelley wants us to regard him at this stage?

4. What does the creature finally decide he must do, and why?

5.  What argument does the creature offer in support of his demand?  Why?  Is it a reasonable argument?

In the next sections—consider Victor’s initial and later response to the creature’s demand.  Examine parallels between the creature’s situation and Victor’s own circumstances in the latter part of the novel.