Epistolary Responses & Questions on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

1. Epistolary Responses & Questions on Mary Shelley’sFrankenstein Mr. Cleon M. McLean Department of English Ontario High School

2. Epistolary (Letter) to College Admissions Director (due IN-CLASS on 04-17-09) • Using a full block letter format, write a letter to the college admissions director of a school of your choice (this school and its address must be real). In no particular order, address the following in your letter: • Cite three notable artistic/literary features of the Romantic period which have enhanced your enlightenment and entertainment whilst reading Frankenstein • After reading Frankenstein what, specifically, have you learned about yourself that has better prepared/equipped you for the college experience? • What would be lost if Frankenstein were not a part of the curricula?

3. Epistolary (Letter) to PETA (due 03-20-09) • PETA—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals • At the end of chapter 16 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the creature tells Victor Frankenstein, “I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects. This being you must create” (Shelley 103—104). • Write a TYPED, two-paragraph business letter to the animal rights organization, PETA. • In the first paragraph, explain THREE reasons why Victor Frankenstein SHOULD create a female companion for his creation • In the second paragraph, state TWO concerns/problems that might arise if the female companion is created. However, you must refute/disprove these two concerns/problems by explaining how to get around them. • Reminder: In this letter, call Victor’s “monster” a CREATURE, because you are attempting to paint the creature in a warm, positive light in this letter.

4. Address of PETA’s headquarters Inside address: PETA 501 Front Street Norfolk, Virginia 23510

5. Epistolary (Letter) to the CDC (due 03-20-09) • CDC—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • At the end of chapter 16 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the creature tells Victor Frankenstein, “I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species, and have the same defects. This being you must create” (Shelley 103—104). • Write a TYPED, two-paragraph business letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • In the first paragraph, explain THREE reasons why Victor Frankenstein should NOT create a female companion for his “monster”. • In the second paragraph, state TWO credible reasons why the monster would want a female companion, or why Victor might consider creating the female. However, you must refute/disprove these two reasons by explaining how they might lead to great peril for individuals or society.

6. CDC’s address Inside address: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, Georgia 30333

7. Epistolary (Letter) to the Sierra Club Using information from chapters 9 and 10 of Frankenstein, write a two-paragraph letter to the Sierra Club of California. This assignment is due Friday, March 6th, 2009 by 3pm. • Use any ONE of the three business letter formats; make sure to use all of the appropriate features of the letter type • In the first paragraph, use two quotes to explain how physical nature has a powerful influence on Victor’s disposition—that is, his mental and emotional state • In the second paragraph, use two quotes to explain how physical nature influences Frankenstein’s monster

8. Epistolary (Letter) to the Sierra Club Outings Chair, Ralph Salisbury Sierra Club of California San Gorgonio Chapter 4079 Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, California 92501 • Salutation:Dear Mr. Salisbury,

9. A Concerned Citizen Complaint Letter (Epistolary) on Victor Frankenstein • Using a full block letter format, write a two-paragraph complaint letter addressed to the Chief Constable (police) of Ingolstadt. In the first paragraph, inform the Chief of the fact that Victor has violated science and ethics by creating a “monster”. Briefly explain how and why Victor makes this violation. In the second paragraph, explain three ways the Chief can find and detain the “monster”. Use quotes from Frankenstein as your evidence.

10. A Psychologist Letter (Epistolary) about Victor Frankenstein • Using a modified block letter format, write a two-paragraph (eight sentences minimum) psychologist letter about Victor Frankenstein. In the first paragraph, use concrete evidence (two quotes) from the text to support your prognosis that Victor is being too anti-social and that too much knowledge is dangerous. In the second paragraph, make three recommendations to Victor on how he can better his health and disposition. DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 20TH by 3pm

11. Address for Modified Block Letter California Department of Mental Health 1600 9th Street Room 151 Sacramento, California 95814 Re.: Mr. Victor Frankenstein • To Whom It May Concern:

12. A Friendly Letter (Epistolary)to Victor Frankenstein • Using a semi-block letter format, write a two-to-three body paragraph letter to Victor Frankenstein. In the first body paragraph, explain to Victor the importance of family, physical nature, and moderation to the success of a student. In the second and third body paragraphs, briefly describe/explain the pros and cons of studying science.

13. Personal Response Questions • How did the epistolary (letters) style of the novel affect your understanding/enjoyment of it? • Do you think Mrs. Saville ever received the letters? Why or why not? • If you were Mary Shelley’s editor, what changes would you suggest? • Would you recommend this book to a friend?

14. Personal Response Questions • How did you feel about Victor Frankenstein as a person? • How did you feel about the creature? • In the Introduction, Mary Shelley said she wanted to “think of a story that would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature and waken thrilling horror.” In your opinion, did she succeed? Why or why not? • Did you like the ending of the novel? Why or why not? • If you have a favorite horror story or movie, compare and contrast it with Frankenstein

15. Interpretive Questions • Why did Shelley include Dr. Darwin’s name in the preface? • Discuss the type of families portrayed in the novel. • Describe Victor Frankenstein’s personality. • Describe the creature’s personality. • Explain the use of emotions in the novel. • Explain the symbolism behind Victor Frankenstein’s crime against nature. • What role does Elizabeth play in the novel?

16. Interpretive Questions • From what point of view is this story told? How would the story change if told from only one character's point of view? • Describe the creature’s views on society, justice, and injustice. • Describe two main themes in the novel. • What role does physical nature play in maintaining the mood in Frankenstein?

17. Critical Questions • What reaction does the creature’s appearance arouse in the reader? • Discuss the elements of the gothic novel in relation to Frankenstein. • Does Mary Shelley effectively use nature in her novel? • What is foreshadowing? Explain the use of foreshadowing in the novel. • How does Shelley seem to feel about Victor? How does she feel about the creature? • Explain the significance of the sub-title “The Modern Prometheus.”