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Victor Frankenstein is a young science student at the university of Ingolstadt in Germany. When he begins an experiment to create life itself, his ambition sends him and those he loves on a terrifying journey of fear and destruction. Published in 1818, Frankenstein is a ground-breaking novel in the Gothic tradition, which asks questions about science that are still relevant to us today.
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Questo volume sprovvisto del talloncino è da considerarsi CAMPIONE GRATUITO fuori campo IVA (Art. 2, c. 3, I.d, DPR 633/1972 e Art. 4, n.6, DPR 627/1978)
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Mary Shelley Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Seen as the inventor of Science Fiction, Mary Shelley was born in England in 1797. Given free access to her father’s library, she was fascinated by the work of Italian scientist, Luigi Galvani, whose experiments with electricity helped inspire Frankenstein. Friends with Lord Byron, wife of Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and daughter of feminist philosopher, Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley was at the forefront of literary thought. She died in 1851 and is buried in Bournemouth, England.
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Frankenstein
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Mary Shelley
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Welcome to Frankenstein Information about the author, the story and the historical period.
The text with cultural details, brief summaries and glossary.
Brief descriptions of the main characters.
A wide variety of activities covering Cambridge Exam Certificates, State exams, 21st Century Skills and 2030 Agenda topics. Pre-reading activities.
A final test to check what you remember.
A transcript of one of the most important scenes from the story to act out together in class.
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Mary Shelley
Frankenstein
Retold by Elizabeth Ferretti
Illustrated by Silvia Pertile
Legenda
FCE
Drama
INVALSI
Glossario
Esame di Stato
Agenda 2030
Costituzione e Cittadinanza
21st Century Skills
Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland Oscar Wilde The Canterville Ghost D.H. Wells, G. Orwell, E.A. Poe, S.O. Jewett, V. Woolf One Planet, One Goal Mary Shelley Frankenstein Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The Sign of the Four E. Gaskell, K. Chopin, K. Mansfield, V. Woolf, E.Wharton Portraits of Women Robert Louis Stevenson The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice
Series Editors Paola Accattoli, Grazia Ancillani Art Director Daniele Garbuglia Graphic Design Emilia Coari Production Manager Francesco Capitano Photo Credits Shutterstock, Alamy © 2022 ELi, Gruppo editoriale ELi
Printed in Italy by
Tecnostampa - Pigini Group Printing Division, Loreto - Trevi 22.83.227.0
ISBN
ENG009-01 978-88-536-3776-5
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Contents 6 Dossier 1
Mary Shelley and Frankenstein
10 Characters 12 Pre-reading Activities 16 Chapter 1
‘Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man.’
26 Chapter 2
‘Powers that are as great as nature itself.’
36 Chapter 3
‘I discovered the secret of life.’
46 Chapter 4
‘He is murdered!’
58 Dossier 2
The Science of Frankenstein
22 Activities 32 Activities 42 Activities 54 Activities 62 Chapter 5
‘I demand this from you – hear my story!’
74 Chapter 6
‘Now is the time! Save and Protect me!’
86 Chapter 7
‘Oh! My creator, make me happy’
98 Dossier 3
Bringing Frankenstein to Life
70 Activities 82 Activities 94 Activities 102 Chapter 8
‘I shall be with you on your wedding-night.’
114 Chapter 9
‘They died by my work!’
110 Activities 122 Activities 126 Chapter 10 Endings… and Beginnings
132 Activities
136 Final Test 142 Drama 144 My Book
Dossier
Mary Shelley and Frankenstein Quick facts Name: Mary Shelley Born: in Somers Town, London on August 30th, 1797 Died: London, on February 1st, 1851 Education: Mary received an unusual education for a girl of the time. She read many books on Roman and Greek history. Key works: Frankenstein (1818), Mathilda (1819), Maurice or the Fisher's Cot (1820), Valperga (1823), The Last Man (1826), The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck (1830), Lodore (1835), Falkner (1837).
The friends have been reading German ghost stories. One day, Lord Byron suggests they write their own ghost stories that are as frightening as the ones in the book.
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The Young Genius Mary Shelley was 18 when she began Frankenstein in 1816, a fact that should be celebrated. In 1818, the novel was published without a named author at first. It has not been out of print since. ‘We will each write a ghost story’ In her 1831 introduction to the novel, Mary tells us: ‘In the summer of 1816, we visited Switzerland, and became the neighbours of Lord Byron. At first we spent our pleasant hours on the lake, or wandering on its shores; […] But it proved a wet, [unpleasant] summer, and [non-stop] rain often Lord George Gordon Noel Byron (by Richard Westall).
[kept] us for days in the house. Some volumes of ghost stories, translated from the German into French, fell into our hands. […] ‘We will each write a ghost story,’ said Lord Byron.’
Villa Diodati, on Lake Geneva, where Lord Byron was staying.
‘Have you thought of a story?’ For several days, Mary thought and thought about her story, but no ideas came. ‘Have you thought of a story? I was asked each morning, and each morning I was forced to reply with a [deeply embarrassing no].’ (1831 Introduction)
Percy Bysshe Shelley (by Amelia Curran, 1819).
Mary and Percy Mary Shelley travelled to Lake Geneva with her lover, the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Percy Shelley admired Mary’s father, political thinker William Godwin, and was a frequent visitor to their house. They began an affair when Mary was 16, and in 1815, she gave birth, too early, to a baby who soon died.
Fear and Loss Mary was depressed after the death of her baby, but in 1816 gave birth to William, who travelled with Mary and Percy. Frankenstein explores many ideas of being a parent, losing a child or a parent – Mary’s mother, an important early feminist political thinker, Mary Wollstonecraft, had died a few days after giving birth to her.
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Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley were strong characters, Byron was even arrogant – it is possible that their over confidence is part of the inspiration for Victor.
Bringing the Dead Back to Life One evening, Byron, Percy, and Dr John Polidori (also staying in Geneva, and who that summer wrote a story about a creature that drank blood – The Vampyre), were discussing the experiments of Luigi Galvani (see The Science of Frankenstein, pages 58–61) who was using electricity to try to bring the dead back to life. Was it possible to create life? Mary Wollstonecraft (Mary's mother) wrote: ‘My main argument is built on this simple principle, that if she [a woman] be not prepared by education to become the companion of man, she will stop the progress of knowledge, for truth must be common to all.’
One of Luigi Galvani's experiments with electricity.
The Waking Dream Mary was deeply affected by the discussion about Galvani. They went to bed late, but, writes Mary, ‘When I placed my head on my pillow, I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination [took hold of me] and guided me.’ She saw ‘the pale student […] beside the thing he had put together. I saw the [disgusting creature] of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life. […] ‘He sleeps; but he is awakened; he opens his eyes; [see] the horrid thing stands at his bedside, opening his curtains, and looking on him with yellow, watery, but speculative eyes.’ Mary had a powerful dream – it gave her the idea for Frankenstein. ‘What terrified me, will terrify others!’ The words she wrote eventually became part of Chapter 5.
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‘Victor Frankenstein becoming disgusted at his creation.’ Illustration from the frontispiece of the 1831 edition.
‘I have found it!’ Mary was terrified. ‘[As fast] as light and as cheering was the idea that broke in upon me. ‘I have found it! What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the [creature] which had haunted my midnight pillow.’ [The next day] I announced that I had thought of a story. I began that day with the words, It was on a dreary night of November.’
‘What terrified me will terrify others.’ Encouragement and Support ‘At first I thought but me to develop the of a few pages—of a idea at greater length.’ short tale;’ Mary tells The weather changed us, ‘but Shelley urged for the better and Tragedy Strikes Over the next few years, Mary lost her son William and another child, eventually giving birth to a fourth child, Percy, who survived. Mary spent several years in Italy, but a year after her husband – the couple married in 1816 – died in a boating accident on the Italian coast in 1822 near Lerici, she returned to England. Here, she cared for her son and wrote several novels, as well as helping with biographies of Byron and Shelley.
Byron and Shelley left for ‘a journey among the Alps,’ but Mary continued to write.
Lerici. ’The name of Italy has magic in its very syllables.’ Mary Shelley, Rambles in Germany and Italy, in 1840, 1842, and 1843.
Last Years Mary’s financial problems ended when her son’s rich grandfather died, leaving him property and money. But from 1839, Mary had long periods of illness, including headaches which stopped her writing. She died, possibly of brain cancer, in London, in 1851 at the age of 53.
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Characters Characters
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Robert Walton Arctic explorer; helps Victor Frankenstein.
Victor Frankenstein Scientist; makes important scientific discoveries; creates a monster.
The Monster Created by Victor Frankenstein; does not understand the world; is unhappy and angry.
Elizabeth Lavenza Grows up in Victor’s family; both her parents have died; is thoughtful and kind.
Alphonse Frankenstein Father of Victor, Ernest and William; looks after Elizabeth from a young age.
Henry Clerval Victor’s best friend; studies at Ingolstadt; looks after Victor; travels with Victor to England and Scotland.
Ernest and William Frankenstein Victor’s younger brothers. Felix and Agatha Two young people that the Monster knows from a distance; had to leave their home; now live in Germany. Safie The woman that Felix loves; was born in Turkey.
Justine Moritz A servant in the Frankenstein house. 11
PRE-READING ACTIVITIES
Vocabulary of Place 1
In this novel, the characters do a lot of travelling! Complete the map with the correct names of countries / places they visit. England Scotland Ireland France Germany Switzerland Italy Russia The Arctic
The Arctic
• Do you like travelling? • Where do you want to go? • Where have you been? Discuss in pairs. 12
Vocabulary – Adjectives to Describe Character 2
Write a short definition of each word – use a dictionary to help you with any you don’t know. a b c d e f g h i j k l m
curious affectionate gentle brave educated clever pleasant nervous sad cool persevering careful lonely
_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Vocabulary – Adjectives to Describe Character 3
Choose 5 words from the list above, then write a short description of someone – real or invented – giving examples for each one. An example has been done for you.
My friend is affectionate, he hugs his friends and family, but he can be nervous when meeting new people.
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PRE-READING ACTIVITIES
Vocabulary of the Arctic 4
Match these words with the correct definition. 1
Arctic
2
sledge
3
ice, frost and snow
4
ship
5
sailors
6
mist
7
unexplored
8
North pole
9
map
10
telescope
a people who are paid to work on boats b types of frozen water, from hard to softer c large frozen area in the north of the planet d the most northern point of the Earth e a careful drawing of a place including hills, coasts, rivers etc.; made using measurements f used for moving people and things across ice and snow g equipment you use to see long distances h that has not been visited, is unknown i drops of water in the air, stops you seeing long distances j you use this to travel on the sea
Critical Thinking 5
14
It is 1795, you have decided to explore the Arctic, how will you get there? What will you take with you? And what would you take with you today that did not exist in 1795?
Listening and Writing 2
6
Listen to the first part of Chapter 1, then imagine you are the first person to arrive on the Arctic coast. Write a letter home describing: • what you can see; • what you are feeling; • what you are doing.
Talking about Positives and Negatives 7
Do you like the idea of being an Arctic explorer? What would you like, what would you not like? Discuss your answers in pairs. Like
Not like
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Chapter 1
‘Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man.’ 2
Robert Walton tells his sister he will be away for a long time, but if he fails, he will either be back in England soon or he will never return. First to explore the Arctic was Giovanni Cabotto (known as John Cabot) who sailed from Bristol in 1497. In the late 1780s, the British started hunting whales in large numbers – for whale oil (taken from the heads of some whales), to light homes and streets, and to clean sheep’s wool before it was made into clothes.
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Letter 1 To Mrs Saville, England St Petersburgh*, December 11th, 17– I am already far north of London, and as I walk in the streets of Petersburgh*, I feel a cold northern breeze on my cheeks, which fills me with delight. Do you understand this feeling? This breeze gives me a taste of the icy North Pole* where I am going. I am so curious to see a part of the world never before visited, and walk in a land where no man has set foot. Six years have passed since I decided to go on this adventure. At that time, I went with the whale-fishers to the North Sea, I experienced cold and lack of food, I worked hard, all to get ready for this. I do not sail until June; and when shall I return? Ah, dear sister, how can I answer this question? If I succeed, many months, perhaps years, will pass before we meet. If I fail, you will see me again soon, or never. Your affectionate* brother, R. Walton
Petersburgh (St Petersburg) Russian port town on the Baltic Sea North Pole most northern part of our planet affectionate full of love and warmth
Chapter 1 ‘Good God! Margaret, if you had seen the man.’
Letter II To Mrs Saville, England Archangel, March 28th, 17– How slowly the time passes here, surrounded by frost and snow! I have hired* a ship and sailors but, I have no friend, Margaret; I have no one who is gentle but brave, with an educated and clever mind, whose tastes are like mine, who can help me make my plans. I cannot describe to you my feelings now that my adventure is about to start. It is impossible to tell to you even an idea of the trembling sensation, half pleasant and half nervous, with which I am preparing to depart. I am going to unexplored places, to ‘the land of mist and snow’. Continue to write to me when you can: I may receive your letters when I need them most to support me when I am feeling sad. I love you very much. Remember me with affection, if you never hear from me again. Your affectionate brother, Robert Walton
Archangel (Russian – Arkhangelsk) was the sea port of St Petersburg at this time. Walton is lonely and wants to discuss his plans with a friend – ideas about loneliness are a big part of this novel.
’The land of mist and snow’ is a line from the long poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ (1798) by Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The poem tells the story of an old sailor (mariner) who has returned from a long and terrible journey at sea.
Letter III To Mrs Saville, England July 7th, 17– My dear Sister, I write to say that I am safe – and well on in my voyage. This letter will reach England by a ship now on its way
hired rented, paid money to have something for a period of time 17
Mary Shelley Frankenstein Walton's ship is surrounded by ice.
home from Archangel; those men are lucky, I may not see my homeland for many years. Goodbye, my dear Margaret. Be assured that I will not put myself in unnecessary danger. I will be cool, persevering*, and careful. R.W. 3
Sledges (US English sled) are a way to travel quickly over ice and snow. The word comes from old Dutch, and means ‘to slide’. Walton and the sailors are not expecting to see a man on the ice. This person looks very strange, possibly not even human. The first known telescope – used to see long distances – was made in 1608 by Hans Lippershey from the Netherlands. In 1609, Galileo Galilei improved the design and used it to explore the surface of the moon.
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Letter IV To Mrs Saville, England August 5th, 17– Such a strange thing has happened to us. Last Monday (July 31st) we were surrounded by ice and in thick fog. About two o'clock the mist cleared and a strange sight attracted our attention – a sledge* drawn by dogs. Something which had the shape of a man, but as big as a giant, sat in the sledge and guided the dogs. We watched the rapid* progress of the traveller with our telescopes until he was lost in the distant ice. We were astonished to see anyone – we were hundreds of miles from any town – but shut in by ice, we could not follow. In the morning, I found the sailors talking to someone on a sledge, like the one we had seen before but only one dog remained alive. The man was not, as the other traveller seemed to be, a wild inhabitant of some undiscovered island, but a European. The stranger spoke in English, although with a foreign
persevering not giving up, continuing sledge you can travel on this over ice and snow pulled by dogs rapid fast