Frankenstein's reaction to his creation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Frankenstein reacts to his creation and consider how ethical his reaction is.
Key learning points
- Frankenstein is disgusted and disappointed with his creation.
- Frankenstein’s hatred for his creation is based purely on the way he looks.
- Frankenstein repeatedly runs away from the Creature, thereby cruelly rejecting him.
- Arguably, Frankenstein’s treatment of the Creature is unethical and immoral.
- Frankenstein’s callous treatment of the Creature is a key motivator in the Creature’s subsequent violence in the novel.
Keywords
Ethical - If something is ethical, it is the moral, right thing to do.
Wretch - A wretch is a miserable being or a wicked being.
To repulse - To repulse is to make someone feel disgusted or horrified.
Perspective - The perspective is the viewpoint the narrative is told from.
To endure - If you cannot endure something, you cannot bear it.
Common misconception
Pupils forget that the description of the Creature is written from Frankenstein's perspective.
Shelley describes the Creature so horribly through the eyes of Frankenstein to show his disgust with his creation.
Teacher tip
You could set students off to read the final few pages of the novel, where the Creature gives his version of events. This would show students the impact of one person's actions on another and illustrate how harmful Victor's initial reaction was.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which century was 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley published in?
Q2.Which three characters' perspectives do we hear in the novel, 'Frankenstein'?
Q3.What is something 'supernatural'?
Q4.In 'Frankenstein', what is Victor Frankenstein experimenting with when he brings his creation to life?
Q5.In 'Frankenstein', what is Frankenstein's Creature made from?
Q6.If stealing is an unethical activity, what might 'unethical' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1. A person's perspective is their...
Q2.In 'Frankenstein', whose perspective is the animation of the monster narrated from?
Q3.In 'Frankenstein', why is Victor so disgusted with his creation?
Q4.In 'Frankenstein', what does Shelley's use of the word "wretch" show us about Victor's feelings towards his creation?
Q5.In 'Frankenstein', Shelley uses the colour black when describing the Creature. What does Shelley's use of the colour 'black' suggest about the Creature?
Q6.Which quotations from 'Frankenstein' suggest that the Creature is starved of vitality, like a living corpse?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Frankenstein's reaction to his creation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Frankenstein's reaction to his creation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.