Frankenstein's regret and the scientific revolution
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Shelley uses 'Frankenstein' to express her own views towards the Scientific Revolution.
Key learning points
- Many critics read 'Frankenstein' as a criticism of the Scientific Revolution.
- The Scientific Revolution ushered in a new era, where assumptions about the natural world were questioned.
- Some saw the progress of science as limitless and, in some cases, immoral and unethical.
- The novel's alternative title is 'The Modern Prometheus' suggesting that, like Prometheus, Frankenstein stole from God.
- 'Frankenstein' could be a warning about what happens when science is not paired with individual moral conscience.
Keywords
Scientific Revolution - A series of significant events that occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries that led to a shift in people’s beliefs about nature.
To criticise - To express disapproval of someone or something.
Emergence - Something becoming known or starting to exist.
To contradict - To go against something that someone else has said.
Moral - Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour.
Common misconception
Students think that Shelley was opposed to scientific advancement.
Shelley was not opposed to scientific advancement; she was opposed to unethical and limitless scientific practices.
Teacher tip
For Task B in learning cycle two, there are some fantastic clips that narrate the story of Prometheus that you might wish to use instead of the summary on the slide.
Equipment
You will need access to the extract from Chapter 4 of Shelley's 'Frankenstein' which can be found in the additional materials.
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.The novel 'Frankenstein' was written in the era.
Q2.Which words does Victor use to refer to his creation in 'Frankenstein'?
Q3.What physical characteristics does Victor give his creation in 'Frankenstein'?
Q4.Who is the Creature's first victim in the novel 'Frankenstein'?
Q5.Complete the sentence: The was a period in which industries began replacing manpower and physical labour with machinery/technology.
Q6.In the Enlightenment era, what did people begin to value?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the novel 'Frankenstein's' alternative title?
Q2.What method does Shelley use in this quotation from 'Frankenstein': "No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success."?
Q3.What does 'to criticise' mean?
Q4.Complete the quotation from 'Frankenstein': "I nature to her hiding places."
Q5.What do Victor Frankenstein from 'Frankenstein' and Prometheus have in common?
Q6.What does Shelley warn readers of 'Frankenstein' about?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Frankenstein's regret and the scientific revolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Frankenstein's regret and the scientific revolution, 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.
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