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      Reading an extract from 'Frankenstein': A fateful night

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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how Shelley crafts an unsettling atmosphere on the night of the birth of the Creature.

      Key learning points

      1. On a dreary night in November, Frankenstein brings his creation to life.
      2. He despises his creation because it is hideous and ugly; he shuns the Creature and runs away from it.
      3. Shelley uses pathetic fallacy and setting to create an ominous atmosphere.
      4. Shelley cleverly builds tension in the lead up to the reveal of Frankenstein’s monster.

      Keywords

      • Unsettling - unnerving - makes you feel anxious and uncomfortable

      • Atmosphere - the tone or mood of a place or scene

      • Pathetic fallacy - when the weather reflects the mood of the character(s)

      • Tension - the sense that something ominous or bad might happen imminently

      • Summary - a short account of the events of a text

      Common misconception

      Students often think that the Creature did something to terrify/hurt Victor.

      Victor takes an instant dislike to the Creature because of its ugliness. Victor shuns the Creature immediately, purely because of its looks.

      Teacher tip

      It might be nice to set students an additional task of rewriting this extract from the perspective of the Creature. This may allow them to begin empathising with the Creature and understanding how immorally and cruelly Victor behaves in this chapter.

      Equipment

      You will need access to the 'Frankenstein' extract from Chapter 5 which can be found in the additional materials section.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
       except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
       (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The is a genre that aims to unsettle its readers by making them feel fearful, horrified or mystified.

      Correct Answer: Gothic

      Q2.
      Which of the following is often true of Gothic protagonists?

      they are often sensitive and vulnerable
      Correct answer: they are often egotistical and isolated
      they are often patient and mild
      they are often angry and furious
      they are often funny and entertaining

      Q3.
      Which of the following is not true of Gothic settings?

      they are often very dark
      they are often old, ruined buildings
      Correct answer: they are often well-kept and tidy
      they are often remote and isolated

      Q4.
      What is pathetic fallacy?

      using words that begin with the same sound
      using words that reflect the sound something makes
      Correct answer: when the weather reflects the mood of the piece
      when the writer hints at events yet to come

      Q5.
      What is interesting about the narrative structure of 'Frankenstein?'

      It is told in chronological order.
      It contains several flash-forwards to a future time.
      Correct answer: It is told by multiple narrators.
      Correct answer: It is told out of chronology.

      Q6.
      What was galvanisation?

      using water to help an organism breathe
      dissecting a dead body to create a new life
      creating a clone of an existing organism
      Correct answer: running an electrical current through the body to try induce life
      using chemicals to fertilise old eggs

      Assessment exit quiz

      Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      In which month did Frankenstein create his monster in the novel 'Frankenstein'?

      February
      January
      December
      Correct answer: November
      October

      Q2.
      Which adjective was used to describe the night that the Creature was brought to life in 'Frankenstein'?

      dark
      Correct answer: dreary
      dull
      disappointing

      Q3.
      In 'Frankenstein', what method does Shelley use in the quotation: "the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out."?

      zoomorphism
      foreshadowing
      Correct answer: pathetic fallacy
      onomatopoeia
      assonance

      Q4.
      How does Victor respond to his Creature in 'Frankenstein'?

      with love and admiration
      Correct answer: with horror and disgust
      with sympathy and fright
      with kindness and generosity
      Correct answer: with regret and remorse

      Q5.
      Which of the following methods does Shelley use to build tension in Chapter 5 of 'Frankenstein'?

      "I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited"
      "The different accidents of life are not so changeable"
      "His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath"
      "How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe..?"
      Correct answer: "With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony...."

      Q6.
      What is the effect of the following quotation from 'Frankenstein': “the rain pattered dismally against the panes"?

      it reflects the tears of happiness Victor cries in the chapter
      Correct answer: it creates an unsettling and ominous atmosphere
      it reflects the elation and excitement that the Creature feels at being alive
      Correct answer: it foreshadows the heartache and loss both characters will experience later on
      it reflects the love the Creature has for his creator, Victor

      To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Reading an extract from 'Frankenstein': A fateful night, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...