Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Mary Shelley presents Frankenstein as a hubristic character by looking at selected extracts from the novel ‘Frankenstein’.
Key learning points
- Victor Frankenstein is portrayed as a highly hubristic and arrogant character who plays God.
- Victor relentlessly pursues knowledge to its limits, to the detriment of his own sanity, and the lives of others.
- Shelley uses hyperbolic language to characterise Frankenstein as hubristic.
- Frankenstein regrets his hubris and ambition, acknowledging that it has destroyed him physically and mentally.
- Shelley warns us of the corruptive nature of ambition, especially when pursued by those without respect for boundaries.
Keywords
Hubris - excessive pride or arrogance
Playing God - taking control of decisions or interventions that should be reserved for God
Hyperbolic language - language that exaggerates
To corrupt - has the power to make people behave immorally or wickedly
To pursue - to try and obtain something - to chase after something
Common misconception
Pupils do not appreciate the extent of Frankenstein's immorality.
In pursuit of knowledge, Frankenstein broke natural and political laws. He robbed graves and tortured live animals to achieve his ambition.
Teacher tip
It might be interesting to explore the novel's alternative title with the students: 'The Modern Prometheus'. Extra reading about Prometheus could be given and universal ideas about greed and ambition discussed.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of selected extracts from Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' all of which can be found in the slide deck.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which colours might we expect to see in a Gothic text?
Q2.Which of the following creatures might feature in a Gothic text?
Q3.In the text 'Frankenstein', what does Victor Frankenstein attempt to create?
Q4.In 'Frankenstein', what does the creature ask Frankenstein for in the novel?
Q5.What might the phrase 'playing God' mean?
Q6.Which of the following is not a Gothic convention we see in 'Frankenstein'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name of the protagonist in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'?
Q2.In 'Frankenstein', what method does Shelley use to show Frankenstein's hubris: "I was surprised...that I alone should be reserved to discover so astonishing a secret."
Q3.Which of the following methods does Shelley use to portray Frankenstein as arrogant in the novel 'Frankenstein'?
Q4.How does Victor's experiment affect him in the novel 'Frankenstein'?
Q5.Complete the quotation from the novel 'Frankenstein': Victor warns Walton: "how dangerous is the acquirement of ".
Q6.In showing us the impact of Victor's experiment on his physical and mental health in 'Frankenstein', what is Shelley trying to teach us?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring the character of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, 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.