Frankenstein Socratic Seminar Question1
Frankenstein Socratic Seminar Questions
1. Explain the novel’s popularity. What makes the novel a classic? How is the story appropriate for today and our society?
-Frankenstein is important because Shelley wrote this "horrifying" book about a creature made of dead body parts. It opened doors to all kinds of science fiction and horror. It was one of the, if not the first of its' kind. The monster was judged on his appearance. Becoming a symbol to today’s critical view of each other, and that in order to see our ugly internal “monster”, we must go through several events.
2. What points does Shelley make about humankind? Where? How? Text evidence please.
-shelly makes out humanity to be cruel, conflicting misery on others for selfish needs. In chapter 16 Shelley allows the reader to understand the emotions of the creature due to the actions of mankind. The creature curses his creator for giving him life. Only his great rage, and his consuming desire for revenge, keeps him from taking his own life: he longs to ‘spread havoc and destruction around him and then to sit down and enjoy the ruin.” He falls upon the ground in utter despair and, at that moment, declares war upon all mankind for its callousness and cruelty. He vows to execute revenge upon his creator- the man who “sent him forth into this insupportable misery.”
3. “Mary Shelley in Frankenstein clearly comes down on the side of nurture in the Nature-versus-Nurture controversy.” Attack or defend.
-Many say the way someone is raised determines their future outcome. Yes, many events may scar a child yet he/she has the choice to forever hold a grudge against it or choice to move on a live without its constant nagging of the past. I believe it’s a personal choice in how one lives the rest of their life and carries out him /she’s actions. The action of another individual only becomes a lesson not a life style. Like the saying practice makes perfect, but in reality practice makes permanent.
4. “Victor Frankenstein
1. Explain the novel’s popularity. What makes the novel a classic? How is the story appropriate for today and our society?
-Frankenstein is important because Shelley wrote this "horrifying" book about a creature made of dead body parts. It opened doors to all kinds of science fiction and horror. It was one of the, if not the first of its' kind. The monster was judged on his appearance. Becoming a symbol to today’s critical view of each other, and that in order to see our ugly internal “monster”, we must go through several events.
2. What points does Shelley make about humankind? Where? How? Text evidence please.
-shelly makes out humanity to be cruel, conflicting misery on others for selfish needs. In chapter 16 Shelley allows the reader to understand the emotions of the creature due to the actions of mankind. The creature curses his creator for giving him life. Only his great rage, and his consuming desire for revenge, keeps him from taking his own life: he longs to ‘spread havoc and destruction around him and then to sit down and enjoy the ruin.” He falls upon the ground in utter despair and, at that moment, declares war upon all mankind for its callousness and cruelty. He vows to execute revenge upon his creator- the man who “sent him forth into this insupportable misery.”
3. “Mary Shelley in Frankenstein clearly comes down on the side of nurture in the Nature-versus-Nurture controversy.” Attack or defend.
-Many say the way someone is raised determines their future outcome. Yes, many events may scar a child yet he/she has the choice to forever hold a grudge against it or choice to move on a live without its constant nagging of the past. I believe it’s a personal choice in how one lives the rest of their life and carries out him /she’s actions. The action of another individual only becomes a lesson not a life style. Like the saying practice makes perfect, but in reality practice makes permanent.
4. “Victor Frankenstein