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Year 8 - English

Frankenstein's regret and the scientific revolution

A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the Gothic. They start by learning what the Gothic is, before reading extracts from 'Frankenstein' and 'Jane Eyre', practising descriptive writing and reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. They finally learn how to write opinion articles and then write their own.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how Shelley uses 'Frankenstein' to express her own views towards the Scientific Revolution.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students think that Shelley was opposed to scientific advancement.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key 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.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. '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.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students think that Shelley was opposed to scientific advancement. Correction: Shelley was not opposed to scientific advancement; she was opposed to unethical and limitless scientific practices.

More Lessons In This Unit

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