To what extent do you feel sympathetic towards the character of Frankenstein?
Discuss with reference to characterisation, setting and key incidents.
Introduction
· Mention the title and writer’s name
· Give a little background information
· Mention the key words of the question to show what the focus of your essay is
Our Example
‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley and adapted by Phillip Pullman is a play that can be considered part of the gothic horror tradition. It can be considered such due to the use of horrific and gruesome images; some of these are the digging up of body parts, murders, the severed hand and the setting of a distressed, isolated building, during a storm. The main character of Frankenstein is a scientist who has made a groundbreaking discovery; however this discovery leads to devastating consequences. To some extent I feel sorry for Frankenstein; however there are many reasons why I think he is to blame for the outcomes in the play.
Plot Summary
· Give a brief outline of what happens in the play (Approx. 100-200Words)
Development
In this section of your essay you should use the PEE structure to develop your argument:
Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence to illustrate what your POINT is.
You should include some EVIDENCE, usually in the form of a quotation, to back up your point.
You should then give an EXPLANATION of your evidence.
Use your six topic sentences to help you to answer the task
· Write 3 paragraphs on reasons why you feel sorry for Frankenstein.
· Write 3 paragraphs on reasons why you think Frankenstein is responsible for the bad things that happen to him.
Our Example of Six Topic Sentences
Firstly, the fact that the university refuses to give Frankenstein the funding required to allow him to finish his research adds to my pity for him.
Furthermore, we feel sorry for Frankenstein as his father is very ill.
Lastly, although Frankenstein built the monster, it is clear that the monster quickly develops a mind of his own and so it is responsible for its terrible acts rather than Frankenstein.
On the other hand, we are left feeling unsympathetic towards Frankenstein as he puts his quest for fame before visiting his ill father.
Another point that makes us feel unsympathetic is that he commits terrible acts such as grave robbing.
Finally, we also feel that Frankenstein is to blame for all that happens to him because he created the monster and then treated it badly. This is shown in that he doesn’t give the monster a companion; this leaves the monster lonely.
Example Paragraph (Six of these should make up your essay)
Firstly, the fact that the university refuses to give Frankenstein the funding required to allow him to finish his research adds to my pity for him. His research is clearly at an advanced stage and if he was given the correct facilities I believe that the many tragedies of the play would not have occurred. Frankenstein highlights that the facilities available to him are far from ideal:
“I’d far rather have the use of a proper dissecting room”
This shows that Frankenstein feels that the support of the university would be beneficial and this makes me think that had there support continued, he wouldn’t have been forced to rob graves. This makes me feel sorry for him as it is clear that he is forced to take these risks because he is determined to finish his research.
Conclusion
· Use a concluding word or phrase (see notes in your jotter)
· Sum up your argument and explain whether you feel mostly sympathetic towards Frankenstein or not.
Example Conclusion
Overall, the play ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley has a main character who we can feel sympathetic towards. Nevertheless I believe that his self-obsessed behaviour and gruesome acts that he commits, makes him responsible for his own fate.
Quotations from group work
Sympathy / Got what he deservedHe didn’t want to rob graves/University stopped his funding:
“I’d far rather have the use of a proper dissecting room”
“I’ve begged the university for specimens. They said I’ve had all their best materials for years and provided nothing to show for it. They won’t give me any now” / More interested in finishing experiment/seeking fame than ill father:
“A son who doesn’t come when his father’s dying…oh you make me ill”
“this simply can’ wait” p21
“It must be tonight, it must be!”
His brother was killed:
“It’s William, he’s dead” p39 / He digs up graves:
“You dig them up? Good Lord Frankenstein! How many corpses are there without hands in our grave yards”
Elizabeth was killed:
“Elizabeth –no –no” p55
“(Horrible snarls of rage) He strangles her and drops her lifeless on the floor, then stands laughing” p54 / He mistreats his own creation:
“never I shall destroy you”
He lost everything:
“Frankenstein your sufferings are just beginning
“When he came to an end he fell back exhausted”.
“What have I done? What have I done?”
His father is ill:
“It’s your father, Victor, he’s very ill”
“”it’s an affliction of the lungs” p21
He created the monster with good intentions:
“but you’re not what I thought you’d be I thought I was making an angel” p25
“No I didn’t mean this! I didn’t want this at all”