Ap Frankenstein
English 111 AP Frankenstein Essay
Due December 16th, 2011
• Write an essay (1000-1250 words) on one of the topics below.
• MLA, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, one inch margins, typed, double space.
• You must PROVE whatever statements you make by providing evidence from the text to support your claims.
• You MUST use at least one other secondary (credited) source. Use research from either an online journal source or another critical source.
• A properly designed Works Cited page must accompany your paper.
CHOOSE ONE:
1. Thesis Statement/Essay Topic #1: Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel & Example of Romanticism
Frankenstein is one of the finest expressions of the Gothic novel and also fits many of the characteristics of a Romantic novel. Consider all of the elements that comprise a story—including setting, character development, narrative voice, tone, to name just a few—and explain how each element contributes to the novel’s identity as a Gothic text or example of Romanticism. Then, offer your interpretation of Shelley’s message, if you believe she intended to convey one to her reader. If, alternately, you believe that the novel is purely for entertainment purposes, substantiate your claim with textual evidence. If you are stuck, please check out An Overview of Romanticism (http://www.articlemyriad.com/212.htm) in Literature and Romanticism in Frankenstein (http://www.articlemyriad.com/romanticism_frankenstein.htm)
2. Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #2: Victor as God in "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Many students and critics have accused Victor of “playing God” by fabricating the Creature in his laboratory. Playing God, though, implies that a character is flawed by excessive hubris , which may or may not be applicable to Victor. Consider your own reaction to this charge, and write an essay in which you construct a solid argument that conveys your position to the reader. You will need to identify Victor’s character traits and explain how they do or do
Due December 16th, 2011
• Write an essay (1000-1250 words) on one of the topics below.
• MLA, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, one inch margins, typed, double space.
• You must PROVE whatever statements you make by providing evidence from the text to support your claims.
• You MUST use at least one other secondary (credited) source. Use research from either an online journal source or another critical source.
• A properly designed Works Cited page must accompany your paper.
CHOOSE ONE:
1. Thesis Statement/Essay Topic #1: Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel & Example of Romanticism
Frankenstein is one of the finest expressions of the Gothic novel and also fits many of the characteristics of a Romantic novel. Consider all of the elements that comprise a story—including setting, character development, narrative voice, tone, to name just a few—and explain how each element contributes to the novel’s identity as a Gothic text or example of Romanticism. Then, offer your interpretation of Shelley’s message, if you believe she intended to convey one to her reader. If, alternately, you believe that the novel is purely for entertainment purposes, substantiate your claim with textual evidence. If you are stuck, please check out An Overview of Romanticism (http://www.articlemyriad.com/212.htm) in Literature and Romanticism in Frankenstein (http://www.articlemyriad.com/romanticism_frankenstein.htm)
2. Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #2: Victor as God in "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
Many students and critics have accused Victor of “playing God” by fabricating the Creature in his laboratory. Playing God, though, implies that a character is flawed by excessive hubris , which may or may not be applicable to Victor. Consider your own reaction to this charge, and write an essay in which you construct a solid argument that conveys your position to the reader. You will need to identify Victor’s character traits and explain how they do or do
Cited: page must accompany your paper. CHOOSE ONE: 1. Thesis Statement/Essay Topic #1: Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel & Example of Romanticism Frankenstein is one of the finest expressions of the Gothic novel and also fits many of the characteristics of a Romantic novel. Consider all of the elements that comprise a story—including setting, character development, narrative voice, tone, to name just a few—and explain how each element contributes to the novel’s identity as a Gothic text or example of Romanticism. Then, offer your interpretation of Shelley’s message, if you believe she intended to convey one to her reader. If, alternately, you believe that the novel is purely for entertainment purposes, substantiate your claim with textual evidence. If you are stuck, please check out An Overview of Romanticism (http://www.articlemyriad.com/212.htm) in Literature and Romanticism in Frankenstein (http://www.articlemyriad.com/romanticism_frankenstein.htm) 2. Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #2: Victor as God in "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley Many students and critics have accused Victor of “playing God” by fabricating the Creature in his laboratory. Playing God, though, implies that a character is flawed by excessive hubris , which may or may not be applicable to Victor. Consider your own reaction to this charge, and write an essay in which you construct a solid argument that conveys your position to the reader. You will need to identify Victor’s character traits and explain how they do or do not substantiate the claim that Victor is trying to play God. You will also need to be sure to cite specific actions that Victor takes which provide evidence for your own claims. It might also be useful to consider the ways the presence of a "god" has an effect on the Creature in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. (See handout). 3. Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #3: The Modern Prometheus: The Meaning of the Subtitle of "Frankenstein" The subtitle of Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is “The Modern Prometheus.” Prometheus was a figure from Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and used it to create humans. Based on your knowledge of this myth, construct an essay in which you defend or refute the idea that Victor is the modern Prometheus. Incorporate specific, concrete evidence from the novel to support your arguments. Be sure to dig beneath the surface similarities between the myth and Shelley’s novel in order to identify latent symbols and their significance. 4. Thesis Statement / Essay Topic #4: The Narrative Structure in Frankenstein Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, has three narrators who tell the story of the Creature’s creation and his subsequent actions. Write an expository essay in which you explain the function of the three distinct narrators and their respective stories. Identify how each of the narrators differs, what his motives might be, and what the implications are for the novel. You may wish to go beyond this suggestion to offer a well-considered opinion about who you believe to be the most reliable narrator, and why. Alternately, you may wish to argue how the novel would have been different if one or more of the narrators was not present in the text.