Hello all,
First of all and as ever, well done to everyone for all the effort and work that you've put into your studies so far this year. You are proving to be a brilliant class - keep it up!
Recently, we have been studying Shelley's Frankenstein, and have focused on chapters 5, 10 and 11 in class. We have been learning the ways that Shelley uses language to manipulate the reader's response to the monster in the novel, in preparation for an essay on that topic, which we'll complete early next term.
Over the holidays, I'd like you to do two things. One is to conduct some research into the writer Mary Shelley, focusing on this question: how might the circumstances of Shelley's childhood and early life have contributed to her writing the novel? Can you identify events which may have inspired her?
Secondly, you need to find out about the social and historical context of the novel, probably by using the BBC website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/prosefrankenstein/ . Again, your focus is to consider how the context affected the production of the novel - what themes can you identify which are present in the novel and the society from which the novel came?
If you want to push yourself a little further, then perhaps look at Romanticism, which was an artistic / cultural movement from around the time that the novel was produced. Why not have a look at some poetry, such as Keats or Wordsworth, and see if you can identify any links with Shelley's writing?
Most importantly though, have a wonderful Xmas and a well-earned rest!
Mr Boulter
