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Before you read: Frankenstein Letters 1–4
FOCUS ACTIVITY
What do you think spurs people to explore the unknown?
Share Ideas
In a small group, list ways in which people throughout the ages have explored the unknown. Also, identify some reasons why individuals devote themselves to a life of exploration and discovery. Does such devotion involve sacrifices?
Setting a Purpose
Read to find out how two eighteenth-century men’s lives are changed as they pursue their separate dreams of exploring the unknown.
VOCABULARY PREVIEW
- ardent [ärd'ənt] adj. passionate
- countenance [koun'tə nəns] n. face; expression
- dauntless [dônt'lis] adj. fearless
- harrowing [har'ō ing] adj. extremely distressing
- irrevocably [i rev'ə kə blē] adv. in a way impossible to change
- mariner [mar'ə nər] n. navigator of a ship
- perseverance [pur ́sə vēr'əns] n. steady persistence
Analyzing Literature
Recall and Interpret
- Who is Robert Walton?
- What is he searching for?
- What is his attitude toward his quest?
- What do these details suggest to you about his character?
- In this letter to his sister, what does Walton say he longs for?
- Why do you think Walton feels lonely even though he is on board a ship with a full crew?
- Why do you think Walton feels lonely even though he is on board a ship with a full crew?
- How does Walton respond to the stranger?
- Why do you think Walton is attracted to the stranger?
- Why do you think Walton is attracted to the stranger?
Want to learn more, read this!
Check out Robert Horten's book Frankenstein available from Ebook Central through the Graduate Center library.
The actor Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's Monster
