Frame+Story+and+Letters

The Arctic When the novel opens, an explorer named Robert Walton is organizing an expedition through the Arctic, the area around and within the Arctic Circle and near the North Pole. The Arctic Ocean covers most of this region, and more than half of the ocean’s surface is frozen at all times. Travel by ship is extremely dangerous. Huge sheets of ice float through the frigid waters, threatening to crush the vessels that appear in their paths. __**Did You Know?**__ In the letters, which set the stage for the novel, Robert Walton says he has been deeply affected by the narrative poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a leading poet of the Romantic era. In the poem, an old sailor, or mariner, tells the story of a horrific sea voyage that changed his life. Sailing in stormy seas near the South Pole, the mariner’s ship is surrounded by ice. When the crewmen spot an albatross, a huge seagull-like bird, flying through the fog, the ice splits open, freeing the ship. Then, unexpectedly, the mariner shoots the albatross. After this act of cruelty, the ship is cursed. Driven north, it becomes stranded in a hot, windless sea. All of the crew except the mariner die. Ever since, the remorseful mariner has traveled the world to tell his story and to teach others to revere God’s creatures. Walton’s comments about “The Ancient Mariner” are examples of allusion. An allusion is a reference in a written work to something from history, art, religion, myth, or another work of literature. Writers use allusions to give readers additional insights about what is happening in the story and why. Shelley makes frequent use of literary allusions in Frankenstein.
 * __BACKGROUND__**

__**Frame Story:**__ An introductory dialogue, situation, scene, or symbol in a story which occurs again at the end of the story. The bulk of the plot is revealed between the two appearances of the "frame"(like a picture frame). A Framing Story is an old literary device by which the main story is literally "framed" by a different story. Typically the central story is being "told" by one character in the framing story to another. For instance, in the novel //The Hobbit//, Bilbo is sitting on his porch when Gandalf arrives at the beginning of the novel. We also find him sitting on a porch of sorts at the end of the novel when the group has reached Lonely Mountain. The **//Princess Bride//** is also a frame story. In //Princess Bride//, the story with Peter Falk and Fred Savage is the framing story. In //**Titanic**// the modern story of the deep sea divers and the older Rose is the framing story for the historic journey. Famous literary examples include Frankenstein and Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Can you think of any others?

Four letters open //Frankenstein//. Although they may appear to primarily function as a frame for the telling of Frankenstein’s narrative, they also set up several important topics and establish parallels between Captain Walton and Frankenstein. Watch the film clip (of the ship frozen in the ice) and then fill in the questions below as each group answers them.


 * __ Read the letter/part of letter assigned to you and answer the questions assigned to your group __** . Note that all the letters are from Captain Walton to his sister Mrs. Saville. In the letters, Walton recalls his meeting with Victor Frankenstein. Chapter One starts with Victor telling his story in flashback.


 * ** Letter 1 ** Date: **Where is Walton now?**

What is the purpose of Walton’s journey?

What does he do to prepare himself?

Fill in the blanks, and explain the meaning of this quote.

// “My life might have been passed in ease and _; but I preferred [|_________________] to every enticement that [|_______________] placed in my path.” // ||
 * ** Letter 2 ** Date:

Where is Walton now and what has he acquired?

What is Walton missing desperately? || Skip this letter. **It’s an “everything’s okay” letter.** || Where is Walton now?
 * ** Letter 3 **
 * ** Letter 4: 3 parts **

A. __ Date: 8/5 __ Summary:

Select three key words from the text to describe the man who comes on board. Who is this man?

Why does this man say he is here?

B. __ Date:8/13 __ Summary:

// “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught? Hear me; let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!” // What is this madness? What is this intoxicating drink?

C. __ Date:8/19 __ Summary:

// “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” // What is the significance of the serpent sting in this quote? ||