You Talkin' to Me?

Hi everyone! Welcome back from spring break. I hope everyone caught up on some much needed R & R.

Before break, we watched a segment of Kenneth Branaugh's Frankenstein with Robert De Niro as the Creature. How did this film handle one of the themes we are discussing? You may want to discuss differences from the novel as well as what effect those differences make for the film (i.e. creating audience sympathy for Victor or dehumanizing the Creature).

I don't know about you guys, but De Niro as the Creature, to me, is a baffling production choice. He's much better as Jack Byrnes in Meet the Parents and for that matter, in one of his all-time best films, Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver.

To Clone or Not to Clone

Fifth period Frankensteiners ~ This is the question for the week of March 17th. You have until March 23rd to submit your responses. If you plan to leave for break on the 21st, make sure to visit our blog before you hit the beach or whereva. You need only post once this week.

Scholars sometimes use Frankenstein as an argument against scientific technology that creates life forms. Others argue that it is NOT the technology that's the issue, but the use to which it is put that presents an ethical problem. (An ethical problem is a situation involving conflict about the right thing to do.) What do you think Shelley's position is on this? What is yours? This is a chin scratcher. Think about our fishbowl discussion last week.

FY-eye, I will not post a question next Sunday. I, too, will be on spring break.

Oh My Goth!

**Hi 5th period! Since your reading is not due until Thursday and the question below ties in with the Creature and his arrival in the story, you only need to post one comment this week. All comments are due by March 16th!

Also, before I post this week's prompt, I just want to commend all of you for writing such thoughtful and insightful comments about Walton. I was, like, wowzers - check out the brains on 5th period! Very impressive everyone, and thanks for participating.

So we finally meet the creature! But Victor hates the Creature as soon as he sees how ugly he is. One of the most disturbing suggestions some readers find in Frankenstein is that physical ugliness is so powerful a force that nothing can compensate for it. Why are we so quick to judge others by the way they look? The first thing Frankenstein does after bringing the Creature to life is to flee, first to sleep in his bed and then to wander through the streets. What does his behavior tell us about him? There are no right or wrong answers here folks. Take a risk with your answers and go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is!

And to make up for all this freaky stuff, here's something cute to look at.

Robert Walton Profile

Hey everyone! We didn't have much time to talk about the character of Robert Walton last Friday so lets talk about him on our blog. He's an interesting character despite his rather small role in the text.Walton is trying to find the northwest passage — it would revolutionize world trade, and make him very famous and rich. This we know about our fearless seaman, but what else can we say about Walton? Here are three questions for you to think about and respond to!
1. Why does Walton admire the stranger, Dr. Frankenstein?
2. How are Walton and Frankenstein alike?
3. Why does Frankenstein tell Walton his story?
4. And who is Marge Simpson suppose be in this picture?









~ By the way, here is a map of Robbie Walton's journey. I hope this dude knows where he's going! He better keep his eyes open for the uh, gulp, the Creature?!