Frankenstein and A Monster Calls

Theme Essay

Mary Shelley explores several different themes in Frankenstein such as:

  • Ignorance is Bliss/Danger of knowledge - a warning to avoid going too far with science. Some mysteries mankind was not meant to understand.
  • Human Injustice Toward Outsiders (human and monster!)
  • Treatment of Women - positive and negative
  • Nature vs. the Unnatural - distrust of the newer technology and leaps in science.
  • Dreams and Imagination
  • Consequences/Guilt/Atonement
  • Destiny versus Free Will
  • Effect of Human Misery

Many of these same topics and themes are also addressed in Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls

Your task is to analyze how one of these themes is used in both Frankenstein and A Monster Calls. Your thesis should state the theme and how the authors use the characters and events to express their message(s) to the reader. (For example, if you are writing about the Nature vs. the Unnatural, you will also mention that Shelley uses the story as a warning against science and progress.)

Use examples and quotes from the book to support your thesis. (You may want to use the double entry journals you were asked to complete for Frankenstein.)

Your essay will be 5 paragraphs and must include: an introduction with a hook and thesis, three body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a conclusion.

Sample Thesis Statement: In both Frankenstein and A Monster Calls, authors Mary Shelly and Patrick Ness show the tension between the natural and unnatural world through the lives of Victor, the Creature, and Conner.

DO NOT COPY THIS THESIS! WRITE YOUR OWN!

Your essay will be graded on the following:

  • A clear thesis statement addressing the chosen theme
  • Consistent use of APE paragraph development
  • Incorporation of at least one quote per example (one quote per paragraph)
  • Effective explanation of each example of them (limited plot summary)
  • Proper use of MLA format (parenthetical citations)
  • Proper use of grammar, punctuation and spelling

Your typed, printed copy is due ______no excuses!!
Late essays will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day, no late work will be accepted after 1 week.

Frankenstein and A Monster Calls
Theme Essay Graphic Organizer

Before you jump in and write your essay – think about your topic. Looking at the list on the assignment sheet – select a topic/theme that you can connect to both novels. If it is a topic, you will need to make it into a theme statement (what the author says about a topic)

Ex – dreams/imagination = TOPIC

The futility of dreams and imagination = THEME STATEMENT

Theme:

Next, brainstorm 3 characters who help to demonstrate this theme. (At least one from each novel) Then provide examples (bullet points are fine but you will need 1 quote per character).

Character # 1Character # 2 Character # 3

______

Theme Essay Thesis and Paragraph Organizer

Thesis Statement: remember to include both titles, both author’s full names, the theme/author’s message AND the three characters that embody this theme. (see my example on the first page of the assignment sheet if you need help  )

Writing the Introduction to your Essay:

Attention Getter/Hook – DO NOT START WITH A QUESTION!

Introduce topic/novels and include background information (limit plot summary).

Thesis Statement:

What should be accomplished in the introduction?

  1. You should begin by gaining your reader’s attention and making him/her want to read your essay. This is sometimes called an “attention-getter” or a “hook.”
  2. You should introduce the topic. Don’t say “I’m going to write about…” Instead, naturally work the topic into the introduction, following the attention getter.
  3. You should provide any necessary background information for your reader to understand the essay. For this assignment, you will need to:
  4. Tell enough of each story for the reader to know what’s going on. Just 1-2 sentences per book – introduce the characters you will use and explain briefly their challenge.
  5. You should finish your introduction with your thesis, your statement of purpose. The thesis:
  6. Tells the reader what you will be proving in your essay.
  7. Previews the reasons why your thesis is true. (In the case, characters that embody this theme in the literature)

How can I write an attention getter?

  1. Remember that the goal of an attention getter is to interest your reader. Start with a few sentences that will make your reader want to continue reading.
  2. You may begin your essay with a variety of techniques.
  3. A striking statement or fact. Ex: “Every year over 16 million unwanted cats and dogs are euthanized across the United States because they are unwanted and have no home.”
  4. An anecdote or story. Ex: “Late one night, Janet Smith heard a weak cry in her backyard. It sounded like a small kitten. When she explored her yard with a flashlight, she found a tiny ball of matted gray hair. Smith took that kitten into the house, cleaned it up, fed it, and adopted the kitten as her pet…”
  5. A thought-provoking statement. Ex: “‘This is a matter purely of conscience. It has no perplexing side issues… it is a moral question in all its aspects’ explained Henry Bergh, founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as he campaigned for laws to make it illegal to beat and otherwise harm animas.”
  6. Some interesting or important details about your topic. Ex: “According to the Humane Society, a pair of breeding cats can have two or more litters per year. If this pair continues to produce kittens twice a year, and their kittens are also all allowed to breed and produce more kittens, that original pair of cats will produce up to 420,000 kittens over seven-years.”

EXAMPLE (Do not copy my example, think of your own!)

The tension between the natural world and the advancement of science towards a more artificial or unnatural life has existed since almost the beginning of time. Mary Shelley warned of the dangers of progress in her acclaimed novel Frankenstein through Victor’s intense obsession to create life from death, and the Creature’s desperate desire to fit his unnatural form into society. More recently, author Patrick Ness tackled this similar tension in A Monster Calls. Connor’s struggle with his mother’s impending death from cancer summons a monster to ‘come walking’ and take Conner on a supernatural journey. In both Frankenstein and A Monster Calls, authors Mary Shelly and Patrick Ness show the tension between the natural and unnatural world through the lives of Victor, the Creature, and Conner.