Frankenstein Journal Prompts
-Frankenstein abandoned the “miserable monster” he fathered in his laboratory. How can Shelley’s story be interpreted as a warning regarding scientific discoveries?
-How have scientific discoveries and technological advances complicated human’s lives as well as enriched them?
-Why did the novelist choose to utilize the frame story device? Is Walton a reliable narrator?
-Who is the biggest victim in chapters 1-8? Victor? William? Justine? The creature? Someone else? Explain your choice.
-What connections are you making to other literature you have read? To the contemporary world? To your own experience? Explain how these connections inform your reading of the novel.
-Why is Frankenstein’s creature never given a name?
-Dreams and nightmares play a recurrent role throughout Shelley’s novel. Trace the use of dreams throughout the book, with emphasis on how they relate to changes in Victor’s character.
-Why are there so many references to sickness and fever? Trace these references throughout the novel.
What broader theme might Shelley be expressing?
-Who is the real protagonist in the novel?
Frankenstein Journal Prompts
-Frankenstein abandoned the “miserable monster” he fathered in his laboratory. How can Shelley’s story be interpreted as a warning regarding scientific discoveries?
-How have scientific discoveries and technological advances complicated human’s lives as well as enriched them?
-Why did the novelist choose to utilize the frame story device? Is Walton a reliable narrator?
-Who is the biggest victim in chapters 1-8? Victor? William? Justine? The creature? Someone else? Explain your choice.
-What connections are you making to other literature you have read? To the contemporary world? To your own experience? Explain how these connections inform your reading of the novel.
-Why is Frankenstein’s creature never given a name?
-Dreams and nightmares play a recurrent role throughout Shelley’s novel. Trace the use of dreams throughout the book, with emphasis on how they relate to changes in Victor’s character.
-Why are there so many references to sickness and fever? Trace these references throughout the novel.
What broader theme might Shelley be expressing?
-Who is the real protagonist in the novel?
Poisonwood Bible Journal Prompts
-Discuss point of view in the novel. Whose point of view is omitted and why is this? What is the effect and possible purpose of having primarily the daughters tell the story?
-Think about the role of language and communication in this book. How does Nathan’s tone affect the way his sermons are received? What misunderstandings in the book are fueled by a failure to communicate effectively?
-Discuss the issue of politics in the book. What do you know about the Congo, Belgium’s presence in the Congo, US interventions, and Patrice Lumumba? What are the attitudes of the characters toward these people/countries?
-Think about the role of guilt and blame in this book. Why does Leah often feel guilty? Does Nathan feel guilt? Rachel?
-Write about the similarities between Nathan and Rachel.
-What injustices do the Prices witness in Kilanga village?
-Rachel says, “You can’t just sashay into the jungle aiming to change it all over to the Christian style, without expecting the jungle to change you right back” (Kingsolver 618). What does this mean? How has each member of the family changed? Do any of the characters remain static?
-Orleanna says, “What is the conqueror’s wife, if not a conquest herself?” (Kingsolver 10).
Discuss the themes of marriage and conquest in the context of both Orleanna and the Congo.
-Write about Ruth May’s character and voice. How does her voice reveal larger themes in the book?
Poisonwood Bible Journal Prompts
-Discuss point of view in the novel. Whose point of view is omitted and why is this? What is the effect and possible purpose of having primarily the daughters tell the story?
-Think about the role of language and communication in this book. How does Nathan’s tone affect the way his sermons are received? What misunderstandings in the book are fueled by a failure to communicate effectively?
-Discuss the issue of politics in the book. What do you know about the Congo, Belgium’s presence in the Congo, US interventions, and Patrice Lumumba? What are the attitudes of the characters toward these people/countries?
-Think about the role of guilt and blame in this book. Why does Leah often feel guilty? Does Nathan feel guilt? Rachel?
-Write about the similarities between Nathan and Rachel.
-What injustices do the Prices witness in Kilanga village?
-Rachel says, “You can’t just sashay into the jungle aiming to change it all over to the Christian style, without expecting the jungle to change you right back” (Kingsolver 618). What does this mean? How has each member of the family changed? Do any of the characters remain static?
-Orleanna says, “What is the conqueror’s wife, if not a conquest herself?” (Kingsolver 10).
Discuss the themes of marriage and conquest in the context of both Orleanna and the Congo.
-Write about Ruth May’s character and voice. How does her voice reveal larger themes in the book?