Frankenstein Questions for Socratic Seminar (23/24 March)

  • Type your answers to the following questions. Be prepared to share your answers with the class on block day. You must supply textual evidence as part of your responses; be sure to include the page number for use as reference during the discussion.
  • You will be graded on your typed responses AND on your participation in the discussion.
  • If you cannot type your responses, write them neatly, using the front side of your paper only. You must show your written responses to me before class begins, or you will not receive credit.
  • When answering the questions, keep in mind the thematic concepts, symbols, and other literary elements we have discussed.
  • Please note: This REPLACES the discussion assignment listed on the syllabus!
  1. Describe the Creature. What are his first impressions of the world? What comprises his early education? Describe his first encounters with society. How does he learn to read? To write? What books form an influence on him? To what characters in literature does he most relate? Why?
  1. What isthe Creature’s impression of the De Lacey family? What do they teach him? How does he in particular relate to Safie (a.k.a. “The lovely Arabian”)? What plan does he form regarding the De Laceys and what happens? What is the reaction? Thematic connection?
  1. Explore the parent/child relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature. What does Victor, in effect, do to the Creature when he leaves him? What would be a comparable scenario to this? How does the Creature suffer as a result?
  1. How does the Creature learn of his creation? What does he think of Frankenstein? Why? What does he want from Frankenstein?
  1. How does the concept of revenge play a part in this novel? Be very specific. What people are involved? Why? What happens as a result?
  1. Why is the Creature never given a Christian name? What does this suggest? What names is he called throughout the novel? Why? How does he perceive himself? (What was his reaction when he first saw his own reflection?) What role does physical appearance play in this novel? How crucial is society’s acceptance/rejection of the Creature? When he is rejected, how does he react?

Socratic Seminar:Participant Rubric

A Level Participant

/
  • Participant offers enough solid analysis, without prompting, to move the conversation forward
  • Participant, through his/her comments, demonstrates a deep knowledge of the text and the question
  • Participant has come prepared, with notes and a marked/annotated text
  • Participant, through his/her comments, shows that he/she is actively listening to other participants
  • Participant offers clarification and/or follow-up that extends the conversation
  • Participant’s remarks often refer back to specific parts of the text.

B Level Participant /
  • Participant offers solid analysis without prompting
  • Through comments, participant demonstrates a good knowledge of the text and the question
  • Participant has come prepared, with notes and a marked/annotated text
  • Participant shows that he/she is actively listening to others and offers clarification and/or follow-up

C Level Participant /
  • Participant offers some analysis, but needs prompting from others
  • Through comments, participant demonstrates a general knowledge of the text and question
  • Participant is less prepared, with few notes and no
    marked/annotated text
  • Participant is actively listening to others, but does not offer clarification and/or follow-up to others’ comments
  • Participant relies more upon his or her opinion, and less on the text to drive her comments

D or F Level Participant /
  • Participant offers little commentary
  • Participant comes ill-prepared with little understanding of the text and question
  • Participant does not listen to others, offers no commentary to further the discussion
  • Participant distracts the group by interrupting other speakers or by offering off topic questions and comments.
  • Participant ignores the discussion and its participants

Guidelines for Participants

1. Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. Your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text.

2.It is OK to "pass" when asked to contribute.

3.Do not participate if you are not prepared. It should not be a bull session.

4.Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.

5.Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.

6.Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.

7. Listen carefully.

8. Speak up so that all can hear you.
9. Talk to each other, not just to the leader.
10. Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.