Friday, November 19, 2010

Awaiting Frankenstein . . .

Thank you Serio, Victor, and Brandon for your excellect pre-firedrill performance of Edward Field's poem "Frankenstein." You really brought the scene and the characters to life!

You will be happy to learn that  Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus  can be read on line. I want you to go to one of these websites and to read The Preface, which contains Robert Walton's first six letters to his sister Margaret.
CLICK  ON THE URL TO CONNECT: 

http://www.brian-t-murphy.com/FrankensteinV1.htm  1818 Edition

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/21/technology/20101121-brain-interactive.html?src=me&ref=technology

http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/SheFran.html   1831 Edition

THIS IS A PAGE FROM THE 1817 MANUSCRIPT

THIS IS THE FIRST PAGE OF THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE FIRST EDITION.

In lieu of reading this book, which we do not yet have - alas how monstrous - I would like you to do Internet research about its editions, editing, and manuscript(s).
1. What "editions" of Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus are there?
2. How many times was this novel "edited?" Who were the editors?
3. What is a "manuscript?"
4. Which edition of this novel should we read? Why?
5. How will reading this edition affect our analysis, and interpretation of a novel?
6. Notice the first edition was published "IN THREE VOLUMES."  Why do you think it was originally published that way? What did each of these volume contain?
7. What is the book's full title? Who is Prometheus?
8. Notice the 1818 book is "authorless." Why?
9. Read the quotation from John Milton's Paradise Lost.  Who is being addressed? Who do you think is speaking? How do you interpret the words?
10. What else do you notice about the first page of the first edition.

38 comments:

  1. okay.. but Mr. Balgley for when is this do?
    & when are you expecting the books to arrive?
    Victor

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  2. okay mr. Balgley, but what do you mean by what is the text, editions, and so on.

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  3. Mr. Balgley do you want this written on paper or written on the blog?

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  4. Amy, good question. Yes, I want everyone in class to write on the blog and share whatever she or he has learned. Please include your sources of information, i.e. (such as) website urls, Glencoe study guides, etc.

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  5. I can't wait to act out more Frankenstein in class! This book is amazing!

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  6. 1. There is the first edition, in which Mary Shelley's name does not appear, and then there is the second edition in which her name does appear.
    2. The novel I believe was edited twice. Once by her husband and then by her.
    3.A manuscript is the original text of the author's work, that is submitted to a publisher.
    4. I think we should read the second edition, in which Shelley's name appears on the cover, because while analyzing the book we can relate what she has written to her as the author, rather then relating it to an anonymous author. 5.I think we would have a better understanding of what the story is about in this edition, because we could relate it to Shelley. I also think that this edition is easier to read.
    6. Because it contain Shelly's original text work from the time she actually wrote it, which was in the 1800s.
    7. "Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus." Prometheus was a Titan in Greek Mythology. He was punished by Zeus for stealing fire from him, and giving it to mortals. But what Prometheus represents is mankind.
    8. I believe it was authorless because during that time, women were not known for being writers. At since that was the case I believe that Shelley did not want people to know she wrote it.
    9. I think that God is being addressed, being the creator of mankind. But based on the book I believe that the creature's maker is being addressed. This quote in my opinion questions existence, meaning that this person wants to know why they were made, and how. To me this person does not seem very happy.
    10. I noticed that all the names listed are great writers and poets. Also I noticed that it was printed in London.

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  7. I find it interesting how the first edition did not have Mary Shelley's name on the cover. I was proud to see her name on the second edition to the novel! During the 1800's feminism occurred.For those who may not know the word feminism it is a belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. During that time period woman was not respected and not equal to men. Also, as we discussed in class, Shelley's mother was a feminist herself, which I found interesting. For Shelley's name to appear on the cover made an important statement towards feminism.

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  8. I'm just going to send you the Answers to these questions to your e-mail if thats okay with you. Do you want me to write the questions again or do you want me to answer them in complete sentences when I send it to you in the e-mail?

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  9. Sending me work to me at abalgley@gmail.com is fine and you needn't write the questions.

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  10. Medina what questions are u talking about and does the rest of the class have to do it?

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  11. Letter 2 is very interesting and moving. Robert talks about how having no friends bothers him and how that he doesnt have anyone to share his ideas or emotions with. I also liked the story he told about the man and the mistress.

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  12. 1. There are only two main versions of Frankenstein, where the true author Mary Shelley chooses not to post her name within the book. She did this because back in those times it was unusual to have a female writer.

    2. Overtime, the book was edified countless times, due to revising and other things that the future scholars pointed out. The original version (which is extremely hard to obtain) was written by Mary Shelley's herself. Then, soon before it was published, Shelly's husband started to edit the book. Shelly's original version was apparently extremely better than her husband’s.

    3. A manuscript is the orginal text of an authors work that is published. It should be unedited by anyone that is not the author him/herself.

    4. I believe we should read the original version of the novel because it has simpler words, and flows better within the book! Also, the best stories are the originals! :-)

    5. Within reading the original text of the novel we would be able to fully understand the authors meaning to the text. As readers, we can make our own judgment on what words belong within the text itself. Reading the other edited version takes out the spark of the book (metaphorically speaking).

    6. The first edition that was published was within three parts because Shelly was probably still writing the book around that time (1800's). Shelly was probably editing things herself! Each volume contained different storylines for a character, and each of them also helped Shelly finish the book.

    7. The original title of the novel was Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus". In ancient Greek, Prometheus was a Titan who made life out of mud. Upon keeping the life living, he stole fire that was Zeus's. Zeus punished him and had him chained to a rock, where a bird would come every day and eat his body. The body parts would grow back, and the cycle would continue.

    8. The 1818 version was authorless because woman weren't commonly scholars. When a woman tried to stand up for her rights she would be alienated from society. Thus Shelly wanted to keep her privacy hidden.

    9. I believe John Milton's Paradise Lost is being addressed to everyone, in the sense of the people who have power. Paradise Lost tries to make readers question their existence, as well as tries to get them aware of what’s around them.

    10. I noticed that on the cover it says “the modern Prometheus”. The words ‘modern’ sticks out to me because how modern was this book back within the time? I’m sure that the humans living in the 1818 didn’t have the technology to make a corpse turn back alive, like a zombie! Even today we can’t make a zombie, and on that thought a zombie that is able to love, and have full emotions!

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  13. 1. There are only two main versions of Frankenstein, where the true author Mary Shelley chooses not to post her name within the book. She did this because back in those times it was unusual to have a female writer.

    2. Overtime, the book was edified countless times, due to revising and other things that the future scholars pointed out. The original version (which is extremely hard to obtain) was written by Mary Shelley's herself. Then, soon before it was published, Shelly's husband started to edit the book. Shelly's original version was apparently extremely better than her husband’s.

    3. A manuscript is the orginal text of an authors work that is published. It should be unedited by anyone that is not the author him/herself.

    4. I believe we should read the original version of the novel because it has simpler words, and flows better within the book! Also, the best stories are the originals! :-)

    5. Within reading the original text of the novel we would be able to fully understand the authors meaning to the text. As readers, we can make our own judgment on what words belong within the text itself. Reading the other edited version takes out the spark of the book (metaphorically speaking).

    6. The first edition that was published was within three parts because Shelly was probably still writing the book around that time (1800's). Shelly was probably editing things herself! Each volume contained different storylines for a character, and each of them also helped Shelly finish the book.

    7. The original title of the novel was Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus". In ancient Greek, Prometheus was a Titan who made life out of mud. Upon keeping the life living, he stole fire that was Zeus's. Zeus punished him and had him chained to a rock, where a bird would come every day and eat his body. The body parts would grow back, and the cycle would continue.

    8. The 1818 version was authorless because woman weren't commonly scholars. When a woman tried to stand up for her rights she would be alienated from society. Thus Shelly wanted to keep her privacy hidden.

    9. I believe John Milton's Paradise Lost is being addressed to everyone, in the sense of the people who have power. Paradise Lost tries to make readers question their existence, as well as tries to get them aware of what’s around them.

    10. I noticed that on the cover it says “the modern Prometheus”. The words ‘modern’ sticks out to me because how modern was this book back within the time? I’m sure that the humans living in the 1818 didn’t have the technology to make a corpse turn back alive, like a zombie! Even today we can’t make a zombie, and on that thought a zombie that is able to love, and have full emotions!

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  14. In Letter Four talks about that captain adapting to the icy and cold weather, he sees his surroundings all full with snow.He sees in great distance a sled with a human on it lead my dogs, then as time goes by he sees another sled with just one dog, as the stranger approaches the captain he sees his sorrow and tells Margret his sister how much the strangers melancholy face touched him. He felt a great empathy for the stranger but he also meditate on his earlier words when he says that his mission wasn't to meet friends it was to discover but surprisingly he found one. He was happy and excited that he found a stranger with the same characteristics as him.

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  15. Today in class I read the Letter 3 in "Frankenstein." I had a lot of questions about this letter. For example,what is he determine for? Also, he mentions a merchantmen. What is a merchantmen? He is writing to his sister Margaret who I believe is the only person who understand the importance of his voyage. Can't wait to start reading this book =)

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  16. In letter number five, Robert Walton is telling his sister oh how much he has come to like the stranger. He also, says the stranger is usuallly in a melancholy mood and nothing seems to interest him. Walton tells his sister that he has finaly foung someone, whom he can talk to at the same level of intelligence. The stranger shares some of his thoughts on on life. Walton seems to be really curious on how does a man with that much intelligence would be that sad.

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  17. Today in class, Victor and I had letter 6 of the prologue to Frankenstein. Letter 6 talks about how Captain Walton is in search for knowledge and friendship. He asks the stranger(Victor Frankenstein) to share his experiences and knowledge with him. This upsets Frankenstein because Frankenstein is on the verge of dying BECAUSE of his own thirst for knowledge. However, Walton's passion and persistence to gain knowledge finally forces the stranger to tell his story. And so... the story begins...

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  18. In letter two Robert Walton tells his sister, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley that he is lonely. He yearns for a friend with similar interest as himself, someone to be with him when he is happy. He also mentions that he feels more illiterate then a 15 year old school boy because he is self educated. In closing he fears that he might never see her again.

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  19. In letter two Walton discusses how lonely he is. Walton is desperate for a friend, and hopes to find a friend that is enthusiastic like he is. He wants a friend that he could relate to, and wants to share his knowledge with that person.

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  20. In the first letter Walton tells his sister about his desire. He wants to accomplish the discovery of a nothern passage to the pacific. His goal will be to set foot on land, undiscovered land.

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  21. In letter five, Walton first says to his sister that he admmires and pities the stranger(Dr. Frankenstein) at the same time. However he likes him better than any other strangers. They have discussion about life and nature. And it happens to Walton that he thinks both he and the stranger have similar thoughts. As time passes, Walton and the stranger become friends. He is being curious about the reasons of the strangers' sadness.

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  22. The narrator is Victor. In chapter 1, he talks about his family, birth, his father and his family and how his parents got married then had him. In chapter 3, he is 17 and leaves his family to attend school. He got lectured by professors and ended up choosing to study in science.

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  23. in letter 6 like Brandon mention Walton (the captain) is looking for knowledge and friendship. there fore he ask the stranger to tell him about his story. But Victor questions him. however he tells him that he is ready to die but he only needs to do one more thing for him to die, and Brandon mention the reason why he wanted to die. That's the reason he got mad at Walter.

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  24. Kenia and I read letter number 3. In this letter not much has occured. Robert walton is writing to his sister while he is on his voyage from archangel. Robert Walton has a passion for knowledge, his determination to learn keeps him interested during his voyage. Nothing else is really mentioned to have happened during his voyage in letter three except for a couple of accidents and leaks. I really like his desire to learn because it is something I can relate to. I myself love to learn new things just like Robert. -Stefanie Zapata

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  25. Apparently some of you neglected to write about the letter you were assigned to discuss. Correct that a.s.a.p. read what your classmates have written and respond to what they have written.

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  26. I read the same letter as Melida and it is true he is basically describing how he wants to find the northern pathway to the pacific pole. But i would like to add that as told by Walton he gets his ambitions from expiditions from his pssion for reading explorer book that he gets from "uncle Thomas library".Walton basically neglected normal education this indicates that he is self educated. The beginning of the letter starts of by discribing the climate as a cold breeze this kind of gives me the sense of cold isolation from everyone else... maybe this is the reason to why he has no friends.

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  27. Mr.Bagley I am sorry that I haven't been in your class lately, but I will try to not miss any more days. One question though. Are you giving me a book? Because I already have one. Thank you. And I agree with Brandon. This is a great book.

    P.S. by the way this is Katherine Suazo

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  28. I read the same letter Stefanie and Kenia. I agree with them in saying that nothing really happedn in that letter. He was just writing to his sister just to write, the most exciting thing that happend in that letter was that there was a leak in the boat. But what WAS interesting in that letter is that it showed his passion for knowledge. He told his sister that he wasn't sure if he would ever return to his homeland, but he didn't seem upset by it. He was wililng to make the sacrifice of never going back and never seeing his loved ones again for knowledge. That is true passion.

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  29. Mr.Bagley I emailed you these questions, I'm not sure if you got them but here it is,
    Kenia Reyes
    11/22/10
    Per. 3
    Awaiting Frankenstein

    1. What "editions" of Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus are there?

    1a.There are two "editions" of Frankenstein.The first edition, in which Mary Shelley's name does not appear, and then the second edition in which her name does appear.

    2.How many times was this novel "edited?" Who were the editors?

    2a. The novel have been "edited" three times. The editors were Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Anne. K Mellor.

    3. What is a "manuscript?"

    3a.A manuscript is the original text of the author's work, that is submitted to a publisher.

    4.Which edition of this novel should we read? Why?

    4a. I think we should read the second edition because Shelley's name appears on the cover. Everyone thought it was her husband who had wrote it and the credit did not go to Shelley. Also, I also found it interesting how Shelley's mother is a Feminist, who beleives in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. During that time period woman was not respected and not equal to men. I believe Shelley's name on the cover of the novel made an important statement towards feminism.

    5.How will reading this edition affect our analysis, and interpretation of a novel?

    5a. I believe reading this edition will affect our analyisis about the author and what was happening during that time period. Also the interpretation of the novel will be easier to comprehend.

    6.Notice the first edition was published "IN THREE VOLUMES." Why do you think it was originally published that way? What did each of these volume contain?

    6a.I believe it was published this way because it contains Shelly's original text work from the time she actually wrote it, which was in the 1800s.

    7.What is the book's full title? Who is Prometheus?

    7a.The full title of the book is "Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus." Prometheus was a Titan in Greek Mythology. He was punished by Zeus for stealing fire from him, and giving it to mortals, Prometheus represents is mankind.

    8. Notice the 1818 book is "authorless." Why?

    8a. I believe the book is authorless because of Feminism.

    9.Read the quotation from John Milton's Paradise Lost. Who is being addressed? Who do you think is speaking? How do you interpret the words?

    9a.I believe that God is being addressed, being the creator of mankind. This quote in my opinion that this person wants to know why they were made, and how. To me this person does not seem very happy.

    10.What else do you notice about the first page of the first edition.

    10a.I noticed that all the names listed are great writers and poets. Also I noticed that it was printed in London.

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  30. 1.Mary Shelly has two additions, one where her name appears and onother one where her name doesnt appaear.

    2.The novel was edited only two times, once by her husband which wasnt as good as her orginial one, and the one that was her genuine ideas.

    3. A manuscript is the form of a literary work submitted for publication

    4. The edition that should be read is the origianl edition that Mary Shelly wrote, which is much better than the one her husband editied. She was known to be a better writer than her husband.

    5.By reading this edition we get to really take in the little details that make the story more vivid.

    6. Mary Shelly still was in the process of revising her story.

    7.The full title of the book is "Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus. Prometheus ((Greek mythology) the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind; Zeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where an eagle gnawed at his liver until Hercules rescued him)princeton dictonary


    8.the reason why the book was authorless was because during that time ethere weren't many women who wrote books, her mother was the first women activist. This means that suring Mary shellys time women we seen as not good enough.

    9.I believe that its talking about a higher power being addressed and the poeple/creation of this higher power, Like God and Adam from the bible.

    10. Nope nothing that we havent covered

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  31. 1. There are two editions to Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein"
    2. The novel was edited twice. Once by her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and the second time was by Mary herself. The 1818 edition in the opinion of many people, is said to be better.
    3. A manuscript is a recording of information that has been manually created by someone or some people. For example a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way.
    4. In my opinion the novel that should be read is the 1818 edition. From the editions that have been produced, the 1818 edition is preffered by many people. Also because the credit goes to Shelley and the real writer of this novel is known.
    5. The reading of this edition will affect our analysis about the author and we learn that Mary Shelley is a great writer. During that time since woman did not write novels people in that era would learn that woman can be great writers as well.
    6. I am not exactly sure why it was published in three volumes but I believe it is because they contain her original work.
    7. The full title of this novel is "Frankenstein; the Modern Prometheus" Prometheus plays a part in Greek mythology. He was punished by Zeus for stealing fire from him and giving it to mortals.
    8. The 1818 book is authorless because during that time woman weren't know to publish books. Feminism was around during that time.

    10. What I noticed about the first page of the first edition novel is that the names of great writers and poets are the ones that are listed.

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  32. 1. The first edition Mary Shelley's name doesn't appear and in the second edition it does.
    2. I believe it was edited twice. Once by her husband and the other time she edited it herself.
    3. A manuscript is the form of a literary work being submitted for publication. It is the author's original work.
    4.The one that should be read is the original version because it is her version and what she first thought to put in the book.
    5. Reading this edition will help us understand the book more.
    6.It contains her original work and she was making corrections to it.
    7. The full title is "Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus." Prometheus was a Titan in Greek Mythology. Prometheus was punished by Zeus for stealing fire from him.
    8. At the time women weren't known to be writers so thats why it was authorless.
    9. I believe its talking about higher power meaning God for his creation.
    10. I didn't really notice much.

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  33. I emailed you these questions, I'm not sure if you got them I would apperciate it if you notified me whether you received them or not thank you

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  34. 1. There were two editions to this book. One was published on 1818 in London but it was anonymous. The second edition was published on 1823 in France.
    2. The book was edited two times. Once by her and the other time by her husband Percy Shelley.
    3. When a book is ready for publication, the authors send a manuscript so the publishers can read what the author actually wrote.
    4. The second version because it gives more appreciation towards the author, Mary Shelley because it puts her name on the book.
    5. Mary Shelley had her own way of saying things, and reading the second one won’t have as much affect on what she wanted to sat through her book.
    6. Because that was the format for book in the 19th century.
    7. The Modern Prometheus; Is a Greek mythological titan.
    8. Because Mary Shelley was a woman. And people didn’t want women to write so she had it anonymous but with the preface of her husband, Percy Shelley, so people would think he wrote it.
    9. It is addressing to the creature Victor created. The creature. I didn’t choose to be born.
    10. That it was printed in London. And names of those who helped publish the book.

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  35. 1. There are two editions of Frankenstein and The Modern Prometheus, the 1818 version and the 1831 version.
    2. The novel was edited twice, once by Perry Shelley and once by Mary Shelley herself. Many people say that her original version was better than the one he edited, which is funny because he was a well-known poet.
    3. A manuscript is something that was handwritten by someone.
    4. We should read the 1818 novel because it is the original version amd the original version is the one that is least edited and it is the version that has the notes. So we can get out of the novel exactly what Mary Shelley wanted us to get out of it.
    5. Reading this edition will affect our interpretation of a novel because we would be able to see how the original version of a novel looks like, before it is sent to the editor. We would also be able to know how to interpret the author's purpose in writing the novel or certain parts of the novel.
    6. This book has three volumes because unlike other books that have one big thing going on, this book has three.
    7. The full title is Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus. Prometheus was an intelligent titan, who Zeus punished because he stole fire from him and gave it to the mortals.
    8. The 1818 book is "authorless" because back then women did not really write stories, so to get people to read her story she made it anonymous.
    9. I believe the person being adressed is God. I'm not sure who is speaking, but I believe that person did not have a good life and wishes to not have been born. So they are asking God why they were created to see if there was some sort of reason for them having been born.
    10. On the first page of the person I also notice that it says that it was written in London and then she lists a bunch of names of people it was written for.

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