#fall curriculum

To read:

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Supplementary reading:

Mary Shelley, a biography (I am reading an older one that was available at my local library, so I'm keeping this open to personal discretion in case you can find something better)

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

A Botanical Daughter

The Lady and Her Monsters

Of Mainframes and Monsters

Our Hideous Progeny

Unwieldy Creatures

To watch:

Frankenstein (2025)

Frankenstein (1931)

Bride of Frankenstein

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Lisa Frankenstein

Frankelda

Poor Things

Young Frankenstein

Additional resources

https://crimereads.com/queerness-monstrosity-frankenstein-ce-mcgill/

https://theconversation.com/why-thousands-of-volunteers-are-transcribing-the-notebooks-of-the-scientist-who-inspired-mary-shelleys-frankenstein-200484

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://sites.evergreen.edu/politicalshakespeares/wp-content/uploads/sites/226/2015/12/Stryker-My-Words-to-VF.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi4gMLplqmQAxVbpIkEHXbeLY8QFnoECCUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3proxk2IWEaL0lkYHXgnTc

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2019/nov/07/does-it-matter-if-mary-shelley-was-bisexual

Some questions for thought:

Discuss themes of creation and destruction in Frankenstein, and how this connects to Mary Shelley's own life. Do you think this impacted her characterization of the creature? Why do you feel that way?

Victor Frankenstein is a very erratic and seemingly thoughtless character for a man who created life. What do you think the possible motivations for his characterisation might have been? How do you think this may have tied into English romantacism and/or the men in Shelley's own life?

A note on mental health:

Please pace yourself with this curriculum. Shotgunning a ton of horror and Gothic fiction without breaks isn't exactly great for one's mental health. Breathe, enjoy life, and let being a stuffy academic be a part time hobby instead of a full time one. Or at least split your reading and thinking amongst this and some lighter topics.

For some lighter extra credit:

You're Wrong About Corn Mazes