BACHILLERATO Y CICLOS FORMATIVOS DE GRADO MEDIO Frankenstein · BACHILLERATO Y CICLOS FORMATIVOS DE GRADO MEDIO. Frankenstein. 4. B. SESSION 1: S. ynopSiS and characterS. Before

BACHILLERATO Y CICLOS FORMATIVOS DE GRADO MEDIO

Didactic Project

STUDENT'S GUIDE

Frankenstein


Frankenstein 2

BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE…

SESSION 1: SYNOPSIS AND CHARACTERS 3ACTIVITY 1: SYNOPSIS 3ACTIVITY 2: THE CHARACTERS 5ACTIVITY 3: SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 7

SESSION 2: UNDERSTANDING THE PLAY 8ACTIVITY 1: TALKING THE TALK 8ACTIVITY 2: WHAT IS HAPPENING? 10ACTIVITY 3: FAMOUS MONSTERS 12

SESSION 3: THE ENDING 13ACTIVITY 1: WHAT HAVE I DONE? 13ACTIVITY 2: WHAT DO YOU THINK? 15ACTIVITY 3: FILL IN THE GAPS 16

AFTER THE PERFORMANCE…

SESSION 4: EXPRESS YOURSELF! 17ACTIVITY 1: WHAT DID YOU THINK? 17ACTIVITY 2: EMAIL A FRIEND 18ACTIVITY 3: YOUR TURN! 19

BBefore

AAfter

INDEX


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SESSION 1: SynopSiS and characterS BBefore

Activity 1. Synopsis

Before you read the synopsis of the play, match the correct word to the correct definition. Two of the words have the same definition.

to do something unintentionally

a woman who is going to get married

dead bodies

extremely scared

problem

very ugly

a place where dead people are buried

1. CORPSES 2. CEMETERY 3.GROTESQUE-LOOKING

4.HIDEOUS 5.TERRIFIED 6.ACCIDENTALLY 7.WIFE-TO-BE 8. A CATCH

WORDS DEFINITIONS


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Can you use the high-lighted words from the text to make your own sentences?

• Synopsis

The play is set in 18th century. Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist who is doing an experiment to create a living creature using the body parts of corpses which he digs up in the cemetery. He is not sure that his experiment is going to work but, before he knows it, he has created a grotesque-looking creature. The Creature is so hideous that people are terrified when they see him! The Creature accidentally kills Victor’s brother while trying to befriend him and, as a result, he asks his creator, Victor, to destroy him because his life is so lonely and he has no friends. However, the Creature then meets Victor’s lovely wife-to-be, Elizabeth, and decides that, instead of destroying him, Victor should create a wife for him too. This way, he believes he would be happy because he would have someone to share his life with. There is only one catch, the Creature doesn’t want just any wife, he wants Elizabeth! What will Victor do…?

corpses

cemetery

grotesque-looking

hideous

terrified

accidentally

wife-to-be

catch


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BBefore

Activity 2. The Characters

After reading the synopsis, you already know about three of the main characters from the play – Victor Frankenstein, the Creature and Elizabeth. Below is a list of all the main characters:

The following sentences provide information about each character.

• Write questions using the sentences as the answers. The information you need to ask for is highlighted in bold. Use the words - who, what, where, how etc. Sometimes there is more than one possible answer. The first example has been done for you.

SESSION 1: SynopSiS and characterS

VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN: A young scientist Victor Frankenstein has done a fateful experiment.

e.g. Who has done a fateful experiment?

VICTORFRANKENSTEIN:Ayoungscientist

BOY:FindsVictorFrankenstein’sdiaryfrom18thcentury

THECREATURE:Victor’screation

ELIZABETH:Victor’swife-tobe

HENRY:Victor’sfriend

WILLIAM:Victor’sbrother

JUSTINE:Agypsygirl

ERNST:Apoliceman


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BOY:FindsVictorFrankenstein’sdiaryfrom18thcentury Theyoungboyis from the present.

THECREATURE:Victor’screation Hewascreatedfromdead people’s body parts.

ELIZABETH:Victor’swife-tobeElizabethisgoingtomarry Victor soon.

HENRY:Victor’sfriendHenryis a scientist, like Victor.

WILLIAM:Victor’sbrotherWilliamwasmurderedby the Creature

JUSTINE:AgypsygirlJustinewitnessedthe death of Victor’s brother.

ERNST:ApolicemanErnstisinvestigatingthe death of Victor’s brother.

(From)When

How(From) What

What

WhatWhatWhat Who

(By) Whom

What

What


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BBefore

Activity 3. Sequence of Events

• Now that you know the synopsis of the play and the characters, as a class, read the following extracts and number them in the correct order of events from 1 - 5.

SESSION 1: SynopSiS and characterS

A.CREATURE:I’masgoodasyouare,soIdeserveawifelikeyours.I’veseen

thewayyoutreatElizabeth.Youdon’tdeserveher.Shewillbehappierbymy

side.Iloveher.

B.BOY: (ReadingVictor’sdiary)Firstdayof theexperiment: Ihavecollected

almost all of the human pieces I need to start the experiment. Finding a

compatiblehumanbrainseemstobeharderthanIthought.

C.CREATURE:I’vesuffered.I´msuffering.Youhavecreatedme,butyourwork

isnotfinished.Youhavecreatedme…andnow,youmustdestroyme.

D. SILENT SCENE: TheCreatures gets closer to himand tries to talk to him.

William gets scared of his face and starts screaming in panic. The Creature

triestocoverhismouthbuthecannotcontrolhisstrengthandstrangleslittle

William.

E.CREATURE:I’maloneandamiserable.Peopleareafraidofme.Butsomeone

asdeformedandhorribleasIamwouldnothateme.Iwantawife.Mywife

mustbealikeandshemusthavethesamedefectsasIhave.Youmustcreate

her.Idemandawifeforme.


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SESSION 2: UnderStanding the playBBefore

Activity 1. Talking the Talk

• Read the beginning of the play as a class (Track 2). You will notice some colloquial phrases high-lighted in bold.

(We see a BOY sneaking into an abandoned chateau. It is the old house of VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN. It is full of dust, spider webs and the furniture is covered with sheets.)

BOY:

(The BOY examines the room and enters the laboratory. On the laboratory table he finds a book full of dust.)

BOY:

(The BOY moves to one side.)

BOY:

BOY:

BOY:

BOY:

BOY:

(A roll of thunder is herd, the BOY is scared.)

Holy smoke!Thisplaceissoooooocool!Lookslikeit’sbeenabandonedforawhile…

(Reading the title page.) Victor Frankenstein. Medicine student… What a nerd! IwonderwhothisVictorFrankensteinwas…

(Reading.)November19th1819….

Isthisforreal?Thisbookiscrazyold,man!IwonderiftheyhadFacebookbackthen...

(Reading.)Firstdayoftheexperiment:IhavecollectedalmostallthehumanpartsIneedtostartmyexperiment.FindingacompatiblehumanbrainseemstobeharderthanIthought.

Whatthe...?Thisdudecollecteddeadbodyparts?!Whatafreak!Whywouldyouwanttohang around stiffs?Thosethingsreek!Mygrandmais80andshesmellslikeBO...Imagineoneofthosedudes...whatever...

(Skipping a few pages.) December13th1819.Sixthdayoftheexperiment:Everythingisready inthe laboratory.Themusician’sbrain isperfect fortheskull that Ialreadyhad,thenervoussystemhasbeenadjustedproperly.IhopetheelectricalpowerwillbeenoughtobringtheCreaturealive.NowIjusthavetowaitfortheperfectstorm.


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• Now that you have read the extract, can you guess what each of the high-lighted words or phrases means in context? Match them up with following synonyms and definitions.

(Lights up. We see VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN working. It is an image from the past. The BOY continues to read.)

(The laboratory lights up and we see VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN working. It’s an image from the past. The BOY keeps reading in the present.)

BOY: Ohshoot!It’sstartedtorain!Thatsucks!MaybeIshouldjusthangoutinthiscribtillitstops...thisbook,man!Ihadneverreadanythingbeyondthecover...butthisis,like,addictive!There’ssomethingaboutit...Ican’tputitdown...I’llreadalittlebitmore...

1.HOLYSMOKE!

2.COOL

3.NERD

4.CRAZY

5.DUDE

6.FREAK

7.HANGAROUND

8.STIFFS

9.REEK

10.BO

11.THATSUCKS!

12.CRIB

house

Wow!

great

somebody who studies all the time and doesn´t have many friends

very

body odour - the smell when someone has not washed for a long time.

smell bad

spend time

a guy

dead people

a strange or different person

What a pity!


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• Do you have any colloquial expressions to say the same thing in your language?

Activity 2. What is happening?

• Listening to the dialogue between Victor Frankenstein and the Creature (Track 15) and answer the following questions:

1.HowwillVictorkilltheCreature?

Hewillshoothim.

Hewillburyhim.

Heisnotsure,heneedsHenry’sadvice.


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2.Doesthe Creaturewanttoliveordie?

Live.

Die.

Heisnotsure.

3.WhatdoestheCreaturedemandfromVictor?

Afriend.

Awife.

Aquickandpainlessdeath.

4.HowdidtheCreaturegettheideaforhisdemand?

ByreadingaboutitinVictor’sdiary.

BylisteningtoaconversationbetweenVictorandElizabeth.

BylisteningtoconversationbetweenVictorandhisfriend,Henry.

5.WhatdoestheCreaturethreatentodoifVictorrefuseshisdemand?

HewilldestroyVictor.

Hewillrunaway.

Hewillkillhimself.

6.DoesVictoragreetohisdemand?

Yes.

No.

Hesaysheneedstimetothinkaboutit.


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BBefore

Activity 3. Famous Monsters

• Can you name these famous monsters or monstrous characters?

• Can you think of any other famous monsters?

• Now it’s your turn!

Imagine you are a brilliant scientist like Victor Frankenstein, and can create a monster of your own. How would you bring your monster to life? What materials would you use to create it? Think about how it would look, speak and move. Also consider where it would live, what it would do – would it terrorise people, or would it be a friendly monster?In groups, brainstorm some ideas and present them to the rest of the class.

SESSION 2: UnderStanding the play


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SESSION 3: BBefore

Activity 1. “What Have I Done?”

What is rhyme?

• Read the lyrics from the song and try to predict the missing word. Each missing word rhymes with the previous high-lighted word. The first example has been done for you.

What have I done?

oh, what have I done?

Become a killer in the night

Become a dog on the ____________ (1)

And have I fallen so far

And is the hour so late

That nothing remains but the cry of my ____________ (2)

The cries in the dark that nobody hears

Here where I stand at the turning of the ____________? (3)

If there’s another way to go

I missed it five minutes ____________ (4)

My life was a war that could

never be won this girl with a ____________ (5)

heart came to my home

with good intentions and she is going to find herself dead

we’ll kill her in order to use her ____________ (6)

the ending


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SESSION 3: BBefore

I am reaching, but I fall

And the stars are black and cold

What have I done?

What have I done?

Become a killer in the night

Become a dog on the ____________ (7)

And have I fallen so far

What have I done

God on high

Hear my prayer

In my need

You have always been ____________(8)

She is young

she is afraid

Let her rest

Heaven ____________ (9)

• Now, listen to song (Track 22) and check your ideas.

the ending


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SESSION 3: BBefore

Activity 2. What do you think?

• As a class, read this dialogue between the Creature and Victor (Track 24). The dialogue takes place after the Creature sees the wife that Victor has created for him.

• Who do you feel more sympathy for? Who do you see as the victim? Victor, or the Creature? Do you think The Creature deserves to have Elizabeth as his wife?

• Discuss your ideas as a class, giving reasons for your opinions.

Use the following phrases to help you…

In my opinion…From my point of view…

I believe that…The way I see it…

(The CREATURE examines JUSTINE’s face and body finally he speaks.)

CREATURE:

VICTOR:

CREATURE:

VICTOR:

CREATURE:

VICTOR:

HENRY:

CREATURE:

I don’t want her.

You don’t want her? What were you expecting then? She is more than what you deserve.

What I deserve? I’m as good as you are, so I deserve a wife like yours.

What do you mean?

I’ve seen the way you treat Elizabeth. You don’t deserve her. She will be happier by my side. I love her.

Never! This is going too far. I have created you, and now I must destroy you.

Victor calm down.

Be quiet! I will kill you, Victor Frankenstein.

the ending


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SESSION 3: THE ENDINGBBefore

Activity 3. Fill in the Gap

• In the following scene (Track 26), the policeman, Ernst, comes to give instructions to Victor and Elizabeth. Complete the gaps by using the words below.

**Tip: First decide what type of word you need to fill each gap. For example, a noun, a verb, an adjective etc.

CONTROL

SURROUNDED

CLEVER

FEARS

SAFE

JUDGE

TORTURE

AFRAID

PLEASURE

TRUST

DANGER

ASSURE

(The next day. VICTOR and ELIZABETH are in the living room.)VICTOR:ELIZABETH:VICTOR:ELIZABETH: VICTOR: ELIZABETH: VICTOR:

ELIZABETH: VICTOR: ELIZABETH: (ERNST enters.)ERNST:

VICTOR: ELIZABETH: ERNST:

The Police has the chateau (1) ____________________.Then we are (2) _____________.Perhaps.Victor, you must always (3) ___________me. Never keep anything from me.I was (4) _____________ .Of what I would think?Of what you would say. A thousand other (5) ________too. Most of all that you would (6) ____________ me mad.What (7) _______________it must have been for you…You can never know.Poor darling.

I (8) ______________ you Victor, the Creature will not escape. I have a thousand police officers surrounding the chateau. You don’t know him as I do. He’s very (9) _____________ .There is no (10) _______________ then?It will give me (11) _______________ to destroy him. Everything is under (12) ______________. There’s only one thing missing: Justine, The gypsy girl. We cannot find her.


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SESSION 4 : Express Yourself!AAfter

Activity 1. What did you think?

Now that you have seen the play, let’s talk about the experience….

1. What was your general impression of the play?

I thought it was …..

because…

2. What did you like the most?

The best part was…

The funniest part was…

The most entertaining part was…

The most enjoyable part was…

funny exciting boring entertaining clever inspiring enjoyable


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Activity 2. Write your own review!

• Imagine you are a journalist for your local newspaper. You need to write a review of the play giving your opinion about the following …

Below is the opening paragraph of the review. Continue with your own thoughts and ideas.

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to the premier of “Frankenstein”. The theatre was

buzzing with excitement as the curtain went up, the audience ready to be entertained! …

• The plot

• The actors

• The script

• The costumes

• The scenery

• The music


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Activity 3. Your turn!

• As a class, read the ending of the play again (Track 28). Now, in groups, pretend you are the writers of the play and invent your own ending. Write your own script and act out your new endings for your class mates.

Aaaaah!!! Who is there? Why did you switch the lights off? Ernst? Victor?

(He is holding a gun.) We have met before, haven’t we?You…. You are the monster. Victor! Victor! (Crying.) Please! Don’t harm me.

(With malice.) Even your cries for mercy give me pleasure. You must die, and Frankenstein must suffer.Who are you? You, you… are the Creature, but I remember this voice… it sounds so familiar to me.We met some time ago.

Please! Victor! Let me go please… Don’t harm me!I’m sorry Elizabeth; it’s not your fault. It’s my fate which makes me cover my hands with blood over and over again. This face, the infection which poisons our love. This face which only got slight from others is responsible for everything, but soon you’ll forget, we’ll forget. You’ll be a wonderful wife Elizabeth. The best wife anyone could ever imagine…

Elizabeth!!! We have a guest, Elizabeth! Good night Victor, welcome to the show. Now, my wish comes true. You have truly made my night! Your suffering will now be so cruel that you will never forget…Free her! (CREATURE laughs.) Do what you like, just let her go! Have you no pity?Pity? Mercy? (To ELIZABETH.) Your lover seems strange. Pity… Did you ever show pity to me? Why should I show pity to you when you never had it with me? Don’t make me laugh again Victor, please!

(The lights fade, ELIZABETH shouts in panic.)ELIZABETH: (She lights a candle, we see a shadow standing at the door.)CREATURE: ELIZABETH:(ELIZABETH cries and screams in panic.)CREATURE:

ELIZABETH:

CREATURE: (With a quick movement the CREATURE grabs ELIZABETH from behind Now she cannot move.) ELIZABETH: CREATURE:

(Enter VICTOR.)VICTOR: CREATURE:

VICTOR:

CREATURE:

(CREATURE laughs.)


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I love her! Does that mean nothing? I love her! Show some compassion!The world showed no compassion to me! Nothing can save you now, except, perhaps, Elizabeth...She will never be yours!There’s nothing you can do to avoid it… Just make her my wife. Kill her and afterwards you’ll turn her corpse into my new creature, my wife. That way she will live forever.Buy her freedom with your love! Refuse my request, and you send your lover to her grave! If you don’t do it she will pay for your disobedience with her death and of course your death too. This is the point of no return!How can I know that after killing her you will not kill me as well?

VICTOR: CREATURE:

VICTOR: CREATURE:

VICTOR: CREATURE:

VICTOR: CREATURE:

VICTOR: CREATURE: (The CREATURE is about to kill ELIZABETH, but suddenly she turns to face the CREATURE and gently touches his face.)ELIZABETH: CREATURE: VICTOR:ELIZABETH:

(The CREATURE collapses and let the gun fall from his hand. With a quick movement, VICTOR grabs the gun from the floor, and ELIZABETH runs into VICTOR’s arms. The CREATURE realises how pathetic the scene is, he takes a look at himself and feels miserable. He looks at VICTOR and ELIZABETH and understands everything.)

I still need you. I need your help to make her my wife. I cannot do it without you. Once you’ve done it, I won’t need you anymore. I will keep my word: Once I have my wife I will go away forever with her. You will never see us again. I will never bother you again…(Doubting.) But… What if… I know. You will suffer forever. Whatever choice you take your suffering will be immense. There’s no right choice Victor, but in one of the choices Elizabeth will live forever… Make her my wife or send her to her grave.I can’t do it!You try my patience! Make your choice!

Why do you want to kill me? You think I cannot love you just the way you are…Elizabeth…(Shocked.) Liz…I have always loved you… You don’t need Victor to make me your wife, let’s escape from here, let’s start a new life together. Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone...(She kisses the CREATURE passionately.)


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How could I think you would ever love me? What kind of life could I offer you? How foolish I was. A body can be transformed, but a heart won’t. (Mad.) Now I will kill you…Do it please! There’s nothing left here for me to live for…NO! (She approaches the CREATURE.) Don’t do it… Please Victor, don’t…Elizabeth, stay aside!This poisoned face does not cause me horror anymore… Don’t you see there’s good in him? (To the CREATURE.) Deep in your soul lies real goodness, real love. Never forget it. My heart belongs to Victor, but I will always remember you. Go now; don’t let them find you…(He falls on his knees.) I love you, Elizabeth.

CREATURE:

VICTOR: CREATURE: ELIZABETH: VICTOR: ELIZABETH:

CREATURE: (She gets closer and touches his shoulder crying. Exit VICTOR and ELIZABETH, holding hands.)

Something big is about to happen and you can see it live at the theatre! With this musical, based on the brilliant book by Mary Shelley, your English classes will come to life at last. Specially adapted to your students’ level, they will have a ball with the most beastly show of the season.

OTHER SHOWS BACHILLERATO & CICLOS FORMATIVOS DE GRADO MEDIO

Le malade imaginaire (En Français) Rinconete y Cortadillo Luces de bohemia

FrankensteinDidactic Project elaborated by Nawaf Numen González

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BACHILLERATO Y CICLOS FORMATIVOS DE GRADO MEDIO Frankenstein · BACHILLERATO Y CICLOS FORMATIVOS DE GRADO MEDIO. Frankenstein. 4. B. SESSION 1: S. ynopSiS and characterS. Before