This term we will be studying Shelley's Frankenstein which is thought to be the earliest science fiction novel in English. As you progress through the course you will learn about the context in which it was written, the writer's influences and background as well as techniques for appreciating and analysing the style of writing and plot.
The study of this novel will contribute to your final GCSE grade in the following way:
Year 10 IGCSE will read Frankenstein and one other novel and then produce an essay discussing the relevant links between them. An example could be Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? on which the film Bladrunner is based. A guide to comparing Bladerunner and Frankenstein is here.
Year 11 GCSE will read Frankenstein and respond to the text using one of the questions below as a starting point. (The wording of the actual question may be quite different from what is written below!)
- Explore the ways family relationships are presented in the text(s) you have studied.
- Explore the ways a central character is presented and developed in the text(s) you have studied.
- Explore the ways the theme of identity is developed in the texts you have studied.
- Explore the ways writers develop and use contrast in characterisation and tone.
As you can see, the end assessments are very different. Although you should take relevant notes depending on what area you are going to write about, you should also focus on appreciating the novel as a work of literature and enjoy the story.
