Today we wrote 4-paragraph argumentative essays looking at the pro-argument or thesis, the con-argument or antithesis, and the conclusion or synthesis. We wrote the introduction together and then divided into 3 groups each one working on a 5 sentence paragraph. We didn't finish and will continue the exercise tomorrow morning.

The question is: Is Dr. Frankenstein responsible for the behavior of his child?

Our introduction in the early class went like this:

All little kids think Frankenstein is the monster; however, you have to read Mary Shelley's book to know that Frankenstein is the scientist or creator of a creature he can't love. After his creature is awakened, the doctor runs away in fear and disgust. In the meantime, the "monster" also leaves and begins to kill those people near to his creator's heart. Dr. Frankenstein feels guilty for the actions of the monster he unleashed on the world.

Is he guilty?

In the later class (after writing the introduction) we changed the question to: Is the parent responsible for his child's actions?

In the 18th century Gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein creates a "monster" he is afraid of. Shelley explains in her introduction the genesis of the story: a nightmare academics now suggest paralleled her own misfortune as a daughter, mother and wife. After Frankenstein rejects his creation, the monster kills the doctor's brother William, implicates Justine who is in turn executed and kills Elizabeth. The monster kills because his father doesn't love him. If Dr. Frankenstein had chosen not to run and stayed home and raised his child, he could have avoided placing the lives of his loved ones at home in jeopardy.

Homework
Only two people completed their homework, so finish it and read further in Frankenstein. You should be up to chapter 12 by Wednesday.