Cliff's Notes On Shelley's Frankenstein

by Samuel J. Umland, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, CliffsNotes

Jump-start your understanding of Mary Shelley's famous story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation by opening the pages of CliffsNotes on Frankenstein, the study guide that can raise your insight as well as your test scores! Here, you'll explore the relationship between the monster and his creator, but with CliffsNotes on Frankenstein you'll also get in-depth character analysis, critical essays, and insight into the novel's literary devices. You'll also discover background information on the life of Mary Wollestonecraft Shelley and the creation of this, her most famous work, which was sparked by a suggestion that her circle of friends each write a ghost story to pass the time.

Genres: Nonfiction

72 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1984

Reviews

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffs Notes on Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN

First, there is the usual disclaimer that reminds us that the Notes are not a substitute for reading the book.
Included in this book:
. Life of the Author
. General Plot Summary
. List of Characters
. Critical Commentaries
. Mary Shelly and Romanticism
. The Gothic Story
. German Expressionism and American Horror Film
. Questions for Review
. Selected Bibliography
. Frankenstein Genealogy

Each of these sections gives an insight that can add to the reading enjoyment. However, even the list of characters is a spoiler for those that want to be surprised by reading the story. The Notes break down the separate chapters and best of all the separate letters written as it can get confusing a letter telling of a person telling of a monster that is telling a story.

The notes take time to cover the movies (which many have seen first) and related books to what went into the making of or exploiting the Frankenstein tales. One book recommended is "From Caligari to Hitler" ISBN: 0691025053 [A psychological history of the German film]. In the body of the notes, there is a reference to most of the books that the monster read but they seem to be left out of the bibliography; I assume that Shelly assumed you have read them before this story.

One really big plus is the "Frankenstein Genealogy" chart. With so many adopted and related relatives it is hard to keep them apart before they are murdered.

The "Notes" is money well spent.

[Robert Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, especially as a kid and in Junior High. Several of the "junior" fully narrative versions are also childhood reads. So, a refresher is always welcome. I enjoyed this one especially since it was such a quick and easy read. I really always recommend (for the most part) reading a Cliff's Notes on something you've already read for fun.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me the information I need to help me appreciate the book more. Especially literary and historical contexts.

[Manguins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quotes
His original quest was to create life, and once that feat was accomplished, he quest became, ironically, his curse. (25)

The purpose of Romantic art was to choose subjects which could affect the reader in a manner which he would not encounter in everyday life. (54)

ISBN 0-8220-0498-4

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dad wrote it, enough said.