Frankenstein card swap activity
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Help students recall and understand the narrative and characterisation evident in the first part of the novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. This resource is particularly useful for GCSE AQA and Edexcel English Literature students reading 'Frankenstein' for their GCSE Literature exams.
What's included
Get everything you need to support students in their exploration of the first section of the novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley:
- Free printable PDF worksheet for students to explore how the author controls the plot and uses language, theme and character for effect.
- For subscribers only, an adaptable and customisable worksheet.
Frankenstein card swap activity resource
This proactive resource is ideal for students to deepen their understanding of the beginning of 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. As a rich and detailed text, the novel contains multiple plot threads and many characters who interact with one another. This card swap activity resource empowers students to recall and remember essential narrative information from the beginning of the novel to help support them with a greater insight into the novel as a whole.
The resource focuses on the narrative of Robert Walton, the first narrator of the novel. Some of the questions and answers in this card swap activity help to clarify the nature of Walton's narrative and the epistolary style (narrative through the form of letters), perfect to prompt recall for students who are looking for a clearer knowledge about the narrative construction of the novel.
Key features of this resource
The Frankenstein card swap activity resource is designed as a series of cards, each containing a question and answer based on the beginning section of 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. The questions relate to the narrative of Robert Walton, the development of plot and character and some key contextual influences on the text.
Students can use these cards in a whole class, group or pair scenario. Each student takes a card and asks another student their question on the card. Every card has an answer so that students can quickly check accuracy. Students can move around the classroom, asking a variety of other students questions and noting which student gains the most correct answers. This activity is especially useful for kinaesthetic learners or to help vary teaching and learning styles.
How to use this Frankenstein card swap activity resource
This resource is perfect for:
- Building understanding of the novel, its narrative structure, characterisation and authorial motivation
- Consolidating literary analysis skills
- GCSE English Literature assessment and exam preparation
- Reinforcing understanding in revision sessions at KS4
Additional Frankenstein resources
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A sample extract from the resource:
1. Is Frankenstein a Victorian novel?
No. It was published in 1818 and Queen Victoria didn’t begin ruling until 1837. The novel was written in the Regency period.
2. What is an epistolary novel?
A novel written as a selection of letters or other documents, such as diary entries or newspaper articles.
3. Robert Walton is called “overzealous” by Victor Frankenstein. What does this mean?
He is too keen, ambitious or enthusiastic and is not realistic.
4. How old was Mary Shelley when Frankenstein was published?
Twenty. Mary Shelley was born in 1797 and the novel was published 1 January 1818.
5. Frankenstein has a ‘Russian doll structure’. What does this mean?
It has a story, inside a story, inside another story. (Robert Walton’s story to his sister is the outside story, Victor Frankenstein’s life story is within this, and at the centre is the story of the Creature.)
