Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould me man? Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?
                                                           -John Milton, Paradise Lost, X, 743-745 (1667)

The creature reads John Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost (1667). Milton's epic poem tells the story of how Adam and Eve live in peaceful harmony until they are seduced by Satan into eating from the Tree of Knowledge and are punished by being banished from the Garden of Eden. While reading Paradise Lost, the creature reports that he initially identifies with the character of "Adam" insofar as both are "united by no link to any other being in existence" (132). However, the creature also identifies with the character of "Satan": "Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me" (132). Do you think the character bears a greater resemblance to Adam or Satan? Why?

Important Note: Mary Shelley, a highly educated woman of her time, would have deep knowledge of various texts (both secular and nonsecular), philosophies, cultures, and ideas and would have been encouraged by her progressive upbringing to think critically about all of them. She would have been influenced by various religious beliefs, but seems to have held agnostic or atheistic views. However, as a child of Great Britain, Shelley's conception of Frankenstein reflects a complex engagement with Judeo-Christian themes, suggesting her influence by the religion followed by most people around her.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Sunday night, 12/21/2025! 

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Monday night, 12/22/2025!
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Extra Information: If you are unfamiliar with Paradise Lost by John Milton, Dr Moore of Saint Thomas University gives an excellent and relatively brief overview considering the complexity of this famous poem. As always, remember that this video lecture is Dr Moore's interpretation of Milton's epic classic through the lens of sociopolitical thought. You may find that you have your own interpretation if you choose to read it.

Summary: Paradise Lost, an epic poem by John Milton, is arguably the greatest poem written in the English language. It is based upon the creation story found in the Christian Bible. Most religions (current and ancient) have stories that attempt to answer the question: Where did we come from? Interestingly, if you take a Comparative Studies course, you may find many parallels amongst various societies throughout time and place. This is where thinkers like Joseph Campbell developed the concept for his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and Carl Jung's Archetypal Characters. What is Paradise Lost about? Paradise Lost tells the story of the Garden of Eden, God's creation of humanity, Eve's temptation by Satan and Adam's subsequent temptation by Eve. It also tells the story of the War in Heaven, when Satan rebelled against God and fell to Hell. Paradise Lost is an extraordinary epic poem; its major themes include freedom, knowledge, justice, providence, republicanism and monarchy. This podcast provides a summary of some of Paradise Lost's major themes as well as some strategies for reading Milton's epic poem (adapted from GreatBooksProf).

Click the image below to listen to the NYPL podcast, "Frankenstein: Our Dark Mirror."
In this Primary Blog Post, please copy/paste the notes from your favorite chapter ONLY of the New York Public Library's podcast, Frankenstein: Our Dark Mirror. You may want to "flesh them out" (pun entirely intended) first, as your classmates will be reading and commenting on them.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Sunday Night!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Monday Night!