Myths, Legends and Biblical Allusions - Frankenstein - Plot, Characters, Context, and Vocabulary

Oct 1, 2026

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Key Stage Three English Year 7 Spring materials on “Myths, Legends and Biblical Allusions” using Frankenstein through Philip Pullman’s play and extracts from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. The content summarises the play’s prologue, Acts 1 to 4, and epilogue, then profiles major characters including Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Captain Walton, and others. It also provides literary context on Shelley’s creation of the novel, science versus religion, and a unit vocabulary list.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Frankenstein – Pullman’s Play and Extracts from Mary Shelley (1818)

Plot – Pullman’s Play Adaptation

Characters – Pullman’s Play Adaptation

Context – Frankenstein the novel

Unit vocabulary

Key Stage Three English – Year 7 Spring – ‘Myths, Legends and Biblical Allusions ’ Frankenstein – Philip Pullman’s Play and Extracts from Mary Shelley’s Original (1818) | Plot – Pullman’s Play Adaptation | | | --- | --- | | Prologue | The play opens with Captain Walton. He shares a memory: he recalls an expedition to the Arctic Circle. During this expedition, his ship and crew were halted because of thick ice. Walton describes how his men began to hear strange noises. Walton then recalls seeing a strange creature. This strange creature was being followed by aman – they pulled this man aboard. His name was Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is cared for by the crew , and he shares his story. | | Act 1 | Victor Frankenstein is busy working in his laboratory in Ingolstadt. He is joined by his friend Clerval. Frankenstein explains his work around animals and electricity to Clerval. Clerval is astonished by Frankenstein’s findings and how electricity and can affect body parts.
Elizabeth arrives. She is concerned that Frankenstein has not been in contact with the family for months. His father is very ill. It is clear that Frankenstein has become obsessed with his work and
attempts to create life. Frankenstein wishes to be left alone. However, Clerval comes back into the room – he is shocked by the Monster as he now comes to life. The Monster runs away.
| | Act 2 | Agathe and Felix live a simple life in a cottage in the forest. Felix has to leave Agathe – he is concerned for her safety. Agathe is blind and they have heard of recent trouble in the nearby town. Felix leaves. The Monster has been collecting wood for the family. Agathe is unaware of the Monster’s presence. However, the Monster picks up a mirror and is shocked to see his own appearance for the first time. Agathe, blind, talks to the Monster. She touches his face and believes that he has been disfigured. They share a conversation. Suddenly, Felix enters. He believes the Monster is attacking Agathe – he seizes his musket. Agathe defends the Monster, but Felix believes him to be evil. Consequently, the Monster leaves, exclaiming his need for revenge. | | Act 3 | Frankenstein is in his study in Geneva. Elizabeth enters. William is missing. A priest arrives , carrying William’s body. The Monster arrives. He has strangled William in an act of revenge. The Monster explains that he feels betrayed and is lonely. The Monster informs Frankenstein that he has two years to create him a wife. | | Act 4 | Elizabeth and Clerval are concerned about Frankenstein’s latest activities. They enter his laboratory , and here they discover that Frankenstein has created another life. Clerval explains to Elizabeth how Frankenstein created the Monster. Clerval vows to destroy the new creation , with Elizabeth exiting. The Monster arrives. Clerval tries to prevent the Monster’s Bride from awaking , but the Monster kills him before he is able to. Elizabeth re-enters with servants. They try to shoot the Monster. Desperately, the Monster tries to awaken his bride, but Frankenstein prevents this from happening. In response, the Monster strangles Elizabeth. Frankenstein vows to destroy the Monster, following him to the ends of the earth.
| | Epilogue | Captain Walton returns to close the play. He informs us that not long after telling his story, Frankenstein dies. Walton witnesses the Monster enter the cabin. The Monster explains to Walton that he will head north, and that he hopes that his soul will not live on. | | Characters – Pullman’s Play Adaptation | | | --- | --- | | Victor Frankenstein –
young and idealistic. Victor is ambitious – he is a dreamer, full of strange ideas, who believes that his work will improve the world. | The Monster – made of corpses , and he looks hideous. He is extremely strong and agile. Although the Monster commits violent acts, he is deeply misunderstood. | | Captain Walton – an Arctic explorer. A man who has been in many dangerous places and surviv

FAQs

What happens in the play’s prologue?

Captain Walton describes his Arctic expedition, hearing strange noises and encountering Victor Frankenstein. Walton brings Frankenstein aboard, and Frankenstein shares his story with the crew.

How does Act 2 portray the Monster and Agathe?

Agathe, who is blind, interacts with the Monster and believes his appearance shows disfigurement. When Felix returns believing the Monster is attacking Agathe, a confrontation follows and the Monster leaves seeking revenge.

What key contexts are given for Frankenstein beyond the plot?

The materials explain how Mary Shelley developed the idea after writing ghost stories with Lord Byron and others, and they discuss the historical tension between science and religion, including examples such as Luigi Galvani’s electricity experiments.

Oct 1, 2026

Upload by Grenda