English 260 Discussion Questions:  Week 5

To prepare for the first half of class, look through Frankenstein and choose at least two passages that you think best represent “the sublime” as defined by Edmund Burke (consider the descriptive passages of Poe’s “Into the Maelstrom” as exemplifying “the sublime” and then see if you can translate the idea to Shelley’s novel).

To prepare for “the great Frankenstein debate,” continue brainstorming about arguments that your side could use to prosecute your opponents and in your own defense.  Be proactive and list some of these arguments, including page references to supporting evidence from Shelley’s novel (i.e., places where a character’s words or actions can help you prove your claim).  You will have 15-20 minutes of class time before the debate begins to finalize your group’s strategy.  Overall, here are the things you should consider while you prepare:

a)      Determine what charges you will bring against the other side.  (Obviously, the Creature could be prosecuted for murder and psychological torture of his victims.  But he also makes some very serious accusations against Victor.  If you take the Creature’s side, what sort of legal charges would you make against Victor?)

b)      To find enough evidence so that you can prosecute your case.  Consider the evidence to be “textual evidence”:  places in the novel where someone says or does something that you could use as evidence.  Thus, preparing your case will involve finding passages in the novel (for your reference, list page numbers) that will support the prosecution of your case, and that, taken together, can serve as a convincing argument that your opponent is guilty as charged.

c)      Defending your client.  Since the other side will be proposing a strong case against the character that you legally represent, you will need to anticipate their arguments so that you can show weaknesses, or flaws, in the reasoning or evidence that the opposing attorneys present.  Preparing your defense will also involve finding passages in the novel that will help you make your points.

Debate protocol:

For the purposes of our argument, we will agree to accept the following basic premises:

1)  Both Victor and the Creature are fit to stand trial.  Therefore, the court will not countenance any attempts to excuse Victor’s behavior on the grounds of insanity; nor will the court accept any efforts on the part of the Creature’s attorneys to claim that he is not old enough (or mature enough) to stand trial.

2)   The Creature’s account of himself in Frankenstein is valid despite being filtered through the mediating framework of Victor’s narrative. 

The debate will last for an hour and twenty minutes, and the time will be divided as follows (you won’t be obligated to fill your entire time slot if you wish to rest your case early; but you cannot go beyond the time allotted.  You should be sure to take notes while the other side presents its case, for ease of reference in making your refutation):

1) Prosecution of the Creature (Victor’s attorneys present their case, and evidence, against him):  15 minutes

2)  Defense of the Creature (Creature’s attorneys try to refute the prosecution’s claims):  10 minutes

3) Rebuttal (Victor’s attorneys respond to the refutation attempted by the prosecution):  5 minutes

4)  Prosecution of Victor (the Creature’s attorneys present their case, and evidence, against him):  15 minutes

5)  Defense of Victor (Victor’s’s attorneys try to refute the prosecution’s claims):  10 minutes

6) Rebuttal (the Creature’s attorneys respond to the refutation attempted by the prosecution): 5 mintues

7)  Closing statements (in which each side sums up its case)

Monster’s side:  10 minutes

Victor’s side:  10 minutes

Professor Schoerke will moderate, and Katrin will serve as Court Reporter

oh my GOD this is way too much okay i dont want to be in this class anymore