Now that you have completed Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, you are in
a good position to consider what critics have written about the novel.
You will need a total of two critiques (also known as critical analysis
essays) for this assignment.
First, use the selection of links below to locate a critical analysis
essay written about the 1818 version of Mary Shelley's novel. You may
focus most of your attention on this first critique. If the author of your
critique is not specified, focus on the publication of the critique.
Choose from among these sources:
Romantic Circle's Critiques:
Critique 1
Critique 2
Critique 3
Critique 4
Critique 5
Critique 6
Professor Naomi Hetherington’s critique
The questions in the study guides should have helped you evaluate
this criticism in your head. Now it’s time to write it down!
3/26/20, 8:49 PM
Page 1 of 5
Your evaluation may go more smoothly if you approach the guiding
questions in this order:
Evaluate the critic/author:
Who wrote the criticism you read? What credentials does the author
have? (If you are using a valid source, you should be able to find these
easily)
Find the thesis of the article:
What is the thesis of the critical article you’ve chosen? What point
does the author want to make about Frankenstein?
Evaluate the thesis:
Do you agree with this thesis? Why or why not? We’ve covered many
ideas in the study guides. Can you find points within the guides that
support your agreement or disagreement with the critical writer(s)?
Look for new supporting information rather than revisiting the same
ones the critics have chosen.
Evaluate the support:
Whether you agree or disagree with the thesis, does the critic provide
sufficient research from the text and outside references to make a
strong case? What does the article have for support from the text or
outside sources? In your opinion, what makes these references valid?
Do you feel the author uses this support properly?
Next, locate a second critique about the novel that includes ideas
somewhat similar (genre classification, for instance) to any of the
discussions you have in your essay. The second critique can either
3/26/20, 8:49 PM
Page 2 of 5
support or refute any of the claims in your paper. The objective of this
a portion of the essay is to further support your opinion of the primary
critic’s thesis or support. Therefore, for example, if you choose a
the secondary article that refutes any of your claims, you will need to
counteract those ideas to bring the focus of your essay back in
alignment with your essay’s thesis (your personal opinion of how the
the primary critic is either correct or incorrect in his or her thesis claim
and/or how the first critic is either effective or ineffective in his or her
support). Every discussion in this essay should ultimately support the
claim you make in your thesis.
For instance, if the first critic argues that Shelley’s writing is juvenile,
and if you agree, does the second critic also support this thesis? How so? If the second critic does not support your assessment of the first critic's thesis, what evidence can you use from the text to argue that the second critic is incorrect? Consider another example: if the first critic believes the novel is autobiographical, and if you disagree, does the second critic help you argue your own view of the first critic's thesis? If so, how? Perhaps the second critic disagrees with your view and feels the novel is autobiographical-- if that's the case, be prepared to use evidence from the text to refute the second critic’s thesis and support your own argument. Using two critiques in this way will allow you to create a polished, comprehensive Evaluation Essay that allows you to connect your own ideas to those of seasoned critics.
In addition to addressing each of the evaluative components above,
develop your essay so it has a clear introduction, body, and
conclusion. You must include an evaluative thesis statement in both
the introduction and the conclusion. Ensure that each of your claims is
supported with valid evidence from the literary criticism you have
3/26/20, 8:49 PM
Page 3 of 5
chosen; the novel, Frankenstein; and/or the study guides.
Using proper MLA style, insert parenthetical citations for all borrowed
information in addition to a Works Cited page for Frankenstein and
your chosen literary critiques; you are not required to cite the study
guides if you use them.
Helpful Hints: For a thesis statement, try answering a question like:
How and how well does this piece of criticism state and support its
the argument regarding Frankenstein?
You might use these as possible guidelines in crafting your thesis
statement:
(Critic, aka author of the critique) uses (add critic title) to (add an
adjective to describe the effectiveness of the argument such as
“adequately” or “inadequately”) argue that (add critic’s thesis) by
(explain why and/or include your support).
OR
(Critic)’s (add critique title) (add an adjective to describe the
effectiveness of the argument such as “adequately” or
“inadequately”) argue that (add critic’s thesis) because (explain why
and/or include your support).
More specific thesis examples:
John Smith uses "Frankenstein Critique Essay" to adequately argue
that Victor's mother created the first monster by coddling Victor as a
boy.
OR
John Smith's "Frankenstein Critique Essay" does not effectively argue
3/26/20, 8:49 PM
Page 4 of 5
that Victor's mother created the first monster because of the novel
Frankenstein too strongly supports inherent good or bad, which means
nurturing roles cannot be held responsible.