Mock trial

April 9

Task based on Frankenstein novel

You are going to stage a mock trial where the acussed is going to be Victor Frankenstein for the charges of negligence, malpractice, and emotional and physical distress. The trial, like the novel, can have science-fiction or fantasy elements. The case will be heard in civil court, where a suit is brought by one individual (plaintiff) against another (defendant), whereas in criminal court, the case is between the state (prosecution) and the defendant.

Court

You will be divided into 2 groups, Defendants (FOR) and Prosecution attorneys  (AGAINST) each group must develop the arguments according to your position

 

Roles in the court 

Defendants (FOR):

Prosecution attorneys  (AGAINST): 

Accused: Victor Frankenstein

Plaintiff: 

 Bailiff

Jury:

Accused: a person or persons charged in a court of law with a crime, offense, etc. 

Plaintiff  :someone who brings a legal case against someone else in a court of law. 

Prosecuting attorney: a government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state 

Defense counsel: a lawyer who is in charge of defending an accused in the court

Witness: a close observer; someone who looks at something

Bailiff: He/she is the person who keeps order in the court

Guilty: responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act; or marked by guilt; "guilty of murder"

Glossary

Negligence: failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances. Carelessness.

Malpractice: a wrongful act that the actor had no right to do; improper professional conduct; "he charged them with electoral malpractices"

Distress: psychological suffering

Verdict: the finding or decision of a jury on the matter submitted to it in trial.

Suit: a claim or complaint that someone makes in a court of law.

Vocabulary for debates and Discussion

When you want to state an opinion:

• In my opinion____
• I think that_____
• I feel that______
• I believe that______
• It seems to me that________
• If you ask me_____
• I'd say that_______
• The point is________
• As I see it_______
• I'd say that______
• The point is______

When you want someone to repeat or explain:

• I don't understand what you mean
• Would you explain that, please?
• I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your point.
• Could you give an example?
• What do you mean by_____?

When you want to agree with someone:

• You're right
• I think so, too
• I agree with you
• You could be right
• I couldn't agree more
• That's a good point
• I couldn't agree more
• I see what you mean
• That's just what I was thinking
• I agree entirely
• You know, that's exactly what I think

When you want to disagree with someone (in ascending order of formality):

• Yes, but_____
• I disagree
• That's not the point
• No, I think you're wrong
• Up to a point, but________
• Yes, that's quite true, but_____
• I'm not sure I quite agree
• Well, you have a point there, but_____
• Perhaps, but don't you think that_____
• I see what you mean, but________

These can be some arguments you can use in the trial:

1. Some scholars have used Frankenstein as a central piece in their argument against the development of cloning technology. Others argue that the problem was not with Victor Frankenstein's scientific methods but with his responses to his creation—that we should develop cloning technology, but use it wisely. Debate whether the novel is either “for” or “against” cloning. Support your argument with passages from the book.

2. One of the tragedies of Frankenstein is the refusal of other characters in the novel to recognize the monster as a full human being. Brainstorm a list of the qualities that make us human. Which of these qualities does the monster have? Which does he not have?

3. Discuss the role that nature plays in Shelley's novel. Include examples that support your answer.

4. Analyze Mary Shelley's use of setting throughout the novel. Why, for example, does she use the Arctic as the setting for Victor Frankenstein's final confrontation with his creation?