Exploring Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein

Objective

By the end of the 45-minute lesson, students will be able to:

Analyze character development and theme in Gris Grimly’s adaptation of Frankenstein.
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of how illustrations and narrative combine to impact meaning.
Write a concise journal entry reflecting on the interplay of text and illustrations in shaping the story’s tone.

Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards — English Language Arts (8th Grade)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.7
Analyze the extent to which a multimedia text’s illustrations contribute to meaning, tone, or beauty of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues.

Materials

Copies of Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein (excerpts focusing on key illustrated passages)
Journals or notebook paper
Projector or smartboard for displaying images
Graphic organizer handouts (character/theme analysis)

Lesson Breakdown

1. Bellringer & Focus (5 minutes)

Prompt: “What do you already know about Frankenstein’s monster? Is it scary, misunderstood, or something else?”
Students write a quick 3-4 sentence response in their journals.
Select 2-3 volunteers to share their thinking aloud — set the tone for exploring complexity beyond stereotypes.

2. Introduction to Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein (5 minutes)

Briefly introduce Gris Grimly and the idea of storytelling through both text and illustration.
Project one of the iconic Grimly illustrations depicting the creature.
Ask: “What emotions or ideas does the illustration evoke before we even read the text?”
Discuss how art can set tone or deepen understanding.

3. Close Reading & Textual Analysis (15 minutes)

Distribute an excerpt featuring both Grimly’s unique illustrations and text (about 2-3 pages).
Students read independently or in pairs.
Using a graphic organizer, students identify:
- Key traits of the creature or Victor Frankenstein conveyed by text
- How illustrations complement or complicate the written description
- Emerging themes or tone (fear, loneliness, ambition, etc.)
Teacher models an example analysis with the projector.

4. Collaborative Discussion (10 minutes)

Arrange students into small groups of 4-5.
Prompt each group to:
- Discuss how the illustrations change their understanding of the characters compared to traditional Frankenstein stories they may know
- Identify specific evidence (text or image) supporting their ideas about theme or tone
Groups prepare a brief summary of their insights.
Speaker from each group shares key points with the class.

5. Reflective Writing (8 minutes)

Students write a journal entry responding to:
“How do Gris Grimly’s illustrations influence your emotional response to Frankenstein’s story? How might this shape your perspective on the creature and his creator?”
Encourage use of specific examples from text and art.

6. Closing & Exit Ticket (2 minutes)

Quick exit ticket prompt on index cards or slips:
“Write one new insight you gained about Frankenstein’s character or theme from today’s lesson.”
Collect for informal formative assessment.

Differentiation Strategies

Provide audio recordings of the text for students with reading difficulties.
Offer sentence starters for writing and graphic organizer prompts to support English Language Learners.
Challenge advanced students to consider how Grimly’s visual style compares to other adaptations or the original Mary Shelley novel.

Teacher Reflection Notes

Gauge students’ ability to integrate textual and visual analysis — a key skill for 8th grade CCSS.
Monitor engagement during group discussions; scaffold as needed to deepen critical thinking.
Use exit tickets to plan follow-up lessons on narrative perspective and theme development.

This lesson fully aligns with 8th grade Common Core State Standards, integrating multimodal analysis and textual evidence skills through a captivating graphic narrative. The combination of writing, discussion, and visual analysis offers depth and accessibility, engaging diverse learners while fostering critical thinking.