“It’s alive!” Frankenstein’s monster is alive and well in one AHHS classroom

Seniors Christina Clancy and Karen Abrau were committed to their design, going so far as to take a crotchet class at the Greenburgh Public Library. They had an idea, and they were not going to be let anything stand in their way.

It paid off. The two were awarded a first-place prize as part of their English ECE class where they were part of the “Frankenstein Creature Build Contest.”

“I like doing these kind of creative things,” Christina said. She and her project partner worked closely in deciding what to incorporate in their design. 

The class had read the classic 1818 gothic novel, Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley and discussed its themes of ambition, responsibility, humanity and more. 

Rather than have her students write a traditional essay exploring the novel’s themes further, teacher Carrie Silva assigned them a building project. They were to put themselves in Dr. Frankenstein’s shoes and create a monster of their own using items they could easily find around them.

“I wanted them to analyze and develop themes, ideas and concepts without another writing assignment,” Ms. Silva said. “I’m always impressed with the level of analysis,” her students in the college-level course share.

Ms. Silva has been hosting the contest, judged by fellow teachers, for years and said she is always amazed at what her students come up with.

“It’s a way for them to exercise some of the skills they may have,” she said.

That is where Christina and Karen’s crotchet skills come in. The two wanted to incorporate the idea of playing God and use Biblical images. Together they crotched a green snake and a red apple representing the Garden of Eden’s first man.

Karen said too that they researched ideas on Pinterest.

“We tried to look at stories we had heard when we were younger, about Frankenstein, and tried to connect it to our display,” Karen said.

“I am impressed every year at how creative they are,” Ms. Silva said of her students. “They really embrace the concepts and connections they have made with the novel.”

The winning students’ design also includes a stuffed animal where they modified its face to make it more gruesome and incorporated a mirror showing Dr. Frankenstein’s reflection as he worked on creating his monster.

The two said it took them about four days to put together.

“I liked this project the most,” Christina said, adding that it was very different from other schoolwork she does.

“It was interesting,” Karen agreed.