The Island of Dr. Moreau Lesson Plan

What do you think the recurring offering of alcohol by Montgomery and rejection by Prendick may symbolize in terms of the story's themes and Prendick's character arc?

Students should identify different examples from the text where Montgomery and Prendick discuss the consumption of alcohol. One of the most important pieces to cite is the liquid that Montgomery first gave Prendick to drink when he was pulled onto the Ipecacuanha: it looked like blood, but it was alcohol. Prendick unknowingly drank this, as he abstains from alcohol. It appears that alcohol is being used as a symbol of initiation or hazing, forcing Prendick to join the strange ranks of Montgomery and...