Frankenstein

Where is Robert Walton going? What has he been told by other explorers about the place and what purpose does he hope to accomplish?

North Pole; told him bad things will; wants to discover what makes the compass needle point north and passages from the north pole to other countries

How did he prepare for this undertaking?

Where is he when he writes the first letter, and where does he intend to go?

What will he do at the destination when he gets there?

What does Walton say he needs above anything else?

What influenced him to choose the lieutenant that he did and what does Walton say sets him apart from other men?

What promise does he make to his sister?

Why were the men unable to move?

What did the stranger want to know before he came on board the ship?

How does Walton describe the stranger’s eyes?

Why did the stranger say he had come so far north?

Summarize what the stranger says has happened.

Why does the stranger decide to tell Walton about his past?

Describe the circumstances under which Frankenstein’s parents meet and fall in love. Is this a relationship of equals? And what in this relationship reinforces the theme of the danger of human pride?

On p. 35, Frankenstein discusses the philosophy that guides his parents as they raise him. How would you describe his childhood? What does he seem to think is essential in the attitude of a parent towards its child?

How does Elizabeth Lavenza become a part of the Frankenstein family? Some writers have criticized Mary Shelley for what they see as a very classist – almost racist – and certainly sexist attitude as evidenced through her portrayal of Elizabeth. Can you find any evidence for this accusation?

Compare and contrast Victor and his friend, Henry Clerval.

Identify Cornelius Agrippa. (No Harry Potter references necessary!) Why does he appeal to Frankenstein? How does Frankenstein imply that his father is to blame for what later would become a very unhealthy understanding of science?

When he was fifteen, what did Frankenstein see that made him doubt that the ancient philosophers who had so intrigued him could ever provide real knowledge?

What happens to the tree in chapter two – and what might be the symbolic meaning behind this act?

What kind of experiments does Frankenstein engage in when he returns home?

Frankenstein breaks his narrative briefly to comment on the “secret” he has discovered, and his listener’s interest in hearing that secret. What is Frankenstein’s comment on this issue?

What do Frankenstein’s outward appearance and his relationship with nature in chapter 4 tell us about his thirst for knowledge – what is it doing to him?

What mood does Shelley create in the opening paragraph of ch. 5? And what words/phrases does she use to create this mood?

Describe the creature’s appearance?

How does Clerval come to Frankenstein’s aid? (What does he do for him? From what is Frankenstein suffering? etc.)

Who is Justine Moritz and what is her affiliation with the Frankenstein family?

What subject is Clerval interested in studying? Explain Frankenstein’s feelings toward the natural sciences and why he feels this way?

Why does Elizabeth say she has killed William?

When Victor returns home, the dark descriptions of Mont Blanc reflect his sorrowful spirit. What horror does he see during the storm and what does he realize?

Why is Justine thought to have murdered William?

Explain Justine’s defense according to her testimony.

Why does Justine say she confessed?

At the end of this chapter, Victor says that William and Justine are “the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts.” Why does he call his efforts to create life “unhallowed arts”?

What word adds the element of foreshadowing to this statement?

As Victor’s despair leads him to consider suicide, why does he decide against it? Explain his reasons.

Victor decides to escape to nature. What mountain is especially significant for him?

Briefly describe his vacillating moods during this journey?

Describe Victor’s initial and subsequent reaction when he sees the creature?

What reasons prompt Victor to listen to the creature’s story?

Describe the creature’s first sensations upon waking.

What new knowledge does the creature gain from a fire left by some beggars?

What new knowledge does the creature gain from the man in a hut?

What new knowledge does the creature gain from a village?

What new knowledge does the creature gain from a hovel attached to a cottage in the countryside?

The creature discovers a main cause of the cottagers’ distress is

What “gift” does the creature bestow upon the cottagers?

What amazing fact does the creature learn about words?

Why does the creature now call himself a “foolish wretch”—for having thought what?

Who is Safie and what effect does she have on the household?

As Safie learns the language, so does the creature. What book teaches Safie (and the creature) about the early Greeks and Romans, chivalry, Christianity, and the discovery of the Americas?

How does the creature respond to the fate of the native Americans?

Like Walton and Victor, the creature seeks knowledge. Why does it bring him despair? (last 5-6 paragraphs of this chapter)

Briefly explain the history of Safie and the DeLacey family’s relationship

Explain what the creature learns from each of the following books he finds: Plutarch’s Lives

Explain what the creature learns from each of the following books he finds: Sorrows of Werter

Explain what the creature learns from each of the following books he finds: John Milton’s Paradise Lost

Explain the contrast in God’s treatment of his creation and Frankenstein’s treatment of his creation.

When the young people are gone, the creature enters the cottage and has a pleasant conversation with the old man. Why does the old man not fear him?

How does the creature react when he discovers the DeLacey family will never return to the cottage because of their fear? To what emotion does he turn for the first time? Whom does he decide he must find?

What happens when he saves a young girl from drowning?

Why does the creature say he wanted to talk to William?

Why does he put the locket from William’s body in the pocket of Justine?

What request does he make of Frankenstein? And what does he promise to do if the request is granted?

In the fourth paragraph, the creature claims he is “malicious because [he] is ____________.” How does this idea work with the issue of personal responsibility? Who is responsible for the creature’s actions: Frankenstein or the creature? Explain your reasoning.

What does Frankenstein demand of the creature in return for fulfilling his request?

As Frankenstein contemplates the difficulty of creating another monster, to what country does he think he must go for help/advice?

What does Frankenstein put off or delay until he can make the second monster?

What is foreshadowed in the last couple of pages of chapter 18?

Frankenstein begins collecting parts for his project. How does he feel about this?

Trace Victor and Clerval’s journey in this chapter: London - _____ - Matlock - Derby - _____ and _____ - Edinburgh - Perth.

At Perth, Victor leaves Clerval to explore Scotland on his own. What is he determined to do?

How long has it been since Victor created the first creature?

Why does Victor decide to tear up the second creature?

The monster says to Frankenstein: “You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!” What does he mean? How is he Frankenstein’s master?

What is in the basket Victor throws into the water in the middle of the night?

When Victor falls asleep in his boat, in what country does he end up?

For whose murder is Victor imprisoned?

Mr. Kirwin has compassion for Victor and sends for to come see him.

Why is Victor acquitted of Clerval’s murder?

What is a fortnight?

Elizabeth asks Victor if he has delayed coming home because he

What promise (threat) from the creature does Victor remember?

Explain this Biblical allusion and tell how it is true in Victor’s hope for happiness in marriage. “Sweet and beloved Elizabeth! I read and reread her letter, and some softened feelings stole into my heart and dared to whisper paradisiacal dreams of love and joy; but the apple had already been eaten, and the angel’s arm bared to drive me from all hope.”

On his wedding night, Victor prepares to be attacked by the monster. What mistake does he make?

When Victor tells his whole story to a magistrate and asks him to find the murderous monster, why does the magistrate say Victor should prepare himself for disappointment?

As Victor chases the monster over the earth, when is the only time he finds joy?

According to his letter to his sister, does Walton believe Victor’s story?

What does Victor ask Walton to do if Victor dies?

What question does Walton ask Victor that causes Victor to call him “mad”?

As Walton’s ship is completely encompassed by ice, what do his men vote to do if they ever break free from the ice?

What is Walton’s opinion of their choice and how does his reaction make him comparable to Victor’s quest for knowledge? (Be sure you understand the connection between both their dreams and this theme.)

Whom does Walton discover standing over Victor after he dies?

How does the monster react to Victor’s death?

The monster compares himself to “the fallen angel” who became “a malignant devil” (Shelley 239). This statement alludes to Satan’s fall from an angel in heaven, as recorded in the Bible and described in John Milton’s epic poem, “Paradise Lost.” How does the monster describe himself in his early life as contrasted with what he has become?

At the end of the novel, what is the monster’s plan for his death?