Frankenstein by Gris Grimly Study Guide (Volume 1, Chapters 1–7)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the characters, settings, plot events, and central themes of Volume 1, Chapters 1–7 of Gris Grimly's illustrated adaptation of Frankenstein.

Robert Walton

An Arctic explorer whose loneliness and ambition echo Victor's, and whose crew rescues Victor on the ice.

Victor Frankenstein

A brilliant, ambitious student from Geneva whose obsession with creating life causes him to neglect his health and relationships.

The creature

The living being created by Victor from lifeless matter, which is not named Frankenstein in the story and is abandoned due to its appearance.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Victor's close companion adopted into the Frankenstein family, described as caring, compassionate, and ready to defend Justine.

Henry Clerval

Victor's loyal childhood friend who arrives at Ingolstadt and nurses him through a serious illness.

Alphonse Frankenstein

Victor's father, who shares the family's tragic news with him.

Caroline Frankenstein

Victor's mother, whose death before he leaves for university deeply affects the family.

William Frankenstein

Victor's youngest brother, whose murder drives the tragedy in Chapters 6 and 7.

Justine Moritz

A young woman close to the Frankenstein family who is wrongly blamed, pressured into a false confession, and convicted for William's murder.

Geneva

The city of Victor's childhood and family home, to which he returns upon learning of William's death.

Ingolstadt

The university city where Victor studies, encounters modern science, and animates lifeless matter in isolation.

Cornelius Agrippa

An old thinker whose writings feed Victor's early curiosity regarding the secrets of nature and life.

Professor Krempe

A professor at Ingolstadt who dismisses Victor's prior reading and old studies.

Professor Waldman

A professor at Ingolstadt who inspires Victor to pursue modern science.

Lightning-struck tree

A phenomenon in Chapter 2 that exposes Victor to the power of electricity and prompts him to question his previous learning.

William's keepsake

The missing possession found with Justine Moritz that causes her to be accused and convicted of murder.

Ambition and its dangers

A theme centering on how Victor's desire to achieve something extraordinary turns destructive when limits and responsibilities are neglected.

Responsibility

A theme reflected in Victor creating life but abandoning his creation instead of managing the consequences.

Isolation

A theme illustrated by Victor's secrecy cutting him off from loved ones and Walton feeling lonely on his expedition.

Appearance and judgment

A theme evident when the creature is shunned for its looks and Justine is convicted despite her good character.

Guilt and silence

A theme exemplified by Victor's failure to voice his suspicions, which deepens his suffering and leaves Justine defenseless.