English IV Midterm Study Guide

Frankenstein

A novel by Mary Shelley that explores themes of ambition, isolation, and the consequences of creating life.

Victor Frankenstein

The scientist who creates the creature; his ambition leads to tragic consequences.

The creature

Victor's creation, initially benevolent but ultimately vengeful due to rejection and isolation.

Catalyst

A character or event that causes a significant change; in the novel, the creature acts as a catalyst for Victor's downfall.

De Lacey family

A poor but loving family that the creature observes, representing compassion amidst their hardships.

Isolation

A key theme in the novel, highlighting the destructive effects of being cut off from society.

Romanticism

An artistic and intellectual movement emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism.

Ambition

Victor's driving force that ultimately leads to his and others' destruction.

Natural philosophy

An early form of science that fascinated Victor, leading him to attempt to create life.

Paradise Lost

A poem by John Milton that deeply influences the creature, relating to feelings of rejection.

Empathy

Understanding and vicariously experiencing the feelings of others; the creature seeks empathy from the De Lacey family.

Justine Moritz

A servant wrongfully executed for William's murder, representing innocence and societal injustice.

Henry Clerval

Victor's best friend who represents loyalty and goodness, but ultimately suffers from Victor's actions.

Geneva

Victor's hometown, representing both his privilege and the setting of his early life.

Ingolstadt

The university where Victor studies and pursues his scientific ambitions.

Guilt

A recurring emotion experienced by Victor, resulting from his responsibilities for the creature.

Selfishness

Victor's trait that leads to tragic outcomes for both himself and those around him.

Revenge

A driving motivation for the creature, stemming from his feelings of abandonment and hatred.

Companionship

An important theme in the novel, highlighting the need for relationships and the pain of loneliness.

Adam

A figure from the Bible, with whom the creature identifies early in his existence.

Satan

Another figure from Paradise Lost with whom the creature identifies, representing his feelings of loss and frustration.

Nature

Represents the emotional states of characters in the novel; it can provide comfort or reflect chaos.

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

Knowledge is knowing facts; wisdom is understanding the consequences of one's actions.

Margaret Saville

Walton's sister, who receives letters detailing Victor's story, representing the audience's perspective.

Victor's health

Becomes increasingly poor due to stress and guilt over the creature and the consequences of his actions.

Fear and horror

Victor's reactions upon realizing the true nature of his creation, leading to abandonment of the creature.

Alienation

A key theme, illustrated by the creature's experiences with society and Victor's self-imposed isolation.

Tragedy

The inevitable outcome of Victor's choices, culminating in loss and despair.

Empirical science

The type of science Victor engages in, examined critically through the narrative.

Dramatic irony

Occurs when the audience knows more about the characters' fates than they do themselves.

Loss of innocence

A theme explored through the creature's transformation from innocent to vengeful.

Societal rejection

Plays a crucial role in the creature's development and actions throughout the novel.

Creativity

Not only a part of Victor's ambition but also the essence of the creature's quest for identity.

Metaphor of creation

Shelley uses the creature's existence to explore deeper questions of responsibility, creator vs. creation.

Elisabeth Lavenza

Victor's fiancée, symbolizes both love and the innocent victims of Victor's obsession.

Walton

An explorer whose ambition mirrors Victor's, showcasing the broader themes of exploration and regret.

Victorian morality

Context within which the novel critiques the boundaries of scientific exploration and ethical considerations.

Parental responsibility

The moral obligation Victor neglects towards his creature, leading to tragic consequences.

Fear of the unknown

Influences many characters' perspectives on the creature and its impact on society.

Resentment

A key emotion felt by both the creature and Victor, guiding their destructive paths.

Literary Allusion

Shelley uses characters and events that reference broader human experiences and stories.

Human nature

Examined throughout the novel, questioning what it means to be human.

Scientific hubris

Victor's overreaching ambition in science is portrayed as dangerously irresponsible.

Existential longing

Both Victor and the creature grapple with their purposes and desires throughout the narrative.