Frankenstein Study Guide Answers

What does Robert Walton hope to accomplish on his voyage?

Robert Walton hopes to fulfill his curiosity, achieve glory, and attain self-knowledge.

How did Walton prepare himself for the expedition?

He accompanied whale-fishers on several expeditions to the North Sea to endure cold, famine, thirst, and want of sleep. He worked harder during day, and studied mathematics, theory of medicine, and branches of physical science during the night.

What did Walton read for the first 14 years of his life?

Walton read his Uncle Thomas's books of voyages for the first 14 years of his life to self-educate himself.

How old is Robert Walton?

Robert Walton is 28 years old.

Why did the ship's master decide not to get married?

The ship's master generously gave up his love for his fiancé so that she could be with another man whom she loved.

How far is the ship from land when Walton sees the gigantic figure in the dogsled?

At the distance of half a mile.

How does Walton describe his expedition when his new passenger asks about the ship's destination?

Walton says that he is on a voyage of discovery towards the northern pole.

How does Walton feel about the man he rescues?

Walton begins to love him as a brother and describes him as gentle and wise.

Why is the man Walton rescues traveling alone on the ice?

The man travels alone on the ice to seek the one who fled from him.

How does Walton feel about hearing his new friend's story?

Walton is grateful for his new friend and speaks of his desire for a new friend and intimate sympathy.

How did Victor's father spend his "younger days"?

Victor's father spent his younger days occupied by the affairs of his country.

While Victor was intrigued by science as a child, what were Elizabeth's chief interests?

Elizabeth thirsted for knowledge and took interest in poetry and nature.

What did Henry Clerval write when he was nine years old?

He composed heroic songs and wrote many tales of adventure.

Where does Victor first come across the works of Agrippa?

He comes across the works of Agrippa in an inn near the baths near Thonon.

What does Victor witness during the thunderstorm?

A burning oak that was struck by thunder to become nothing but a blasted stump.

Why doesn't Henry Clerval attend the university with Victor?

His father saw idleness and ruin in the aspirations and ambition of his Henry, and wants him to join the family business (commerce)

What subject does Professor M. Krempe teach?

Professor M. Krempe teaches natural philosophy.

How does M. Waldman react when he hears the names of Agrippa and Paracelsus?

Mr. Waldman smiles, without showing contempt.

Before he leaves for the university, what does Victor hope to accomplish with his scientific studies?

Victor hopes to banish disease from the human frame, and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death.

According to Professor Waldman, what have the "modern masters" learned about blood and air?

The modern masters have learned that blood circulates and of the nature of the air we breathe.

After he begins his study of natural philosophy, how does Victor feel about M. Waldman?

Victor believes M. Waldman is a true friend.

How tall does Victor plan to make his creature?

8 feet.

How does Victor describe himself after his months of study?

Victor's passion was growing as he worked on his creation, lost a sense of feeling to nature, and forgot his friends and family.

In what month does Victor finally complete his experiment?

Victor finally completes his experiment on November.

What color is the creature's hair and lips?

His hair was of a lustrous black and his lips were straight black.

After he brings the creature to life, who does Victor dream about meeting in Ingolstadt?

Victor dreams about meeting Elizabeth Ingolstadt.

What does the creature do when he visits Victor in his bedroom?

The creature grins and reaches his hand out to Victor.

As he wanders the streets of Ingolstadt, what poem does Victor quote?

Victor quotes Coleridge's Ancient Mariner.

After he recovers from his illness, how does Victor react when he finally sees his laboratory instruments again?

Victor describes his feelings as a slow and cruel death due to his anxiety caused by the trauma of the experiment.

When Henry invents tales to amuse Victor, what kind of writers does he imitate?

Henry imitates Persian and Arabic writers to amuse Victor.

Who is Ernest Frankenstein?

Ernest Frankenstein is the younger brother of Victor Frankenstein.

Why did William hide from Ernest in Plainpalais?

William and Ernest had been playing together.

Why did Elizabeth feel responsible for William's murder?

Elizabeth had allowed William to wear her valuable miniature (picture of Caroline which was given by Caroline) which tempted the murderer to kill William.

How long has Victor been away from home, studying at Ingolstadt?

Victor has been away from home for 6 years.

When Victor sees the creature in the Alps, why doesn't he pursue it?

He doesn't pursue it because it would be useless to do so.

How has Elizabeth changed in the six years since Victor has seen her?

Elizabeth has grown up with loveliness surpassing the beauty of her childish years.

How does Justine look and behave during her trial?

Justine looked clam and behaved confidently in her innocence.

How did Justine react when she was shown William's body?

She falls into violent hysterics and is horrified.

Whom does Victor consider to be the "true murderer" of William?

Victor considers himself as the true murderer of William.

How does Elizabeth feel after she visits Justine in prison?

Elizabeth feels relieved that Justine is innocent and pitiful towards her, but after Justine's death (execution), Elizabeth feels deep grief for her.

Where does the Frankenstein family move to after Justine is executed?

Frankenstein's family moves their house at Belrive.

How does Victor spend his time at Belrive?

Victor takes his boat and sails wherever the wind takes him.

When does Victor like to sail his boat?

Victor likes to sail his boat often, after the rest of the family retires for the night.

Besides sailing, what else does Victor consider doing at the lake?

He considers plunge into the silent lake so that the waters could close over him and his anxieties.

How do Victor and his family travel to Chamonix?

First on horseback and then on a mule.

What is Victor looking at when the creature appears?

Victor looks at the mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc and Montanvert.

What does Victor call the creature when he first sees him?

Victor calls the creature a devil and vile insect.

What happens when Victor tries to attack the creature?

When Victor tries to attack the creature, the creature easily eludes him.

Why does Victor agree to listen to the creature's story?

Victor agrees to listen to the creature's story because he is curious and had compassion towards the creature, feeling as though it is his duty as a creator to listen.

What is the creature's mood when he enters the hut with Victor?

When the creature enters the hut with Victor, the creature is exultant or rejoicing.

What is the first food the creature eats when he goes into the forest?

The first food the creature eats when he goes into the forest are berries.

What does the creature call the moon?

The creature calls the moon an orb of night.

What weapons do the villagers use to attack the creature?

The villagers use stones and other kinds of missile weapons to attack the creature.

What does Agatha, the young girl, do after she finishes playing her musical instrument?

Agatha sobs and kneels at the old man's feet (De Lacey).

Why is the creature perplexed at first by the unhappiness of the peasant family?

The creature is perplexed by the fact that the peasant family is unhappy even with shelter, fire, food, clothes, etc. The creature doesn't know that the peasant family is in poverty.

Who is the saddest member of the peasant family?

Felix is the saddest member of the peasant family.

Do Felix, Agatha, and their father realize it is the creature who is helping them?

No, they think that it is a wonderful, good spirit which helps them.

How does Felix change when Safie arrives?

Felix becomes ravished with delight and every trait of sorrow vanishes from his face.

What pet name does Felix call his fiancée?

Felix calls Safie his sweet Arabian.

What book does Felix use to instruct Safie?

Felix uses a book called Volney's Ruins of Empires.

What French city did the De Laceys live in?

The De Laceys lived in the French city, Paris.

At the conclusion of his trial, what sentence does Safie's father receive?

Safie's father is condemned to death at the conclusion of his trial.

Why didn't Safie's father want her to marry Felix?

He loathed the idea that Safie would marry a Christian.

What does Safie take with her when she leaves Turkey?

Safie takes some jewels and a sum of money when she leaves Turkey.

What are the creature's "chief delights" when he is living in the shed?

The creature's chief delights were the sight of flowers, the birds, and all the gay apparel of the summer.

How does old De Lacey describe the hearts of men to the creature?

De Lacey describes the hearts of men as full of brotherly love and charity when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest.

What does the De Lacey family do after their encounter with the creature?

Agatha faints, Safie runs out of the cottage, and Felix attacks the creature. The creature never sees them again.

What does the creature do to the De Laceys' cottage?

The creature burns down DeLacey's cottage.

What happens when the creature sees the young girl fall into the stream?

The creature runs up to the young girl to save her and drag her to shore.

Why does the creature think William will not be frightened by his appearance?

The creature thinks William will not be frightened by his appearance because he was unprejudiced, innocent, and gullible due to his young age.

Why does Victor want to go to England?

Victor wants to go to England because he hears of some discoveries being made in England which will help him create the new companion for the creature.

Why does Alphonse want Victor to marry Elizabeth?

Alphonse wants Victor to marry Elizabeth so that the atmospheric gloom in Victor will dissipate.

How long does Victor plan to be away from Geneva?

Victor plans to be away from Geneva for two years.

What does Victor take with him on his trip?

Victor plans to take his chemical instruments with him on his trip.

What poem does Victor quote from as he describes the beautiful scenery on his trip?

Victor quotes from Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey.

In London, why does Clerval remind Victor of his "former self"?

Clerval reminds Victor of when he was younger, passionate, and enthusiastic.

Why does Victor agree to go to Scotland?

Victor agrees to go to Scotland because he wishes to view the mountains and streams again.

How does Victor feel when he and Henry visit Hampden's tomb?

Victor feels his soul being elevated and dares to shake off his "chains" and look around with a free spirit. However, "iron" begins to eat his flesh and weigh upon him.

While he is traveling in Scotland, what does Victor fear the creature might do?

Victor fears the creature might kill his family, and also thinks that the creature is following him.

To what islands does Victor travel in Scotland?

Victor travels to the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland to work on the companion for the creature.

Where does the creature go after Frankenstein destroys the female creature?

After Frankenstein destroys the female creature, the creature withdraws from Victor's hut and rows out to sea. The creature comes back in a boat to question Victor's motives.

What do the fishermen deliver to Victor while he is sitting on the beach?

The fishermen deliver letters from Geneva and one from Clerval, who asks Victor to join him to travel back to Perth, Scotland.

Does Victor ever reconsider his actions after he destroys the female creature?

Yes, and he resolves that it would be an act of atrocious selfishness. Victor then banishes this thought from his mind to prevent different conclusions.

Is Victor afraid when he is adrift at sea?

Victor is feels terrified at first, but becomes joyful and grateful when he sees land

What language does Victor use to address the Irish people?

Victor addresses the Irish people in English.

How does Victor describe Mr. Kirwin?

Victor describes him as an old benevolent man with calm and mild manners.

What did the fishermen do when they found Clerval's body?

When they found Clerval's body, they brought the body to a nearby house to try to restore him to life, but it appeared that he was strangled.

While he is delirious, what does Victor say that implicates him in the murder of Clerval?

Victor says that he is the murderer of William, Justine, and Clerval.

What does the prison nurse tell Victor about his father?

The prison nurse tells Victor that his father has come to visit him (with Mr. Kirwin).

Does Victor care that he is in prison?

Victor does not care because being in a prison was just as bad as not being in prison for Victor.

After he is released from prison, does Victor tell his father about the creature?

Victor mentions his own "machinations" which had murdered his loved ones, but ever mentions the creature itself.

Why do Victor and Alphonse go to Paris?

Victor and Alphonse go to Paris so that Victor can rest and recover his strength (possibly, also because Alphonse had to attend some business there).

Besides thinking that Victor may have found someone else, why does Elizabeth believe that Victor may not really want to marry her?

Victor's depression makes Elizabeth believe that Victor may not be motivated to marry her.

Does Elizabeth love Victor?

Yes, but is worried that Victor does not.

How does Victor behave in the days leading up to his wedding?

Victor feels his heart sink as the marriage draws closer. Also Victor pretends to be happy, deceiving his father but not Elizabeth.

What does Victor think the monster plans to do on Victor's wedding night?

Victor thinks the monster plans to kill him.

Where do Victor and Elizabeth intend to live after their wedding?

Victor and Elizabeth intend to live in Villa Lavenza near a lake.

How does Victor get back to Geneva from Evian?

Victor gets back to Geneva on boat and hires men to row for him since he is incapable of exertion at the moment.

How does the magistrate react when Victor tells him his story?

The magistrate at first did not believe, but became attentive and interested. However in the end, the magistrate does not believe Victor.

What is Victor's response to the magistrate?

Victor becomes angry and disturbed and leaves furiously.