frankenstein: themes + characters

Why inspired Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein?

A dream during a ghost story contest with Percy Shelley and Lord Byron

What is the subtitle of Frankenstein and why is it important?

The modern Prometheus links to the Greek myth of Prometheus who stole Fire From the Gods

What genre does Frankenstein belong to?

Gothic novel with elements of romanticism

How does Frankenstein respond to the age of reason?

It critiques blind faith in progress reason and human perfectibility

What major work heavily influenced Frankenstein?

Milton’s Paradise lost

What is one of the central themes in Frankenstein?

The danger of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of knowledge

How does Shelley explore isolation?

Both Victor and the monster suffer from intense loneliness leading to tragedy

What role does nature play in the novel?

Nature is portrayed as sublime and restorative but also also punishes hubris

How does the novel address revenge?

Both Victor and the monster become consumed by revenge which leads to mutual destruction. Victor loses his whole family, whereas the monster waste his life trying to destroy Victor

What is Shelley’s view and prejudice?

She criticises how society judge is based on appearance shown through the monster rejection which is also an indirect criticism of the romantic movement

How does the novel portray lost innocence?

Victor the monster even Elizabeth always innocence through suffering and betrayal

What does life symbolise in the novel?

Enlightenment and knowledge – but also danger and blindness

What does fire represent in Frankenstein?

Like Prometheus’s gift fire represents both creation and destruction

Who is Victor Frankenstein?

A brilliant book flawed scientist who ambition leads him to create the monster which inevitably ruins his life

Who is the monster?

A nameless intelligent creature rejected for his appearance who turns vengeful after being abandoned. him not having a name shows that he has no place within society.

Who is Robert Walton?

An Arctic explorer who narrates the frame story and parallels victory in ambition. I don’t know how we see him at the start of the novel via his four letters and at the end of the novel.

Who is Elizabeth Levanza?

Victor’s adopted sister and later his wife who represents the idealised womanhood

Who is Henry Clerval?

Victor‘s best friend who is the opposite of him he follows and represents the romantic movement. He is kind, imaginative and devoted, and appreciates the sublime beauty of nature.

Who is Justine Moritz?

A wrongly executed servant in the Frankenstein household

Who is De Lacy?

A blind man who treats the monster kindly and is free of prejudice. due to him being blind he is unable to see the monsters appearance and accepts him for who he is.