Frankenstein Chapter 10 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the phrase 'a terrifically desolate scene' suggest about Victor's retreat to nature?

He finds comfort despite feelings of grief. (correct)

He finds beauty in society.

He prefers civilization over isolation.

Nature completely comforts him.

How do the pines in the landscape reflect Victor's mood?

They personify the landscape, adding severity and reflecting his guilt following Justine's death.

What does the sun symbolize in the monster's speech?

The sun symbolizes the monster's morality and the illumination of goodness in his tale.

What literary device is illustrated by 'rain poured from the dark sky and added to the melancholy'?

Pathetic fallacy Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'the sea of ice [...] rising like the waves of a troubled sea' represent?

It describes the glacier using a simile to convey Victor's troubled outlook. Signup and view all the answers

How is the monster depicted as a Christ-like figure?

He parallels Jesus by seeking refuge in the desert, suggesting he can teach humanity. Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor's statement about man's sensibilities showcase?

It emphasizes man's perceived superiority over nature, while actually indicating his inferiority. Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor's direct address to nature reveal about his feelings?

He would prefer death over returning to society and seeks oblivion over responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What does the past tense in 'I was benevolent [...] You, my creator, abhor me' signify?

It indicates a change in the monster and his moral condition. Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote 'I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel' allude to?

It alludes to Milton's narrative, likening the monster's situation to Adam and Satan. Signup and view all the answers

What does the monster's plea reflect in relation to Victor's power?

It reflects the monster's belief that Victor holds the power to change their fates. Signup and view all the answers

Locke imagined people as a kind of _____ or tabula rasa.

blank canvas Signup and view all the answers

Shelley's critique of where such highly abstracted creative powers can lead is illustrated in _____ 2003.

Hindle Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Themes of Nature and Isolation

Victor experiences a heavy sense of grief and guilt, finding temporary solace in desolate natural landscapes.
The beauty in nature is coupled with a feeling of desolation, reflecting Victor's emotional turmoil and longing for escape from societal pressures.

Personification and Guilt

Nature mirrors Victor's mood through somber, serious pines, revealing his inner guilt and struggles after Justine's death.
Victor perceives slight disturbances in nature as threatening, indicating his emotional instability and ongoing guilt.

Symbolism of the Sun

The sun symbolizes the monster's moral journey and the potential for goodness, highlighting themes of hope before foreshadowing his fall similar to Satan's.
The descent of the sun suggests impending doom for Victor, as judgment against the monster parallels Victor’s own decline.

Pathetic Fallacy

Weather forecasts the monster's arrival, enhancing the sense of disturbance in Victor's isolated setting.
Melancholy is represented through an emotional lens, focusing on Victor's psychological state rather than external factors, emphasizing his internal guilt.

Similes and Nature's Role

Comparison of ice glaciers to a troubled sea showcases Victor's turbulent emotions and the chaos he has brought upon himself by defying nature's order.

Christ-like Monster

The monster is portrayed as a figure akin to Christ, drawing parallels to Jesus’s retreat to the desert for self-reflection and insight into humanity.

Human Superiority and Nature

Victor’s observation about human emotions reveals the underlying message of humanity's inferiority to nature's power and stability.
Nature serves as a reminder of Victor's mortality and his flawed superiority over natural elements.

Victor’s Desperation

Direct plea to nature illustrates Victor’s acceptance of his flawed serenity, preferring death over the responsibilities of his societal role, indicating a deep internal conflict.

The Monster’s Transformation

The past tense reveals a significant shift in the monster's emotional state, embodying the mutable nature of morality.
The dynamic between Victor and the monster showcases the complexity of their relationship, establishing a tone of accusation and power disparity.

Miltonic Allusion

The monster compares himself to both Adam and Satan, emphasizing his fall from grace and presenting him in a sympathetic light due to his eloquence and self-awareness.
This duality highlights the depth of his character as being wronged, rather than evil, amplifying the reader's sympathy.

Power Dynamics

The monster implicates Victor in a moral obligation to address the chaos unleashed by his creation, reinforcing Victor’s role as a flawed creator.
The destructive nature metaphor of the whirlwind aligns the monster with forces greater than Victor, posing a threat to his existence.

Philosophical References

Locke's idea of the 'blank canvas' emphasizes themes of identity and moral construction in the context of creation, hinting at how experiences shape one's being.
Shelley's critique of creative power critiques philosophical abstractions and their potential consequences, raising questions about responsibility in creation.

Description

Explore key terms and concepts from Chapter 10 of Frankenstein. These flashcards highlight Victor's emotional turmoil as he retreats into nature, using vivid language to describe his internal conflict. Test your understanding of the themes and literary devices used in this crucial chapter.