Frankenstein Chapter 5 Analysis

Questions and Answers

How is the night that the creature is born an example of Gothic prose?

It is dark and rainy. The candle is nearly burned out. Overall, a very creepy setting.

What is ironic about the creature's physical appearance?

Victor says he selected the features to be beautiful, but the composite effect is grotesque.

What is romantic about the creature's physical appearance?

The creature's very grotesqueness is Romantic. Additionally, his flowing black hair and pearly white teeth makes him resemble the Byronic hero.

How does Dr. Frankenstein feel about this creation? What does he do after the creation comes to life?

Breathless horror and disgust fill his heart when he sees his creature. He runs from the room. Signup and view all the answers

What event is foreshadowed in the beginning of chapter 5?

Frankenstein has a dream about Elizabeth's death. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frankenstein feel when the creature reaches out to him? What do you think is the creature's reason for reaching out for Dr. Frankenstein?

Frankenstein feels repulsion and disgust when the creature tries to make contact. Shelley is depicting the poignancy of the creature's reaching out for the creator. Signup and view all the answers

What is most likely the cause of Victor's reaction to his success?

Victor is repulsed by the creature's physical ugliness, but the true horror is in the fact that he has overstepped his bounds as a human being. Signup and view all the answers

In Elizabeth's letter to Victor, what is one example of Shelley's support for the revolution in France and republican society?

"The republican institutions of our country have produced simpler and happier manners, those which prevail in the great monarchies that surround it." Signup and view all the answers

What do you learn about in Elizabeth's letter through plot exposition?

We learn the history of Justine, the young girl who once lived in the Frankenstein home. Signup and view all the answers

What sparks Victor's fever?

His fever is brought on by the nervousness he feels about his creature. Signup and view all the answers

How is Victor's recovery an example of Romanticism?

He begins to heal when he sees the beauty of nature - the sky, the flowers, and the smile of children. Signup and view all the answers

How does Shelley create suspense toward the end of these chapters?

One certainly expects some reversal after Victor's apparent recovery. The sudden and unexplained introduction of Justine to the story hints that she will somehow figure into the plot. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gothic Elements in Creation

The creature's birth occurs on a dark, rainy night with a nearly extinguished candle, creating a creepy and foreboding atmosphere typical of Gothic prose.

Irony of the Creature's Appearance

Victor Frankenstein aims for beauty in his creature's design, yet the overall result is a grotesque being, highlighting the irony of his intentions.

Romantic Qualities of the Creature

The grotesqueness of the creature embodies Romantic ideals, with features like flowing black hair and pearly white teeth aligning him with the Byronic hero archetype.

Victor's Emotional Response

Upon seeing the creature come to life, Dr. Frankenstein experiences breathless horror and disgust, prompting him to flee the room in terror.

Foreshadowing in Chapter 5

Early in chapter 5, a troubling dream about Elizabeth's death hints at grim events to unfold later in the story.

Creature's Gesture and Victor's Reaction

When the creature reaches out to Victor, Frankenstein feels repulsion. This poignant moment evokes themes of creation and abandonment, reminiscent of the biblical image of God and Adam.

Victor's Horror Beyond Appearance

Victor's reaction to his successful creation stems from his revulsion towards the creature's ugliness but is ultimately rooted in his realization of having overstepped human limits.

Elizabeth's Letter and Political Themes

Elizabeth's letter includes a passage that endorses republicanism: "The republican institutions of our country have produced simpler and happier manners," contrasting with the complexities of monarchies.

Plot Development through Elizabeth's Letter

The letter provides background on Justine, an important character with a history linked to the Frankenstein family, enriching the narrative exposition.

Victor's Feverment

Victor's physical breakdown is triggered by anxiety and nervousness surrounding the creature, indicating a psychological toll from his experiments.

Romantic Recovery Through Nature

Victor begins to recover from his fever when he reconnects with the beauty of nature, including the sky, flowers, and the joy of children, reflecting Romantic ideals of nature's healing power.

Building Suspense in the Narrative

Shelley's narrative builds suspense by introducing Justine unexpectedly after Victor's recovery, hinting at her crucial role in the unfolding plot and potential conflicts ahead.

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Description

Explore the Gothic elements, irony, and Romantic qualities presented in Chapter 5 of Frankenstein. This quiz will delve into Victor Frankenstein's emotional responses and the foreshadowing of events that shape the narrative. Test your understanding of these key themes and their significance in the story.