Frankenstein Chapters 1

Questions and Answers

What is the setting?

Geneva, Switzerland

Who did Frankenstein's father marry?

A young orphaned woman

Why did Frankenstein's father marry the woman he did?

Her father had died and she was an orphan

What are some archetypes of orphans? (Select all that apply)

Always looking for others Signup and view all the answers

What is an archetype?

A story element that transcends time and place Signup and view all the answers

What does Frankenstein's mother do later in life?

Helps another orphan Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the orphan Frankenstein's mother helps?

Elizabeth Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor refer to Elizabeth as?

His 'more than sister' Signup and view all the answers

How is Elizabeth presented to Victor?

As a gift from his mother Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor think about Elizabeth? (not her personality)

That she is his possession and that he is 'his' Signup and view all the answers

Why is Elizabeth's portrayal interesting?

Because Mary Shelley's mother was a women's rights activist Signup and view all the answers

What does Elizabeth think is important about things?

The beauty of things Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor think is important about things?

How they work Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor do to Elizabeth because of her view of the world?

He dismisses her as an intellectual equal Signup and view all the answers

What is Victor's youngest brother's name?

William Signup and view all the answers

How many children do Victor's mother and father have? (including him; not including Elizabeth)

Three Signup and view all the answers

Who is Victor's friend?

Henry Clerval Signup and view all the answers

What does Henry like about things?

The moral relations of things and how they work together Signup and view all the answers

What is different about Victor compared to Henry?

Victor is more violent and wants to discover the origins of things Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor pick up whilst with his father?

Old style science books (alchemy) Signup and view all the answers

What are the books Victor reads about?

People who are trying to find out the meaning of life and how life is created Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor's father think about the books?

That they are old-fashioned Signup and view all the answers

What natural event occurs that fascinates Victor?

A tree is struck by lightning and destroyed Signup and view all the answers

Why is Victor interested in the tree being struck by lightning?

It is Mother Nature destroying something with electricity Signup and view all the answers

What idea does Victor become interested in?

Galvanism Signup and view all the answers

What is Galvanism?

Electricity produced by chemical action Signup and view all the answers

What is a major theme in the first 4 chapters?

Man's desire for ultimate knowledge and the disasters that can happen because of those desires Signup and view all the answers

What is Faustian legend?

Pursuing knowledge at all costs in the hope of conquering death Signup and view all the answers

What is Victor's first encounter with death?

His mother dies Signup and view all the answers

How does Victor's mother die?

Calmly Signup and view all the answers

What are the names of the two teachers Victor has in school?

Mr. Krempe and Mr. Waldman Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Krempe do?

Criticizes Victor's beliefs in the old scientists Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Waldman do?

Teaches chemistry Signup and view all the answers

What subject in school interests Victor?

Chemistry Signup and view all the answers

What mixture of three interests of Victor's result in bad things?

Electricity, chemistry, and desire to create life Signup and view all the answers

What must Victor do first in order to examine the causes of life?

He must examine death Signup and view all the answers

What did Victor study in order to examine death?

The structure of the human frame and the decay it endured Signup and view all the answers

What is Victor doing in order to study death?

Digging up dead bodies and observing them as they decay Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor's 'light' represent?

Knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor believe now that he has an idea? (Select all that apply)

This knowledge has made him happier Signup and view all the answers

How long does Victor spend preparing the body parts?

Months Signup and view all the answers

Why is the amount of time Victor took to gather the parts not logical?

Because if it really took months then the bodies would start to decay Signup and view all the answers

Where does the idea of Frankenstein being the Modern Prometheus come from?

Prometheus made man (a species) and Victor is making a species Signup and view all the answers

What is Victor doing by creating life?

Playing God Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor believe himself to be?

The Creator Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor think he is doing by creating life?

Creating a new species Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor think he will be to the new species?

A father Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor think will happen to him if he creates life?

He will be praised Signup and view all the answers

What is happening to Victor whilst he is creating life?

His own health is failing him Signup and view all the answers

The cycle of seasons mirrors what?

Victor's own transformation Signup and view all the answers

Victor moves from being very human to being what?

Nervous, unable to relax, pale, and hollow Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting and Characters

The story begins in Geneva, Switzerland.
Victor Frankenstein's father marries a young orphaned woman after her father's death.
The orphan named Elizabeth is taken in by Frankenstein’s family as a gift to Victor.

Archetypes and Themes

Orphans are depicted with traits such as abandonment issues, trust issues, and a longing for connection.
An archetype represents a universal element in storytelling that transcends cultures and time.
A major theme in the early chapters is humanity's pursuit of ultimate knowledge and the potential disasters that follow.

Relationships

Victor refers to Elizabeth as "his more than sister," indicating a complex relationship that mixes affection and possessiveness.
Elizabeth values beauty and emotional connections, contrasting Victor, who is more focused on how things work.

Education and Influences

Victor is influenced by two teachers, Mr. Krempe (who criticizes old scientific beliefs) and Mr. Waldman (who teaches chemistry).
His readings include alchemical texts, examining the origins of life, which spark his fascination with galvanism.

Events and Discoveries

A pivotal event occurs when a tree is struck by lightning, leading Victor to explore the powers of electricity.
Victor's first encounter with death is the calm passing of his mother, impacting his views on life and death.

Obsession with Knowledge

Victor becomes obsessed with the intersection of electricity, chemistry, and the desire to create life.
He studies human decay and undertakes grave robbing to examine the causes of life and death.

Creation of Life

Victor believes he can create life, seeing himself as a creator and comparing himself to Prometheus, who formed humanity.
His preparations for creating life take months, raising logical questions about the decaying bodies he uses.

Consequences and Transformation

As Victor delves into creation, his health deteriorates, marking a shift in his character from a hopeful scientist to a nervous and hollow individual.
The changing seasons reflect Victor's emotional and physical transformation as he pursues his dangerous ambition.

Victor's Perception

Victor imagines himself as a father to the new species he wishes to create, expecting praise for his achievements, despite the personal cost to his well-being.

Studying That Suits You

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Test your knowledge of the first four chapters of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' with these flashcards. Explore the characters, settings, and themes that emerge early in the novel, and deepen your understanding of the story's foundation. Ideal for students looking to review key concepts and details.

Frankenstein Chapters 1 - 4 Flashcards