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)
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What is an archetype?
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What does Frankenstein's mother do later in life?
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What is the name of the orphan Frankenstein's mother helps?
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What does Victor refer to Elizabeth as?
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How is Elizabeth presented to Victor?
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What does Victor think about Elizabeth? (not her personality)
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Why is Elizabeth's portrayal interesting?
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What does Elizabeth think is important about things?
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What does Victor think is important about things?
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What does Victor do to Elizabeth because of her view of the world?
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What is Victor's youngest brother's name?
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How many children do Victor's mother and father have? (including him; not including Elizabeth)
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Who is Victor's friend?
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What does Henry like about things?
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What is different about Victor compared to Henry?
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What does Victor pick up whilst with his father?
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What are the books Victor reads about?
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What does Victor's father think about the books?
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What natural event occurs that fascinates Victor?
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Why is Victor interested in the tree being struck by lightning?
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What idea does Victor become interested in?
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What is Galvanism?
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What is a major theme in the first 4 chapters?
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What is Faustian legend?
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What is Victor's first encounter with death?
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How does Victor's mother die?
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What are the names of the two teachers Victor has in school?
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What does Mr. Krempe do?
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What does Mr. Waldman do?
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What subject in school interests Victor?
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What mixture of three interests of Victor's result in bad things?
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What must Victor do first in order to examine the causes of life?
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What did Victor study in order to examine death?
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What is Victor doing in order to study death?
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What does Victor's 'light' represent?
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What does Victor believe now that he has an idea? (Select all that apply)
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How long does Victor spend preparing the body parts?
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Why is the amount of time Victor took to gather the parts not logical?
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Where does the idea of Frankenstein being the Modern Prometheus come from?
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What is Victor doing by creating life?
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What does Victor believe himself to be?
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What does Victor think he is doing by creating life?
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What does Victor think he will be to the new species?
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What does Victor think will happen to him if he creates life?
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What is happening to Victor whilst he is creating life?
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The cycle of seasons mirrors what?
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Victor moves from being very human to being what?
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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
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
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.