Frankenstein Discussion Questions

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Questions and Answers

What does the speaker wish for in relation to life?

He wants to be an animal so that he can enjoy life and not think about all the bad things in life.

What does the monster think he is naturally like?

He believes that he was born pure and good.

What ultimatum does the monster give Victor?

If Victor doesn't listen to his story, he will kill everyone.

What is the monster's initial reaction to the DeLacey family's abandonment of the cottage?

He wanted to destroy their home. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the monster after he rescues the little girl?

The man takes the girl from the monster and shoots him. Signup and view all the answers

What argument does the monster present about ugliness?

He suggests that what is considered ugly is learned. Signup and view all the answers

Does the monster feel remorse for killing William?

No, not really; he is focused on revenge. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the monster frame Justine?

He is jealous of her beauty. Signup and view all the answers

What arguments does the creature use to persuade Victor to create a female?

He claims no one will accept him but with a female companion, he will leave people alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is Victor's greatest fear as he leaves for England?

He is scared to leave his family unprotected. Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor's father think is the cause of Victor's depression?

He thinks Victor loves someone else. Signup and view all the answers

Who holds the most power in their relationship: Victor or the monster?

The monster holds the most power. Signup and view all the answers

What is the monster's threat after Victor refuses to build the female?

The monster threatens to kill Elizabeth on their wedding night. Signup and view all the answers

Does Victor feel regret for destroying the female character?

No, he tries to push it out of his mind but does not regret it. Signup and view all the answers

How do the people treat Victor upon his arrival in Ireland?

They are rude to him because they think he killed a man. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Prometheus and how do you think he relates to the story?

Prometheus stole fire from the gods, giving man power that they weren't supposed to have. He was punished and tortured. Similarly, Victor uses electricity to bring back the dead, which is a power man shouldn't have, and he is mentally tortured for it. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of an element of romanticism in the story.

"I feel a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks, which braces my nerves and fills me with delight." Signup and view all the answers

Describe Walton's personality. Where is he going and why?

He is egotistical and determined to go to the North Pole for a passage. Signup and view all the answers

What does Walton want in addition to success on his journey? What does this say about human nature?

He wants a friend. Signup and view all the answers

What/who does Walton attribute his enthusiasm to? What does this say about human nature?

Romantic poets. Signup and view all the answers

In your opinion, will Walton succeed in his quest to conquer the elements? Why or why not?

He thinks he will succeed no matter what. Signup and view all the answers

How does Walton treat the stranger and what accounts for how he treats him?

He is curious and intrigued by the stranger. Signup and view all the answers

Walton tells Victor, "One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquisition of the knowledge which I sought." Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.

I disagree because people should not be collateral damage. Signup and view all the answers

According to Walton and Victor, what is necessary for a man to be fully happy?

Friendship. Signup and view all the answers

Do you think Walton is a reliable narrator? Why or why not?

No, because he is too similar to Victor and will make Victor look better than he actually is. Signup and view all the answers

When did Victor's father, Alphonse, marry Victor's mother, Caroline Beaufort?

Two years after Caroline's father died. Signup and view all the answers

How does Victor describe Elizabeth Lavenza? How does Victor feel about Elizabeth?

She is angel-like and he considers her to be his possession. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast Henry and Victor as children.

Henry is adventurous and moral while Victor is a selfish curious loner. Signup and view all the answers

Who and what does Victor blame for his obsession with natural philosophy?

His father, man's desire to be better, and fate. Signup and view all the answers

What initially caused Victor to be depressed at the University of Ingolstadt?

The death of his mother, a sick sister, a professor trashing his work, and feelings of loneliness. Signup and view all the answers

By what means does Victor discover the causation of life to death and death to life? Are his means justified and humane?

He collects parts from dead bodies, viewing them as materials. Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor mean by, "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge..."?

He warns against overreaching ambition and the loss of self in the pursuit of knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Victor says, "If the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken your affections..." What moral is Victor conveying?

If what you are doing has a negative effect on your life, then stop and cut the toxic out. Signup and view all the answers

In your own words, describe what the monster looks like.

The monster has yellow skin, flowing black hair, pearly white teeth, and watery eyes that contrast with his shriveled complexion. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Victor run away from the creature he created?

He was overwhelmed by horror and repulsion at the sight of the creature. Signup and view all the answers

What does Elizabeth's letter say about her character? Is she a round or a flat character and why?

Elizabeth is a flat character because all she does is care for others. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Justine? Why does Elizabeth feel that it is important to mention her?

Justine is a servant who was deeply saddened by Caroline's death. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Victor keep silent and not confide in Henry?

Victor is in denial about his actions and the creation of the monster. Signup and view all the answers

After six years at university, why does Victor arrive home to find his brother has been murdered?

He captures a glimpse of the monster in the woods. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Victor continue to stay silent in regards to who the murderer is?

Victor believes he would be held responsible for the creation of the monster. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think the monster has been up to since Victor ran away?

He has been relearning everything a baby would have to learn, watching people and reading. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the facts of the case, do you think Justine is guilty?

No, her strange behavior could be attributed to shock, and there is no solid evidence against her. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the character witnesses refuse to speak for Justine?

They fear association with a murderer. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Justine confess to the murder of William?

She feels pressured and threatened until she confesses. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast how Elizabeth and Victor react to William and Justine's death.

Both are heartbroken, but Victor blames the monster while Elizabeth expresses sadness and compassion. Signup and view all the answers

Is it possible for Victor to be happy ever again?

No, the monster will always remind him of his actions and their consequences. Signup and view all the answers

Paraphrase the following quote as said by Victor: "Why does man boast of sensibilities superior to those apparent in the brute; it only renders them more necessary beings."

Man should not claim to have greater sensitivities than animals; it only makes them more necessary. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prometheus and Victor

Prometheus is a figure who stole fire from the gods to give mankind power; he faced severe punishment.
Victor Frankenstein uses electricity to revive the dead, mirroring Prometheus's transgression and suffering mental anguish for his actions.

Romanticism

The story includes elements of romanticism, illustrated by a description of the invigorating northern breeze that evokes deep emotional and sensory responses.

Walton’s Personality and Journey

Walton is characterized as egotistical, with ambitions to discover a passage to the North Pole, claiming he aims to benefit mankind.
His desire for glory and a great purpose overshadows his comfort and ease in life.

Desire for Friendship

Walton expresses a deep need for companionship, highlighting a fundamental aspect of human nature and the pain of loneliness.

Influence of Romantic Poets

Walton attributes his passion for exploration and the ocean's mysteries to the influence of romantic poets, showcasing the intertwining of imagination and ambition.

Walton’s Determination

Walton believes in his inevitable success against nature, demonstrating man's hubris in the face of uncontrollable elements.

Treatment of the Stranger

Walton's curiosity about Victor reveals insights into Victor's character; he sees both wildness and moments of benevolence in him.

Ethical Dilemmas

Walton prioritizes success over individual lives, justifying his merciless pursuit of knowledge, which raises moral questions about the cost of ambition.

Importance of Friendship

Both Walton and Victor agree that friendship is essential for true happiness.

Reliability as a Narrator

Walton's reliability is questionable due to his similarities with Victor, which might bias his portrayal of Victor's character.

Family Background

Victor's father married Caroline Beaufort two years after her father's death, establishing family connections that shape Victor's eventual fate.

Victor's Perception of Elizabeth

Victor describes Elizabeth as angelic and cherishes her as a possession granted to him, reflecting his protective instincts and the objectification of love.

Henry vs. Victor

Henry is adventurous and socially inclined, while Victor is curious yet solitary, fostering their roles as foils to each other.

Obsession Sources

Victor blames his father, the innate human desire for improvement, and fate for his obsession with natural philosophy.

Emotional Struggles

At university, Victor is burdened by personal losses and isolation, which deepen his melancholy.

Finding the Cause of Life

Victor's means of discovering life’s secret are unethical and dehumanizing, indicating a disregard for the sanctity of life.

Warning Against Knowledge

Victor cautions that the pursuit of knowledge can lead to despair and suggests accepting human limitations for a happier existence.

Description of the Monster

The monster, designed with beautiful features, is grotesque due to the contrast of its yellow skin and watery eyes, revealing the horror of creation.

Victor’s Reaction to His Creation

Overwhelmed by the monster’s appearance, Victor fled in horror, reflecting the severe emotional toll of his actions.

Elizabeth's Character

Elizabeth is a flat character focused on caring for others, lacking depth in her own motivations and desires.

Justine’s Role

Justine is a servant mourning Caroline’s death, highlighting the interconnectedness of characters in their grief.

Victor's Silence

Victor remains silent about the murder due to denial, fearing disbelief and the implications of his creation’s existence.

Gothic Elements

Nature plays an ominous role as a character in the narrative, amplifying emotional isolation amidst the stormy backdrop.

Responsibility for Silence

Victor struggles with the responsibility of revealing the truth about the murderer, aware that his tale may seem insane.

Monster’s Learning Experience

The monster learns through observation, akin to a child, and initially possesses no understanding of Victor's existence.

Justine's Guilt

Justine's behavior is misinterpreted as guilt, encapsulating societal pressures and biases against the accused.

Characters refuse to support Justine, illustrating the prioritization of reputation over justice and integrity.

Justine's Confession

Faced with coercion and feelings of isolation, Justine confesses to a crime she did not commit, showing the pressures of fear.

Reactions to Death

Both Victor and Elizabeth are devastated by the deaths of William and Justine, yet Victor’s focus shifts to fear of the monster.

Victor’s Future Happiness

Victor's happiness is questionable due to the relentless burden of guilt from creating the monster that killed his loved one.

Desire for Simplicity

Victor longs for a simpler existence devoid of complex emotions, equating happiness with a return to instinctual living.

Monster's Self-Perception

The monster perceives himself as an Adam-like figure but feels rejected, attributing his misery to Victor’s actions that led to his downfall.

Ultimatum

The monster threatens Victor, demanding to hear his story under the threat of violence against those he cares for.

Monster's Reaction to Abandonment

The monster’s initial rage against the DeLacey family’s abandonment highlights his struggle between seeking connection and responding with aggression, though his violent impulses are unjustified in the context of their fear.### Feelings of Revenge
The narrator experiences intense feelings of revenge and hatred, allowing himself to be consumed by these emotions.
Pained by solitude, he desires to cause destruction and harm to the world around him.

Monster's Encounter with the Little Girl

A man shoots the monster in self-defense after he saves a girl from drowning.
The monster, despite acting to save the girl, is met with violence, which prompts feelings of vengeance against humanity.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The monster believes notions of beauty and ugliness are learned rather than inherent, highlighting the influence of society on perceptions of deformity and acceptance.

The Monster's Remorse

The monster shows little remorse for killing William, viewing it as an act of revenge against Victor Frankenstein.
Quotes reveal his inner turmoil versus his satisfaction in enacting vengeance.

Framing Justine

The monster frames Justine for William's murder out of jealousy, recognizing a connection between beauty and his own lack of acceptance.

Arguments for Creating a Female Monster

The monster requests a female companion to escape loneliness, promising to cease his attacks on humanity if granted a partner.
Victor grapples with the moral implications and potential consequences of creating another being.

Pros and Cons of Compliance

Pros include potential peace for humanity and the monster’s happiness.
Cons involve risks, such as potential harm if the female monster rejects the male monster or collaborates in violence.

Victor's Compliance with the Monster

Victor agrees to create a female monster out of a sense of justice for both the monster and humankind, seeing it as a moral obligation.

Victor's Father's Misunderstanding

Victor’s father misinterprets his son's depression as romantic troubles, failing to grasp the real source of Victor's distress regarding his creation.

Victor’s Fears Before England

The fear of leaving his family unprotected from potential monster attacks haunts Victor as he travels, indicating his sense of responsibility.

Idealized Perception of Henry

Henry is described in an affectionate and heroic way, suggesting an almost exaggerated admiration from Victor, showcasing the narrator's unreliability.

Victor's Worry for His Family

Victor's concerns about the monster's actions are depicted as selfish, focusing more on his anguish than taking responsibility for his actions.

Perspective on Humanity and Murder

The statement that only a non-human could commit murder reflects a desire to distance humanity from evil acts, underlining a theme of dehumanization.

Character Development Through Creation

Victor's pride in creating the first monster contrasts with his anxiousness during the second creation, suggesting growth and acknowledgment of consequences.

Power Dynamics Between Victor and the Monster

The relationship is characterized by mutual dependency; while Victor controls the monster's creation, the monster possesses the ability to inflict destruction.

Monster's Threat After Refusal

Upon Victor's refusal to create a female companion, the monster threatens to kill Elizabeth, emphasizing the potential for violence stemming from Victor’s choices.

Victor's Regret over the Female Monster

Although Victor wishes to dismiss the trauma of destroying the female monster, he does not express outright regret, highlighting the dilemma of his decision.

Treatment of Victor in Ireland

Upon arrival in Ireland, Victor is met with hostility from locals who suspect him of murder, indicating the societal consequences of perceived guilt.

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Description

Explore key themes and characters in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' through thought-provoking discussion questions. This quiz covers the intricate relationships between knowledge, power, and punishment, focusing on the character of Victor Frankenstein and the myth of Prometheus.