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?
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What happens to the monster after he rescues the little girl?
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What argument does the monster present about ugliness?
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Does the monster feel remorse for killing William?
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Why does the monster frame Justine?
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What arguments does the creature use to persuade Victor to create a female?
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What is Victor's greatest fear as he leaves for England?
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What does Victor's father think is the cause of Victor's depression?
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Who holds the most power in their relationship: Victor or the monster?
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What is the monster's threat after Victor refuses to build the female?
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Does Victor feel regret for destroying the female character?
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How do the people treat Victor upon his arrival in Ireland?
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Who is Prometheus and how do you think he relates to the story?
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Give an example of an element of romanticism in the story.
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Describe Walton's personality. Where is he going and why?
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What does Walton want in addition to success on his journey? What does this say about human nature?
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What/who does Walton attribute his enthusiasm to? What does this say about human nature?
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In your opinion, will Walton succeed in his quest to conquer the elements? Why or why not?
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How does Walton treat the stranger and what accounts for how he treats him?
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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.
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According to Walton and Victor, what is necessary for a man to be fully happy?
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Do you think Walton is a reliable narrator? Why or why not?
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When did Victor's father, Alphonse, marry Victor's mother, Caroline Beaufort?
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How does Victor describe Elizabeth Lavenza? How does Victor feel about Elizabeth?
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Compare and contrast Henry and Victor as children.
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Who and what does Victor blame for his obsession with natural philosophy?
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What initially caused Victor to be depressed at the University of Ingolstadt?
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By what means does Victor discover the causation of life to death and death to life? Are his means justified and humane?
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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..."?
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Victor says, "If the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken your affections..." What moral is Victor conveying?
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In your own words, describe what the monster looks like.
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Why does Victor run away from the creature he created?
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What does Elizabeth's letter say about her character? Is she a round or a flat character and why?
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Who is Justine? Why does Elizabeth feel that it is important to mention her?
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Why does Victor keep silent and not confide in Henry?
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After six years at university, why does Victor arrive home to find his brother has been murdered?
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Why does Victor continue to stay silent in regards to who the murderer is?
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What do you think the monster has been up to since Victor ran away?
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Based on the facts of the case, do you think Justine is guilty?
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Why do the character witnesses refuse to speak for Justine?
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Why does Justine confess to the murder of William?
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Compare and contrast how Elizabeth and Victor react to William and Justine's death.
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Is it possible for Victor to be happy ever again?
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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."
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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.
Fear of Social Repercussions
- 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.