Frankenstein Quiz: Omen of Misery at Ingolstadt

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Questions and Answers

What modern-day country would Victor be from if he says he is 'by birth a Genevese'?

Switzerland

Describe the history of the relationship of Victor's parents and his family history.

His best friend lost his wealth (Beaufort). Victor took in his daughter Caroline and eventually married her.

I was their plaything and their ___, and something better - their child, the and creature bestowed on them by heaven, whom to _, and whose future lot it was in their hands to _____, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me.

idol; innocent; helpless; bring up to good; direct to happiness or misery

How did his parents treat him?

Good Signup and view all the answers

Why does his mother visit poor people?

She remembers how it was when she was poor; wants to be their guardian angel. Signup and view all the answers

What's the story of how Elizabeth joined the Frankenstein family?

His parents adopted her; she was from a poor family. Signup and view all the answers

How did Victor's parents present Elizabeth to him?

She became his 'more than sister'; presented as a present to him, eventually marries her, met when he was 5. Signup and view all the answers

How did Elizabeth and Victor's individual personalities complement one another?

She appreciated the beauty of nature; he wanted to know how things worked and why. Signup and view all the answers

How else did the Frankenstein family expand?

When he was 7, they had a son. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Henry Clerval? Describe his personality.

Victor's best friend; talented and loves adventure. Signup and view all the answers

How did Victor feel about his parents and childhood?

Felt they were kind; appreciated his happy childhood. Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor say was the reason why he could have a violent temper and had vehement passions when he was young?

Eager desire to learn; wanted to learn the secrets of heaven and earth. Signup and view all the answers

What event led Victor to pursue knowledge in the natural sciences?

When he was 13 he had to stay inside during a vacation because of bad weather and he found a book by Cornelius Agrippa. Signup and view all the answers

Victors father says the works of Cornelius Agrippa which interested Victor are 'sad trash'. Why didn't this stop Victor from reading it? What didn't his father say?

His father did not say Agrippa's ideas were disproven. Signup and view all the answers

Victor remarks that he was 'left to struggle with a child's blindness added to a student's thirst for knowledge'. Why?

He wanted the fame, money, and glory from banishing disease from human life. Signup and view all the answers

What else did Victor want to accomplish?

He wanted to raise ghosts and devils. Signup and view all the answers

What event changed the focus of Victor's studies? What did he decide to study instead of the natural sciences?

When he was 15 he saw a tree get struck by lightning and burned down. Natural philosophy - electricity and galvanism. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Victor credit for the change in his studies? And then how does he create some suspense at the end of the chapter?

His guardian angel; destiny was too strong. Signup and view all the answers

In keeping with the characteristics of gothic literature, Victor describes how there was an 'omen...of my future misery' the day before he left for college at theUniversité of Ingolstadt (Germany). What was it?

His sister got sick from scarlet fever and while their mother lay next to her bed she got sick and died. Signup and view all the answers

What is died to Henry?

College education. Signup and view all the answers

What does Victor say led him to M. Krempe, the professor of natural philosophy? What does this suggest about Victor?

Angel of destruction; doesn't take responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What does M. Krempe think of Victor's previous studies?

It was a waste of time 'nonsense'; made fun of him. Signup and view all the answers

What did Victor believe he would be able to do at college, after hearing the inspiring lecture from M. Waldman, the chemistry professor?

He will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation. Signup and view all the answers

How does M. Waldman's attitude towards Victor differ from that of M. Krempe's?

Doesn't insult him or make fun of him; encourages him. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Victor Frankenstein and His Background

Victor Frankenstein claims to be "by birth a Genevese," indicating his origin from Switzerland.
Victor's parents had a complex relationship; they adopted Caroline Beaufort after her father's financial ruin and eventually married her.
Victor views himself as an idolized and innocent child, feeling that his future depends on his parents' fulfillment of their duties.

Family Dynamics and Relationships

Victor received loving treatment from his parents and had a happy childhood.
His mother visited the poor, wanting to serve as a guardian angel, reflecting her compassion stemming from her past experiences with poverty.
Elizabeth was adopted by the Frankenstein family as a poor child and presented as a gift to Victor, who would eventually marry her.
Both Elizabeth and Victor complement each other: Elizabeth finds joy in nature while Victor is driven by curiosity about the workings of the world.

Additional Family Members

When Victor was seven, the family expanded with the birth of a son.
Henry Clerval, Victor's best friend, is portrayed as talented and adventurous, contributing to Victor's social life.

Victor's Early Curiosity and Education

Victor acknowledges his parents’ kindness and appreciates his childhood happiness.
A passionate desire for knowledge spurred his occasionally violent temper as a youth, leading him to study natural sciences.
At age 13, a stormy vacation led Victor to discover a book by Cornelius Agrippa, igniting his interest in the natural sciences despite his father's dismissal of Agrippa's ideas as "sad trash."

Shift in Academic Focus

After witnessing a tree struck by lightning at age 15, Victor shifted from natural sciences to natural philosophy, focusing on electricity and galvanism.
He credits a "guardian angel" for this shift, suggesting a fatalistic view of destiny.

Gothic Elements and Tragedy

Just before leaving for college at the University of Ingolstadt, a personal tragedy struck: Victor’s mother died from scarlet fever after caring for his ill sister, foreshadowing misfortune in his future.
Victor's education is financed by Henry, emphasizing their strong friendship.

Influential Professors and Academic Growth

Victor approaches M. Krempe, a professor of natural philosophy, hearing him referred to as an "angel of destruction," implying a lack of responsibility on Victor’s part.
M. Krempe criticizes Victor's past studies as a "waste of time," contrasting sharply with M. Waldman's encouragement, which inspires Victor with the hope of uncovering the mysteries of creation and pioneering new knowledge.

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Description

Explore the intricate family dynamics of Victor Frankenstein, delving into his childhood in Geneva and his relationships with his parents and Elizabeth. This quiz will test your understanding of how Victor's background and family shape his character in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein.'

Frankenstein Family Dynamics