Podcast
Questions and Answers
What modern-day country would Victor be from if he says he is 'by birth a Genevese'?
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.
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.
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?
How did his parents treat him?
Why does his mother visit poor people?
Why does his mother visit poor people?
What's the story of how Elizabeth joined the Frankenstein family?
What's the story of how Elizabeth joined the Frankenstein family?
How did Victor's parents present Elizabeth to him?
How did Victor's parents present Elizabeth to him?
How did Elizabeth and Victor's individual personalities complement one another?
How did Elizabeth and Victor's individual personalities complement one another?
How else did the Frankenstein family expand?
How else did the Frankenstein family expand?
Who is Henry Clerval? Describe his personality.
Who is Henry Clerval? Describe his personality.
How did Victor feel about his parents and childhood?
How did Victor feel about his parents and childhood?
What does Victor say was the reason why he could have a violent temper and had vehement passions when he was young?
What does Victor say was the reason why he could have a violent temper and had vehement passions when he was young?
What event led Victor to pursue knowledge in the natural sciences?
What event led Victor to pursue knowledge in the natural sciences?
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?
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?
Victor remarks that he was 'left to struggle with a child's blindness added to a student's thirst for knowledge'. Why?
Victor remarks that he was 'left to struggle with a child's blindness added to a student's thirst for knowledge'. Why?
What else did Victor want to accomplish?
What else did Victor want to accomplish?
What event changed the focus of Victor's studies? What did he decide to study instead of the natural sciences?
What event changed the focus of Victor's studies? What did he decide to study instead of the natural sciences?
Why does Victor credit for the change in his studies? And then how does he create some suspense at the end of the chapter?
Why does Victor credit for the change in his studies? And then how does he create some suspense at the end of the chapter?
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?
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?
What is died to Henry?
What is died to Henry?
What does Victor say led him to M. Krempe, the professor of natural philosophy? What does this suggest about Victor?
What does Victor say led him to M. Krempe, the professor of natural philosophy? What does this suggest about Victor?
What does M. Krempe think of Victor's previous studies?
What does M. Krempe think of Victor's previous studies?
What did Victor believe he would be able to do at college, after hearing the inspiring lecture from M. Waldman, the chemistry professor?
What did Victor believe he would be able to do at college, after hearing the inspiring lecture from M. Waldman, the chemistry professor?
How does M. Waldman's attitude towards Victor differ from that of M. Krempe's?
How does M. Waldman's attitude towards Victor differ from that of M. Krempe's?
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.'
