FrankensteinAdvanced Placement in EnglishLiterature and CompositionStudy GuideTeacher’s CopyPrologue1. The novel begins with a series of letters in which the narrator of the novel is writinghis thoughts and plans to his sister. Where is the narrator going? Why has he chosento make this voyage? Of what does the narrator dream? What is his goal?Robert Walton is attempting to be the first person to sail to and reach the North Pole. He ispursuing this goal for personal gain and glory. He is not concerned with the possible cost inthe suffering of his crew or even the benefits this exploration will provide to mankind. Hethinks only of the glory and fame that will be his.2. Walton says he is a “Romantic.” What is a Romantic person like?He listens to his heart instead of his mind. He is concerned with the individual, focusing onhis subjective experiences. He is irrational, imaginative, and emotional. He also finds peaceof mind in nature and admires its beauty.3. What evidence does Walton provide of his Romantic leanings?Walton’s wonder at the rough beauty of the north reflects the Romantic notion of beauty.4. Aside from personal glory, what two benefits to mankind does Walton hope to achieve?He hopes to discover the “northwest passage” for trade with the East, and he hopes todiscover the secret of the North’s magnetic pull.5. Identify one example of foreshadowing.Answers will vary, but look for the following types of answers:Walton claims that even the threat of death is not enough to mitigate his ambition.Walton’s stated need of a “friend,” an equal in terms of passion and aspiration hints that hewill meet just such a man.By letter 3, Walton has become too boasting and too self-assured of success, his “TriumphOver Nature.”T-1

6. How do Walton’s letters illustrate the tension between eighteenth-century rationalismand nineteenth-century Romanticism?Walton’s letters indicate a belief that humankind (via science) can and will ultimatelyconquer nature, contrary to the Romantic belief that Nature was ultimately unknowable andunconquerable.7. What is Walton’s impression of Frankenstein?He thinks Frankenstein has been “broken by misery,” and is, perhaps, insane. He seeswildness in Frankenstein’s eyes. Walton also thinks he takes well to kindness and has astrong spirit.8. How does Frankenstein react to Walton’s dream/goal?He is horrified by Walton’s goal because he sees himself in Walton. He fears Walton isdoomed to make the same tragic mistakes he has made. He fears for Walton’s safety and thecrew’s lives.9. Why does Frankenstein decide to tell Walton his story?He is trying to keep Walton from falling into the same trap he fell into with the pursuitof knowledge.Chapters I and II1. What plot exposition does Shelley offer the reader in these chapters?Shelley provides the reader with the account of Frankenstein’s birth and early life, thebackgrounds of his parents, how Elizabeth came into the family, etc.2. What are Frankenstein’s parents like? How do they feel about each other and abouttheir child?They are from a distinguished family and they are devoted to each other and their child.3. How are Victor and Elizabeth different? What kind of person is Victor?Victor is curious to learn the hidden laws of nature. Elizabeth delights in the appearance ofthings; he investigates their causes.T-24. What quality in young Frankenstein proves to be his tragic flaw later in life?His “passions were vehement.” He loved learning, and pursued that end with ferocity.5. Who is Henry Clerval? What is he like? How is he different from Victor?He is a boyhood friend of Victor’s. He is adventurous and interested in the romance and

moral relations of things.6. What does Victor want to accomplish in life? Why does he turn to the study ofmathematics? What prevents him from continuing his study?He wants to find the elixir of life and banish disease from mankind. He wants to study realknowledge, and he believes that destiny has decided something else for him.7. How is Elizabeth a “typical” Romantic female character?She is blonde and fair—the only one in her “family,”, as she is Italian. She is also sweet,virtuous, and kind.8. How did Cornelius Agrippa and other early scientists affect young Victor?He began to desire the elixir of life. They set him on his path trying to understand Godscientifically.9. How does Victor view his switch to mathematics? What does he compare it to?He sees it as his guardian angel’s last effort to get him off the path to ruin.10. What is foreshadowed at the end of Chapter 2?Victor suggests that his switch from the study of natural philosophy to the study ofmathematics will turn out to be merely a temporary change, and the change back to naturalphilosophy will lead to Victor’s ultimate destruction.T-3Chapters III and IV1. How is the story of Victor’s mother’s death ironic?Victor’s mother contracts the disease that kills her by caring for, and eventually saving,Elizabeth.2. What does Victor contemplate in the first hours of his departure? How do thesethoughts indicate his future?He is sad to be alone and he does not feel he has the capacity to meet strangers. Later hebecomes more and more reclusive as he makes his creature.3. Why does Victor not want to study the contemporary scientists suggested byM. Krempe?Victor has contempt for the uses of modern natural philosophy; he believes the older, naturalphilosophies seek immortality and power while modern ones are just busy proving the oldones wrong.4. What ultimately changes Victor’s mind about new chemists?

A lecture by M. Waldman about how much modern chemists have found changes his mind.He realizes that the old scientists have paved the way for modern ones.5. Compare the physiognomy of Krempe and Waldman.Krempe is opinionated and intolerant. He is also extremely ugly. His physical appearancerepulses Victor as does his attitude. Krempe is more open-minded and able to reconcile theideas of the past with those of the future. He is also dashing-looking—not traditionallyhandsome, but handsome in a Byronic hero sort of way.6. What is the literary term for M. Waldman and the effect that his lecture and guidancehave on Victor?He is a catalyst.7. Why does Victor favor science above all other disciplines?He likes that science offers the opportunity for limitless learning while it is possible toexhaust the knowledge of other disciplines .T-48. How is Victor’s practice of science different from the modern practice of science?Victor’s practice of science is the reading of books and observing the decay of corpses, whilethe modern practice of science is based on experiments.9. Why does Victor hesitate to make a creature like man? Why does he go throughwith it?He originally thought that the body frame would be too laborious to make. However, hispride and ego convince him to try it. He wants a creation that owes him everything and willrevere him.10. What traditional tragic flaw is Victor demonstrating?Hubris11. What is the central flaw in Victor’s decision what to create?He believes he is creating a new life form when he is in reality merely imitating what hasalready been created.12. What internal conflict does Victor deal with as he finishes his creation?He is both repelled and obsessed by it.13. List some gothic details from the end of Chapter IV.Victor’s ill health—pale skin, emaciated frame, bulging eyesThe visits to charnel housesThe isolation of the top-floor laboratory14. What is Romantic in the moral Victor shares with Walton?

Nothing, no study or pursuit, is more important than relationships with other people. Thefact that his study of science and his creation drew him away from appreciating the beautyof Nature around him was a crime against Nature.T-5Chapters V and VI1. How is the night that the creature is born an example of Gothic prose?It is dark and raining. The candle is nearly burned out. Overall, it is a very creepy setting.2. What is ironic about the creature’s physical appearance?Victor says he selected the features to be beautiful, but the composite effect is grotesque.3. What is Romantic about the creature’s physical appearance?The creature’s very grotesqueness is Romantic. Additionally, his flowing black hair andpearl-white teeth make the creature resemble—like M. Waldman—the Byronic hero.4. How does Dr. Frankenstein feel about his creation? What does he do after the creaturecomes to life?Breathless horror and disgust fill his heart when he sees his creature. He runs fromthe room.5. What event is foreshadowed in the beginning of Chapter V?Frankenstein has a dream about Elizabeth’s death.6. What does Frankenstein feel when the creature reaches out to him? What do you thinkis the creature’s reason for reaching out for Dr. Frankenstein?Frankenstein feels repulsion and disgust when the creature tries to make contact. Answerswill vary, but clearly, Shelley is depicting the poignancy of the creature’s reaching out for thecreator. (Think God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel.)7. What is most likely the cause of Victor’s reaction to his success?Victor is repulsed by the creature’s physical ugliness, but the true horror is in the fact thathe has overstepped his bounds as a human being.8. In Elizabeth’s letter to Victor there is one example of Shelley’s support for therevolution in France and republican society. Identify the passage.“The republican institutions of our country have produced simpler and happier mannersthan those which prevail in the great monarchies that surround it.” (pg. 41)T-69. What do you learn about in Elizabeth’s letter through plot exposition?

We learn the history of Justine, the young girl who once lived in the Frankenstein family.10. What sparks Victor’s fever?His fever is brought on by nervousness he feels about his creature.11. How is Victor’s recovery an example of Romanticism?He begins to heal when he sees the beauty of nature—the sky, the flowers, the smile ofchildren.12. How does Shelley create suspense toward the end of these chapters?One certainly expects some reversal after Victor’s apparent recovery. The sudden andunexplained introduction of Justine to the story hints that she will somehow figure into theplot. The disappearance of the creature and the fact that Victor apparently forgets him donot bode well for the future.Chapters VII and VIII1. What function do letters serve in this and previous chapters?Letters are the vehicles by which the first-person-character narrator can relate informationthat he himself has not witnessed and has no other way of knowing.2. What briefly lifts Victor’s spirit on his journey home? Why is this significant?Seeing the mountains and lakes of his homeland bring him very fleeting relief. The power ofNature to heal the human spirit is a cornerstone of Romantic philosophy.3. Why does Elizabeth believe that she is responsible for William’s death?She had let him wear her mother’s necklace, and she believed that he had been killed in arobbery.4. What is “gothic” about Frankenstein’s encounter with the creature?It is a dark, stormy, and suddenly violent night. The thunder ends when the creaturedisappears up the mountain.T-75. What is depicted in the picture above the Frankensteins’ mantelpiece?It is a picture of Victor’s mother kneeling at her father’s coffin..6. Why doesn’t Frankenstein take the blame from Justine?He doesn’t tell anyone his suspicions because he felt that no one would believe him. He hadbeen out of the country when William is killed, and he was too afraid to tell the worldabout his monster.7. Why does Elizabeth’s speech in court hurt Justine?While she means to help Justine, people feel that Justine has betrayed Elizabeth’s generosity,

thus hating Justine even more.8. What is revealed about Justine’s character in these chapters?She proves to be very religious and strong.9. Do you think Frankenstein is as guilty as he feels he is? Of what do you think he isguilty, if anything?Answers may vary. One possibility is that he is guilty of William’s murder because hecreated the monster. Victor has chosen to remain silent about his creation instead of freeingJustine from the accusation; therefore, he is also guilty of what happens to Justine.10. How do the reactions of Victor and his family to William’s murder illustrate Romanticprinciples?All of their emotional responses are overly-intense as the Romantics fancied themselvespreternaturally aware of sensory and emotional experience.Chapters IX and X1. What keeps Victor from killing himself at the beginning of this chapter?He feels he has an obligation to watch over the monster. He lives in deadly fear that it willcommit crimes against his father or brother; his thoughts of Elizabeth also keep him alive.2. How does Victor become a disenfranchised member of society himself?Because everyone believed the the young girl was guilty and treated her so horribly, he canno longer see the world, and people, as he once did.T-83. As Victor climbs the mountains, what effect do they have on him?The mountains bring to mind memories of boyhood pleasures, while the winds soothe andmake him feel spiritual. Feelings of depression quickly follow.4. Why does Victor climb Montanvent in spite of the rain? How does that identify this asa romantic novel?He wants to experience the sublime ecstasy that the mountains inspire. He seeks mental andemotional peace in nature. Romantics believed in the spiritual healing power of nature.5. What are Victor’s feelings as his creature approaches him. What is the first thing hesays to his creature?He feels rage and horror. “Devil, do you dare approach me?”6. How does the creature respond to Victor?

He says, “How dare you sport thus with life?” This quotation refers to the idea of creatingand destroying life as if it were a sport. The monster shows itself to be more humane thanVictor, valuing life more than his creator.7. What biblical character does the creature compare himself to? What character does hethink he ought to be?He compares himself to a fallen angel—a reference to Satan. He feels he should be likeAdam—adored by his creator.8. What do you think the creature will ask of Victor? Why?Beginning with Walton’s desire for a friend, an equal, a soulmate, and Victor’s relationshipswith both Elizabeth and Clerval, it is clear that what the creature is going to request isa mate.9. What does the creature say made him a “fiend?” What is Romantic about this?He says misery made him a fiend. Romantics believed that people were essentially good andthat evil was introduced into the world by social mistreatment.10. What does the creature claim is the basis of Victor’s debt to him?The creature claims that Victor owes it the protection and regard that a creator owes itscreation.11. What does the creature promise to Victor if Victor will fulfill his duties as creator?The creature—although larger and more powerful than its creator—will humble itself beforeVictor if Victor will do his part.T-9Chapters XI and XII1. What technique does Shelley employ to provide the reader with the creature’s story?Shelley creates a story-within-a-story-within-a-story.2. Trace the levels of narration Shelley has established to tell this story.The creature is telling his story to Victor, who is telling the story to Walton, who is writingthe story in a letter to his sister.3. How does the creature describe his first days of life?He says his early days, which are confused and indistinct, are filled with a multiplicity ofsensations.4. How does the creature respond to fire?

He is surprised that the fire can produce such opposite effects—it warms him but also burnshim. The positive and negative consequences of the fire relate to Prometheus and the positiveand negative consequences of knowledge.5. How are the creature’s early days different from Victor’s early days?The creature was alone, unloved, and unsure where he came from while Victor was lovedand was raised with parents who taught him.6. What effect does the creature’s speech (vocabulary and grammar) have on the reader?Why did Shelley write it for that purpose?His speech makes him civilized, even human. Shelley made him speak like that to increasereader sympathy for the creature.7. Why is the creature confused to see his cottagers crying?He thinks that since they have a nice, warm house, handsome clothes and loving company,they should not be sad.8. Why does the creature work so hard to learn their language? What does that revealabout his character?He hopes that his ability to speak, will enable the cottagers to look past his appearance. Itshows that he greatly wants a human connection.T-109. What does the creature say he discovers about himself? What feelings does thisdiscovery cause?In a pool of water the creature sees that he is a deformed monster. This discovery makeshim despondent.10. Why is the creature’s appearance relevant? What “science” is Shelley discrediting?Shelley is discrediting the science of physiognomy, the belief that goodness or evil could beread in a person’s appearance. Hence witches, demons, evil step-mothers and step-sisterswere ugly while good people were beautiful. By this reasoning, if the creature is ugly, it mustbe evil, but Shelley is establishing how its innate nature is good.11. What evidence does Shelley provide of the creature’s innate goodness?The creature instinctively likes the cottagers and is moved by their shows of apparentsorrow. Once he recognizes that their lives are a struggle, he performs tasks for them to

make their lives a little easier.12. What is typically Romantic in the final paragraph of Chapter XII?The fact that his spirits were uplifted by the beautiful spring is very Romantic.13. How are the creature’s first words similar to the typical first words of human babies?A baby’s first words are nounsnames of concrete things.14. Based on what you’ve read so far, do you anticipate the cottagers will accept thecreature? Why or why not?A few of the more optimistic students may want to predict that the creature will find friendshere in the cottage, but all of the creature’s experiences—including Victor’s own reaction tohim, and the fact that the creature is now alone telling his story—clearly indicate that theydo not.15. Why does Shelley end chapter 13 on an apparently optimistic note?In terms of the structure of the narrative, Shelley wants to end on a positive note to buildsuspense and allow for the reversal in a later chapter.T-11Chapters XIII and XIV1. Explain the second sentence of this chapter: “I shall relate events that impressed mewith feelings which...have made me what I am.”We learn that the creature is capable of changing as a result of his experiences. He is alsoisolated by society due to his appearance.2. What practical purpose does the beautiful stranger serve?She is a tool for the creature to be able to refine his understanding of language, especiallyreading.3. Why does the creature calls the cottagers his “protectors?”Answers will vary. Students should mention that they are “teaching” him to be a member ofsociety, and their home is sheltering him until he can face the world.4. What paradox does the creature see in humankind through his study of humanhistory?He sees that man can be so “powerful, so virtuous, and magnificent” while being so “viciousand base.”5. In what way does his study of human society make him what he eventually becomes?

He learns a lot about murder and evil by studying society; otherwise he never would haveknown how to “murder.”6. What is the primary disadvantage of the creature’s “education”?The more he learns, the more he wants the companionship of the cottagers, and the moreacutely he feels pain that he can’t join them.7. In view of the trial of Safie’s father in Chapter XIV, and Justine’s trial earlier, what isShelley’s opinion of the courts in that era?Shelley thought that they were corrupt and convicted people on very circumstantialevidence.8. How is Safie a feminist character?She defies her father by going to Germany instead of going home. She is independent. Bymarrying a Christian, she escapes life in a harem.T-129. What plot exposition is revealed in Chapter XIV?The plot exposition is the story of how Safie came to be with the cottagers, as well as howthey came to Germany.10. What is the character of Safie’s father? How is he a foil to Safie, and to Victor’s ownfather?Safie’s father is an opportunistic and old-fashioned Muslim who has no respect for women.Safie is an enlightened female, and Victor’s father values women as people and truly loveshis wife and adopted daughter.Chapters XV and XVI1. What is revealed about the creature’s character very early in Chapter XV?We learn that though he knew about crime through study, it still seemed like a “distantevil.” It was not a part of his reality yet.2. How does the creature feel about the Sorrows of Werter? In what ways is he differentfrom the characters in the book?He thinks that the characters are very noble. They remind him very much of the cottagers.He, however, is dependent on no one, and related to no one.3. What is the creature’s reaction to Paradise Lost? According to the creature, how is heboth similar to and dissimilar from Adam?Like Adam, he has disappointed his creator. Unlike Adam, he was not created by God, has

no partner, and is unhappy with his existence.4. Why couldn’t the creature fully sympathize with the characters in Milton’s book?He couldn’t sympathize because he was uninformed, and he was so different. He didn’t knowwhere he came from, who he was, or what he was meant to do.5. What does the creature find in his pocket? How does it make him feel?He finds the diary of his creation. He is angry that his creator made him so ugly and alone.It made him very, very sad.6. What happens when the creature introduces himself to the cottagers?When the creature first appears in the cottage, the blind old man is kind and understanding.However, when the sighted people return, they force him away.T-137. Why doesn’t the creature kill itself after this incident?He does not kill himself because despair has not yet gripped him. He believes he may haveanother chance. Though he is angry, he is not ready to give up altogether.8. What evidence is there that the creature is still essentially good despite thismomentous disappointment?He admits that his anger was so great he could have burned down the cottage and killed theinhabitants, enjoying their screams of anguish, but he does not. Instead, he devises a newplan to befriend them.9. What does the creature decide to do? What is his new plan?He resolves to try and make human contact again. This time, however, he won’t let thefamily see him until the old man speaks to them on his behalf.10. What happens that makes the creature finally despair?When he tries to return to the cottage to make contact again, he sees that they have fled. Hegoes into a rage and burns down the cottage.11. Why does the creature decide to go to Geneva? How have these horrible circumstanceschanged him?As a result of his rejection and isolation, he feels intense suffering and bitterness. He decidesto go to Geneva to find his creator.12. Why does the creature ask for a mate?Like Walton in the beginning of the book, he has no equal companion. This companionshipmight “redeem” him from being the evil creature he has become.T-14

Chapters XVII and XVIII1. What, according to the creature, is the cause of his wickedness and what will bethe remedy?The creature’s loneliness and isolation are the causes of its wickedness. When it has themate, it will be happy, good, and together they will leave humankind alone.2. What does Victor suggest is a creator’s obligation to his creation?At the very least, the creator must make it possible for the creation to be happy.3. Follow Victor’s and the creature’s lines of reasoning in their debate over the creation ofthe companion. Whose reasoning is most sound?Victor’s line of reasoning is that the creature has already shown itself to be evil, and hetherefore does not trust it to keep its word.The creature insists that it is good by nature and that the hatred and misery to which it hasbeen subjected have made it evil. When given the chance for happiness, its good nature willonce again surface.Answers will vary, but at this point it is most likely that Shelley wants the reader’ssympathy to lie with the creature.4. Why does Victor refuse to make a female monster? Do you feel he is justified inhis refusal?He refuses to make a female because he is afraid that the two creatures (and potentiallytheir offspring) would destroy the world. Answers will vary in regard to his justification.5. What is the “sympathy” that the creature long for?Sympathy is the ability of one person to fully understand the thoughts and feelings ofanother. Because the creature is not human, he asserts that no human can fully know how itfeels. Another word for what the creature is describing might be affinity.6. What is different about his solitude at the beginning of Chapter XVIII from his solitudewhile first creating the monster?The solitude he seeks now is calming and natural. When he was creating the monster, hissolitude was in his attic with his instruments. This time he is postponing his task, whilebefore he was working fanatically at it. This time he is sadder and more fearful.

T-157. What does Victor’s father think is the cause of Victor’s present anxiety?He believes that Victor has met someone else to marry and is worried about disappointingboth Mr. Frankenstein and Elizabeth by not wedding Elizabeth.8. What are some of the reasons Victor feels he must go to England to complete his task?Not only are the philosophers who have the information he needs in England, but he alsowishes to protect his family from having to see him in the throes of anxiety while creatinganother monster.Chapters XIX and XX1. Describe Victor’s feelings as he journeys through England.He does not feel that he is good company because there is a bothersome barrier between himand his fellow men.2. What does Victor say about his childhood in Chapter XIX?He says he was formed for peace and happiness. He used to love nature; now he can’t get thesame enjoyment out of it.3. What is Victor’s big fear in delaying his trip?He is afraid that the monster might get angry that he is taking so long and take it out onone of his loved ones.4. Why would the Romantic Mary Shelley call the English Civil War “the most animatingepoch of English history”?As a “liberal,” Shelley would have been excited by the thought of common subjects and theirelected Parliament rising up against a tyrannical king, deposing him, and abolishing themonarchy.5. What style of literature describes the place where Victor begins to work in Scotland?Why?Gothic. It is desolate and forbidding landscape to mirror the horrible task he must complete.6. How is his creation of this monster different from the first?Before he had worked day and night with passion to complete it. Now he can’t even bear toenter his laboratory some days.T-167. Give four reasons why Victor changes his mind about making the second creature. Useevidence from the book to refute each of Victor’s reasons.

a) The female creature might be more evil than the first.b) She has made no promise to live an isolated life.c) She might reject the first creature and then there would be two wild ones.d) Worse yet, they might propagate a new race.a) The romantics believed in the concept of Tabula Rasa—that a person was born a “blank”slate with no innate personality. Personality was formed by a person’s upbringing,education, and experiences. This is evident in the creature’s account of its own “growingup.”b and c) The creature “awoke” to no one—no companion, no teacher, mentor, or guide tohelp him form his opinions and values. The female would have the creature to help her formher thoughts and feelings.d) They might, but there is no reason to believe that their offspring won’t be born with thesame nature as the parents. Also, if Victor is truly afraid of this, he could take someresponsibility as a creator.8. What opinion does Victor have of his creation? Do you agree with his assessment of it?He believes his creature is a wicked demon. Opinions may vary about his evaluation. Onepossibility is that the creature has been made wicked by society. The creature was made anoutcast because of his appearance and only sought after friendship.9. What is your reaction to the creature’s speech? Do you agree with him at all? Do youthink Victor has treated him fairly?Again, it is most likely Shelley’s intention that the reader sympathize more with thecreature..10. What does the creature threaten when Victor destroys the mate?“I will be with you on your wedding night.”11. What is the “calmness” Victor finds after the monster storms away?The calmness he feels is his rage sinking into despair.T-17Chapters XXI and XXII1. What is familiar about the method of the murder discovered in this chapter?The victim has been strangled, the finger marks of the murderer clearly visible on thevictim’s neck. This is very similar to William’s murder.2. Who has been murdered, and why is Victor accused of the murder?

Henry Clerval has been murdered, and Victor is accused because witnesses saw a singleman in a boat leaving the scene. The boat resembles the one in which Victor has comeashore.3. Why does Victor think he survived all that he had been through? How is the fact thathe lives ironic?He thinks he is doomed to live. While all of his friends must die, which is usually consideredthe worst possible thing, he remains alive. In his case, watching everything he loves beingdestroyed is worse than death.4. Victor makes several references to his destiny in this chapter. What does he believes hisdestiny to be?Victor believes the creature means to kill him..5. What does the word “torpor” mean in the following context?: “But my general state ofbeing was a torpor, in which a prison was as welcome a residence as the divinest scenein nature”?Apathy, listlessness, dullness.6. Why does Victor feel he can’t be with people? What opinion does Victor express abouthis creation?Victor feels guilty about being among people because he has unleashed a monster in theirmidst. He believes the creature finds joy in his crimes. He is unable to see that the creaturemourns his isolation and seeks only companionship.7. What is ironic about the desires of Victor and the creature?Victor can have human companionship, but doesn’t want it. The creature longs forcompanionship, and is forever denied it.T-188. Why does Victor decide to marry Elizabeth immediately?He thinks that moving up the wedding time will hasten his destiny. He longs for the battle inwhich one of them, either he or the creature, will die, thus bringing him freedom.9. In what way does Elizabeth restore the Romantic Victor?Her voice soothes him, which shows that he can still be calmed by the Romantic ideal oflove and female beauty.10. What do you think will happen on Victor and Elizabeth’s wedding night?

Hopefully the students will be able to predict that Elizabeth is going to be killed. The entireissue with the creature has been companionship. So his just revenge would not be to killVictor as much as to deny Victor companionship.11. How does Shelley build suspense in these chapters?Shelley delays revealing who the murder victim is while offering clues that the murderer isthe creature and the victim might be Clerval.Victor seems to condemn himself in his reaction to seeing Clerval’s body and in his feverishrantings.He continues to misinterpret the creature’s threat to be with him on his wedding night, andactually advances the date of the wedding.12. What evidence is there to suggest what the creature really means by his threat to bewith Frankenstein on his wedding night?The creature desires companionship. That has been his sole issue since the day of his comingto life. Victor has denied him that companionship—even to the extent of destroying thefemale companion. Therefore, the creature will do all he can to deprive Victor ofcompanionship—even to the extent of destroying Victor’s “female companion” (i.e.Elizabeth).T-19Chapters XXIII and XXIV1. When does it finally occur to Victor that he has foolishly misinterpreted the creature’sthreat?When Victor hears Elizabeth scream, it occurs to him what the threat must have meant.2. How does the monster react to his murdering Elizabeth?He is delighted at having finally wrought his revenge.3. What does the word “acme” mean in the following context: “Mine has been a tale ofhorrors; I have reached their acme, and what I must now relate can but be tediousto you”?Climax, summit.4. What is different about Victor’s reaction to Elizabeth’s ( and his father’s ) death fromthe rest?

Before he sought the monster only to meet his destiny, but now hesimply wants revenge.5. Victor, in his anger, says to the magistrate, “How ignorant art thou in thy pride ofwisdom.” What is the irony in this?It is Victor’s pride and wisdom that led him to create the monster.6. In Chapter XX, Victor says his calmness is brought by despair. At the beginning ofChapter XXIV, he says his calculating revenge brings him calm. What does this changesay about his character after the deaths of his wife and father?That change shows that he has reached his breaking point. Before he was sad, but now hehas been through so much sadness and is now angry again.7. What does the creature want Victor to do now? How does that show a difference in thecreature’s character from the point when he wanted a companion?He wants Victor to live. Life without all he once held dear is more painful to Victor thandeath would be, and the creature wants him to feel that pain. Before, the creature onlywanted Victor to make him a companion. Now he wants Victor to suffer, which shows hetruly has turned revengeful and possibly evil.T-208. Consider Victor’s statement: “When I reflected on the work I had completed, no less aone than the creation of a sensitive and rational animal, I could not rank myself withthe herd or common projectors...All my speculations and hopes are as nothing; and,like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained to eternal hell” How doesthis establish Victor as a tragic hero?Victor began his research into the mystery of life with good intentions, and envisionedhimself something like a God. Now, however, he realizes that he is much more like the Satanof Paradise Lost—having challenged the omnipotence of God and finding himself cast intoHell.9. On his deathbed, Victor admits that he had an obligation to make sure his creature hada happy life. What is ironic about the excuse he offers for not doing so?He says that his paramount obligation was to see to the welfare of his fellow humans, which

is a concern he should have considered before embarking on his endeavor.10. How does the end of the novel justify the concentric levels of narration introduced atthe beginning?Victor, the first-person character narrator, cannot narrate his own death. Therefore Shelleyneeds to invent a means of including this event in her narrative – hence Captain Walton andhis letters to his sister.11. How does the inclusion of Captain Walton affect the overall meaning of the book?Walton, like Victor, is a man obsessed with a grand aspiration. His story parallelsFrankenstein’s except that he is able to learn from Frankenstein. Walton’s decision to aborthis mission and return home establishes the theme of the failed Romantic quest.12. Explain how Victor is similar to a tragic hero.a. He is of noble birth, and has noble aspirations.b. He thinks and feels intensely.c. He has passionate aspirations and exhibits hubris.d. The actions that result in his downfall and death are intended for good, but he does notclearly consider or understand their true consequences.e. He feels intense suffering during his downfall.f. Despite his noble character, he has a blind spot that allows him to commit errors in bothaction and judgement.g. His errors, and the resultant suffering spread to those around him.h. He dies as a result of his actions.T-2113. Explain how Victor is similar to a romantic hero.Answers will vary, but demand evidence that shows both an understanding of the hero typeand of the book.a. He is an individual of high birth with stronger-than-normal passions.b. He has a deep appreciation of the rugged beauty of nature and finds both relief andinspiration in the mountains and lakes of Switzerland.c. He feels deeply. When he is happy he is intensely, extra-humanly happy. When he grieves,his is an intense, extra-human grief.d. He has an aspiration considerably beyond the scope of normal human aspiration—striving actually to be Godlike.e. He ultimately fails in this quest, but dies a “sadder but wiser” man.

14. How does Victor depart from the typical tragic hero?He departs from the form of the typical Romantic Hero in that he discourages other extrahumanendeavors, encouraging Walton to return home to a “normal” life and avoiddisillusionment and ruin.