Mary Shelly / Historical Background
When and where was Mary Shelley born? What were her parents notably known for?
Shelley was born on August 30th, 1797 in London. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a famous feminist philosopher and her father, William Godwin, was a political philosopher and novelist.
At what age did Victor get introduced to science
a. What events lead ti his obsession
b. Where did he go to continue his education
At the age of 13 more modern systems of science had been introduced to him by his father. This instructed his desire to penetrate the secrets of nature
a.
- He went into library’s and studied the books of authors who has a higher knowledge. “I became their disciple“
- Age 15: lightening struck an oak tree which introduced his new astonishment with more in-depth aspects of science
b. Age 17: he enrolled at the University of Ingolstadt
Can Victor Frankenstein’s abandonment of his creation be viewed as a greater moral failure than any of the creature’s violent acts?
Victor’s abandonment causes the suffering that leads to the creature’s violence, making him ultimately more responsible. While the creature commits murder, Victor’s failure to nurture life is a deeper ethical betrayal.
How does romanticism appear in the novel?
Frankenstein is heavily influenced by Romanticism, emphasizing emotion and nature. Victor and the Creature are driven by intense emotions such as anger, loneliness, ambition and love. Nature is portrayed as sublime and is glorified particularly in the scenes set in the Swiss Alps.
What do Frankenstein and AI development say about the unknown?
Both highlight the fear of the unknown. The Creature represents something unnatural and misunderstood. In AI, there is a fear that it may surpass human intelligence and behave unpredictably. These fears reflect deeper concerns about what happens when humans create something beyond their control.
How did Mary Shelley’s family background shaper her intellectual development and literary career?
Mary was raised in an environment that encouraged education, critical thinking, and exposure to radical political ideas. These influences nurtured her creativity and are reflected in the philosophical aspects in Frankenstein.
Describe the story of how Mary Shelly created the book
As a young girl Mary didn’t get much of an education, so she made use of her father’s library. Due to this she became fascinated with the supernatural and scientific advancements. She traveled to Europe for artistic inspiration. On a rainy day she was with a group of friends, and one of them inspired her to write her own horror story.
To what extent does Victor Frankenstein embody the qualities of the “monster” more than the creature he creates?
Victor displays more monstrous traits through his selfishness, emotional detachment, and refusal to take responsibility for his actions. In contrast, the creature’s violence stems from neglect and suffering, making Victor the true moral monster.
What is the most prevalent theme within the book?
The dangers of unchecked ambition and the responsibility associated with it
How do Victor Frankenstein and the human corporation in WALL·E both represent dangerous ambition, and what are the consequences of their attempts to control or dominate nature?
Both Victor and the corporation prioritize advancement and control over sustainability and ethics, leading to environmental and personal collapse. Their ambition results in unnatural consequences—”Victor’s monster and Earth’s devastation.
What are key characteristics of Gothic literature found in Frankenstein?
Gothic literature in Frankenstein included eerie and isolated settings like the Arctic and dark laboratories, the presence of an unnatural being, and themes of obsession, death, and psychological terror.
What occurred during his talks with his professor?
His professor, Waldman, like him was consumed with the secret of science. He had a cursory view of the present state of science and explained many terms of modern chemistry. All of what his was taught “exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein.” His professor showed him his machine and instructed him how to use them. Each encounter with his professor played a vital role in his scientific obsession and determined his “destiny.”
Is the boundary between creator and creation as clear as it seems, or does Shelley blur the identities of Victor and his creature?
Shelley draws strong parallels between Victor and the creature, such as isolation, obsession, and emotional torment. These mirrored traits suggest they are not opposites, but distorted reflections of one another.
In what ways does Shelley portray ambition as a double-edged sword—”fueling discovery but also destruction—”through Victor’s character and choices?
Victor’s ambition leads to a groundbreaking scientific achievement, but his lack of foresight and compassion turns it into a curse. Shelley shows that ambition without morality can corrupt even noble intentions.
How is Victor Frankenstein’s creation of the Creature similar to modern concerns about AI?
Like Victor, developers of AI often create power tools without fully understanding its consequences. In Frankenstein, Victor abandons the Creature which leads to tragedy. Similarly, AI can produce unintended outcomes such as job loss or misinformation.
What role did Geneva play in shaping the intellectual setting of Frankenstein?
Geneva during the 1800s was known for intellectual, philosophical and scientific activity. It valued reason, governance, and human achievement over geography. This aligns with the Romantic ideals that influenced Mary Shelley.
Describe the events of the monsters creation…
- the phenomena of the structure of the human frame and animal endured life attracted him, along with his obsessing of anatomy and human emotion
- After days and night if research he finally discovered the cause of generation and life leading to a mental debate where it resulted in him collecting human and finger of the human frame
- The summer passed and in November, age 19, he finally collect all of his “instruments of life”
- New life was created with limbs in proportion, yellow skin, white teeth, and black hair
How does the act of naming (or not naming) the creature complicate the reader’s understanding of who “Frankenstein” truly is?
The creature’s lack of a name dehumanizes him and shifts identity toward Victor, blurring the line between the two. When readers refer to the creature as “Frankenstein,” it reflects how he is an extension of Victor’s failed humanity.
What are the main critical responses of the book?
Moral responsibility. Shelley underscores that creation is never just “a scientific achievement”—it entails moral, social, and emotional accountability. Victor’s failure to provide compassion or community dooms both him and his creation.
How do the events of Frankenstein relate to the usage of cell phones?
Frankenstein creates life, but neglects the responsibility of it by abandoning it leading to tragic consequence. Cells phones are similar as the continue to expand in power; however, they come with responsibilities. If you are unable to handle it, it may lead to addiction, privacy issues, and impacts on mental health.
In what ways did Mary Shelley’s early experiences with loss influence her writing, particularly in Frankenstein?
Mary experienced significant loss early in life starting with her mother’s death, difficulty with her stepmother, deaths of her children, and the suicide of Percy Shelley’s first wife. These personal losses likely shaped her themes of grief, abandonment, and isolation. In Frankenstein, both Victor and the creature endured loneliness and emotional suffering much like Shelley.
Does the book of Frankenstein relate to Mary Shelly’s life? If so, How?
The book of Frankenstein has a very strong reflection of Mary’s life.
- While Mary was being born her mother died, just like Victor who’s mother died of the Scarlett Fever a few weeks after his birth
- Another loss for both Mary and Victor relate to their significant others. Mary’s husband died when his boat sank and Victors finance died from the fiend
- The places that both Victor and Mary have been are Geneva and Switzerland
- Mary herself said she related to the monster because no one will understand her other than the people closest to her
In what ways does Victor Frankenstein’s quest for knowledge mirror the creature’s desire for acceptance, and what does this suggest about the true nature of monstrosity?
Both seek something forbidden — Victor, knowledge; the creature, love — and are punished for it. Shelley implies that monstrosity arises not from birth or appearance, but from rejection and lack of compassion.
The theme of unchecked ambition and responsibility leads to the event of the novel and the consequences that follow for both Frankenstein and the Fein. What are these events and consequences?
- The creation of the monster fills Frankenstein with so much fear and disgust that he he runs away from his creation
- The monster kills Victors brother. Victor knows that it was the monster due to a meeting between the 2 in the woods. Victor was unable to stand up for a girl, Justine, who was accused and executed
- The monster asks for a mate because he feels a deep sorrow for his actions, and Victor agrees. However, as Victor is creating the second monster, he feels a great sense of regret s d destroys the creation
- The monster wants revenge, so it kills Victors fiancé right before the wedding
- Victor now wants revenge but is unable to get it causing his death
- This leads to the monsters grave sorrow and suicide
In what ways do both Frankenstein and WALL·E explore the theme of ambition gone wrong, and how do they differ in their portrayal of hope or redemption?
Frankenstein ends in tragedy, showing no redemption for Victor, while WALL·E offers hope through the robot’s care and humanity’s willingness to change. Shelley presents a cautionary tale; WALL·E suggests that even destructive ambition can be reversed with compassion and responsibility.