Literary Techniques
Why did Mary Shelley write "Frankenstein?"
What is in an attempt to win a ghost story competition
How does Robert meet Victor Frankenstein?
Victor is discovered on a sheet of ice next to Walton's ship.
What is Caroline's dying wish?
For Victor to marry Elizabeth, his cousin sister lover.
What is the importance of Shelley including the Creature's narrative in the frame narrative?
What is it's the literal "center" of the novel - highlighting how everything revolves around the Creature/abuse of power
to provide an alternative perspective
to humanize the Creature
What did Victor dream of after finishing his Creation and why did he have this dream?
Victor dreamed of Elizabeth walking down the street, he kisses her and she turns into his dead mom. This dream seems to be punishment for removing women from the natural process of birth.
Why did Mary Shelley begin Frankenstein with letters?
What is to create a frame narrative to mimic the audience of a ghost story
What is the purpose of Elizabeth?
Elizabeth is seen as a "gift" to Victor to eventually be his wife.
How does Justine's arrest and subsequent execution reflect the justice system?
What is it highlights the flaws in a justice system that is not supportive of a poor woman with no representation.
What is the foil between Safie and the Creature?
Both Safie and the Creature look different from the other characters, neither can speak the language, and both want to fit in. However, the Creature knows the language and he is rejected, whereas Safie, does not know the language and is accepted.
How does the Creature view the DeLaceys?
The Creature refers to them as "friends" despite never having spoken to them. He holds the DeLaceys on a pedestal because of their ability to educate him.
Why are Victor and Walton foils?
What is to show a contract between Walton and Victor’s more negative traits concerning knowledge and glory. While Walton is certainly a passionate man, it is unknown at this time if he is willing to pursue his goals to the extent that Victor has pursued his.
What theme is represented in this quote: "But these philosophers, whose hands seem only made to dabble in dirt... They penetrate into the recesses of nature and show how she works in her hiding places. They ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breathe. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its own shadow" (33).
What is the theme of playing God.
What is ironic about the following quote: "Come, Victor; not with brooding thoughts of vengeance against the assassin, but with feelings of peace and gentleness, that will heal" (60)?
What is Victor's father is writing this in a letter to Victor shortly after Justine's death. His is urging Victor to not pursue the assassin (the Creature), however once Victor discovers the identity of the assassin he immediately pursues REVENGE.
What four things does the Creature become aware that he does NOT have?
What is friends/family (love), money, knowledge, property
How did Frankenstein react to seeing The Monster in the mountains?
Victor became violent, he began to threaten to harm The Monster.
Why is lightning used as a symbol?
What is to show a physical representation of untamed power. The lightning bolt begins as a positive sign for Victor to start his Creation, but soon represents the negative aspects of what he has done.
What two main forces does Victor place blame on for the events that happen in the novel?
What is Victor's father (mocking his ambitions) and destiny/fate
What theme is highlighted in the following quote: "Thus spoke my prophetic soul, as, torn by remorse, horror, and despair, I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts" (76)?
The Creature says the following: "For a long time I could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow... when I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased and I turned away with disgust and loathing" (107). What is ironic about this statement?
The Creature eventually ends up murdering William and seems to have no issue with threatening to murder the rest of Victor's family.
At the end of Chp. 16 what does the Creature ask Victor to do?
The Monster approached Victor to ask him to create him a partner, a female one that he can spend the rest of his days with. The Monster thinks that he will feel at peace and that he will belong in the world if there is someone like him.
What does the Creature's discovery of fire represent?
Why would Victor make an allusion to "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" immediately after finishing his Creation?
What is this allusion is included to represent Victor's fear and loneliness after finishing his all consuming Creation. Much like the Mariner, Victor is scared of what is to come.
At the conclusion of Chp. 10, the Creature gives Victor an ultimatum - what is it?
What is listen to my story or "I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends" (86).
What book impacts the Creature the most and why?
Paradise Lost because he believes it to be a "true story." The Creature sees Victor as God and himself as a blend between Adam, who he "should" be, and Satan, who he actually feels like.
What books help the Creature understand his role in this world?
Sorrow of Werter
Paradise Lost
Plutarch's Lives