Kissing Cousins
In the beginning, Victor created daemons from the pits of the 7th Circle (Genesis -1:-1)
Who Dunnit?
Quotes
Discussion
100
What does Victor’s father propose is the reason for his melancholy behavior?
He thinks that Victor feels obligated to marry Elizabeth, even though he views her as a sister. He also thinks that Victor might have a new love interest.
100
Why do you think Victor viewed his task as foreboding evil? If his creation wasn’t so deformed, do you think he would still feel the same?
He viewed his creation negatively at the start due to its grotesque physique, and the violent actions of the creature only catalyzed his contempt. It's debatable whether or not his feelings regarding his creation would change in the event that it looked normal, however, it seems highly probable.
100
Who travels with Victor while he embarks to fulfill his promise to the creature?
His best friend Henry Clerval.
100
“I repassed, in my memory, my whole life; my quiet happiness while residing with my family in Geneva, the death of my mother…I remembered shuddering at the mad enthusiasm that hurried me on to the creation of my hideous enemy”
Why do you think Victor was so obsessed with restoring life?
As insinuated from the quote, emotional trauma from the death of his mother more than likely is the culprit.
100
What are some of the similarities between Victor and MacBeth?
-Experience inner conflict stemming from their actions
-Their determination/objectives led to their downfalls
-They experience nightmares/hallucinations and extreme paranoia due to their guilty conscience
-Etc.
200
Why does the thought of marrying Elizabeth invoke horror within Victor?
"I must perform my engagement, and let the monster depart with his mate, before I allowed myself to enjoy the delight of an union from which I expected peace.”
He is paranoid about the possibility of the creature inflicting miseries on his family.
200
In the middle of completing his promised task, what ideas come to Victor’s mind as he wonders about the future relationship between his new creation and old one?
The fear of the unknown prompts him to think about the worst case scenario of his creation being rejected by his female counterpart due to his looks and how she could be more barbaric and wretched, which would lead to more treachery.
200
Who said, “You are my creator, but I am your master; — obey!" and why?
The creature said this to Victor when he was refusing to finish creating his female companion.
200
“I confess that I felt a few sensations of terror. I had no compass with me, and was so little acquainted with the geography of this part of the world that the sun was of little benefit to me.”
The element of the unknown repeatedly seems to haunt Victor throughout this novel. In spite of being miserable, why do you think Victor suddenly experiences the urge to fight for his life in this scene?
"How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery!"
200
Who is suffering more, Victor or the creature? Who do you sympathize more with?
All opinions are valid.
300
Wheel of Fortune
Which literary device is this quote an example of?
Foreshadowing
300
Why does Victor think he could be dooming the existence of the whole human race with his creations?
“A race of devils would be propagated upon the earth who might make the very existence of the species of man a condition precarious and full of terror.”
300
Who is the creature’s next victim after Victor breaks his promise to create his female companion and why is Victor blamed?
Henry Clerval; people reported seeing someone leave on a boat around the time of the murder, which is how Victor arrived
300
“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”
The creature is implying that a lack of fear instills power within an individual. Do you believe that he truly has power over Victor? Do you believe that he is truly fearless?
Debatable, however one thing is for certain: the creature fears isolation.
300
If you were Victor, would you have kept the promise he made to the creature?
All answers are valid.
400
When is the marriage of Victor and Elizabeth supposed to occur?
After Victor and Henry return from their travels around the world, which is scheduled to take approximately two years (enough time for Victor to fulfill his promise to the creature).
400
What did Victor end up doing to his second creation and why?
He became extremely passionate and tore it to pieces once he saw the creature sporting a “ghastly grin” due to the sight of the progress of the second creature’s creation.
400
Who comes to visit Victor while he is imprisoned (family member)?
His father.
400
“Every thought that was devoted to it was an extreme anguish, and every word that I spoke in allusion to it caused my lips to quiver, and my heart to palpitate.” (The thought of fulfilling his promise to the creature)
In regards to our class discussions regarding the topic of horror, which consequences of horror are highlighted in the quote?
This excerpt highlights the bodily changes horror can evoke due to the release of certain hormones when an individual is truly frightened.
400
What effect does nature have on Victor? What effect does it have on the creature? In what ways are these effects similar/different? What might Mary Shelley's message about nature be?
Points to harp on:
-Nature is used to soothe Victor during his emotional episodes; (comes from a loving family)
-Nature negatively impacts the creature as he experiences harsh weather conditions, which juxtaposes the harsh conditions he experiences from human nature
-Overall theme of how environmental factors and upbringing impact the character development of an individual
500
“He might remain in Switzerland, and wreak his vengeance on my relatives. This idea pursued me, and tormented me at every moment from which I might otherwise have snatched repose and peace. I waited for my letters with feverish impatience: if they were delayed, I was miserable, and overcome by a thousand fears; and when they arrived, and I saw the superscription of Elizabeth or my father, I hardly dared to read and ascertain my fate.”
In regards to our class discussions regarding the topic of horror, which element of horror does this quote encompass?
The element of the unknown and the threat that can pose to someone's life, along with the mental fatigue it can invoke.
500
How does Victor dispose of the remnants of the creature's companion, and what happens to him immediately after he finishes?
He waits until the moon is concealed by clouds to discard the remnants in the water and falls asleep on the boat and wakes up "lost at sea".
500
-Victor's Mother
-William Frankenstein
-Justine Moritz
-Henry Clerval
500
“During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my mind was intently fixed on the sequel of my labour, and my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands.”
What is this quote talking about?
How Victor was so engrossed in his quest to create life, that he failed to realize the horrific nature of his actions until he was in a position of being forced to replicate it knowing its ramifications.
500
What is this novel suggesting about the correlation between humanity and horror?
All answers are valid.
Humanity can be the source of horror.