Victor's Responsibility
How does Victor’s obsession with creating life contribute to William’s death?
Victor’s creation of the Creature sets the chain of events in motion, as the Creature kills William.
Chap 7 evidence
Who does the Creature directly kill first, and why?
The Creature kills William to lash out at humanity and indirectly hurt Victor.
Evidence Chapter 16, the Creature’s account of William’s death.
How do Victor and the Creature both contribute to William’s death?
Victor creates the Creature, and the Creature kills William.
Chapter 5 (creation) and Chapter 16 (murder).
Find a passage in Chapter 7 where Victor expresses guilt for William’s death.
Students locate a quote, e.g., “I had been the author of unalterable evils” (Chapter 7).
Evidence*: Chapter 7.
Should Victor have warned his family about the Creature’s danger? Why or why not?
students argue with evidence, e.g., Victor’s silence in Chapter 23.
Evidence: Chapter 23
Why is Victor’s failure to warn his family about the Creature significant for Elizabeth’s death?
Victor knows the Creature is dangerous but doesn’t warn Elizabeth, allowing the Creature to kill her.
Chap 23 evidence
Why does the Creature kill Elizabeth?
To punish Victor for denying him a companion and destroying his hope for happiness.
Chapter 23, the Creature’s vow and act of murder.
Why is Justine’s death a result of both Victor’s and the Creature’s actions?
The Creature frames Justine, and Victor fails to defend her.
Find a passage in Chapter 16 where the Creature justifies killing William.
Students locate a quote, e.g., “I gazed on my victim, and my heart swelled with exultation” (Chapter 16).
Does the Creature’s misery justify his murders? Defend your position.
Chapter 16 (Creature’s misery).
Evidence: Chapter 16.
How does Victor’s neglect of the Creature after its creation contribute to Henry Clerval’s death?
Victor abandons the Creature, leading to its anger and murder of Henry as revenge.
Chap 5 & Chap 21
How does the Creature frame Justine for William’s murder?
The Creature plants William’s locket on Justine, leading to her conviction.
Evidence: Chapter 16, the Creature’s description of the act.
How do Victor’s and the Creature’s actions together lead to Henry’s death?
Victor’s abandonment angers the Creature, who kills Henry as revenge.
Chapter 5 (abandonment) and Chapter 21 (murder).
Find a passage in Chapter 8 where Victor reflects on his failure to save Justine.
Students locate a quote, e.g., “I bore a hell within me” (Chapter 8).
*Evidence*: Chapter 8.
Is Victor’s ambition to create life inherently wrong, or is his neglect the real issue?
Chapter 4 (ambition) vs. Chapter 5 (neglect).
Explain how Victor’s refusal to create a companion for the Creature leads to multiple deaths.
The Creature kills Henry and Elizabeth after Victor destroys the female companion, escalating its vengeance.
Chap 20, Chap 23
Why does the Creature kill Henry Clerval, and how does this reflect his growing malice?
The Creature kills Henry to isolate and torment Victor, showing his deliberate cruelty.
Evidence: Chapter 21, the murder, and Chapter 16, the Creature’s growing anger.
Explain how Victor’s refusal to create a companion and the Creature’s subsequent actions lead to Elizabeth’s death.
Victor destroys the companion, prompting the Creature to kill Elizabeth in retaliation.
Evidence:Chapter 20 (destruction) and Chapter 23 (murder).
Find a passage in Chapter 23 where the Creature’s intent to kill Elizabeth is clear.
Students locate a quote, e.g., “I will be with you on your wedding-night” (Chapter 20, reiterated in 23).
Should the Creature be held accountable as a human would be, given his unnatural creation?
Creature’s reasoning in Chapter 16 vs. Victor’s responsibility in Chapter 5.
Argue whether Victor’s ambition to conquer death makes him primarily responsible for all the novel’s deaths.
Victor’s hubris in Chapter 4 vs. the Creature’s agency.Evidence*: Chapter 4 (Victor’s ambition) and Chapter 24 (his reflections).
Is the Creature fully responsible for his violent actions, given his rejection by society? Defend your answer.
Creature’s choices in Chapter 16 vs. his treatment in Chapter 15. Evidence*: Chapters 15–16 (rejection and malice).
Argue whether Victor and the Creature are equally responsible for the novel’s tragedies, using evidence.
Students must compare Victor’s creation/neglect (Chapters 5, 20) with the Creature’s murders (Chapters 16, 23).
Find a passage in Chapter 24 where Victor or the Creature reflects on the cycle of violence they’ve created.
Students locate a quote, e.g., Victor’s vow to pursue the Creature or the Creature’s remorse
Is Victor more responsible than the Creature for the novel’s tragedies because he is the creator? Defend your position.
Victor’s hubris (Chapter 4) vs. Creature’s agency (Chapter 16).