Romanticism & Authors
This core pillar of Romanticism emphasizes valorizing passion, intuition, and feeling over strict logic.
What is "Emotion over Reason"?
To this person—his sister—is Captain Robert Walton writing his letters.
Who is Margaret
This historical scientific discovery/concept directly influenced Mary Shelley's depiction of reanimating dead matter using electricity.
What is Galvanism?
This tragic event occurs right before 17-year-old Victor leaves Geneva for the University of Ingolstadt.
What is his mother dying of scarlet fever after nursing Elizabeth?
Defined as a story told through letters, diary entries, or written documents.
What is an Epistolary Novel?
In Romantic literature, this concept refers to nature as an uncontrollable force of awe and terror.
What is "The Sublime"?
This location serves as the setting for Robert Walton's expedition, symbolizing extreme ambition and the unknown.
What is the Arctic / North Pole?
This natural phenomenon occurs during a storm in Chapter 2, sparking Victor's deep obsession with electricity and natural science when it destroys an oak tree.
What is a lightning strike?
This is Victor's immediate emotional reaction the moment his creation opens its eyes.
What is horror, disgust, and overwhelming regret?
This vocabulary word means to give in or surrender.
What is capitulate?
These two famous historical figures were the parents of author Mary Shelley.
Who are William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft?
In Letter II, Walton expresses this major concern or loneliness to his sister.
What is having no friend to share his joy and defeat with?
Monsieur Krempe dismisses the ancient alchemists Victor has been studying as useless, outdated nonsense, but this other professor inspires Victor with his respect for modern scientific power.
Who is Monsieur Waldman?
After recovering from his months-long nervous fever, Victor receives a heartbreaking letter from his father sharing that this person has been murdered.
Who is his young brother, William?
Defined as public embarrassment, disgrace, or shame.
What is ignominy?
Mary Shelley conceived the idea for Frankenstein in 1816 during "The Year Without a Summer" at Villa Diodati due to a ghost story challenge issued by this famous poet.
Who is Lord Byron?
Victor Frankenstein's family nationality and place of origin.
What is Genevese / Switzerland?
Driven by his desire to discover the "principle of life," Victor gathers materials and bodies from these specific locations.
What are graveyards, vaults, and charnel-houses?
This piece of incriminating evidence is found in Justine's pocket, leading to her false accusation.
What is a miniature portrait locket of Victor's mother?
Meaning determined, relentless, and never giving up.
What is indefatigable?
The novel utilizes a frame narrative structure that is often compared to this nested toy object.
What are Russian Nesting Dolls?
This close childhood friend balances Victor's intense academic focus.
Who is Henry Clerval?
This exact length of time is how long Victor isolates himself in his lab working tirelessly before bringing the creature to life.
What is two years?
At the conclusion of Volume I, Victor describes himself as the "true murderer" for this reason.
What is because his creation caused the deaths of both William and Justine?
Defined as secret, clever, and often unfair methods used to achieve something.
What is machination?