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Questions About "Frankenstein"

1. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818 while on vacation with her husband Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. She was inspired to write the story after telling ghost stories. 2. The novel fits the Gothic genre through its dark tone and themes of terror created by the grotesque monster. The monster's rejection and isolation from society leads him to cause fear and conflict. 3. The plot is framed through a series of letters from Robert Walton to his sister. Walton's letters contain the interwoven narratives of Frankenstein and the monster, allowing the perspective to shift between characters.

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Hayley Heatley
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4K views3 pages

Questions About "Frankenstein"

1. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818 while on vacation with her husband Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. She was inspired to write the story after telling ghost stories. 2. The novel fits the Gothic genre through its dark tone and themes of terror created by the grotesque monster. The monster's rejection and isolation from society leads him to cause fear and conflict. 3. The plot is framed through a series of letters from Robert Walton to his sister. Walton's letters contain the interwoven narratives of Frankenstein and the monster, allowing the perspective to shift between characters.

Uploaded by

Hayley Heatley
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Questions About "Frankenstein"

1. When did Mary Shelley write "Frankenstein"? What were the


circumstances?
January 1, 1818. Mary was involved in a scandalous relationship with a
married poet. When his wife drowned, they formalized their
relationship. Mary’s life was full of tragedy as 3 of her 4 children died in
infancy and her husband drowned leaving her a widow.
2. "Frankenstein" is often described as a Gothic novel. What does
that mean? How does the novel fit into the atmosphere of terror and
the grotesque?
The monster that is created is considered grotesque. The monster’s
rejection from society leads him to cause terror. The novel itself has
dark “Gothic” overtones, and the confliction Frankenstein feels within
about his monster adds to the dark nature of the story.
3. How do epistles/letters figure into the plot of the novel?
The entire novel is letters of Robert Walton to his sister. They contain
the narrative of the story of Frankenstein and his monster. The use of
letters also allows the narrative to shift from one character to another.
4. How is suspense created in the novel? Is the suspense effective?
One of the methods used is delayed solution to a conflict. The monster
asks for Frankenstein to make him a companion. His request is first
denied but later Frankenstein consents. The secrecy surrounding the
monster and the knowledge that is used to create it also adds to the
suspense.
5. Who are the major characters of "Frankenstein"? How do female
characters figure into the plot of the novel? Are they important? Which
of the characters survive?
Victor Frankenstein, The Monster, Robert Walton. Women take on a
passive attitude throughout the book. Both Victor and the Monster
seek companionship from a woman, which also becomes a source of
revenge.
6. What are the three storylines in the novel? How do they develop?
Which characters are involved in each storyline?
a. The first story line is Robert Walton’s story, which contains the other
two narrations. This story takes place in the form of letters to his sister.
He is determined to navigate a difficult route at all costs even though
his crew is about to mutiny. He finds a companion in Victor
Frankenstein.
b. The book focuses on the second storyline, that of Victor
Frankenstein. This storyline explores Frankenstein’s journey through
experimentation with the forces of life, the creation of a monster, and
the dire consequences that result.
c. The third storyline is the story of the Monster. The monster is
portrayed as violent and dangerous by Victor Frankenstein, but is able
to muster the sympathy of the audience through his rejection and
naïve ways concerning society.
7. Why does Mary Shelley write about Victor's childhood? Why is his
early life important to the plot? Is it?
His early childhood is a contrast to his latter life and he came from a
happy childhood into a dark and foreboding practice of tampering with
the forces of life and death.
8. How does the concept of hubris figure into the plot? Are the
characters propelled by Fate, or something much more psychological?
Why?
Hubris plays a large role in the creation of the monster. It is Victor’s
own pride that leads him to create the monster which in turn leads to
his downfall.
9. Does the saying "like father, like son" apply to the relationship
between Victor
Frankenstein and The Monster? How are they similar/different? How do
they each
develop? How does their relationship change? Then, take a look at the
relationship
between Victor and his father?

10. What symbols does Mary Shelley employ most effectively through
the novel? How does darkness play a part in the novel? When (and
how) does the moon appear?
Light (goodness and knowledge) , Fire (human progress, danger of
human intervention)
Darkness represents different things in Frankenstein, evil, secrecy, and
the creation of the monster all contribute to darkness in the novel. The
moon and the appearance of the monster coincide. It plays into the
themes of weather and light versus dark. The moon is also a
component of the gothic mood.
11. What do you see as the primary theme of the novel? Is it implicit or
explicit?
Monstrosity is one of the primary themes of the novel. First,
Frankenstein’s dangerous knowledge leads him to create a monster,
who turns of Frankenstein and humans as he is rejected by both Victor
Frankenstein and society.
12. Which character is the most sympathetic? What characteristics
makes him/her
sympathetic? Why?
Victor’s father, Alphonse Frankenstein is sympathetic towards his son.
He offers encouragement and reminds him of the importance of family.
13. How does the idea of nature versus nurture figure into the plot?
Why is nature important to the novel?
The monster’s natural inclination was to find food, water, and shelter
for survival which are animalistic instincts. However, as he observes
the DeLacey family, he sees the way people interact with each other
and the importance and existence of emotions within a family.
14. Does setting play an important role in the novel? How is the final
setting significant?
The idea of exploration of the unknown is illustrated in the constantly
changing setting of the novel. The final setting of the novel in the Artic
points to a dull future and perhaps even alludes to Dante’s Inferno and
his idea that betraying one’s God, or in Victor’s case trying to become
one’s own God, is a sin that is punished by eternity in frozen water.
15. How are the characters alienated from each other? What fits of
sickness and madness affect them?
Victor and the monster are consumed with the idea of revenge against
each other. Victor Frankenstein loathes the monster he created and
the damage he has caused. The monster seeks revenge on his creator
for abandoning him and creating him.

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