Frankenstein Preface-12 Study Questions
1. The preface to the book is set up uniquely. How so? Does this approach draw you in as a reader? Be specific.
The preface to the book is set up uniquely because it is a series of letters. This approach draws you in as a reader because it immediately starts with an anecdote or a small story to catch the attention of the reader.
2. Which letter is most significant and why?
The fourth letter in the most significant because Walton meets another character who he has been looking for and this ultimately leads to the beginning of the book.
3. Who is Victor Frankenstein and what do we know about his lineage?
Victor Frankenstein is the stranger Walton was describing in the fourth letter. Alphonse, Frankenstein’s
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He was a curious child and viewed the world as secret he was to discover.
6. Who was Cornelius Agrippa and what was his influence on young Victor?
Cornelius Agrippa was a sixteenth century author who influenced Victor’s interest in natural philosophy.
7. Why are Victor’s plans at the university interrupted?
Victor’s plans to attend the university were interrupted because Elizabeth caught the scarlet fever. Then Elizabeth became sick and died.
8. What are Caroline Frankenstein’s fate and her wish for Victor?
Caroline catches scarlet fever from Elizabeth and dies. Before she passes, she begs Elizabeth and Victor to get married.
9. When Victor finally gets to the university, how do the professors react to his ideas about science?
The professors are alarmed in reaction to his ideas because Victor has been studying outdated and useless writings.
10. Who is Professor Krempe and how does he alter Victor’s academic path?
Professor Krempe is a professor of natural philosophy at the university of Ingolstadt who is deeply interested in the secrets of science. He altered Victor’s academic path because he made Victor begin reading up to date books about sciences. Victor also realizes that so much has been done already, now he must pioneer a new way and unfold the world’s deepest secrets particularly in
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At one point, Victor warns Walton not to follow his example. What does he mean by this?
Victor means by warning Walton not to follow his example that by becoming obsessed like he has he has only discovered his own destruction and misery.
12. When Victor’s creation comes to life, how does he react? Why?
Victor is at first very anxious then once the creation was finished the beauty of his dream vanished and horror and disgust filled his heart. He also spends the night in fear and disappointment in his creation because he spent so much time on it and it does not fulfill his effort. The creation’s appearance also horrifies him.
13. Who is Henry Clerval? What is his relationship to Victor and why is he also at the university?
Henry Clerval is a friend of Victor’s and is from Geneva. So, he is a familiar face to Victor and tells him how his family is doing. Henry is at Ingolstadt because he is about to begin studying there.
14. Victor receives a letter from his father regarding what traumatic news?
The letter Victor receives tells him that his youngest brother, William has been murdered.
15. What is revealed to Victor about this tragedy upon returning home?
After Victor returns to Geneva he learns that Justine has been accused of the
She is always there for Victor as a source of comfort. In contrast, Victor leaves Elizabeth to explore his passion. For instance, after Victor goes to university, he doesn’t come back for two years. During this time, he expects Elizabeth to wait for him as if she was his property. Moreover, Elizabeth is not the only female character who is under Victor’s control....
This book had first started out by introducing the readers to what this book is going to sound like, which was the Introduction.
There is also a preface and an introduction which exactly explains the author’s purpose for writing the book and how she plans too complete the task.
Victor uses his knowledge and attachment to science and becomes “thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit” (Shelley 68) and that pursuit is to succeed. He puts his whole heart and dedicates his every hour to the creation, which makes him “neglect the scenes around [him] causing [him] also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom [he] had not seen for so long a time” (Shelley 68). After putting so much time and effort into the creation, Victor expects the product to be perfect, yet it is the complete opposite, unattractive and frightful. Victor barely gives the monster a chance to speak before he runs off, leaving the monster to fend for
He wanted a partner whom he could live with and not feel alone in this world. When they first encountered themselves, Victor was amazed by his creation, but once again Victor did not want to see.” Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live in the U.S.? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence, which you had so wantonly bestowed?
Even the creation says, "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a friend. Make me happy and I shall again be virtuous" (Shelley 66). In the novel, Victor has two chances to provide this happiness for the creation. In both cases, all the creation desires is a companion, be it Victor or a new creation. And, in both cases, Victor is influenced by his initial reaction of disgust at the sight of his original creation.
Victor is so engulfed by his work that he is unaware of what is going on around him. He “bore onwards [with his work], like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success” and he wants to “pour a torrent of light into our dark world" (Shelley 55). Blinded by his yearning for making new discoveries, Victor thinks that his knowledge of the sciences will be enough for him to be successful. However, he does not understand that in order to create an auspicious relationship between him and his creation, he needs to have knowledge of society as well. Once his creation is animated, Victor is unable to see that all the creature wants is to be loved and accepted. The creature craves the maternal love that Victor denies him. From the beginning, Victor is unable to realize the significance of his creation. He describes how the creature’s “yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath... [and] his hair was of a lustrous black... [and] his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips” (Shelley 58). He immediately focuses on the negative features of his creation, and does not even attempt to learn the positive qualities. If Victor uses more social skills, rather than his knowledge of the sciences to manage his creation, all of the destruction the creation causes could have been
Making Predictions: Based on the context of Victor’s childhood and what you learn about the characters of his mother and father from closely reading this passage, how can the reader assume Victor will treat something that is a creation of his being based on the lessons he learns as a child?
Since a boy, Frankenstein’s passion is to explore science and that which cannot be seen or understood in the field. He spent the later part of his childhood reading the works of commonly outdated scientists whose lofty goals included fantastic, imaginative desires to “penetrate the secrets of nature” (Vol. 1, Ch. 2). While he was told that these authors predated more real and practical scientists, he became intrigued by their ambitions, and devoted himself to succeeding where they had failed. When Victor is criticized at college for his previous studies in obsolete research, he takes after one of his professors, M. Waldman, in studying chemistry. In a lecture, Waldman tells of ancient teachers in chemistry who promised miracles and sought after “unlimited powers” (Vol. 1...
One of the most significant connections in the story is that of Henry and Victor’s. They traveled across Europe together, and Henry always worried about Victor. “‘I had rather be with you,’ he said, ‘in your solitary rambles, than with these Scotch people, whom I do not know; hasten, then, my dear friend, to return, that I may again feel myself somewhat at home, which I cannot do in your absence,’” (198-199). This quote from Henry perfectly displays the bond between him and Victor.
Everything starts to change once Victors ambitions become his life. He leaves to study at Ingolstadt, where his destiny begins to unfold. This is when Victor’s isolation begins. The search for the secrets of life consumes him for many years until he thinks he has found it. For months, he assembles what he needs for his creation to come alive.
Elizabeth's role in the novel was Victor's foundation. Elizabeth would write letters to Victor, which really helped him get through many of his difficult struggles. For example Elizabeth says, "Get well and return to us. You will find a happy, cheerful home and friends who love you dearly" (98). These letters also helped reassure Victor that his family still loved and cared for him. Victor was in shock, and did not know how to react when finding Elizabeth dead. For example Victor says, "I was bewildered, in a cloud of wonder and horror. The death of William, the execution of Justine, the murder of Clerval, and lastly of my wife" (342). This statement shows that
Victor has a lack of respect for the natural world that leads him on the path to becoming a monster. In creating the monster Victor is trying to change the natural world. He is trying to play the role of god by creating life.
... show the reader that people in the world customarily really do not change. Victor contradicting himself leads Walton to understanding that his pursuit of knowledge may cause the deaths of his crew who have family and friends.
A. Introduction-Title and author of the book and three paragraphs of a summary of the book