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Study Guide: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Date Assigned / Reading Assignment / Date DueIntroduction, Preface, Letters
Chapters 1-5
Chapters 6-9
Chapters 10-15
Chapters 16-20
Chapters 21-24
Introduction, Preface, Letters * Mark the asterisked* passages in your novel*
Identify the question types (RT, TS, AM, OMO)
1. *Why did Mary Shelley write Frankenstein?
2. What discussions influence the development of her idea?
3. In the preface, what does the author say she is trying to preserve?
4. What is the structure, or form, of the novel?
5. Who is writing the letters? And to whom are the letters written?
6. *Where is the writer of the letters, and why has he chosen to make this voyage? What is his goal?
7. Why does Walton want a friend? How does he define a friend?
8. Walton says he is a “Romantic.” What is a Romantic person like?
9. *How does he meet Victor Frankenstein? How does Robert feel about his guest?
10. How does this man react to Walton’s dream or goal? Why?
11. *Why is Frankenstein in the Arctic?
12. Why does Shelley allude to Dr. Darwin’s name in the preface?
Quote Identifications:
13. "And now, once again, I bid my hideous progeny go forth and prosper. I have an affection for it, for it was the offspring of happy days, when death and grief were but words, which found no true echo in my heart." (Author’s Intro)
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14. "On perceiving me, the stranger addressed me in English, although with a foreign accent. "Before I come on board your vessel," said he, "will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?" (Letters)
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Chapters 1-5
1. Who is telling this part of the story?
2. What are Frankenstein’s parents like? How do they feel about each other and about their child?
3. What kind of person is Victor?
4. *Who is Elizabeth? How did Elizabeth come to live with the Frankensteins? How do people react to her? How is she different from Victor?
5. Who is Frankenstein’s closest friend? How is he different from Victor?
6. *What is one of the themes of the writers who influenced Frankenstein? How does this affect him?
7. What natural phenomena influence Frankenstein?
8. *What two major events happen to Frankenstein when he was seventeen? How do they influence him?
9. What goal does Frankenstein decide to pursue? How will his pursuit change him do you think?
10. What task does Victor begin? How does he feel about his task as he goes about it?
11.* How does Frankenstein feel when his experiment succeeds, and the creature comes to life? Why?
12. What does Frankenstein do when the creature reaches out to him? Why would he react this way? Why do you think the creature reaches out to him?
13. Who takes care of Frankenstein during his illness? How does Victor feel about this person?
Quote Identifications:
14. "I have described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature." (Ch. 2)
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15. "None but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of science. In other studies you go as far as others have gone before you, and there is nothing more to know; but in a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder." (Ch. 4)
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16. "Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil, as I dabbled among he unhallowed damps of the grave, or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay?" (Ch. 4)
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17. "I had desired it with an ardent fervor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart." (Ch. 5)
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Chapters 6-9
1. What does Clerval give Frankenstein when he was better? How does Frankenstein react?
2. How do Frankenstein and Clerval spend the next several months? How does this reflect the idea of Romanticism?
3. What news does the letter from Frankenstein’s father bring?
4. What does Frankenstein see just outside the gates of Geneva as he was returning home? What mood does it create?
5. *Who is accused of committing the murder, and why?
6.* What is Frankenstein’s reaction to this accusation? What does Frankenstein do about his dilemma?
7. What happens to the accused person?
8. *What is Frankenstein’s state of mind after the trial and its conclusion? Where does Frankenstein go to seek relief? How does this idea reflect the idea of Romanticism?
9. How do others (Elizabeth, Victor’s father) react to these events?
10. Do you think Victor is as guilty as he feels he is? Of what, if anything, do you think he is guilty?
11. Describe Victor Frankenstein’s change of character.
Quote Identifications:
12. "During the whole of this wretched mockery of justice I suffered living torture. It was to be decided, whether the course of my curiosity and lawless devices would cause the death of two of my fellow-beings: one a smiling babe, full of innocence and joy; the other far more dreadfully murdered, with every aggravation of infamy that could make the murder memorable in horror." (Ch. 8)
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Chapters 10-15
1. Whom does Frankenstein meet after he ascends to the summit of Montanvert?
2. How does Frankenstein react to this meeting? What does this reveal of his character?
3. *What does the creature want of Frankenstein? What does this reveal of his character?
4. *How did the creature feel when he first felt life? How does the lack of a parent figure emphasize this?
5. What is the reaction of the villagers the creature encountered?
6. How does the creature respond to fire? Where does the creature eventually take shelter?
7. *What observations does the creature make about the people in the cottage?
8. How does the creature feel about the cottagers? How does the creature show kindness to them?
9. What does the creature learn to do, how does he learn this, what does is reveal about him?
10. *What books does the creature read? How does each affect him?
11. How does the situation of the DeLacey family parallel that of the creature’s?
12. What is the elder De Lacey’s reaction when the creature enters the cottage and begins
speaking with him?
13. *What was the reaction of the De Lacey family when they see the creature? What does this reveal about them?
14. How do you feel about the creature and his situation? Why?
15. Describe the creature’s personality.
Quote Identifications:
16. "It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of my being; all the events of that period appear confused and indistinct. A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw, felt, heard, and smelt, at the same time." (Ch. 11)
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17. "Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pit, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image,; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred." (Ch. 15)
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Chapters 16-20
1. What does the creature do at the cottage when he returns and finds the De Laceys have
moved out? Do you think this signals a change in the creature’s character? Why or why not?
2. What is the reaction of the man whose daughter is saved from drowning by the creature? What does this reveal about humanity?
3. *What discovery does the creature make when he approaches another human?
4. What did the creature do to this person?
5. *How did the creature feel after his deed? What does this tell us about his character?
6. What did the creature tell Frankenstein about the locket?
7. What did the creature ask Frankenstein to do? Why? Do you agree with him?
8. *How did Frankenstein react to this request? Do you agree with his decision? Why or why not?
9. Describe how Victor treats his loved ones (Elizabeth, Henry) in order to fulfill the creature’s request.
10. How is Henry a foil character?
11. Victor is sickened by his work, give four reasons why Victor changes his mind in fulfilling the creature’s request. Do you agree with his decision? Why or why not?
12. *What threat does the creature make when he sees Frankenstein destroy his second creation? What does Frankenstein think the threat means?
13. Victor decides to get rid of his work, and he goes out to sea. What is the next fearful thing that happens to Victor?
14. Discuss the creature’s views on society, justice, and injustice.
Quote Identifications:
15. "I, too, can create desolation; my enemy is not invulnerable; this death will carry despair to him, and a thousand other miseries shall torment and destroy him." (Ch. 16)
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16. "I swear by the sun, and by the blue sky of Heaven, and by the fire of love that burns my heart, that if you grant my prayer, while they exist you shall never behold me again." (Ch. 17)
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Chapter 21-24
1. Who has been the creature’s most recent victim? Who is accused of the murder and how does this person react?
2. What happens at Frankenstein’s trial? Who helps him and why? Does he confess to his real crimes?
3. Why does Victor want to return home? How has his mental condition deteriorated?
4. *What happens on Frankenstein and Elizabeth’s wedding night? How has Victor been a fool?
5. What happens to Frankenstein’s father as a result of this latest tragedy?
6. *What is the magistrate’s response when Frankenstein told him the entire story of the
creature?
7. Victor, in his anger, says to the magistrate, “How ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!” What is the irony in this?
8. What does Frankenstein do after he leaves the magistrate?
9. How does the creature further torture Victor? Where is he leading Victor, and for what purpose? Do you think the creature is justified?
10.* What request does Frankenstein make of Robert Walton?
11. What advice does he give Walton when the crew is about to mutiny?
12. *What happens to Frankenstein at the end of the novel? Is his ending just?
13. *What happens to the creature at the end of the novel? Is his ending just?
14. What role does weather have in maintaining the mood in Frankenstein?
Quote Identifications:
15. ". . . and if I see but one smile on your lips when we meet, occasioned by this or any other exertion of mine, I shall need no other happiness." (Ch. 22)
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16. "Oh! Peace, peace, my love," replied I; "this night, and all will be safe; but this night is dreadful, very dreadful." (Ch. 23)
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17. "But such is not my destiny; I must pursue and destroy the being to whom I gave existence; then my lot on earth will be fulfilled, and I may die." (Ch. 24)
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18. "When I reflected on the work I had completed, no less a one than the creation of a sensitive and rational animal, I could not rank myself with the herd of common projectors…All my speculations and hopes are as nothing; and, like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell.” (Ch. 24)
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19. "Wretch!" I said, "It is well that you come here to whine over the desolation that you have made. You throw a torch into a pile of buildings, and when they are consumed, you sit among the ruins, and lament the fall. Hypocritical fiend!" (Ch. 24)
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20. "Blasted as thou were, my agony was still superior to thine, for the bitter sting of remorse will not cease to rankle in my wounds until death shall close them forever." (Ch. 24)
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Frankenstein Vocabulary
Directions: Write the definition of each word on a note card. (29 points)
Dauntless
Fervent
Progeny
Sublime
Facile
Dogmatism
Antipathy
Dissipate
Languor
Guile
Precipice
Venerable
Efface
Sacrilege
Impetuous
Epoch
Commiserate
Enigmatic
Poignantly
Uncouth
Indelibly
Impotence
Machinations
Antiquity
Tumult
Tangible
Literary Terms
Romanticism
Gothic
physiognomy
EXTRA CREDIT: After Reading Discussion Questions
Interpretive
1. From what point of view is this story told? How would the story change if told from only
one character's point of view?
2. Discuss the creature’s views on society, justice, and injustice.
3. Discuss the main themes in the novel.
4. What role does weather have in maintaining the mood in Frankenstein?
5. Why did Shelley include Dr. Darwin’s name in the preface?
6. Discuss the type of families portrayed in the novel.
7. Discuss Victor Frankenstein’s personality.
8. Discuss the creature’s personality.
9. Discuss the use of emotions in the novel.
10. Discuss the symbolism behind Victor Frankenstein’s crime against nature.