Frankenstein Questions Ch. 5-8
Ch. 5
1. Analyze the “awakening” of the creature at the beginning of this chapter. Focus on literary details such as setting, mood, selection of detail, point of view, and tone. What interesting patterns emerge in the writing here?
2. How does Victor characterize himself (both directly and indirectly) in these first few pages of the chapter? What does this reveal about his motives, beliefs, and attributes of identity?
3. What seems to be the function of the direct quotation from Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”? What purpose does it serve in this crucial moment of Victor’s narrative?
4. How does Clerval function in the moments after his creation? What is revealed to him, and how does his role to Victor shift?
Ch. 6
1. Condense Elizabeth’s letter into 2-3 sentences. What does she reveal and why is it significant to the novel as a whole?
2. Characterize and analyze Justine. What values and characteristics does she possess? What is her role relationship to Victor?
3. Characterize and analyze William. What values and characteristics does he possess? What is his role relationship to Victor?
4. How is this information about Justine and William presented to the reader? What is the significance of this interesting narrative choice?
Ch. 7
1. What important information is shared with Victor via his father’s letter? Why does Shelley reveal this information to Victor through an epistle?
2. Who does Frankenstein think committed the crime and why? Why doesn't he tell anyone?
3. What is significant about the scene where Victor thinks he sees something near the gates? What symbolic meaning might some of the symbols in this section hold?
4. Describe the moments leading up to Victor’s father revealing whom he believes to be the guilty culprit. How does Shelley create suspense and tension in the dialogue and descriptions?
Ch. 8
1. Analyze the literary elements of the first two paragraphs of the chapter. How does Shelley achieve an overall purpose to these paragraphs?
2. Describe and comment on the events of the trial. Chart the arguments for and against the defendant’s guilt.
3. Who is ultimately at fault for Justine’s death? Who bears responsibility and guilt? (Think “Rime”!) Compare the responsibility of Justine’s death to that of William’s death.
4. Analyze the motif of confession, guilt, and salvation in this chapter.
Frankenstein Questions Ch. 5-8
Ch. 5
1. Analyze the “awakening” of the creature at the beginning of this chapter. Focus on literary details such as setting, mood, selection of detail, point of view, and tone. What interesting patterns emerge in the writing here?
2. How does Victor characterize himself (both directly and indirectly) in these first few pages of the chapter? What does this reveal about his motives, beliefs, and attributes of identity?
3. What seems to be the function of the direct quotation from Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”? What purpose does it serve in this crucial moment of Victor’s narrative?
4. How does Clerval function in the moments after his creation? What is revealed to him, and how does his role to Victor shift?
Ch. 6
1. Condense Elizabeth’s letter into 2-3 sentences. What does she reveal and why is it significant to the novel as a whole?
2. Characterize and analyze Justine. What values and characteristics does she possess? What is her role relationship to Victor?
3. Characterize and analyze William. What values and characteristics does he possess? What is his role relationship to Victor?
4. How is this information about Justine and William presented to the reader? What is the significance of this interesting narrative choice?
Ch. 7
1. What important information is shared with Victor via his father’s letter? Why does Shelley reveal this information to Victor through an epistle?
2. Who does Frankenstein think committed the crime and why? Why doesn't he tell anyone?
3. What is significant about the scene where Victor thinks he sees something near the gates? What symbolic meaning might some of the symbols in this section hold?
4. Describe the moments leading up to Victor’s father revealing whom he believes to be the guilty culprit. How does Shelley create suspense and tension in the dialogue and descriptions?
Ch. 8
1. Analyze the literary elements of the first two paragraphs of the chapter. How does Shelley achieve an overall purpose to these paragraphs?
2. Describe and comment on the events of the trial. Chart the arguments for and against the defendant’s guilt.
3. Who is ultimately at fault for Justine’s death? Who bears responsibility and guilt? (Think “Rime”!) Compare the responsibility of Justine’s death to that of William’s death.
4. Analyze the motif of confession, guilt, and salvation in this chapter.