Frankenstein Study guide questions Prologue Who wrote the prologue of Frankenstein? For what purpose was it written, according to the author? What stories inspired the idea of writing the “ghost stories” that summer? Describe the conversation that triggered the author’s “waking dream”? Why does the writer say that Frankenstein is not a “mere tale of specters or enchantment”? Summarize where and under what conditions Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein. The Letters 1. Show how the Letters frame the upcoming story of Frankenstein. 2. Analyze how Robert Walton’s life and travels adhere to the ideals of Romanticism. 3. Explain how Walton educates himself for his sailing adventure. 4. Predict how successful Walton’s voyage will be to find an Arctic passage, and the problems he could encounter on his adventure. 5. What does Walton desire when he writes the second letter? 6. Explain why Walton feels particularly fortunate to have secured the master of his ship. 7. Show how the shipmaster’s failed love story adheres to the ideals of Romanticism. 8. Infer how Walton’s “belief in the marvelous” makes him an ideal listener of Frankenstein’s story. 9. Formulate how the setting of the fourth letter is typically Romantic. 10. Tell what the sailors first see in the distance. 11. Describe the man who boards the ship. 12. Explain why the man is in the Arctic. 13. Analyze how the man fulfills Captain Walton’s desires. 14. Generalize why the man agrees to tell Walton his story. 15. Evaluate why the man cautions Walton against his “search for knowledge and wisdom.” 16. What is Walton’s duty as the man tells his story?
Chapter Four 1. Evaluate Victor’s assertion, “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.” (48) 2. What specific aspects of biology does Victor study? 3. Explain how Victor thinks that his creation will regard him. 4. Analyze how Victor violates his own advice: “A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility.” (53) 5. Generalize why Victor “shuns his fellow-creatures” while working on his creation. Chapter Five 1. How does Victor react when his creation comes to life? Explain your feelings about his reaction to his creation. Were you surprised? Why or why not? 2. Describe how Victor’s dream takes on the mood of a horror story. 3. Show how the passage from Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” applies to Victor Frankenstein. (57) 4. Explain how Victor reacts to Henry Clerval’s arrival in Ingolstadt. 5. Surmise what the monster does after leaving Victor’s laboratory. 6. Explain the favor that Henry asks of Victor. Chapter Six 1. Summarize Elizabeth’s letter to Victor. 2. Relate how Justine comes to live with the Frankenstein family. 3. Visually or descriptively illustrate William Frankenstein. 4. Analyze how Victor feels after he reads Elizabeth’s letter. 5. Generalize how M. Waldman and M. Krempe speak of Victor when he and Clerval visit them. What is the irony of this? 6. What do Victor and Clerval begin studying together? 7. Assess how Clerval affects Victor and his mood. Chapter Seven 1. How does William die? 2. Why does Elizabeth blame herself? 3. How long has it been since Victor has been home?