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Discussion Questions forFrankenstein

1. What style of writing and what genre does Shelley use for the novel? Why were

these, her choices? Some aspects of this novel include gothic fiction, science

fiction, fantasies of every kind as well as elements of romance, which includeslust. Also, there are elements of gothic horror conventions to prove the genre it is

written in. Shelley also wrote the novel in the epistolary style, which means that

the novel is written as a series of documents such as letters or diary pages.

2. Who is Victor Frankenstein and what do we know about him? What sort of

person, scientist, boyfriend, son, and scholar is he? Victor is the protagonist of the

novel. He starts off as an somewhat kind but obsessive, temperamental child witha quest for knowledge. However, as time progress he changes from a kind loving

innocent youth that is fascinated by the prospects of science into a depressed,

guilt-ridden man determined to destroy the fruits of his arrogant scientific

endeavor.

3. Who is Robert Walton and what do we know about him? How is he likeFrankenstein and how is he like the creature? Robert is the Arctic seafarer whose

letters open and close Frankenstein. Walton picks up the weak and sickly Victor

Frankenstein off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victors story.He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret

Saville, in England. He also plays a role that parallels Victors in many ways.

Like Victor, Robert is an explorer, chasing after that unprocessed

knowledge. Robert is like the creature in the respect that he too has a kind andcompassionate nature, but like the creature life experiences has jaded his view a

bit.

4. Are Walton and Frankenstein alike or are they different? In what ways are they

alike and what ways are they different? See latter part of question 3. The

difference between Victor and Robert are simple. Victor could not let go of hisquest for knowledge and that was his downfall. He did not understand that some

things should be left alone; some things are unknown to man for a reason.

Frankenstein never stopped to consider the consequences of his action on his

fellow human beings, or the creature he was creating. However, Robert learnedthis lesson from Victor and returned to the "real world" not continuing his quest in

the Arctic.

5. Who are the DeLaceys and what is their effect on the creature? What do they

represent in the context of the point Shelley is trying to make in her novel ? The

DeLacey's are the family the creature is drawn too. He helps them, protects them,and learns from them. He worships them, and longs for their love and

acceptance. I think the point that Shelly is trying to make here or with the

Delacey's is to show that the creature does have feelings like we do, that he is in

fact human. he feels sympathy, affection, and desire; he is capable ofappreciation

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(as we see in his enjoyment of the family's music); he has mastered language; and

he is capable of self-analysis and reflection. He is like us.

6. What is the creature like, in the beginning, and what does he become? How does

his transformation support the Enlightenments point of view? He is initially a

gentle, kind being, with the same nature. However, after being abandoned byVictor, his creator, he is left confused and afraid. He tries to amalgamate himself

into society, only to be shunned. This turns him into a angry, lonely and

tormented being. His transformation supports the enlightenments POV in therespect that he very creation challenge's ideas grounded in tradition and faith, and

advance knowledge through the scientific method.

7. What is sciences role in this book, and is Shelley in favor of the science oropposed to it, and how do you know? In my opinion what Shelly is saying about

science is that if science is merely done on the basis of discovery without any

thought to the effects the experimentation can have we risk endangering

everything we hold dear. I do think Shelly is in favor of science, nevertheless, Ithink that she wants us to think about the consequences our actions can have.

8. What is the role of nature in this book, and how does that reflect the Romanticliterary periods point of view? It seems to be a reaction ofVictor's feelings and

thoughts. Nature also seems to have a restorative element for Victor

Frankenstein. While he seems to be overcome with grief, by the murders of hisfriends and family, he repeatedly shuns humanity and seeks nature for health,

relaxation and to strengthen his spirits. As "Frankenstein" development and

growth continues, Victor takes sustenance from nature, and it becomes his

personal therapy when he undergoes any form of torment or stress. By chapterfive of the first volume, Shelley creates this connection between Victor and

nature. Thus, instead of describing his moods with metaphor, as in earlier

passages, she describes his recovery from grave illness through his affinity withnature. Throughout Frankenstein, it is nature, not other people which keep Victor

healthy enough to continue living a relatively sane life. This in turn reflects the

Romantic POV in the respect this literary genre is that it allows Victor and Shellyto express their individual overflow of feelings.

9. Why is there not any mention of church in this book? The primary references toGod are allusions to Paradise Lost. What point might Shelley be making by using

these allusions? I think the reason there is no out right mention of GOD in the

book is because God isn't present in what Victor is trying to do. However, GOD isin the background of Victor's mind, so to speak. In his quest to be like GOD,

Victor finds that he is not adapted at it. Unlike GOD he creates a "monster" that

terrorizes him and the country side. I think the reasons we see or read this

reference is because it is alluding to a more happier time in Victor's life. Thepromise of what could have been if he hadn't let his passion/obsession get the

better of him and ruin is life. But also that in a way Victor is showcasing a very

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_methodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method

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watered down version of GOD personality. I mean GOD kicked out Adam and

Eve, HIS creation and Victor does the same, but not for the same reasons. GOD

kicked out Adam and Eve for disobedience, Victor kicked out his creationbecause it did not "look" pleasing. Victor was selfish and cruel, thinking only of

himself and not his creation. Whereas, GOD was acting as a parent and

disciplining his children for their disobedience. I think the point Shelly ismaking using allusions is that GOD is always present, and that we are not like

him and cannot do what his does.

10. One of the great themes of the book is the appropriate use of science, which are

still important and relevant today. Be Mary Shelley, and tell the class what those

limitations should be and why. Well we create nuclear power reactors and

weapons in the name of science and protection of country, ignoring the fatal costof such sciences. Hiroshima for example. We genetically alter animals without

regards to the effect on us and the rest of the food chain. We divert water from

state to state, ignoring the fact that we are destroying another habitat. We

continue to produce vehicles that are destroying the environment. The examplesgo on and on. I think Shelly showed great insight. We cannot rely on science too

much, yes it can help improve our daily lives, but at what cost? Science cannotsolve all our problems and it is up to us to make educated decisions about the way

science should be used.

11. Another great theme is the responsibility of the scientist (and God?) for h/His

creation, which is also still relevant today. How are these themes presented in the

book, whats Shelleys stance on them, as well as how do you know this is herstance? I think this is presented in the book via Victor's abandonment of his

creation. He lift his creation to find for himself. To learn right and wrong for

himself. Victor did not give him any instruction. That theme of responsibilityrelates to today as some children are not taught right from wrong by their parents.

They are left to their own devices.

12. One of the things writers of the Romantic period did was to emphasize the

importance of the child and childhood. In what ways does Shelley do this in her

novel? In Victor's recounting of his childhood to Robert. He presents it as a idyllic

childhood, filled with love and fun.