lifeincoffeespoons.weebly.comlifeincoffeespoons.weebly.com/.../ak_-_comprehension_and_quotes.d… · Web viewLetters: Who is writing the letters? Robert Walton is writing the letters

Frankenstein Plot Comprehension and Quote Guide – Answer Key

Letters:

1) Who is writing the letters?a. Robert Walton is writing the letters.

2) How can we describe this person?i. Reference to daydreams (3)

1. He has a good imagination, when upset his daydreams “become more fervent and vivid.”

ii. What calms his mind (4)1. The fact that Walton could satisfy his “ardent curiosity” and “confer on

mankind” a great new intelligence calms him when he is worried. iii. Want of friendship (7)

1. Walton is a social creature who wants a friend to “sustain” him when he is feeling upset or otherwise.

iv. Attention to a guest (14)1. Walton is kind and generous to those around him, and does not “allow

[his guest] to be tormented” by anything that might upset him or cause him stress.

3) Who is receiving the letters?a. R. Walton’s sister, Mrs. Margaret Saville is receiving the letters.

4) What span of time passes over the course of the letters?a. December 11th – August 19th, 17--. Nine months.

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5) Who is speaking at this point?a. Frankenstein is now telling his story, which is being recorded in Walton’s letters.

6) How did the speaker’s parents meet? (21, 22)a. The wealthy Frankenstein Sr. worked to find and care for a friend (Beaufort) who had

fallen on hard times. Caroline Beaufort, the daughter, grew to know and love Victor Frankenstein through this familial connection.

7) How did Elizabeth come to join the family? (24, 25)a. Caroline Frankenstein met a poor family who had adopted an orphaned child. The poor

family was having trouble providing for the children, so Caroline offered to take the child who was not their own blood, and raise her well.

8) How does Victor feel about Elizabeth? (25)a. Victor feels that Elizabeth is his “to protect, love, and cherish.” *This phrasing echoes the

idea of wedding vows, which foreshadows future events.


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9) While Elizabeth enjoys the views associated with the Alps, what does Victor prefer? (27)a. Victor was “deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge” and chose to immerse himself

in learning and education. Victor had to educate himself, because his father did not send him to formal grammar school.

10) What is Victor’s “temper” (27, 28) like?a. Victor enjoys having good friends, he likes to “avoid crowd s and attach [himself]

fervently to a few.” This dedication also shows itself in the fact that he is “sometimes violent, and [his] passions vehement” when he is concerned with something.

11) Who is Victor’s good friend? (28)a. Victor’s good friend is Henry Clerval.

12) How do Victor and his friend differ? (28, 29)a. Henry Clerval is entranced with “enchantment and knightly adventure” and is concerned

with the “actions of men.” Victor on the other hand is more solitary. 13) What does Victor begin by being fascinated with, and what changes his mind? (31, 32)

a. Victor was fascinated with the concepts of “the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life.” He is swayed from the study by seeing a storm that decimates a tree, and believes that “nothing can be known” and therefore doesn’t study anymore.

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14) How old was Victor when he was sent to university? (34)a. Victor was about 17 when he went to university, his departure was delayed because of

Elizabeth’s sickness, followed by his mother’s death. 15) What was the last wish of Victor’s mother before she died? (34)

a. Caroline Frankenstein’s last wish is that Victor and Elizabeth be married. 16) What do we learn about Elizabeth’s character after her mother dies? (35, 36)

a. We learn that Elizabeth is strong and caring, as she “veil[s] her grief” in order to better take care of the family. She is so strongly dedicated to cheering her family that she “forgot even her own regret” as she was so busy.

17) Why doesn’t Victor like M. Krempe? (37)a. M. Krempe insults Victor’s efforts to learn by declaring that “every instant that [Victor

has] wasted on those books is utterly and entirely lost.”18) How does Victor take M. Waldman’s lecture as a personal challenge? (30, 40)

a. Victor feels that his “soul were grappling with a palpable enemy” because M. Waldman claimed that modern scientists know that the elixir of life “is a chimera,” something unobtainable. This comes as a challenge to Victor because of the amount of time he spent studying these concepts.

19) What branch of science does Victor plan to pursue? (41)a. Victor plans to make Chemistry his “peculiar study.”


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20) Explain what it means when Victor said that he worked so long that “the stars often disappeared in the light of morning” (42).

a. This means that Victor is often spending all night studying. 21) How long does Victor study in this manner?

a. Victor allowed “two years [to pass] in this manner” without visiting his home, and immersed himself only in his work.

22) What does Victor feel he has to observe in order to truly understand life? (43)a. In order to truly understand life, Victor feels that he must “first have recourse to death…

must also observe the natural decay and corruption of the human body.”23) What does Victor discover? (44)

a. Victor discovers the “cause and generation of life” and even how to “bestow[] animation upon lifeless matter.”

24) Will we ever learn Victor’s secret? (45)a. Victor will never tell his secret, because he does not want anyone to “lead on, unguarded

and ardent… to [] destruction and downfall.”25) At what point on page 45 we are reminded that the current Victor on the boat is telling this

story?a. At the second paragraph, we move from a past tense story to the present tense, as our

story teller (Victor), speaks to Waldman, commenting on his facial expression. 26) Why does Victor plan to create his human so large? (46)

a. Victor found the “minuteness of parts a great hindrance to [his] speed” and therefore makes the human larger in order to be able to work with greater ease.

27) What are Victor’s plans for a relationship with his creation? (46)a. Victor plans to “deserve” the love of his creation, as “no father could.”

28) Despite Victor’s initial romantic quality, what causes him to ignore the summer months? (47)a. During the summer months, Victor is “engaged, heart and soul” in seeking human parts

to construct his life-form. 29) How much more time passes as Victor assembles his human form? (48)

a. “Winter, spring, and summer” passed, so approximately nine months. 30) What sort of toll is this obsession taking on Victor’s health? (49)

a. Because of his obsession, Victor is “nervous to a most painful degree” and becoming more and more ill from a “slow fever.”

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31) Describe the setting the night of Victor’s experiment. (50)a. It was a “dreary” November night, and the “rain pattered dismally” while he worked.

32) What is Victor’s immediate reaction to his success? (50)a. Victor was “unable to endure the aspect of the being” and left the room in order to be

removed from it.


33) What aspects of the creation are supposed to be attractive, and what does that beauty ultimately do? (50)

a. The creature is supposed to be magnificent, he is in proportion, his muscles are large, has lustrous black hair and pearly white teeth. Ultimately, these beautiful aspects only serve to highlight the dead “yellow skin” and “watery eyes” that could not be avoided, since the parts were gleaned from bodies, and made the creature appear quite dead.

34) How old is Victor when he creates life?a. Less than three years have passed since he left Geneva, so Victor is 19 or 20.

35) Where does Victor go after his experiment? (51)a. After he sees his experiment through, Victor goes to his room and attempts to sleep,

then flees to the courtyard. 36) What is it specifically about his creation that Victor finds repulsive? (51)

a. Specifically, Victor finds the “horrid contrast” of the dead aspect of the creation with the life he has endowed it with.

37) Who comes to visit Victor at this point? (53)a. At this point Clerval comes to visit Victor.

38) For how long does Victor fall ill after his experiment? (55, 56)a. After his experiment, Victor is consumed by “a nervous fever” for several months.

Although Victor finishes his experiment in November, he does not recover enough to see what is outside the window until it is “a divine spring” outside, suggesting that at least four or five months have passed.

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39) This chapter begins with a letter from whom? (57)a. The chapter begins with a letter from Elizabeth.

40) Who has come to live with the Frankenstein’s since Victor left? (58, 60)a. Since Victor has left, Justine Moritz has returned to live with the Frankensteins, as she

had before as well, as a servant girl. 41) What is the range of ages of the Frankenstein boys? (57, 60)

a. William is five, Ernest is sixteen, and Victor himself is about twenty. (Fifteen year difference in ages).

42) What effect do both Victor’s instruments and discussion of science have on Victor’s current health? (61)

a. Although Victor feels “quite restored to health,” when he sees his instruments, his sickness engulfs him again. Additionally, when he discusses natural philosophy, he feels subjected to a “slow and cruel death” and wishes to escape the conversation.

43) To distract himself, what does Victor begin to study with Clerval? (62)a. To distract himself, Victor begins to study Oriental languages, “the Persian, Arabic, and

Sanskrit languages” in order to distract himself from science.


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44) This chapter begins with a letter from whom? (65)a. Chapter seven begins with a letter from Victor’s father, Alphonse.

45) What had William been doing when he went missing? (65)a. When William went missing, he had been on a long walk with his family, when he had

run on ahead with Ernest before becoming separated from his brother. 46) Why does Elizabeth think that William’s death is her own fault? (66)

a. Elizabeth thinks that Williams death is her own fault because she had allowed him to wear a “valuable miniature” that was taken after William was killed. This suggests to Elizabeth that the child was killed for the jewelry, and since she gave him the necklace, it is her fault that he was targeted for it.

47) Why does Victor have to spend the night at Secheron? (69)a. When Victor and Clerval arrived at the gates of Geneva “the gates of the town were

already shut” and he had to find lodging in Secheron, to which he still had access, for the night.

48) Where does Victor decide to go that evening? (69)a. During the evening, Victor decides to go out on the lake, Plainpalais, during a storm.

49) What does Victor see by the illumination of the lightning? (70)a. It is due to the lightning flashing during this storm that Victor sees the “deformity of

[the] aspect of his creation. 50) How long has it been since Victor had been home? (71)

a. It has been six years since Victor has been home, spent either in obsessive study, illness, or distractive study with Clerval.

51) Who is accused of the murder, and what evidence is there? (73)a. Justine Moritz is accused of murdering little William, because the miniature that William

had been wearing that day was found in her apron. 52) Do Victor and Elizabeth believe her to be guilty? (75)

a. Neither Victor nor Elizabeth believe that Justine is guilty. Victor because he is certain that it is the fault of his creation, and Elizabeth because she believes in the goodness of Justine, whom she has known for many years.

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53) What is Justine’s major defense at court? (77)a. Justine’s major defense at court is her own testimony, full of “surprise, horror and

misery.”54) Who else speaks in Justine’s defense? (79)

a. Additionally, Elizabeth herself speaks out in Justine’s defense. Protecting Justine despite her own grief at the loss of her brother.

55) What is the outcome of the court case? (80)a. The outcome of the case is that Justine is convicted of the murder.


56) Why does Justine confess? (82)a. Justine confesses to the murder, because she felt confused. Her condemner has

“besieged [her]… threatened and menaced” so much so that she began to think that she was as monstrous as she was accused of being. She confessed in the hopes of feeling better herself, and allowing others to feel better as well.

57) Victor considers William and Justine to be the first what? (84)a. Victor considers William’s murder, and Justine’s execution to be “the first hapless victims

to [his] unhallowed arts.”

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58) What state of mind now is affecting Victor’s health? (85) a. A guilty state of mind is not affecting Victor’s health. He feels a “weight of despair and

remorse” over the two deaths, and feels that “all is blasted.”59) What is Victor’s reaction when he thinks about his creation? (87)

a. When Victor thinks about his creation, he is overcome by “abhorrence of this fiend… and gnashed [his] teeth, [his] eyes became inflamed, and …. Wished to extinguish that life that [he] had so thoughtlessly bestowed.”

60) What is it that brings Victor’s mind back to God? (89, 90)a. Victor’s mind is brought back to God by the beauty of nature in the Valley of Chamounix.

He becomes determined to not despair because of his creation, but to depend on the being that “had created and ruled the elements.”

61) Explain how the nature in Chamounix is calming to Victor. (90, 91)a. The beauty of the natural elements gives a “tingling, long-lost sense of pleasure” to

Victor, and the effort it takes him to travel gives him “extreme fatigue” – effective in taking his mind off of what he is thinking about.

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62) In what ways are the mountains “the greatest consolation” (92) to Victor?a. The mountains are “the greatest consolation” to Victor because of their vastness, and

the evidence of greatness and creation. 63) How does this change the next day when Victor goes out again? (93)

a. The next day Victor goes out again, and this time the “jutting rocks,… and concussion of air” instead threatens Victor physically and makes him feel oppressed and saddened.

64) What does Victor’s request to the “wandering spirits” (94) mean?a. Victor feels unable to deal with life, and his request to be taken “away from the joys of

life” is his wish for the outside elements to kill him. 65) What is Victor’s first reaction when he sees the “figure of a man” (95)?

a. When Victor first sees the man approaching him over the ice, he is “troubled” and feels as though he might faint.


66) Is the creation surprised by Victor’s anger? (95)a. No, the creature claims that he “expected this reception” from Victor. Since all men hate

him, he expected no more from his creator. 67) What commentary on the value of life does Shelley make through the creation? (96)

a. Though the creation claims that he is ready for Victor to “extinguish the spark which I am so negligently bestowed” he retracts by then claiming that “although [life] may only be an accumulation of anguish, it [is] dear to [him], and [he] will defend it.”

68) What irony in Victor’s behavior does the creation comment on in this first conversation? (97)a. The creation condemns Victor for hating the creation because of his murders, and then

wanting to commit murder himself by killing the creation. 69) The creation has a simple request that ends in an ultimatum. What is it? (98)

a. Ultimately, the creature craves only companionship, and wants Victor to sit and hear his story before he determines what to do.

70) What two motives convince Victor to “comply with his demand” (98)?a. Victor decides to listen to the demands of the monster because he “sought a

confirmation” of his idea that the monster really killed his brother. Also because he finally feels “the duties of a creator to his creation.”

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71) Who is speaking at this point?a. At this point the creation begins his story, so what we hear is through the voice of the

creation. 72) Read pages 99 to 110 closely – what is the creation describing? What age can he reasonably be

compared to then?a. At this point the creation is describing beginning of life experiences, such as opening

one’s eyes, seeing light, hearing sounds, experiencing hunger and so forth. 73) What is the only thing that the creation wants to “obtain” (102) at this point?

a. At the beginning of his life, the creation only wants to find fire again, which he had discovered by accident, left behind by some campers, and was sad about when it died out.

74) What sort of reception does the creation get when he enters a village house? (103)a. When the creation enters a village house, the woman inside “shrieked, and one of the

women fainted… some attacked [him]” and he therefore flees from them because he does not know how to deal with the attack.

75) Why does the creation not speak to the “figure of a man” (104) that he sees the next day?a. The creation “remembered too well [his] treatment” from the other humans, and decides

to not approach this man either. 76) How many people live in the cottage attached to the hovel?

a. In the cottage attached to the hovel there are three people living. An older gentleman, with a younger lady and gentleman.


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77) Why does the creation stop taking food from his neighbours? (109)a. The creation stops taking food from his neighbours once he realizes that they are poor,

and often “suffer the pangs of hunger.” He realizes that they will be hungrier if he continues to eat their food, and so he finds food for himself from then on.

78) What becomes the creation’s new goal? (110, 111) And what does he “appl[y]” (111) to learning it?

a. The creature’s goal is to “unravel the mystery of their reference” regarding the words he heard being spoken by the family.

79) What are the names of the creation’s neighbours?a. The older man is called ‘father,’ the young man is called ‘Felix’ or ‘brother,’ and the

young woman is called ‘Agatha’ or ‘sister.’80) What does the creation‘s description of spring tell us about him? (113)

a. The fact that the creature is so enthralled by the advent of spring tells us that the creature takes pleasure in nature, and pretty things, and enjoys beauty in a romantic sense, just as his creator, Frankenstein, does.

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81) Who is the new guest at the cottage?a. The new guest at the cottage is a young Arabian woman named Safie.

82) How is the arrival of this guest beneficial to the creation?a. The arrival of Safie is beneficial to the creation because Felix and Agatha formally teach

her French, and the creation can learn the language by watching while she learns. 83) What does the creation learn from Ruins of Empires? (118)

a. From Ruins of Empires the creation learns the history of the world, of empires and rulers, about good men and cruel men, and about the concept of power.

84) What causes the creation to consider himself as a “monster” (119)?a. The creation begins to consider himself as a monster when he realizes that he was

“absolutely ignorant” of his creator, and knew of none other like him. This suggests to him that he might be “a blot upon the earth” instead of a valuable creation.

85) What do we learn from the creation’s thoughts on learning and knowledge? (119)a. That although knowledge can be incredibly helpful, it is also impossible to get rid of –

therefore the creation could never ‘un-know’ this realization about himself as an oddity. 86) Who can we easily compare the creation to at this point?

a. At this point we can see the creation as sensitive and intelligent, willing to protect those around him and hopeful about life. This gives us the ability to compare him to his creator, Frankenstein.

87) What is the creation longing for at this point, in a general sense? (120)a. At this point in time, the creation is simply longing for companionship with those around

him, questioning “where were my friends and relations?”


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88) Whose story is being told at this point, and by who?a. The story of how the family lived, and how they met Safie and her father. The creation is

still the one telling the story, compiling evidence that he gathers from their conversations.

89) We finally learn the last name of the cottagers, what is it? (121)a. The cottagers last name is De Lacey.

90) What sort of reminder is it to the reader when the creation says “they had lived in a large and luxurious city called Paris” (121)?

a. The reader at this point is reminded of the fact that the creation is very much ignorant of the world, that he does only knows Paris by word-of-mouth of the cottagers, and has never seen a real city before, only villages.

91) What brought about the ruin of the cottagers?a. The trial of Safie’s father eventually brought about the ruin of the De Lacey family. Felix

“had accidentally been present” at Safie’s father’s trial, and was outraged by the unfairness of the trial. Felix was concerned that it was “religion and wealth” that had condemned the man, instead of a legitimate crime.

92) Is Felix’s infatuation with Safie one-sided? (122)a. No, though Felix early expresses his intentions toward Safie, she responds by sending him

letters that express her admiration of his character. 93) How had Safie been raised? (123)

a. Safie had been raised by a Christian mother, who taught her the tenets of Christianity, rather than those of Muhammad.

94) Why were Agatha and De Lacey put into prison? (124)a. Agatha and De Lacey were put into prison because the French government was trying to

lure Felix back to France so they could arrest him instead, which he did, and was thrown into prison.

95) Why doesn’t Safie’s father want her to marry Felix? (124)a. Safie’s father does not want her to marry Felix because “he loathed the idea that his

daughter should be united to a Christian.”96) In what two major ways is the “pittance of money” (125) an insult to Felix?

a. The money sent to Felix is insulting, because such a small amount of money could not hope to restore all that Felix had given up for the Arab’s family, and because the money is supposed to take the place of the love that he had developed for Safie.

97) What major problem befalls Safie after she runs away from her father? (126)a. After Safie runs away, her attendant died, and she was therefore left without help or

translation in an unfamiliar country on her search for Felix.


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98) Whose story is being focused on at this point?a. At this point, we return to focusing on the creation’s story.

99) By a stroke of luck, what does the creation happen to find in the woods? (127)a. By a stroke of luck, the creation happens to find copies of three books in the woods;

Paradise Lost, Plutarch’s Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter.100) To whom does the creation compare himself after reading Paradise Lost , and why?

(129)a. After reading Paradise Lost, the creation compares himself to Adam, with “no link to any

other being in existence,” except without “the especial care of his creator.” The creation also claims to find Satan “a fitter emblem” to represent his situation.

101) How does the creation feel toward Frankenstein after reading these books, and are these feelings justified? (130)

a. After reading these books, and the journal of Frankenstein, the creation feels angry with his creator, distressed that he would choose to make his creation so hideous that not even his ‘god’ could love him.

102) The creation is unhappy at this point because his “increase of knowledge only” (131) what?a. The more the creation learns, the more he realizes that he is a “wretched outcast” and

does not have anyone to help him. 103) How long has the creation been living in the hovel for? (132)

a. At this point, the creation has been living in the hovel for “an entire revolution of the seasons.”

104) What does the creation decide to do “one day, when the sun shone on the red leaves” (132)?a. At this point, the creation decides to attempt to speak with the older De Lacey, since he

is blind, and will not be able to judge him based on his hideous appearance. 105) How do things go with De Lacey?

a. Things go quite well with De Lacey, he is kind to the creation, offers him food and some companionship.

106) What happens when everyone returns home? (135)a. Once the others return home however, there is panic and horror over the creation,

especially since he is so close to old De Lacey, and Felix attacks him. 107) Why does the creation not fight back? (135)

a. The creation does not fight back but he is “overcome by pain and anguish” and instead chose to run away, rather than fight.

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108) What causes the creation to act like the crazed monster that we are familiar with today? (136)a. Once the creation is rejected by the De Lacey’s that he has grown to love, his only

“feelings were those of rage and revenge” and he stormed through the forest in a fury. 109) What are the creation’s future plans?


a. The creation’s future plans are to return to the De Lacey residence and attempt to approach the family slowly, and “by degrees,” the way he believed he should have in the first place.

110) What are the De Lacey’s planning to do? (138)a. The De Lacey’s are planning to move because they can “never again inhabit [the]

cottage” due to the fear the women have suffered. 111) Why does this abandonment hurt the creation more than the abandonment of Victor and the

repulsion of the townspeople? a. This abandonment is felt more keenly by the monster because he had had time to grow

attached to the family and to care about them, whereas he had no emotional attachment to Victor or the townspeople when they abandoned him.

112) How does the creation vent his feelings about this newest abandonment? (139)a. The creation vents his feelings over this new abandonment by covering the cottage with

straw and setting the cottage on fire. 113) Who is the creation searching for now? (139)

a. The creation now plans to seek out Frankenstein and is “resolved to proceed” toward Geneva, Victor’s hometown.

114) What wonderful thing does the creation do, despite his desire to hide from all people, and what is his “reward” (141)?

a. Despite the creation’s anger toward all humans, when he sees a young girl fall into a quickly running stream he “saved her, and dragged her to shore.” Despite this incredible gesture, when the father sees them together, he shoots the creation and takes off running with his daughter.

115) What “vow” (142) does the creation make to himself after this treatment?a. After this treatment the creation vows “eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind.”

116) What is the creation’s initial purpose with the “beautiful child” (142)?a. Despite the creation’s recent vow, when he sees the child, his only intent is to “educate

him as my companion,” so that the child could be an envoy between himself and humanitiy.

117) Who does the child turn out to be? (143)a. The child turns out to be the son of Frankenstein Sr. Victor’s younger brother.

118) How does the creation attempt to silence the child, and what is the result? (143)a. The creation attempts to silence the child by “grasp[ing] his throat to silence him” and

accidentally kills him. (This is much like how Lenny, in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men accidentally kills small animals, and eventually Curly’s wife, by his brute strength and fear).

119) What is the creation’s demand of Frankenstein? (145)a. The creation’s demand of Victor is that a woman monster, “as deformed and horrible as

[himself]” so that he can have a companion like himself.


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120) Who is speaking at this point?a. At this point in the story, we return to Victor’s voice and experience his reaction after

hearing the creation’s story and demand. 121) What is Victor’s response to his creation’s demand? (146)

a. Victor’s immediate response to his creation’s demand is horror and disbelief, and he claims that he “will never consent” to bringing another monster into the world.

122) What reasoning does the creation give for his “malicious” (146) behavior?a. The creation reasons that his behavior is like this because he “is miserable” and acts out

accordingly. 123) What promise does the creation make (148), and what eventual effect does it have on

Victor (149)?a. The creation promises that if Victor creates a female, then he and the female will run

away to South America, and that Victor, or any human, will never see them again. This argument eventually persuades Victor to agree to the creature’s demands, and agree to form a female for the creation.

124) When is Victor next going to see the creation? (150)a. The creation promises that he will “watch [his labours] progress with unutterable

anxiety” and that once Victor has completed the task, then the creation will appear to collect his woman.

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125) Why does Frankenstein want to delay his marriage to Elizabeth? (154)a. Victor wishes to delay his marriage to Elizabeth because of the “solemn promise” that he

was currently working under, to create a female for his creation. 126) What does Frankenstein do in order to delay this marriage? (155)

a. In order to delay his marriage, Frankenstein decides to return to school in England, understanding that he should marry Elizabeth as soon as he returns.

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127) What does Frankenstein see in Clerval? (161)a. Frankestein sees “the image of [his] former self” in Clerval. That he is eager to learn, and

admirable of all around him. 128) Why does Frankenstein fear receiving letters from Elizabeth? (165)

a. Frankenstein fears receiving letters from Elizabeth because until reading them, he was “overcome by a thousand fears” of what could be happening. Frankenstein is reasonably sure that the creation has followed him to England to monitor his progress, but is still scared that the creation may have remained in Geneva to haunt the unsuspecting Frankenstein household.


129) Why does Frankenstein choose to journey separately from Clerval? (166)a. Frankenstein chooses to travel separately from Clerval because he is “in no mood to

laugh and talk with strangers” as Clerval is, and wishes to be away from those situations. Additionally, separating from Clerval will allow Victor the ability to focus on his own work without distraction.

130) What is convenient to Frankenstein about his chosen workplace? (167)a. Frankenstein’s chosen workplace, the remote Orkneys, in Scotland, is convenient because

of how remote it is. No one is accidentally going to walk in on his work, or otherwise discover what is happening.

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131) What fear seizes Frankenstein about his new creation? (169)a. While working, Frankenstein is seized with the fear that the female “a thinking and

reasoning animal, might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation” and refuse to leave with the original creation. Frankenstein is also scared that she will be “ten thousand times more malignant than her mate” and therefore not be as compliant as the original in terms of co-habitating with humans.

132) In what way is it positive that the Creation “gazed on [him], where [he] sat fulfilling the task” (170).

a. It is positive that the creation is in the same place as Frankenstein, because it means that the remainder of the family in Geneva is not having to deal with the unknown stalking hatred of the monster.

133) What does Frankenstein do in response to the Creation’s face in the window? (170)a. When Frankenstein sees the creation’s face in the window, he reconsiders what he is

doing, and chooses to tear the new creation to bits in front of the original creation’s eyes, thus removing the creation’s hope for a mate in life.

134) How does the Creation’s language change in regard to how he addresses Frankenstein? (171)

a. Once Frankenstein demolishes the new creation, the original creation claims power over Frankenstein in his anger. He addresses Frankenstein as his “slave,” while considering himself the “master,” even if only in terms of brute strength and size. This shows a change in co-operative status – that the creation is no longer deferent to Frankenstein as his creator, but rather sees Frankenstein in a ‘puny human’ sense as a monster.

135) The creation claims that revenge is dearer than what? (172)a. The creation claims that revenge against Frankenstein is “dearer than light or food” and

that he will make Frankenstein suffer greatly before he dies. 136) What effect does clearing the room of his instruments have upon Frankenstein? (175)

a. Frankenstein feels that he can “for the first time see clearly” once he removes the tools of his trade from in front of him.


137) Why is Frankenstein out in the boat when he falls asleep and ends up in Ireland? (175)a. Frankenstein is in the boat because he was dropping all of his scientific tools into the sea,

and he was lulled to sleep by the sound of the water and wind, waking in a small storm that had blown him heavily off course.

138) What do the Irish accuse Frankenstein of when he arrives?a. When Frankenstein arrives at the Irish shore, he is immediately accused of the murder of

a stranger who had been tossed on the shore earlier that day.

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139) What is the identity of the man murdered on the banks of Ireland? (181)a. The murdered man ends up being Clerval, with the “black marks of fingers on his neck.”

140) How does Frankenstein react to this knowledge? (181)a. When Frankenstein learns this, he had to be “carried out of the room in strong

convulsions.”141) During his illness, Frankenstein receives a visitor, who is it? (185)

a. Frankenstein is so ill during his time in Ireland that his father comes to stay with him until the trial, and carries with him assurances of the safety of Ernest and Elizabeth.

142) How long does Frankenstein stay in prison before his trial? (187)a. Frankenstein is kept in prison for three months until he is given a trial, where he was

quickly found innocent. 143) After the trial, why does Frankenstein require “unceasing attendance and vigilance”

(188)?a. After the trial Frankenstein requires constant attendance because he was eager to “put

an end to the existence [he] loathed.” He was suicidal after such an enormous loss, and did not want to have to deal with the horror that still waited for him in the form of the vengeful creation.

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144) What important confession does Frankenstein make to his father? (190)a. Frankenstein confesses to his father that “William, Justine, and Henry – they all died by

[his] hands,” finally putting into words the guilt that he has been carrying for so long. 145) What is Elizabeth’s fear when she writes to Frankenstein during his illness? (192)

a. Elizabeth’s fear when she writes to Frankenstein is that he might “love another” than her, and only remain unmarried to anyone else through a sense of obligation.

146) Explain the importance of Frankenstein’s claim that he would “die to make [Elizabeth] happy” (194).

a. Frankenstein recalls the threat of the creation that he would return on Victor’s wedding night. Victor understands this as the creation’s threat to kill him as soon as he is married. Therefore, Victor believes that as soon as he marries Elizabeth, he will die – which means that his claim to be willing to die to make her happy is, in his mind, an imminent possibility.


147) What important promise does Frankenstein make to Elizabeth when he sees her? (195)a. Frankenstein confesses to Elizabeth that he has a big secret, and promises that he will

share the secret with her once the two of them are married. 148) What does Frankenstein fear will happen on his wedding night? (196)

a. Frankenstein fears that the creation will return and kill him on his wedding night.

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149) Why does Frankenstein wish to be separate from Elizabeth on their wedding night?a. Victor wishes to be separate from Elizabeth on their wedding night because he does not

want her to be in danger from the creation when he is murdered, or does not want her to have to witness her new husband’s murder.

150) What is the immediate result of their separation? (201)a. Very shortly after they separate, there was a “shrill and dreadful scream” from

Elizabeth’s room, and Victor rushes in to find her “lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed.” Frankenstein had erred in his assumption of the creation’s plans. Just as Frankenstein had destroyed the creation’s mate in front of his eyes, so too had the creation destroyed Frankenstein’s mate right in front of him.

151) How does Frankenstein react to the “most hideous and abhorred” (202) face that appears in the window of Elizabeth’s room?

a. Victor reacts to the face of the creation in the window by grabbing a pistol and shooting at the creation. He then proceeds to gather the men of the inn and hunt the forest and lake for the creation, ultimately returning unsuccessful.

152) Why does Frankenstein’s father pass away shortly after the disastrous honeymoon? (204)

a. Frankenstein’s father “sunk under the tidings” of Elizabeth’s death, and “could not live under the horrors that were accumulated.” Frankenstein Sr. had at this point lost his wife and two children – his only daughter and youngest son, and is essentially dying of a broken heart.

153) What decisive action does Frankenstein take when he goes to the magistrate? (205)a. When Frankenstein goes to the magistrate, he is there to confess, and he relates the

entire tale of his scientific experiment, his actions, and the actions of the creation. He is, at this point, both confessing his own crime, and accusing the creation of the same ones.

154) How does the magistrate respond? (206, 207)a. The magistrate claims to believe Frankenstein, but iterates that catching the creation

would “prove impracticable” and is not determined to hunt the creature. The magistrate then attempts to “soothe [Frankenstein] as a nurse does a child” which Frankenstein sensibly feels as condescension, and storms out of the house in anger and frustration.


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155) What vow does Frankenstein make once he decides to leave Geneva? (209)a. Frankenstein “quit[s] Geneva forever” in order to “gain some clue” by which he could

track, and eventually kill, the creation. 156) How is this vow similar to the one the creation made once he was abandoned by the De

Lacey’s? a. Once abandoned (twice) by the De Laceys , the creation vows “eternal hatred and

vengeance to all mankind” because of his “hellish rage.” Similarly, Frankenstein vows that “to destroy [the creation] [he] must drag out [his] weary existence” and is fueled by “fury; revenge.” Both men swear to destroy each other in their individual irateness.

157) Why is the creation glad that Frankenstein has “determined to live” (209)?a. The creation is “satisfied” that Frankenstein has decided to keep living, because the

creation plans on putting Frankenstein through agony in order to repay Frankenstein for all the pain and abandonment he felt for so many years.

158) Through which countries has Frankenstein pursued his creation? (210) – Google-ing a map could give you a better idea of the depth of Frankenstein’s need for revenge.

a. Frankenstein has pursued the creation from Geneva, through the Rhone, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, before heading into Tartary and Russia, and is now in the North Pacific Ocean, where he meets Walton.

b. http://www.bookdrum.com/books/frankenstein/9780192833662/map.html is an interesting resource

http://www.bookdrum.com/books/frankenstein/9780192833662/map.html


159) The creation is forcing Frankenstein through months of painful toil and isolation. What could be the reason for this?

a. The creation was abandoned at birth, and left to make his way in the world alone and unprotected. In a very similar way, the creation is guiding Frankenstein through abandonment and solitude, causing Frankenstein to suffer physically and mentally the way the creation had to during his formative years.

160) What discouraging event takes place once Frankenstein thinks his creation is “almost within grasp” (215)

a. When Frankenstein is hopeful, because he can see the creation within a mile, there is an earthquake, and the ice floe he is on splits apart from the creation, and separates them by the frigid northern ocean water.

161) What promise does Frankenstein seek from Walton at the end of his story? (216)a. At the end of his tale, Victor asks Walton to “swear that [the creation] shall not escape;

that [Walton] will seek him and satisfy [Victor’s] vengeance in his death” – effectively passing the torch of hatred to another man.

162) Just before the end of Frankenstein’s story, what warning does he give Walton about the creation? (216)

a. Frankenstein warns Walton not to be pulled in by the “eloquent and persuasive” speech of the creation, because he is fully able to convince one of his humanity, but that his “soul is as hellish as his form.”

Letters, in continuation

163) Why does Walton believe the story told by Frankenstein? (217)a. Walton believes the story told by Frankenstein because it is “told with an appearance of

the simplest truth” and because Frankenstein has letters from Felix and Safie to back up the story.

164) Why does Frankenstein refuse to tell Walton about his initial discovery? (217)a. Frankenstein refuses to tell Walton about his initial discover because he might follow his

“senseless curiousity… [to] create for… the world a daemoniacal enemy.” Frankenstein is concerned that others might fall prey to the same temptations of playing God as he did.

165) Why are dreams so important to Frankenstein now? (218)a. Dreams are so ultimately important to Victor at this point because he believes that those

lost who he speaks to in his dreams “are not the creations of his fancy, but the beings themselves” who he has lost, but still now has access to.

166) Frankenstein compares himself to Satan, “the archangel who aspired to omnipotence” (219) at the end of his story. Why?

a. Frankenstein compares himself to Satan because his actions have chained him “in an eternal hell.” This is also an effective bookend, because while he initially felt like God because of his ability to bestow life, he now relates more to Satan, who was doomed to eternal suffering because of his aspirations to power – much like how Frankenstein now suffers because of his misguided intellectual pursuits.


167) How is this comparison opposite to the more obvious one presented at the beginning of the story? (Consider how the creation compared himself to Adam).

a. Frankenstein initially felt like God because of his ability to bestow life, and the creation himself felt this, as he compared himself to Adam – the first being created by God, he now relates more to Satan, who was doomed to eternal suffering because of his aspirations to power – much like how Frankenstein now suffers because of his misguided intellectual pursuits.

168) Despite his own inner-turmoil, how does Frankenstein alleviate the worries of his new friend? (221) What does this say about his character?

a. Despite the fact that Frankenstein is dealing with a soul crushing self-appointed journey to kill his creation, when Walton is worried about the possibility of mutiny, Victor speaks to the crew on behalf of the captain in order to encourage them to continue to journey on their appointed course, filling Walton “with hope” to keep striving for excellence.

169) What demand does the crew make to Walton, and what effect does this have on Frankenstein? (222)

a. The crew demands that Walton turn the boat around and sail home as soon as the ice breaks. This rouses Frankenstein enough to make a moving speech about following one’s dreams, and shows us that Frankenstein realizes the necessity of others’ support in order to continue on his own journey, because without the captain and crew, Frankenstein will quickly die in his quest for the creation.

170) Just before Frankenstein’s death, what final request does he reiterate to Walton about the creation? (226)

a. Just before Frankenstein dies he warns Walton that the creation is “a rational creature” and may live to be “an instrument of mischief” in the world.

171) What does the creation claim concerning Frankenstein’s death (227)?a. When the creation first sees Frankenstein’s body he claims that Frankenstein is “also

[his] victim” as he is the ultimate cause of Victor’s death. 172) We know that is not directly true – how could it be indirectly true though?

a. We know that Victor died on the boat, without the creation being anywhere near him, presumably from frost-bite, or general over-exposure to the elements. The fact that the creation could indirectly be the cause of Victor’s death is apparent though, because it is because of the creation’s journey through the northern elements that Victor is in this situation at all.

b. There is, as well, the possibility to go even further back and discuss the fact that if Victor had not created and abandoned the creature, this chase would not have been necessary, laying the blame for Victor’s death squarely on Victor’s own shoulders.


173) How does the creation attempt to gain sympathy even when discussing his crimes? (227)

a. While standing over Frankenstein’s body and claiming it as his own murder, the creation attempts sympathy from Walton by claiming that Frankenstein “suffered not in the consummation of the deed… not the ten-thousandth portion of the anguish that was mine.” Through this, the creation attempts to create an eye-for-an-eye situation that labels Frankenstein as just as much at fault as the creation.

174) To whom does the creation compare himself to now (229) as opposed to Adam? a. At this point the creation compares himself to “that enemy of God” – being Satan, “the

fallen angel [who] becomes a malignant devil.” The creation feels this because of how his mental state has fallen, from high and lofty thoughts of kindness and companionship to those of retribution and murder, these mirror how Satan, once the archangel, fell from paradise into the pits of despair.

175) How does this comparison enable us to compare him to Frankenstein?a. This comparison forces us to compare the creation with Frankenstein, because

Frankenstein compared himself with Satan as well. Despite the fact that each man took a different path, each now feels the weight of evil on his back, and suffers for it.

176) What does the creation promise to do once he leaves the boat? (230)a. The creation promises that once he leaves the boat where Frankenstein has died, that he

will “collect [his] funeral pile and consume to ashes this miserable frame” and effectively kill himself. He does not feel the need to be alive anymore now that Frankenstein has suffered and died. There is no revenge to carry out his desire to live anymore – despite the fact that he once claimed that his “life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to [him], and [he] will defend it” he now desires to end his life because he has essentially accomplished his life’s goal.

177) Does the creation truly carry through with his promise?a. As readers we have no real confirmation of whether or not the creature keeps his

promise. He is “borne away by the waves and lost in darkness and distance” and we never hear from him again. It is dependent on the readers’ understanding of the creation to decide whether or not he carries through with his suicidal final promise.

i. We could consider that the creature did commit suicide because he is grief-stricken without a mate to share his life with, and now does not even have the emotion of revenge to carry him through life with a purpose. Without a driving force behind his life, it is reasonable to assume that he would give up on life.

ii. We could consider that the creature did not commit suicide because he was very intelligent and does demonstrate a legitimate appreciation for nature and beauty. Because of this love for life, we can reasonably assume that the creature would not find it possible to end his own life.

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lifeincoffeespoons.weebly.comlifeincoffeespoons.weebly.com/.../ak_-_comprehension_and_quotes.d… · Web viewLetters: Who is writing the letters? Robert Walton is writing the letters