Frankenstein

The Modern Prometheus

The gothic novel

• Popular between 1760 and 1820

• Main ingredients are mystery, horror, and the supernatural

• Typically features wild, remote settings

• Plots involve violent, mysterious events

Prometheus

• Prometheus is the Titan chiefly honored for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to mortals for their use. He is depicted as an intelligent and cunning figure who had sympathy for humanity. To this day, the term promethean refers to events or people of great creativity, intellect and boldness. (Wikipedia)

Shelley’s novel

• Central characters are morally complex

• Conflict centers on questions about science and society and the positive and destructive sides of human nature

• Question: can science always improve human life?

Frankenstein letters

• Robert Walton, artic explorer

• His letters set the stage for the novel

• Allusion to Coleridge’s poem: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”– What insights does this poem give to the

events of the novel?

• Walton rescues a stranger from the ice

• Walton’s view of the Arctic– A place of beauty and mystery– A place of promise, or opportunity– A “country of eternal light”

• Walton’s view of the expedition– An opportunity to accomplish some great

thing

Character development: chapters 1-10

• Round character: has individuality and depth, experiences change and growth

• Flat character: stereotype

• Two main characters:– Victor Frankenstein

– His Creation

Chapters 1 - 4

• The mysterious stranger (Victor) tells Walton his history

• His family is– From Geneva in Switzerland– Wealthy and prominent family

• His parents traveled – he was born in Italy and– There the family adopted Elizabeth

• Elizabeth Lavenza– Child of an impoverished nobleman– With a calm and considerate disposition– She is the artist, the poetic, the romantic while

Victor is the scientist

• William: Victor’s younger brother

• Henry Clerval: victor’s best friend

• Henry Clerval– Loved danger for its own sake– Romantic – Occupied with the moral relations of things

• Virtues and heroism of man

• Victor Frankenstein– Desired to learn the physical secrets of the

world

Victor’s education

• Sent away to school for a liberal arts education– Clerval’s father would not let him accompany

Victor– Victor’s departure delayed by the death of his

mother– New influences-

• Professor Krempe who ridiculed Victor’s earlier studies of alchemy

• Professor Waldman who guided his reading

• What was Victor’s first reaction to his success at animating his creation?

• What relevance do the lines from Coleridge’s poem have?

• How does Victor’s attitude toward the natural sciences change after his illness?

• What is Clerval’s intention in coming to the university?

Some minor characters

• William and Ernest- Victor’s brothers

What was stolen from William’s body by the murderer?

• Justine Moritz- who was taken in by the family and educated and is accused of William’s murder

Some vocabulary

• benevolent = showing charity

• consolation = something that eases sorrow or disappointment

• discern = to perceive; to detect

• fiend = evil spirit or devil

• hideous = extremely ugly

• omen = sign of the future for good or evil

• base = mean-spirited

• inexorable = unyielding

• insurmountable = impossible to overcome

• irksome = annoying

• listless = lacking energy

• torpor = state of inactivity or apathy

• traverse = to travel across

• adversary = enemy, opponent

• consternation = state of confusion

• illustrious = very distinguished

• omnipotent = all-powerful

• pilgrimage = long journey for a spiritual purpose

Victor Frankenstein

• What do you think of Victor as a scientist?• Who is Elizabeth and how does Victor feel

about her? Does this tell you anything about his character?

• After his experiment is successful, Victor shuns other people. What does this tell you about his personality?

• What is Victor’s initial reaction to William’s death?

The Creature’s Story

• New characters:– Agatha– Felix– The Blind man– Safie (the Arabian)

• The first days – Spent in the woods

• What are some of the things that the creature has to learn while he is living in the woods?

• What does he learn from his first encounters with people?

• How does the creature learn about language?

• What book influences the Creature the most?

• What is the main reason for the Creature’s bitterness towards Frankenstein?

• What does the Creature want Frankenstein to do for him?

Victor’s Story Continues

• What does the father suspect to be the reason for Victor’s sadness?

• Where does Victor think he must go to get information on fulfilling his promise to the Creature?

• What was Clerval’s reaction to the journey?

• What was Clerval’s goal for his future?

• Why did Victor decide to destroy his new creation?

• Where did Victor land when he got lost on the sea?

• Who is the dead man?

• What promise does the Creature make about Victor’s wedding night?

• When Walton resumes his letters, how does he describe his friend?

• Why does Walton decide to return home?

• Who is the Creature’s last victim?