Frankenstein
Study Guide Answers
Chapters 1-5
1.
Using TWO behavioral characteristics apiece, characterize Victor’s parents (Alphonse and Caroline). Be sure to include supporting evidence from the text.
 Alphonse would be best described as strict and harsh. This description is accurate because on page 24, paragraph three it states, I communicated my discovery to my father. My father looked carelessly at the title page of my book and said,”Ah! Cornelius Agrippa! My dear
Victor, do not waste your time upon this; it is sad trash.” This statement would have been fine if it was followed by an explanation for his reasoning. However, it was not. Caroline’s personality is loving and thoughtful. In this novel when Elizabeth is sick Caroline helps nurse her back to health. Caroline does this even though Elizabeth is contagious; resulting in Caroline’s death. Her action shows that she cared more about Elizabeth than herself.
2.
Explain Elizabeth’s background and how she came to be part of the
Frankenstein family. Also, explain Victor’s perception of her.
 Elizabeth’s birth parents died causing her to be raised in a foster home.
Caroline saw Elizabeth and fell in love with her so she decided to adopt her into the Frankenstein family. Victor loved Elizabeth so much; he thought she was beautiful, kind, smart, and perfect. In the novel it states that Victor thought of Elizabeth as his own to protect, love, and cherish.
3.
Explain the difference in Victor and Elizabeth’s interests, as described in the beginning of chapter 2. What Romantic/ Gothic characteristics are represented?
 Elizabeth was calm and had a more concentrated disposition. On the other hand, Victor was capable of more intense application and was more deeply smitten with the thirst of knowledge. Victor’s liking for more adventurous things show references of gothic literature and
Elizabeth’s calm and sweet demeanor added a softer touch to the pair’s personality: referencing somewhat of romantic literature. In page 23, paragraph three it states that Victor’s temper was sometimes violent and his passion vehement. While the saintly soul of Elizabeth shone like a shrine- dedicated lamp in their peaceful home.

4.
Who is Henry Cleveral? Characterize him.
 Henry Cleveral is Frankenstein’s friend. Henry is very kind and generous. On page 30, paragraph two Henry shows his generosity by being with Victor during his time of mourning. It is apparent that victor knows he can count on Henry because he says, “They were all there –
My father again to bless me, Clerval to press my hand once more, and my Elizabeth to renew her entreaties that I would write often and to bestow the last feminine attentions on her playmate and friend.’’
5.
Describe Victor’s studies in chapter 2, specifically his interest in natural philosophy.
 In Chapter 2, Victor shows a great interest for natural philosophy. In the story, Victor says that “natural philosophy is the genius that regulated his fate.” He became interested in it when he was 13 years-old and he went with his family to the baths near Thonon. During that time, bad weather caused them to stay in an inn nearby. There, he found many volumes of books written by Cornelius Agrippa. Victor’s attention was captured immediately and he greatly admired this author. Ever since then, Victor was very enthusiastic about natural philosophy even when his father discouraged him from reading and liking such “sad trash.”
6.
What event did Victor witness when he was 15 years old that caused him curiosity and delight? Why? Explain. Also, describe the effect that this event had on his life.
 At the Frankenstein’s house near Belrive, 15 year-old Victor witnesses a fierce and violent storm that causes him much curiosity and delight. During the storm, a large, towering oak tree is struck by lightning and as Mary Shelly describes it, “blossomed into little ribbons of wood.” This event causes Victor to feel much wonder and astonishment. He is amazed of the power of lightning, and how something so beautiful can be destroyed so quickly. At the time of the storm, Victor states that “ {..} a man of great research in natural philosophy was with us, and excited by this catastrophe, he entered on the explanation of a theory which he formed on the subject of electricity and galvanism{…}” This event effected his life because for a short time, he paused his studies of natural philosophy and turned to more theoretical sciences and mathematics.

7.
What causes the death of Victor’s mother? What was her dying wish? What effect did his mother’s death have on him?
 In the beginning of Chapter 3, Victor explains how his beloved mother caroline died from scarlet fever. She had caught the fatal disease when she insisted on being at Elizabeth’s side and caring for her when she had the scarlet fever. Unfortunately, after
Elizabeth recovered, she had passed on the disease to her mother.
Before his mother died, she had a wish that Elizabeth would take on the role of a mother to her younger children and have children in her own home, as well as a marriage between Victor and
Elizabeth as stated on pg. 28, “My children,” she said, “my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed in the prospect of you union. This expectation will now be the consolation of your father.
Elizabeth, my love, you must supply my place to my younger children.” Victor knew that life would never be the same without his mother’s presence and her death left Victor feeling nervous reluctant about his future at Ingolstadt.
8.
Where is Victor sent to study? Describe his feelings about his departure and why he feels that way.
 Victor is sent to study at the University of Ingolstadt. Victor expresses anxiety towards attending the University after his mother Caroline’s death. He feels that his mother’s death is an omen about his future desolation and is afraid that much unhappiness and misfortune are waiting for him. In the story
Victor states, “My departure was therefore fixed at an early date, but before the resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred- an omen, as it were my future misery” (page 28)
Victor is also hesitant about leaving home after seeing the terrible mourning state his mother’s death has left his father, Elizabeth and remaining siblings. Some believe that the occurrence of his mother’s passing is his guardian angel’s last attempt to dissuade him from studying at Ingolstadt and creating his monster.
9.
Describe Victor’s perception of his two professors, M. Krempe and
M. Waldman. What effect did Waldman have on Victor? What was the result of Victor’s visit with Waldman at the end of chapter 3?
 Victor has different perceptions of Krempe and Waldman, and initially, these perceptions are based on physical appearance, voice, and first impression. Victor dislikes Krempe’s dismissive attitude toward Victor’s former studies of Agrippa, Magnus, and
Paracelsus, even though at the time Victor agrees with Krempe

that studying those ancient sciences of natural philosophy is useless and a waste of time. On the other hand, Victor adores
Waldman’s lecture style and open-minded attitude toward all sciences of natural philosophy, encouraging Victor to study all sciences, including mathematics and the ancient sciences of natural philosophy.
 Overall, Victor’s meeting with Waldman has renewed his interest in Agrippa and others, unknowingly redirecting his focus toward the path of his own destruction (which had been temporarily averted after witnessing the lightning storm destroy a tree when he was 15 years old).
10.
In chapter 4, what phenomenon so ardently grabs Victor’s attention that he neglects all forms of contact with home (Geneva),
Ingolstadt, and even the outside world? What actions and thoughts does he undertake in regard to this phenomenon?
 The phenomenon which Victor focuses on is the structure of the human frame, life and death. Victor spends his time as a scientist, studying physiology and anatomy, gaining field experience spending his days and nights in graveyards and charnel houses examining skeletal structures and the decay of human flesh.
 These studies lead him to not only focusing on the prospect of creating life, but actually accomplishing the secret to reanimating lifeless matter, which he finds astonishing that after so many former genius minds of science, he should be the sole discoverer of such a marvelous power.
11.
Explain the meaning of the last paragraph on page 37 (continued on the top of page 38).
 Victor, having just revealed to Walton that he has discovered the secret to reanimating lifeless matter, notices Walton’s heightened interest and cautions him that he (Victor) will not reveal this secret to him. Victor refuses to reveal his power to Walton because he wants to protect Walton from the dangerous and destructive path which Victor has traveled down. Victor goes on to say that the man who believes his native town is the whole world is much happier than the man who strives to surpass humanity’s natural limitations, essentially saying that ignorance is bliss.

12.
Why and what does Victor resolve to complete with his “new power”? In what manner did Victor proceed? Be descriptive (this may get gross…sorry…).
 Victor decides to create “an animal as complex and wonderful as man” over something of simpler organization due to his excessive pride (hubris) in his recently performed accomplishments. Victor also decided to make his creation of gigantic stature (8 feet) due to the intricacies of the human body’s standard size.
 As it was while he was studying the human frame, physiology and anatomy, Victor once again visits grave yards and charnel houses to collect his materials for completing his monumental task.
13.
Describe Victor’s emotions and behavior as he nears completion of his task (end of chapter 4).
 At the completion of his task Victor is excited about creating life, yet he is worried about what will become of the monster. He feels like he should be overjoyed about his accomplishment. Instead
Victor avoids other people because he believes that they will look down upon him. On page 40-41 it states, “But my enthusiasm was checked by my anxiety, and I appeared rather like one doomed by slavery to toil in the mines, or any other wholesome trade than an artist occupied by his favourite employment. Every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to a most painful degree; the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime.”
14.
Describe the creature that Victor creates. Focus on the PHYSICAL appearance and speculate as to the potential effect the creature’s appearance may have on others.
 Victor’s monster is 8 ft. tall, has white teeth, black hair, and yellow watery eyes. The monster’s appearance may have an intimidating and negative effect on others because of how terrifying it looks.
On page 42 the author says, “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips.”

15.
What is Victor’s reaction to his creation? Why do you suppose he reacts this way? Explain.
 At first Victor is struck with disgust and flees from the room. He reacts this way because he expects a benevolent, perfect being, he instead sees a monster. He is horrified that he brought this monster to life. “[…] but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep,”- page 42. “[…]
I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the charge was so rapid, the overthrow so complete,”- page 43.
16.
How does the verse of Coleridge’s “Ancient Mariner” relate to
Victor’s situation?
 “Like one who, on a lonely road,
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And, having once turned round, walks on,
And turns no more his head;
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him in tread.”
-page 44, verse of Coleridge’s “Ancient Mariner”.
 This relates to Victor’s situation because he is frightened that he will have to face his monster, even though Victor knows that he is the one that created him. He knows that his monster is never far from him. On page 45 it states, “I walked with a quick pace, and we soon arrived at my college. I then reflected, and the thought made me shiver, that the creature whom I left in my apartment might still be there, alive and walking about.”
17.
Describe the encounter Victor has with Henry. What is Henry’s perception of Victor and his condition? What does Henry want to discuss with Victor?
 When Victor encounters Henry he is not expecting him. He just notices a coach coming toward him and out comes an old friend,
Henry Clerval. Henry tells Victor that he looks extremely ill and thinks that he may even be going crazy. “[…] he, stopping short and gazing full in my face, “I did not remark how very ill you appear; so thin and pale; you look as if you had been watching for several nights,”- page 45. “My dear Victor,’ cried he, “what, for

God’s sake, is the matter? Do not laugh in that manner. How ill you are!”- page 46. Henry also tells Victor about how he persuaded his father to let him attend the college. He lets Victor know that his family is well, and is slightly uneasy about his lack of letters and gives Victor a letter from Elizabeth.