Frankenstein Summer Reading Assignment
English IV Honors
Due Monday, August 11, 2014
1. Explain how this novel is a frame story?
2. Letters 1-4
How does Walton, who is at the beginning of his quest, view the quest for
knowledge/technology? How does Victor view his quest for
knowledge/technology at the beginning of his quest? Are they different or
similar? How does Victor view his quest at the end?
3. Volume 1 Chapters 1-3
How do you view Victor? How does he describe his family? What is the
effect of his mother’s death? How does Walton view Victor? How might
Walton’s view of Victor influence his “remembering” of what Victor says?
4. Chapters 4-5
What do you make of Victor’s dream?
5. Chapters 6-7
What effect does Elizabeth’s letter have on Victor? Why? Why do you think
it is so easy for the family to blame Justine for the murder of William? Victor
knows the truth. Why doesn’t he clear her name?
6. Volume 1 Chapter 8-Volume 2 Chapter 1
What is the creature like around Victor?
7. Chapters 2-4
How does the creature describe himself and his situation and how does this
relate to the themes of isolation and justice? Why does Victor call the
creature his enemy? The creature asks for Victor’s compassion. Does he
deserve it? Why or why not? Based on these chapters, what do you think
Shelley would say is the cause of crime?
8. Chapters 5-7
Why is learning to speak important to the creature? Describe the creatures
“education.” What does he learn about human society? What morals did the
creature learn from the cottagers? At the end of these chapters, how does the
creature view the world, the De Laceys and himself? What is his plan and
how does it turn out?
9. Chapters 8-9
How does the creature view of humanity change? What is Shelley trying to
say is the root of the creatures evil? What does the creature request of Victor
and what does Victor decide and why?
10. Volume 3 Chapters 1-2
Compare and contrast the two creation processes described in the novel.
11. Chapters 3-4
What are Victor’s fears about creating a female for the creature? Do you
think Shelley thinks Victor did the right thing? Do you think Victor did the
right thing? What crime is Victor accused of? Why is he acquitted? What
further comment on justice does Shelly make here?
12. Chapters 5-6
Describe Victor’s evolution throughout the novel into “the monster.” What
causes Victor’s father’s death? Why do you think Shelley links the creature
and Victor together so closely?
13. Chapter 7
Why does Victor spend the rest of his life chasing the creature? How does
Victor die? How does he see himself?
Why does the creature allow Victor to follow him? How does the creature
die? How does he see himself? Who do you think the hero of the novel is?
Why do you feel that way?
14. Write an “I Am” poem for either Victor or the creature. It should be no
shorter than 10 lines.