Frankenstein 1818
- Rosie Jayde Uyola
- Mar 25
- 7 min read
Discussion Questions
Title: The alternative title for the book is "The Modern Prometheus." What does Shelley mean by this?
Letters: What purpose does Walton serve in the story? What were his goals or purpose in going on his expedition? Given the time of the book, is his expedition reasonable or understandable? Why does Frankenstein decide to tell Walton his story?
Chapters 1 & 2: How does Victor Frankenstein describe his family life and upbringing and his interests? Who are his closest companions?
Chapter 2 & 3: What studies does Frankenstein undertake on his own? What are his reactions to his professors when he goes to University? How did one of his first days at the University "decide his future destiny"? What do you think of Frankenstein's course of scientific study?
Chapter 4: How is the planning stage of Frankenstein's experiments with life and death and his plans to create a living person described? What changes take place in Frankenstein during this time and what are his reflections about the changes?
Chapter 5: How does Frankenstein react to what he has done? What does this tell us about him?
Chapter 6: What does Elizabeth convey in her letter to Victor? What studies do Henry and Victor pursue together? How has Victor's mood changed? What are their plans before they return home?
Ch 7-12 (1831 version); Vol I, Ch 6-7, Vol II, Ch 1-4 (1818) Last sentence:"...and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipation of joy."
Chapter 7: Who does Frankenstein think committed the murder he hears about from his father and why? Why doesn't he tell anyone?
Chapter 8: What was the damaging evidence against Justine? Why didn't Frankenstein tell the judges about the actual murderer to save Justine? Was he right?
Chapter 9: How do the deaths impact Frankenstein, his father and Elizabeth? Where does Frankenstein go to find some relief? How is "nature" described in this chapter?
Chapter 10: What are your main impressions of Frankenstein's meeting with his creation?
Chapter 11: How does Frankenstein's creation describe his early development? What gives him pleasure?
Chapter 12: How does Frankenstein's creation describe his impressions of the family in the cottage? What are their actions and way of life? How does he respond to what he sees? What does Frankenstein's creature seem to be like? Does this surprise you? Is the process by which the creature becomes aware and learns about people and language realistic?
Ch 13-19 (1831 version); Vol II, Ch 5-9, Vol III, Ch 1-2 (1818) Last sentence: "..... forebodings of evil that made my heart sicken in my bosom."
Chapter 13: What did Frankenstein's creation learn and what emotions were aroused in him with the arrival of Safie? What does he wonder about himself?
Chapter 14: What are the main points of the history of the De Lacey family recounted by Frankenstein's creation?
Chapter 15: What books does Frankenstein's creation acquire and what does he learn from them? What is his fervent wish and goal? What happens when he tries to achieve it?
Chapter 16: What event causes Frankenstein's creation to say "For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom and I bent my mind towards injury and death..."? What revenge does he take? What does he want from Frankenstein and why?
Chapter 17: What convinces Frankenstein to do what his creation asks of him?
Chapter 18: What are Frankenstein's plans regarding Elizabeth? What does he resolve to do first and why?
Chapter 19: What route does Frankenstein take on the way to starting his task, and how does he go about it? In this chapter, Frankenstein is tormented by what he did in the past and is doing now. He says, "I felt as if I had committed some great crime, the consciousness of which haunted me. I was guiltless, but I had indeed drawn down a horrible curse upon my head, as mortal as that of crime." What do you think of his statement and state of mind?
Ch 20-24, Letters (1831 version); Vol III Ch 3-7, Letters (1818)
Chapter 20: What decision did Frankenstein make about the female creature he was creating and why? What threat did Frankenstein's creation make?
Chapter 21: Of whose murder was Frankenstein accused? What was Frankenstein's reaction?
Chapter 22: What did Elizabeth write to Victor Frankenstein and why? What does Victor fear about marrying Elizabeth?
Chapter 23: What terrible surprise does the creature spring on Frankenstein? What is Frankenstein's response?
Chapter 24: As this chapter starts, what is keeping Victor alive? What is Frankenstein's creature's reaction to what he finds on Walton's ship? What do you think of the explanations and plans of Frankenstein's creature? What is Walton going to do at the end of the book? Do you see parallels between Walton and Frankenstein? How are they alike and different? What do you think of the ending?
Response Journal Prompts
Volume I: Letters I-IV and Chapters 1-7
1. Walton’s Ambition and Isolation (Letters I-IV)Robert Walton dreams of great discovery, writing to his sister, “I may there discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle” (p. 55).
Why do you think Walton is so driven to explore the unknown? How does his ambition compare to Victor Frankenstein’s later in the novel?
Use evidence from the letters to analyse how Walton’s feelings of loneliness shape his goals.
2. Victor’s Idyllic Childhood (Chapter 1)Victor describes his youth, saying, “No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself” (p. 66).
How do Victor’s early experiences with his family and Elizabeth shape his later actions and worldview?
Do you see any signs of foreshadowing in his description of his upbringing? Use textual evidence to support your response.
3. The Allure of Forbidden Knowledge (Chapter 2)Victor recalls his fascination with Agrippa’s works: “A new light seemed to dawn upon my mind” (p. 69).
Why is Victor drawn to the secrets of nature and the supernatural?
Explore how his early obsessions foreshadow his experiments with life. Use specific quotes to analyse his motivations.
4. The Turning Point: Victor’s Mother's Death (Chapter 2)Victor reflects on his mother’s passing: “The void that presents itself to the soul … to speak in the language of the heart, rather than of the world” (p. 69).
How does this loss shape Victor’s growing interest in conquering death?
Compare Victor’s response to his mother’s death with Walton’s reaction to separation from loved ones.
5. Creation and Horror (Chapter 4) Victor describes the moment the creature comes to life: “Now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished” (p. 85).
Why does Victor react with immediate horror? How does this moment reflect the theme of ambition versus consequence?
Use this scene to explore Victor’s expectations and how they compare to reality.
6. The Trial of Justine Moritz (Chapter 7)Elizabeth defends Justine, saying, “I am firmly convinced of her innocence” (p. 104).
What does this trial reveal about society’s tendency to scapegoat those who are vulnerable?
How does Victor’s silence during Justine’s trial reflect his guilt? Use examples from the text.
Volume II: Chapters 1-9
7. Nature as Solace (Chapter 1)Victor writes, “The sight of the awful and majestic in nature had indeed always the effect of solemnising my mind” (p. 113).
How does the natural world provide Victor with moments of peace amidst his guilt?
Choose a scene from the Chamonix Valley and analyse how Shelley uses nature to mirror Victor’s emotions.
8. The Creature’s Plea (Chapter 2)The creature tells Victor, “I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel” (p. 119).
What does the creature’s plea for understanding tell us about his sense of identity and abandonment?
Explore how Shelley draws parallels between the creature and characters in Paradise Lost. Use evidence from their conversation.
9. Observing the De Lacey Family (Chapter 3)The creature says, “I admired virtue and good feelings and loved the gentle manners and amiable qualities of my cottagers” (p. 130).
How does watching the De Lacey family influence the creature’s view of humanity and his own existence?
Cite specific interactions that deepen the creature’s longing for connection.
10. The Power of Knowledge (Chapter 4)As the creature learns, he reflects, “I read of men concerned in public affairs, governing or massacring their species” (p. 135).
How does his exposure to human history shape his understanding of the world and his place in it?
Compare his growing knowledge to Victor’s pursuit of forbidden knowledge.
11. The Demand for a Companion (Chapter 8)The creature insists, “You must create a female for me” (p. 144).
Why does the creature believe a companion will solve his misery?
Explore Victor’s internal conflict as he considers this demand. What ethical questions does it raise?
Volume III: Chapters 1-7
12. The Reversal of Power (Chapter 1)Victor admits, “I was the slave of my creature” (p. 151).
How has the dynamic between Victor and his creation shifted by this point in the novel?
Use evidence to explore how guilt and obsession drive Victor’s decisions.
13. Destroying the Female Creature (Chapter 3)Victor reflects, “A race of devils would be propagated upon the earth” (p. 170).
Why does Victor destroy his second creation, and how does this act seal his fate?
Analyse the creature’s reaction and its implications for the rest of the story.
14. The Consequences of Clerval’s Death (Chapter 4)Victor mourns, “I called myself the murderer of William, of Justine, and of Clerval” (p. 179).
How does Clerval’s death push Victor closer to despair?
Compare Victor’s emotional response here to his earlier reflections on William and Justine.
15. Elizabeth’s Murder (Chapter 6)Victor finds Elizabeth’s lifeless body, stating, “She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed” (p. 188).
How does the creature’s revenge fulfil his earlier threats?
Explore Victor’s realisation of the creature’s intentions. What does this moment say about his failure to protect those he loves?
16. The Creature’s Final Words (Chapter 7)The creature laments, “I shall die, and what I now feel be no longer felt” (p. 211).
How does the creature’s reflection on his suffering and loneliness affect your view of him?
Analyse Shelley’s choice to end the novel with the creature’s departure. What themes are reinforced?
