Frankenstein Chapters 1-3

Summarize how Mary Shelley interjects her social interest of caring for the poor into Frankenstein.

Alphonse cares for Beaufort when he becomes poor. Caroline regularly visits and helps the poor. Elizabeth is adopted from a poor family who can no longer care for her.

Show how Mary portrays the women, Caroline and Elizabeth, in Chapter 1.

Caroline and Elizabeth are both portrayed as virtuous women who are rescued, cared for, and protected by men. Elizabeth is also presented to Victor as a gift.

Tell what Caroline Frankenstein hopes for Elizabeth and Victor's future.

Caroline hopes that Victor and Elizabeth marry each other.

Assess how Victor feels about Elizabeth.

He adores her and feels that she is "mine to protect, love, and cherish" and she is "my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only."

Which authors and topics does Victor become obsessed with reading?

He becomes obsessed with reading the works of early alchemists (Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus). An interest in alchemy then proceeds to an interest in anatomy.

Explain why Henry Clerval's father disapproves of education.

He wants Henry to follow in his footsteps in the world of commerce and trade.

Explain Victor's destiny. Locate a quote from the novel to support your answer.

His destiny was to study the science of unknown: "It was a strong effort of the spirit of good..."

Generalize how Victor learns about alchemy and natural science. How does this fit with the characteristics of Romanticism?

It reflects a Romantic focus on self-education and parallels Robert Walton educating himself about sailing the world.

Summarize Elizabeth's response to Caroline's death.

She becomes the family's maternal figure. Rather than grieving, she devotes herself to caring for the family.

Contrast Victor's academic interests with those of his friend, Henry Clerval.

Victor desires to learn about science- the secrets of heaven and earth, and the "inner spirit of nature" and the "physical secrets of the world," while Henry Clerval prefers the "moral relations" of things, including history and literature.

Describe Victor's childhood.

Victor enjoys an idyllic childhood and is doted on by his parents as they travel throughout Europe.

Examine how Victor interacts differently with M. Krempe and M. Waldman.

Victor finds M. Krempe to be conceited and condescending. Victor likes M. Waldman better, and respects him. He likes his lecture which prompted Victor to keep searching for answers to keep moving forward.

Deduce what Victor means when he states, "Chance-or rather the evil influence, the Angel of Destruction, which asserted omnipotent sway over me from the moment I turned my reluctant steps from my fathers door..."

Victor is destined for evil- his destiny was to have the Angel of Destruction decide his future.

Tell about Victor's social tendencies and how he interacts with friends.

Victor tends to avoid crowds and instead, forms close friendship with only a few people (Henry Clerval).

Tell how Victor Frankenstein's parents met?

Victor's father, Alphonse Frankenstein helped a friend, Beaufort, who fell on hard times. After Beaufort died, Alphonse cared for and eventually married Beaufort's daughter, Caroline.

Explain how Elizabeth comes into the Frankenstein home.

When Caroline meets a peasant family who has taken in Elizabeth from a Milanese noble man. The family can no longer afford to care for Elizabeth, so the Frankensteins adopt her.

Describe Victor's experience with lightning. How was it a turning point in his life?

When he was 15 he saw a lightning bolt destroy a tree and wondered about the power of lighting and electricity.

Infer Victor's meaning when he says of his desire to learn about science: "I find it arise, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten sources; but, swelling as it proceeded, it became the torrent in which, in its course, has swept away all my hopes and joys."

While his interest in science begins as an innocent search for knowledge, it grows to overwhelm and eventually destroy him and everything he loves.