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- Victor doesn't give his monster a name. What does this do for
the story? What does it say about us in society today that we think
the monster's name is Frankenstein, besides the fact that we're
apparently ill-read?
- How is science portrayed in Frankenstein? Consider that this
book was written in the midst of vast scientific advances and the
advent of the Industrial Revolution. Are we living in a similar
period today? What contemporary issues seem based on
Frankenstein's-monster-type fears? (Try googling "Frankenfood"
for some ideas.)
- At its heart, Frankenstein is
interested in the question of nature vs. nurture: are people blank
slates that are formed by experiences and environment, or are we
born with certain traits—like being evil? What does the book seem to
suggest? How do you know?
- The book is called Frankenstein, but a huge chunk of it
is told from the point of view of the monster. Who's the real
protagonist here? Is Frankenstein right to effectively disown his
creation?
- You might have noticed some Christian influences in this text.
To start off, there's the creator/creation paradigm. And, of course,
the monster is compared to Adam. But the monster is also compared to
the fallen angel—Satan—and Victor takes on comparisons to God. You
could even go so far as to call Victor's death a sacrifice that
makes him a Christ figure. What might Shelley be saying about
religion, and Christianity in particular? (Keep in mind that, while
we're not sure how Mary Shelley felt about religion, both her
father and husband were big, honking atheists in a time when atheism
could get you into serious trouble.)
- Victor claims that he breaks his promise to create him a
companion because he doesn't trust the monster. Is the monster
trustworthy? Can Victor be trustworthy even though he broke his
promise?
- If we can't trust appearances, what can we trust? Words can be
misinterpreted; actions can be understood. Is there any way to truly
understand another person in Frankenstein?
- Shelley emphasizes the importance of family and suggests that
the monster would have turned out differently if he'd had people
around him who loved and understood him. But the rest of the world
would still have hated and feared him. Would a loving family really
have prevented tragedy?
- What's the point of the frame narrative? Why do we begin and end
with Robert Walton? Does he learn a lesson from his encounter with
Frankenstein? If so, what is it?
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