english Flashcards
Which works about human nature inspired Mary Shelley?
Mary Shelley was inspired by alchemy and natural science, particularly the works of Paracelsus and Agrippa.
Where and under what conditions did Mary Shelley begin writing Frankenstein?
Shelley started writing Frankenstein in 1816 in Geneva, Switzerland, during a cold summer with bad weather.
How do the Letters frame the story of Frankenstein?
The letters introduce Robert Walton’s journey to the Arctic, where he meets Victor Frankenstein and hears his story.
How does Robert Walton’s life adhere to Romanticism?
Walton’s adventurous spirit and desire to explore unknown lands reflect Romanticism’s focus on individualism and nature.
How does Walton educate himself for his sailing adventure?
Walton prepares for his Arctic expedition by reading books on navigation, science, and literature.
What challenges might Walton face on his voyage?
Walton’s voyage may encounter harsh weather, isolation, and Arctic dangers, suggesting it might not end well.
What does Walton desire in his second letter?
In the second letter, Walton expresses loneliness and wishes for a friend to share his adventures.
Why does Walton feel fortunate to have secured the master of his ship?
Walton feels lucky to have a skilled shipmaster, believing he will guide them safely through the Arctic.
How does the shipmaster’s failed love story fit Romanticism?
The shipmaster’s tragic love story embodies Romanticism through intense emotions, personal suffering, and doomed fate.
How does Walton’s belief in the marvelous make him an ideal listener?
Walton’s fascination with the unknown makes him the perfect audience for Frankenstein’s amazing and tragic tale.
How is the setting of the fourth letter typically Romantic?
The setting in the fourth letter is Romantic due to the bleak, desolate Arctic, where nature is wild and overpowering.
What do the sailors first see in the distance?
The sailors see a man in the distance, who turns out to be Victor Frankenstein, wandering in the Arctic.
Describe the man who boards the ship.
The man looks weak, sick, and exhausted, as if he has suffered greatly.
Why is the man in the Arctic?
He is in the Arctic chasing the monster he created, trying to stop it after it caused much damage.
How does the man fulfill Captain Walton’s desires?
The man provides Walton with companionship and a dramatic story, fulfilling his need for adventure.
Why does the man agree to tell Walton his story?
He agrees because he sees Walton as someone who also wants to explore and understand the unknown.
Why does the man caution Walton against his search for knowledge?
He warns Walton due to his own suffering from the consequences of pursuing knowledge too far.
What is Walton’s duty as the man tells his story?
Walton’s duty is to listen and learn from the man’s tragic tale about ambition and the search for knowledge.
How did Victor Frankenstein’s parents meet?
Victor’s father Alphonse met Caroline after helping her family during their bankruptcy, and they eventually married.
How does Mary Shelley show her social interest in Frankenstein?
Shelley shows concern for the poor through Caroline, who adopts Elizabeth and raises her with kindness.
How are Caroline and Elizabeth portrayed in Chapter One?
They are depicted as loving, selfless, and kind, representing the ideal nurturing women of the time.
Describe Victor’s childhood.
Victor had a happy and privileged childhood, filled with love and a strong sense of security.
How does Elizabeth come into the Frankenstein home?
Elizabeth is adopted into the family after her mother dies, and Caroline raises her alongside her own children.
How does Victor feel about Elizabeth?
Victor is very fond of Elizabeth, seeing her as beautiful and someone he is meant to marry.
How does Victor interact with friends?
Victor is a loner, preferring time alone or with his close friend Henry rather than large groups.
Contrast Victor’s academic interests with Henry Clerval’s.
Victor is obsessed with science and alchemy, while Henry is more interested in literature.
What does Victor mean by his desire to learn about science?
He means that his interest in science started small but grew uncontrollably, ruining his life.
Which authors and topics does Victor become obsessed with?
Victor becomes engrossed in alchemy, natural science, and the works of old scientists like Paracelsus and Agrippa.
How does Victor learn about alchemy and natural science?
He learns by reading old books and conducting independent research, fitting Romanticism’s emphasis on personal exploration.
Describe Victor’s experience with lightning.
Seeing a tree struck by lightning sparks his interest in electricity and sets him on the path to creating life.
What is Victor’s destiny?
Victor’s destiny is shaped by his obsession with knowledge, leading to his downfall. He reflects, ‘What had I done?’
What does Caroline Frankenstein hope for Elizabeth and Victor?
Caroline hopes Elizabeth and Victor will marry, believing they are a perfect match for happiness.
How does Elizabeth respond to Caroline’s death?
Elizabeth is devastated but stays strong for the family, focusing on taking care of everything.
Why does Henry Clerval’s father disapprove of education?
Henry’s father believes education will distract him from more practical responsibilities at home.
What does Victor mean by ‘Chance or rather the evil influence’?
Victor thinks fate or an evil force led him to leave home and begin studies, causing everything bad that followed.
How does Victor interact with M. Krempe and M. Waldman?
Victor dislikes M. Krempe for representing outdated science but respects M. Waldman for encouraging modern studies.
What does Victor mean by ‘In other studies you go as far as others have gone before you’?
Victor believes science is limitless, offering endless opportunities for discovery unlike other fields.
What aspects of biology does Victor study?
Victor studies natural sciences, focusing on anatomy and physiology to understand life creation.
How does Victor think his creation will regard him?
Victor believes his creation will see him as a god-like figure, grateful for giving it life.
How does Victor violate his own advice about preserving tranquility?
He talks about the importance of a calm mind but lets his obsession with science consume him.
Why does Victor ‘shun his fellow-creatures’ while working?
Victor isolates himself from others because he is consumed by his work and wants no distractions.
