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.
