Frankenstein Chapters 1-4 Flashcards
Prose Revision
Which word (beginning with t) might be used to describe a character (like Victor) that goes beyond the limits of what is socially/morally acceptable?
transgressive
‘I was so guided by a ___________ cord’ (page 28)
silken
What is Victor describing here? ‘I was so guided by a silken cord’ (page 28)
His childhood - which Shelley depicts as both supportive (guided/cord) and deeply rich and loving (silken)
What was Mary Shelley’s mother called?
Mary Wollstonecraft
Who was Mary Wollstonecraft?
Mary Shelley’s mother - a proto-feminist who wrote about, and fought for, gender quality.
Who was Mary Shelley’s father?
William Godwin
Who was William Godwin?
Mary Shelley’s father - a political philosopher who believed in greater freedoms for all.
Who whom did Mary Shelley elope?
Percy Shelley, who at the time was married.
How did William Godwin (Mary Shelley’s father) react to her eloping with the married Percy Shelley?
He cut her off, believing she had brought shame on the family
Why did Mary Shelley experience a great sense of guilt connected to her mother?
Because her mother died due to complications during the birth of Mary.
‘I was their plaything and their __________’ (page 28)
idol
How is Elizabeth described - ‘a pretty _______________’ (page 29)
present
Who is described as a ‘pretty present’ (page 29)
Elizabeth
How is Elizabeth described - ‘a promised _______________’ (page 29)
gift
the saintly soul of _________ shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp’ (page 31)
Elizabeth
‘the __________ soul of Elizabeth shone like a shrine-dedicated lamp’ (page 31)
saintly
Which character is described as having a ‘saintly soul’ (page 31)
Elizabeth
What was the name of the pseudo science popular in the 19th century that suggested a person’s character could be judged by their physical appearance?
physiognomy
What was physiognomy?
A pseudo science popular in the 19th century that suggested a person’s character could be judged by their physical appearance.
What does pseudo science mean?
fake (not real) science
What does the word ‘blasphemous’ mean?
to speak or act against God
Which word (beginning with b) means to speak or act against God?
blasphemous
‘I was ___________ wrapt up in this’ (page 40)
solely
‘became nearly my ________ occupation’ (page 40)
sole
‘the _________ often disappeared in the light of the morning whilst I was yet engaged in my laboratory’ (page 40)
stars
‘a churchyard to me was merely the ______________ of bodies’ (page 41)
receptacle
‘life and death appeared to me ideal _________, which I should first break through’ (page 43)
bounds
‘I kept my workshop of __________ creation’ (page 43)
filthy
‘I pursued ___________ to her hiding places’ (page 43)
nature
What technique is used here? ‘I pursued nature to her hiding places’ (page 43)
Personification. The natural world is presented as a female, which Victor hunts and exposes.
‘I collected bones from charnel houses; and disturbed, with __________ fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frame’ (page 43)
profane
‘My cheek had grown _________ with study’ (page 43)
pale
What is the significance of Victor describing ‘My cheek had grown pale with study’ (page 43)
It conveys how, such is the extent of his obsession with creating life, that it is even affecting his physical wellbeing.
Why does Shelley describe Victor’s fingers as ‘profane’ when he is creating the monster?
It conveys how what Victor is doing is unholy as he is ‘playing God’ and trying to usurp the natural order.
What is graverobbing?
The stealing of bodies from their graves - this was increasingly common in the 19th century, as scientists of The Enlightenment wanted corpses to use for experiments.
What was The Murder Act?
A law passed in 1752 that decreed that if a person was convicted of murder, their body would be given over to science.
How does Victor spending time in ‘vaults and charnel houses’ (page 41) link to an issue of the 19th century?
This links to the social issue of graverobbing (also called bodysnatching).
‘the moon gazed on my ________labours’ (page 43)
midnight
What is the significance of Victor’s labours (creating the monster) taking place at ‘midnight’? (page 43)
It represents the idea of him crossing a boundary.
‘he strove to shelter her as a fair _________ is sheltered by the gardener’ (page 27)
exotic
Who is being described in the following: ‘he strove to shelter her as a fair exotic is sheltered by the gardener’ (page 27)?
Caroline Frankenstein - she is metaphorically compared to a beautiful and fragile exotic flower.
Who created the idea of tabula rasa?
The philosopher, John Locke.
What is the theory of tabula rasa?
That all human beings are born as a ‘blank slate’ - we are al a product of the way we are treated by our environment and society as a whole.
Which character in the novel might most obviously be considered a martyr?
Caroline Frankenstein
Which character is described as a ‘guardian angel’ (page 28)
Caroline Frankenstein
‘guardian ___________’ (page 28)
angel
‘I looked upon Elizabeth as _________’ (page 29)
mine
Who is being described in the following: ‘he strove to shelter her as a fair exotic is sheltered by the gardener’ (page 27)?
Caroline Frankenstein - she is metaphorically compared to a beautiful and fragile exotic flower.
Who is being described in the following: ‘a being heaven-sent’ (p.29)?
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is described as a ‘shrine-dedicated lamp in our peaceful home.’ What does this suggest about Elizabeth’s role?
Elizabeth is a decorative ornament/object to be possessed by others.
Who wears a ‘crown of distinction’ upon their head?
Elizabeth
Who is Elizabeth’s father?
Elizabeth is the daughter of a Milanese nobleman.
Both Caroline and Elizabeth are ‘saved’ by the Frankenstein family.’ What does this suggest about how women are portrayed in the novel?
Women are portrayed as victims.
