Victor Frankenstein Flashcards
The depiction of the Monster's development and education presents him as an intelligent and compassionate being. But, he is mistreated by everyone that he meets which leads him to violent revenge.
-What does Shelley use the character of Victor to challenge (in terms of the reader)?
-What happens to the readers feelings throughout the novel? Why?
-Shelley uses the character of Victor to challenge the reader’s response to him as a protagonist (hero).
-The readers feelings toward Victor change throughout the novel, especially as the narrative is transferred between different characters.
-How is Victor described in Walton’s letters? (‘a ……..’) (a … on the ….. of ………..’.)
-How is the Monster described in Walton’s letters? (‘a …… ………. of some ………… ……’.)
-Victor is described as ‘a European’, in direct opposition to the Monster, who is ‘a savage inhabitant of some undiscovered island’.
-Victor is also described as ‘a man on the brink of destruction’, suggesting he is just an innocent victim of the creature.
How does Walton align himself with Victor? (‘so ….. a ……..’)(‘……….’ mind)(‘………… eloquence’)
Walton describes Victor as ‘so noble a creature’ with a ‘cultivated’ mind and ‘unparalleled eloquence’.
How does Shelley criticize society?
-Shelley could be suggesting that the characters who fail to see Victor’s flaws are themselves short-sighted.
-This could be Shelley’s criticism of a society which prizes background and nobility above moral worth.
How is Victor a well-liked character?
-Victor is well-loved by his family and friends, and Professor Waldman quickly develops a liking for him.
-Victor’s amiable character could suggest that he is ultimately a good man.
-Victor changes his mind regarding Walton’s self-centred pursuits, advising him to ‘avoid ambition’, and appears to have learnt from his experiences.
How is Victor an arrogant character?
-The confidence with which Victor presents his ambition can come across as arrogant.
-Victor’s neglect of his loving family and friends in pursuit of scientific glory makes him seem self-centered and callous.
-At what point does the reader begin to lose sympathy for Victor?
-What does Victor repeatedly state he want to do during the trial? Does he succeed?
-What does Victor refer to himself as, showing his sense of responsibility? (‘…. murderer’)
-The reader begins to lose sympathy for Victor during Justine Moritz’s trial.
-Victor repeatedly states his desire to intervene but entirely fails to take action.
-Victor refers to himself as the ‘true murderer’ of his brother William voicing his sense of responsibility.
-In the Monster’s narrative, how does Shelley present the Monster? Who does this contrast with?
-How does Victor treat the monster? (‘…….. monster!’) and (‘f….’)
-What does Shelley take into question? What does Shelley encourage to query?
-In the Monster’s narrative, Shelley presents the Monster as thoughtful, rational and eloquent. This presentation contrasts vastly with the way in which Victor has presented the Monster up to this point.
-Victor is cruel and violent towards the Monster, attacking him and insulting him with ‘Abhorred monster!’ and ‘fiend’.
-Shelley calls the Monster’s ‘monstrosity’ into question and encourages the reader to query the validity of Victor’s own narrative, as well as his actions.
-‘My mother’s …… …….. and my father’s ….. of ………. pleasure…’
-What does this quote imply? Who does it contrast with?
-‘My mother’s tender caresses and my father’s smile of benevolent pleasure…’
-Victor’s childhood is full of love and affection, in contrast to his own treatment of the Monster.
-‘I was their ……… and their ….’
-What does the word ‘idol’ warn us about?
What does this juxtapose with?
-‘I was their plaything and their idol’
-The word ‘idol’ warns about Victor’s hubristic (boastful) nature and again juxtaposes with his own views of the Monster.
-‘…. and ….. appeared to me ….. ……, which I should first ….. ……., and pour a ……. of ….. into our …. ……’
-What figure does Victor see himself as? What is Victor surpassing and improving?
-What is his pursuit of science presented as? What type of imagery is used?
-‘Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.’
-Victor sees himself as God-like and surpassing the natural limitations of the world and improving it.
-His pursuit of science is presented as a type of enlightenment using Biblical imagery. There is a suggestion that without this, the world is lacking.
-‘The …… …… passed while I was thus ……., ….. and …., in one ……..’
-Victor is s…..-…… and o………
-What led to Victor neglecting his supportive friends and family?
-‘The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit.’
-Victor is single-minded and obsessive. Even though he has very supportive friends and family, his scientific endeavours lead him to neglect them.
‘But I, the …. …….., felt the …..-….. ….. alive in my ….., which allowed of .. …. or …………’
-What does Victor seem to acknowledge his role in? What does Victor do to clear Justine’s name?
-What does Victor focus more on? This shows he’s s…-……. and c…….
-‘But I, the true murderer, felt the never-dying worm alive in my bosom, which allowed of no hope or consolation.’
-Victor seems to acknowledge his role in his brother William’s death, but does nothing to clear Justine’s name.
-Victor focuses on his own suffering, further highlighting how self-centred and cowardly he has become.
-‘Do not …… to your …….. with the …… of …….. …… on your brows. …… as …… who have …… and conquered…’.
-Despite Walton warning Victor of the dangers of ambition, what does Victor do?
-What Victor has learnt? Victor still values f… and g….
-‘Do not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows. Return as heroes who have fought and conquered…’.
-Despite warning Walton of the dangers of ambition, Victor gives this rousing speech to the crew, encouraging them to proceed with the journey despite its dangers.
-This speech suggests that Victor has not learnt anything from his experiences and still values fame and glory above all else.
