Possible Questions on Frankenstein
Frankenstein is recognized to be one of the Gothic novel expressions and it is suited for a lot of characteristics found in a Romantic novel. All of the elements have to be considered that have a story that includes the settings, tone, narrative voice, character development, and others that contribute to the identity of the novel being a Gothic text. Then, the message of Shelley is offered, if you think it was her intention to convey one to readers. If you think that the novel is only for entertainment, prove your claim using evidence. However, there are several questions that need to be asked so that a deeper understanding of the novel is developed.
One question is how could the novel be recognized as a commentary about progress?
Frankenstein is a young scientist who is bursting with ambition becomes obsessed with the chance of creating life because it is something that science still has to accomplish. Frankenstein is able to do so and achieves what people normally would conceive as specific progress since he has added the coverage of what science lets humanity do. Although, this kind of progress leads to negative consequences and the monster embraces the life of Frankenstein, kills innocent people, and causes no good to society. A person might say that the novel shows a thesis that not all advancements in science are necessary.
Another question is: “What is the impact of showing a characters’ different points of view, especially the ones from Victor and the monster?
The narrative in Frankenstein changes from Robert Walton to Frankenstein, then to the monster and finally to Walton again. Every time the perspective changes, the reader gathers new information pertaining to the facts of the story and the narrator’s’ personality. Every narrator is able to provide more information that only comes from him. Walton elaborates the circumstances that happened during the last days of Victor. The creation of the monster is explained by Victor and the monster explains is a transition to evil. The variety in perspective between the narrators and the stark, especially because Victor and the monster are in opposition to the each other for the majority of the novel.
Do Victor and the monster have different opinions of women? How?
The women portrayed in Frankenstein are mostly pure, passive and innocent. However, there are some exceptions, like Caroline Beaufort, who is working to feed her impoverished father. In general, the women in the novel are demonstrated as kind but weak. For instance, Elizabeth defends Justine’s innocence but is powerless against her execution. Victor and the monster see women as the major companion that provides acceptance and comfort. Victor considers Elizabeth as someone who shows the sole joy that can get rid of the guilt he experienced. The monster looks for this kind of female to commiserate with the awful existence he has. Eventually, they destroy their love interest that shifts the woman’s status from being the object of desire to someone who becomes the revenge. This only shows that women do not the chance to act on as an individual.
Do you think the monster was given free will in the story?
Assuming that Frankenstein’s testimony is true, the monster is not given free will. Frankenstein states “the stages of the discovery were distinct and probable.” This implies that there is a scientific grounding in each aspect of the creation process. If this claim is to be taken seriously, then it can possibly infer that it was Frankenstein who designed the mechanisms of the brain and body of the monster. This is regardless if Frankenstein was not aware of the ramifications found in his design. Considering the creature in mind, most of the sentiments and schemas he had were taken from the three books he read. These books are The Sorrows of Werter, Paradise Lost, and Plutarch’s Lives. Therefore, there are possible grounds to claim that the external forces fully determine every aspect of the monster’s actions.
The novel’s alternate title is The Modern Prometheus, what is its relation to the story?
Frankenstein is known to be a Promethean analog just like when Prometheus stole fire that comes from the gods, and Frankenstein also stole from nature’s domain by learning to create life. This is the same when the gods punished Prometheus for the crime, and Frankenstein went through misery because of this creation, and then dies while trying to ruin what he made. This is why Shelley’s novel is a modern way of telling the story of Frankenstein.
Other possible questions:
What is the reason why Frankenstein is able to find purpose in life when he chooses to do revenge on the monster until either of them dies in mortal conflict?
Victor says that he broke his promise to Frankenstein to make a companion for him because he does not find him trustworthy. Is this true or not? Can Victor still be trusted even if he broke his promise?
Think about the questions in the essay and use it as a guide to creating your own paper.
