Why does Victor take "refuge in the most perfect solitude" (132)?
133:
When, discussing his engagement to Elizabeth, Victor says,"My future
hopes and prospects are entirely bound up in the expectation of our union"
(133), does he mean it?
134:
When Victor says,"I was bound by a solemn promise" (134), to whom does
he mean? Elizabeth? The Creature?
135:
Explain: "A man is blind to a thousand minute circumstances, which
will call forth a woman's sedulous attention" (135).
139:
What does he mean, "In Clerval I saw the image of my former self"(139)?
Why does Clerval want to go India? Do his motives support Victor's
preceding statements about Clerval? Explain.
145:
Why does Victor destroy the female creature? Were you surprised that
he did? Explain.
155:
Why does Kirwin believe Victor to be innocent?
164:
Explain: "As if possessed by magical powers, the creature blinded me
to his real intentions" (164).
165:
Why doesn't Victor describe the actual wedding ceremony?
167:
Explain: "This night, and all will be safe; but this night is dreadful,
very dreadful" (167). Does Victor know/care how this probably sounds
to his bride on their wedding night?
169:
Explain: "Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and
sudden change" (169). How does this compare with the thoughts
that open chapter 9 (86)? How do his sentiments here compare with those
found in the poem on 97?
174:
Explain: "I persuaded myself that I was dreaming until night should
come, and that I should then enjoy reality in the arms of my dearest friends"
(174).
184:
What, according to Victor, was his duty to his creature? Why couldn't
he fulfill it? Is his logic justifiable?
189:
Do you think the creature is really going to kill himself? Explain.
Other Discussion Questions: 133:
How old is Victor at this point? Why would his be an "early marriage"
(133)?
137:
What does Victor mean when he says that Clerval was "a being formed
in the 'very poetry of nature'"(137)?
Explain: "The spirit that inhabits and guards this place has a soul
more in harmony with man, than those who pile the glacier, or retire to
the inaccessible peaks of the mountains of our own country" (137).
138:
Why does Victor go to London?
140:
What does Victor mean, "I am a blasted tree" (140)?
142:
When Victor says, "I was guiltless, but I had drawn down a horrible
curse upon my head, as mortal as that of a curse"(142), what does he mean?
Is this assertion consistent with his earlier discussions?
143:
Explain what Victor means when he says that he is "hardly thanked for
the pittance of food and clothes which I gave, so much does suffering blunt
even the coarsest sensations of men" (143).
145:
Explain: "Future ages might curse me as their pest" (145).
Compare with Victor's related statement about future generations on page
58.
146:
Explain what the creature means: "You are my creator, but I am your
master--obey!" (146).
Explain: "I shall be with you on your wedding -night" (146). What does
Victor think it means?
148:
Explain: "I almost felt as if I had mangled the living flesh of a human
being" (148).
151-52:
Compare the accusation of Victor for Clerval's murder with Justine's
for William's.
154:
Explain: "Her countenance expressed all those bad qualities which often
characterize that class" (154).
157:
Why is Victor "spared the disgrace of appearing publicly as a criminal"
(157)?
Why is Victor acquitted? Who "proves" his innocence?
158:
Why is Victor recalling his whole life?
159:
Explain Victor's dream here. How does it compare with his first
dream (86)?
160:
Why does Victor continue to keep his creation a secret?
Explain Victor's discussion about "sacrificing" the human race.
162-63:
Why does Victor keep repeating the Creature's threat?
163:
Why will Victor tell Elizabeth everything the day after they
get married?
168:
Why does this guy keep fainting?
Why does no one accuse him of this murder, when he is supposed
to be the only one there?
170:
When Victor says, "Cursed, cursed be the fiend that brought misery on
his grey hairs!" (170), whom is he cursing?
171:
Does the magistrate believe Victor's story? Explain.
174:
Who provides the food to Victor as he pursues the creature?
175:
Why does the creature leave marks on the trees?
Why is the creature headed to the frozen North?
176:
Why does the Creature use guns to get supplies? Are they necessary?
178:
Why does Victor ask Walton to get his revenge for him if he dies?
179:
Why does Walton seek more details about the Creature's formation?
Why does Victor correct Walton's notes?
Explain Victor's beliefs about his dreams.
180:
Explain Victor's comparison of himself with the Archangel. How
does this compare with the Creature's earlier comparison of himself with
Satan (117)?
183:
Explain: "This ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts may
be" (183).
Why does Walton decide to return south? Why does he call this
decision an "injustice"(183)?
184:
Does Victor agree with Walton's decision? Explain.
185:
What is Victor suggesting Walton do, seek or avoid ambition? Explain.
186:
Why does Walton call on the creature to stay?
187:
Explain: "I was the slave, not the master of an impulse, which I detested,
yet could not disobey!" (187). How well could this quote apply to
Victor, as well?
188:
Why, according to the creature, is he worse off than Satan?
Explain: "For whilst I destroyed his hopes, I did not satisfy my own
desires" (188).
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