Shelley, Frankenstein
1. How do the opening letters set up the story? Whose point of view do we see the events from in the letters, then in the narrative? How is this point of view important?
2. What do Frankenstein and Walton have in common in their backgrounds?
3. From his letters, draw a character sketch of Walton.
4. Why does Frankenstein create the creature? why does he react negatively when it comes to life?
5. Frankenstein jumps to a conclusion about his brother's murder; is he justified? why or why not? How do you feel about Frankenstein's silence after Justine's trial?
6. How is your viewpoint affected when the creature tells his story? What part(s) of his story are most influential in how you react to him?
7. Think about this story in relation to these others: Oedipus; the fall of Satan from heaven; Adam & Eve.
8. Is Frankenstein morally right in his decision about the mate in Scotland?
9. Look at the nature imagery throughout the novel, especially weather/storms, temperature, places (mountains, Arctic, forest, etc.). How does the imagery interact with the thematic messages?
10. Where do your sympathies lie by the end of the novel? why?
