Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Group at eNotes

The dual narrative is very effective because, first we get to know...

Thu, 1 May 2008 17:44:18 PST

The dual narrative is very effective because, first we get to know Victor's feelings very intimately. The reader understands how Victor is driven to create the monster, how he feels after the monster kills. When the creature begins to narrate his humanity is revealed, he is sensitive, and almost innocent in his curiosity. You can't help but feel sorry for the creature, he did not ask to be born, he is alone, abandoned, lonely and can't help...

Well, to be honest, as a personal note, I'm not sure it does: the...

Thu, 1 May 2008 09:42:00 PST

Well, to be honest, as a personal note, I'm not sure it does: the layered narrative—more than doubled—sometimes feels like it distances me from the action, and makes me feel less (and think more). However, when the dual narrative does work to arouse sympathy, it is for several reasons. First and most simply, it fills in gaps in the story. Closely related, we get to know the creature as a being, not just an object. Second, we get the...

How does the dual narrative help to arouse your sympathy for Victor and...

Thu, 1 May 2008 06:20:36 PST

(You've heard Victor's side of the story for most of the book but know you also hear it from the creature's point of view)

When the creature has the audience of Victor in chapters 11-14, he...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:44:23 PST

When the creature has the audience of Victor in chapters 11-14, he attempts to justify his actions and explain life from his point of view. He was born benevolent--he smiled at his "father" as Victor slept. He was gentle and seeking love as a toddler would. He was in need of acceptance, guidance, love, and a proper parent. What he received was a irresponsible creator who abandoned him at the first moment Victor was able. ...

This statement is made by Victor Frankenstein's creature when he tries...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:11:47 PST

This statement is made by Victor Frankenstein's creature when he tries to justify his murderous actions. The creature claims that he was not evil from the beginning, but became so because he was rejected by his creator and the rest of society.Mary Shelley's depiction of the creature was undoubtedly influenced by the philosophical theories of John Locke, who argued that the human mind is a "tabula rasa" or "blank slate" that...

What does this quote mean: "I was benevolent and good; misery made...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:42:33 PST

What does this quote mean: "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend"?

When Victor's creature is brought to life, Victor is horrified by what...

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:27:35 PST

When Victor's creature is brought to life, Victor is horrified by what he has done and abandons it immediately. The creature reaches out to Victor as its creator and "father", but it is rejected. The creature becomes first hurt and then angry at his treatment. As others also reject and treat him badly because of his hideous looks, the creature begins to formulate a plan of revenge against his creator, the mastermind behind his...

How does the concept of revenge play a part in Mary Shelley's...

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:06:14 PST

How does the concept of revenge play a part in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"?

In a way, I think the monster lacking a name is like schools that...

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:15:03 PST

In a way, I think the monster lacking a name is like schools that attempt to make their students wear uniforms: the idea is that students will display their creativity in their work, rather than by what they wear. I think by not giving the monster a name, it allows his appearance and behavior to get the full attention of the reader, and it helps avoid what happens in so many other novels, where the character's name is in some way indicative of...

The monster has no name in the novel. It has been said that this...

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:20:16 PST

The monster has no name in the novel. It has been said that this omission is a reflection of Victor Frankenstein's complete rejection of his creation. The monster calls himself "the Adam of your labors", and is referred to as "the creature", "the fiend", "the daemon", and "the wretch" at different points in the book.

What is the monster's name in the novel Frankenstein?

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:38:11 PST

What is the monster's name in the novel Frankenstein?

"To make his creature, Victor Frankenstein "dabbled among the unhallowed...

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:25:20 PST

"To make his creature, Victor Frankenstein "dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave" and frequented dissecting rooms and slaughterhouses. In Mary Shelley's day, as in our own, the healthy human form delighted and intrigued artists, physicians, and anatomists. But corpses, decaying tissue, and body parts stirred almost universal disgust. Alive or dead, whole or in pieces, human bodies arouse strong emotion--and account for part of...

Where did Dr. Frankenstein get the body parts for his monsters?

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:19:51 PST

Where did Dr. Frankenstein get the body parts for his monsters?

Before the work on this project begins, start to think over some...

Mon, 7 May 2007 18:45:50 PST

Before the work on this project begins, start to think over some important questions that you may wish to consider: What is the relationship between Victor and his monster? Is this relationship more Father and son or God and man? After the relationship is established I would begin to narrow down what Victor’s main purpose was and what his monster believes that his purpose is. Victor did not create a child that he would need to care for and...

To add to these sentiments you may wish to focus on the basis of the...

Mon, 7 May 2007 18:38:04 PST

To add to these sentiments you may wish to focus on the basis of the Promethean hero as well. The late British Romantics invoked Prometheus as a hero and muse for society unlike the early Romantics who looked to Satan of Milton’s Paradise Lost. Prometheus, credited for creating the race of humans, was more relatable due to his humanistic and suffering qualities. This example is predominately seen in Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound and was...

Frankenstein is Romantic in many ways. In no particular order, they are...

Mon, 7 May 2007 17:47:10 PST

Frankenstein is Romantic in many ways. In no particular order, they are as follows: Victor's turn to older sources than modern science for the seeds of his discovery. The emphasis on passion throughout the book. The wild settings—the arctic, the mountains, the lakes—and the appreciation shown for them. The creature teaching itself to read echoes Romantic ideals of childhood. Likewise, the poor family with blind man embody the pure and...

In the book Frankenstein how does it connect to be a Romantic novel?

Mon, 7 May 2007 15:09:25 PST

When I say romantic I don't mean "love" romantic but the romantic revolution.

This seems like a good theme for a paper. What you should look for are...

Wed, 7 Mar 2007 14:08:08 PST

This seems like a good theme for a paper. What you should look for are specific incidents in the text (there are many) where the monster feels rejected by Dr. Frankenstein. You can then also show times where this came back to haunt him and others, as the monster reacts violently.

How was Victor Frankenstein wrong for neglecting his creation

Wed, 7 Mar 2007 11:41:41 PST

I want to persuade the reader that Victor was wrong

On the most literal level, Victor is simply ill and he needs help. He's...

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:10:34 PST

On the most literal level, Victor is simply ill and he needs help. He's referring to his current situation. On the emotional level, Victor is referring to how unbalanced he is, on the emotional and spiritual level, after creating life in the lab. On the symbolic level, Victor is referring to himself—he needs someone to restore him to life as he restored the monster to life. Greg