Frankenstein reading questions.

Frankenstein muses on the topic of fate/destiny quite a bit. What are VF’s thoughts? What does he think about his own destiny? (some pages to review early on pp. 15, 27, 35, 37, 38 and then his musings when he returns home when he revisits his family at home. justine died boohoo)

Frankenstein dotes on fate and destiny numerous times. He often blames fate. Frankenstein believes his own destiny is to find glory become one with the natural world.

Where does he accept his destiny is doomed from the beginning? Victor feels it all is destiny and fate. If he doesn't have faith, what causes his fate and destiny feelings? How much is fate responsible and how much is he responsible?

• What is the role of nature in Frankenstein? Frankenstein comments on his surroundings often—why are they significant (consider his multiple milieus and what he has to say about them)? What about the weather? When does it change? What usually occurs as a result?

• Nature plays a big role in Frankenstein. For one, the expedition is traveling through the barren tundras to find new discoveries. In addition, Frankenstein's monster is going against nature and creating life. Or in Frankenstein's case he sees bringing back life as another part of nature. The weather in Frankenstein changes numerous times. It is dark and stormy during the creation of the monster. While the monster stayed outside the family's home in Germany, it was cold and winter. A parallel can be drawn with the coldness of the winter to the shut out cold feeling the monster feels with society. 
  
  
  VF saw the mountains and Geneva after Justine died and no longer considered suicide. When the creature was made, he no longer saw things as beautiful. VF said going into nature always cheered him up. The weather is always rainy and stormy when the monster is around Frankenstein. (p 85)The mist is covering the mountains, but he goes above the clouds and observes the beauty and experiences joy. As he said it the monster came and things become dark again. Same with William's death. Nature is no longer an escape, it's a reminder. Maybe he likes nature because he made something so unnatural. 

• What is it about the Creature that makes VF so full of violent hatred? Is it the Creature? Is it VF himself? Is it something else?

• The Creature makes VF full of violent hatred because he is fearful of the terror his own work can create. Creature is reminder of his failure. Maybe the creature is better than the humans. Can't come to terms with playing God, not happy with end results, not perfection, VF is violent to begin with, did he build it up in his retelling of the story?

• From the beginning of the story to the end of the Creature’s section (chapter XVII), what questions does Mary Shelley seem to be raising about science?

Mary Shelly seems to be questioning the limits that should be placed on science and whether morals should be used to place limits on how far scientific inquiry can go. There were no morals implemented that held Frankenstein from making a new life and I believe Shelly is emphasizing the need for moral limits as we saw what the effects were when Frankenstein went unlimited.

• Consider the Creature’s story: he’s abandoned by his creator; he attempts to seek comfort with another family, but they drive him away. Through these experiences, what does the Creature learn about family? 

I think the Creature learns he yearns to be a part of a family because they typically love and accept each other, but he also learns that you can't just walk into a family because there's relationships built and acceptance comes from living the whole life together.

• Consider that the Creature learns on his own--he has no guidance--and, really, he’s a blank slate when he is “born”. And then he kills. Was the creature ever taught compassion? Can we hold him accountable for his actions? What might Shelley be arguing about nature vs. nurture?
The creature was never really taught compassion, Frankenstein created him and then once he saw how hideous Frankenstein was he left him. From the start Creature was abandoned and never loved. He was never taught right from wrong and didn't realize the implications of murder. He had no one he loved and had no possibility of experiencing loss of a loved one. I don't believe he is accountable for his actions. As little kids when we felt angry we would hit or bite, but we were eventually taught right from wrong.

• Is it possible to pity the Creature? Why or why not?
  I think it is possible to pity the Creature. The Creature never experienced love or any of the aspects that most of us grew up with. It seemed like all he wanted was to be accepted and have a friend. He was able to be pitied because his wants were so simple, but because of how he was born he did not fit in.

• Is the Creature’s request for VF to create a female reasonable? Is it absurd for VF to agree?

I don't think it is unreasonable because Creature is lonely and no one accepts him because of his differences. I do think it isn't totally reasonable however because we know that Creature needs to learn to control himself before he is given a partner because two Creatures could be double the trouble and if they were able to reproduce it could become mehem.

1. The Creature is abandoned by his creator; he attempts to seek comfort with another family, but they drive him away. Through—and maybe in spite of—these experiences, what does the Creature learn about family? What does he come to discover about love and happiness? (look over pp. 105, 109, 117, 132)
   The DeLacy's are not accepting and the creature desires to be with people. His creator abandons him then a family who loves each other shuns him. He becomes sensitive because he took food and realized the impact it had on the family. He needs someone who is accepting to experience love and kindness. He feels love for the family, but he does not get their love. He gets them wood and can care and love, but not be loved.
2. The Creature learns on his own—he has no guidance—and, really, he’s a blank slate when he is “born”. And then he kills. Yet he understands compassion and remorse (maybe). Can we hold him accountable for his actions? Is it possible to pity him? Why or why not? What might Shelley be arguing about nature vs. nurture?
   p90 His rexistence is like an infant and did not know the feelings or anything. p130 he kills William. At first he wanted him as a companion, but realizes his father is his enemy and then goes on to kill him. Can you hold people accountable if they are not shown love, will they firmly grasp what they are causing?
   Empathy- you imagine as that person's experience
   Pity- completely removed from what their experiencing, like wow really sorry don't know what that would be like
   Sympathy- I don't feel what you feel what you feel, but i understand you are feeling bad.
3. Explain the Creature’s request for Victor to create a female. What are his reasons (as stated in his argument)? Are they reasonable? What promises does he make and why should we trust him?
   Nature is the way your born nurture is the way you are raised. Environment has little or a lot of effect on the way you turn out.