Why does Victor take "refuge in the most perfect
solitude" (175)?
176:
When, discussing his engagement to Elizabeth, Victor
says, "My future hopes and prospects are entirely bound up in
the expectation of our union" (176), does he mean it? Explain.
177:
When Victor says,"I was bound by a solemn promise" (177),
to whom does he mean? (Elizabeth? The Creature?) Explain.
178:
Explain Victor's description of his father as "indulgent"
on this page.
179:
Why does Elizabeth regret "that she had not the same
opportunities of enlarging her experience, and cultivating her
understanding"(179)?
183:
Explain Victor's statement: "In Clerval I saw the image
of my former self" (183)?
190:
Why does Victor destroy the female creature? Were you
surprised that he did? Why or Why not?
205:
Why is Victor acquitted of Clerval's murder? Who "proves"
his innocence?
214:
Explain: "As if possessed by magical powers, the creature
blinded me to his real intentions" (214).
238:
What, according to Victor, was his duty to his creature?
Why couldn't he fulfill it?
Other Discussion Questions: 176:
How old is Victor at this point? Why would his be an
"early marriage" (176)?
177:
Why is Victor "delighted with the idea of spending a year
or two. . . in absence from my family" (177)? Hasn't he just
returned to them?
181:
What does Victor mean when he says that Clerval was "a
being formed in the 'very poetry of nature'"(181)?
183:
Why does Victor go to London?
185:
Explain Victor's statement: "I am a blasted tree"
(185).
187:
Explain Victor's statement: "I was guiltless, but
I had drawn down a horrible curse upon my head, as mortal as
that of a curse"(187). Is this assertion consistent with his
earlier discussions? Explain.
188:
Explain what Victor means when he says that he was
"hardly thanked for the pittance of food and clothes which I
gave, so much does suffering blunt even the coarsest
sensations of men" (188).
190:
Explain: "Future ages might curse me as their pest"
(190). Compare with Victor's related statement about
future generations on page 82.
192:
Explain what the creature means: "You are my creator, but
I am your master--obey!" (192).
193:
Explain: "I shall be with you on your wedding day" (193).
What does Victor think it means?
194:
Explain: "I almost felt as if I had mangled the living
flesh of a human being" (194).
198-99:
Compare the accusation of Victor for Clerval's murder
with Justine's for William's.
20:
Explain: "Her countenance expressed all those bad
qualities which often characterize that class" (201).
209:
Explain Victor's discussion about sacrificing the human
race.
212:
Why will Victor tell Elizabeth everything the day after
they get married?
212, 213:
Why does Victor keep quoting the monster's threat?
215:
Why doesn't Victor describe the actual wedding ceremony?
217:
Explain: "This night, and all will be safe; but this
night is dreadful, very dreadful" (217). Does Victor
know/care how this probably sounds to his bride on their wedding
night?
218:
Why does Victor keep fainting?
Why does no one accuse him of this murder, when
he is supposed to be the only one there?
220:
When Victor says, "Cursed, cursed be the fiend that
brought misery on his grey hairs!" (220), whom is he cursing?
222:
Does the magistrate believe Victor's story? Explain.
225:
Who provides the food to Victor as he pursues the
creature?
226:
Why does the creature leave marks on the trees?
227:
Why is the creature headed to the frozen North?
230:
Why does Victor ask Walton to get his revenge for him if
he dies?
232:
Why does Victor correct Walton's notes?
237:
Why does Walton decide to return south? Why does he
call this decision an "injustice"?
238:
Does Victor agree with his decision? Explain.
239:
What is Victor suggesting Walton do, seek or avoid
ambition? Explain.
240:
Why does Walton call on the creature to stay?
241:
Explain: "I was the slave, not the master of an impulse,
which I detested, yet could not disobey!" (241). How
well could this quote apply to Victor, as well?
242:
Why, according to the creature, is he worse off than
Satan?
243:
Explain: "For whilst I destroyed his hopes, I did not
satisfy my own desires" (243).
244:
Is the creature really going to kill himself? Explain.
