User:Atcovi/FrankensteinQuestions

Discussion Questions

 * Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 must not be the same character.
 * 1) Choose one character and discuss how he/she fits the qualities of a round character (characters that are fully developed and multi-dimensional).
 * 2) *A character that fits this description of a round character is Victor. Originally, he was greatly excited for his new creation of Frankenstein. Towards the end of the novel, he found disgust in his creation and even resented the idea of creating another being for him to prevent any more issues from arising: “never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness.’” (page 205)
 * 3) Choose one character and discuss how he/she fits the qualities of a flat character  (characters that are based solely on one trait or characteristic).
 * 4) *Elizabeth seems to fit this description of a flat character. She has always remained as a soft-natured and caring person, as we can see with multiple letters Elizabeth has sent to Victor throughout the book showing great interest in his well-being. An example of this is: "Clerval then put the following letter into my hands. It was from my own Elizabeth: My dearest Cousin, You have been ill, very ill, and even the constant letters of dear kind Henry are not sufficient to reassure me on your account." (Page 67).
 * 5) Choose one character (different than the round character) and discuss how he/she fits the characteristics of a dynamic character (characters that develop through the course of the story).
 * 6) *A character that also fits "dynamic character" is Frankenstein himself. Originally, he was very submissive and humble towards Victor, the scientist who created him. Towards the end, in response to Victor denying the creature a wife for him, he threatened him: "It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night." (page 206)
 * 7) Choose one character (different than the flat character) and discuss how he/she fits the characteristics of a static character (characters that do NOT develop through the course of the story).
 * 8) *Another character very closely linked with Elizabeth that is also a flat character is Victor's father, who was always remained careful and concerned in regards to the mental well-being of his son. An example of this is seen in page 222, where his father visits him in prison amidst allegations of being a murderer: "‘My father!’ cried I, while every feature and every muscle was relaxed from anguish to pleasure. ‘Is my father indeed come? How kind, how very kind!".
 * 9) How are Henry and the creature foils to Victor? Foil: a character who is the opposite of another character used to shed light upon the  character of the latter.
 * 10) *Henry and the creature are foils to Victor because Henry is more calming and gentle than Victor, who is somewhat hasty in his decision making (example being his refusal to satisfy Frankenstein's demand of a wife, which led to harm to his family and himself indirectly). Frankenstein is, on the other hand, very brutal compared to Victor, who is somewhat timid and powerless seeing his punishment that he received from Frankenstein (which was: "I shall be with you on your wedding-night." (page 206)).
 * 11) What is the catalyst in the novel? Catalyst: a character (or event) that starts a chain of events. A catalyst is the first domino to fall and hit the other dominoes.
 * 12) *The catalyst of this novel is the main character, Victor. The most exciting aspect of the book was Victor's battles against Frankenstein's horrible death threats. This was initiated by Victor's refusal to create another being for him: "‘Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness.’" (page 205)
 * 13) Describe the concepts of love and friendship as illustrated in Shelley's novel.
 * 14) *The concepts of love and friendship are demonstrated in multiple ways in the novel, examples being Henry taking care of his friend during his time of mental illness ("This was the commencement of a nervous fever which confined me for several months. During all that time Henry was my only nurse." page 64) and Elizabeth always being keen throughout the story on the well-being of her brother