Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Victor is obsessed with his project of creating a new life form, but he feels horror and revulsion as soon as the Creature comes to life. Have you ever pursued a project only to be unhappy or surprised by the end result? Why do you think that people sometimes lose touch with their end goal when they become deeply immersed in a complex or challenging project?

2. After the violent death of his younger brother, William, Victor does not tell anyone about the Creature or his suspicion that the Creature killed William. His silence is a contributing factor to Justine being executed for this murder, even though she is innocent. Has there ever been a time when you were unwilling to disclose information, even though it might have changed the outcome of a situation? Why do you think individuals sometimes let others take the blame?

3. The Creature offers Victor a bargain: if Victor will make him a mate, the Creature will never harm anyone again. Victor initially agrees but then backs out of this agreement. Have you ever agreed to something while having misgivings about it? Do you think it would have been better for Victor to make a female creature?

4. Victor comes to believe that his ambition is the source of his downfall. Do you think that everyone has a key character flaw or “toxic trait”? What are some of the more common characteristics that people may see as sources of regret?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Creature claims that he only engages in acts of violence because he feels lonely and isolated: He becomes monstrous because he is denied love and affection. What factors do you think lead to an individual becoming antisocial and even violent? What commentary might the novel be offering on the ways community and a sense of belonging shape character, and what are the real-world implications of this?

2. The Creature is never successful at finding companionship because his appearance terrifies everyone who encounters him. Do you think that people are still judged by their appearances? What traits might lead to someone being stereotyped or judged today?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Frankenstein has a complex narrative structure with multiple narrators (Walton, Victor, and the Creature) and a partially epistolary format. Compare this structure to Dracula, another classic horror novel that also incorporates multiple narrators and an epistolary structure. What does this structure accomplish in each work?

2. Much of the narration is retrospective, with Victor telling Walton about events that occurred in the past. How does this retrospective perspective shape how Victor tells the story? Do you think that Victor is a reliable narrator?

3. Is the Creature ultimately a victim or a villain? How does Shelley create sympathy for the Creature?

4. The Alps, particularly Mont-Blanc (the highest peak in Western Europe), are a key setting in the novel. How does this dramatic landscape reflect the mood and themes of the novel?