Frankenstein - Questions 2

Name: Dane Warren Date: 2023 Ch 1- 5 11. What is the man's background? (Do we know his name yet?) Where is he from? The man's background is revealed as Victor Frankenstein, but his name is not yet explicitly mentioned at this point. He is from Geneva, Switzerland 12. What is the story of the man's mother, Caroline Beaufort? How does the man feel toward his parents, and what responsibilities does he feel they had toward him? Victor's mother, Caroline Beaufort, was the daughter of a merchant and was orphaned at a young age. She was taken in and cared for by Victor's father, Alphonse Frankenstein. Victor feels deep affection and gratitude toward his parents, believing they had a responsibility to provide him with love, support, and guidance 13. Who is Elizabeth Lavenza and what is her story? What gift does the man's mother give him? Do we know the man's name yet? Do we know his family name? Elizabeth Lavenza is an orphan taken in by the Frankenstein family. She becomes Victor's adopted sister and eventual love interest. Caroline Beaufort gives Elizabeth to Victor as a gift. Victor's name is now revealed, but his family name is not explicitly stated yet 14. Who is Henry Clerval and what is his relation to Victor? Henry Clerval is Victor's childhood friend and companion. They meet again at the University of Ingolstadt, where Clerval is studying Oriental languages. Clerval is not related to Victor by blood 15. How does Victor characterize the interests and characters of Clerval, Elizabeth, and himself? Victor characterizes Henry Clerval as having a "soul of kindness" and a "heart" full of "generous feelings." Elizabeth is described as "more ethereal" and possessing a "mind of an uncommon mould." Victor sees himself as driven by "an ardent imagination" and a "passionate" nature 16. Who is Cornelius Agrippa and how does Victor find out about him? How does Victor's father respond, and how does Victor comment on that response? Cornelius Agrippa was a famous alchemist and philosopher from the Middle Ages. Victor discovers Agrippa's writings during his childhood. His father dismisses Agrippa's work as outdated and foolish. Victor comments on his father's response by lamenting the narrow-mindedness of conventional wisdom 17. What sort of science ("Natural Philosophy") is Victor learning from Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus? How would a modern scientist respond to this sort of thinking? Victor studies outdated pseudoscientific theories from Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus, which are considered superstitious by modern standards. A modern scientist would reject such thinking as lacking empirical evidence and scientific rigor 18. What happens when Victor sees an oak tree destroyed by lightning and hears an explanation? What does Victor then begin to study? When Victor sees an oak tree destroyed by lightning and hears an explanation from the professor, he becomes fascinated by the "secrets of heaven and earth." He begins to study the works of modern natural philosophers and seeks to uncover the mysteries of life 19. Who or what does he credit for this change in direction? Who or what does he blame for his "utter and terrible destruction”? Victor credits his change in direction to his encounter with the works of modern natural philosophers. He blames his "utter and terrible destruction" on his obsessive pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the consequences of his experiments 20. What happens to Elizabeth and to Victor's mother as a result of Elizabeth's scarlet fever? How does this compare with the mother's early history? Elizabeth catches scarlet fever while nursing Victor's mother back to health. Both Elizabeth and Victor's mother succumb to the illness. This tragedy parallels Caroline Beaufort's early history, where she lost her parents to illness and was orphaned 21. Why does Victor's father send him to the University of Ingolstadt? How old is Victor then? (Ingolstadt is in southern Germany, in Bavaria, on the Danube, 43 miles north of Munich. The university founded there in 1472 moved to Landshut in 1802 and to Munich in 1826.) Victor's father sends him to the University of Ingolstadt to study natural philosophy and science. Victor is about seventeen years old when he begins his studies there 22. What does Victor learn from M. Krempe? How does Victor respond to him, and on what grounds? Is this a good basis for making such a decision? From M. Krempe, Victor learns the shortcomings of outdated alchemical theories. He finds Krempe's dismissive and condescending attitude off-putting and decides not to pursue his studies under him. While Victor's decision may seem rash, it reflects his desire for intellectual integrity and progress 23. What does Victor learn from M. Waldman? How does Victor respond to him? How does Victor think of his older science as opposed to modern science? What does M. Waldman say in describing modern chemistry that changes Victor's mind? What does Victor say he will now do? From M. Waldman, Victor learns about modern chemistry and its potential for scientific advancement. Victor is inspired by Waldman's teachings and decides to focus his studies on modern science. Waldman's description of modern chemistry as a field with practical applications changes Victor's perspective, and he resolves to pursue this new direction in his studies