1. Does Victor’s love for his cousin, Elizabeth, lead him to create the monster?

2. What parallels do you see between Walton and Frankenstein?

3. Frankenstein tells Walton his story because he wants the captain not to make the
same mistakes he did. However, Frankenstein often blames fate for his mistakes.
Thus, what is Frankenstein’s purpose in warning Walton if the captain will not be
able to escape fate?

4. How do you feel about Mary Shelley’s usage of foreshadowing? What are the
positives and negatives of using it as she does?

5. Explain Frankenstein’s often arrogant attitude. How does this operate in the
novel?

6. How do the use of letters and narration affect the story in terms of accuracy and
perspective?

7. Why does Victor not reveal his suspicions that the monster killed William, not
Justine?

8. What parallels do you see between the monster and Frankenstein?

9. What do you think Mary Shelley is suggesting about science in the novel?

10. Why do you think the monster is portrayed with more human-like
characteristics than a stereotypical monster?

11. Which character in the novel do you think is the real monster?

12. Why does the monster act so impulsively at certain points in the novel?

13. Comment on Frankenstein’s volatile mental state. What is Shelley’s purpose in

depicting him like this?

14. Discuss the romantic elements found in the novel. Are they essential to the
telling of the story?

15. Analyze the portrayal of family in the novel. Consider Frankenstein and his
creation in your analysis.

16. How is the non-European characterized in the novel?

17. How does one define knowledge and what are its rewards and dangers
according to the novel?
18. Discuss gender in the novel. What is Shelley trying to tell us about
masculine/feminine roles?

19. Analyze Shelley’s allusion to Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Why and how does
Shelley use the poem?