Comprehension 1

Team Members: Askar, Abdulla, Fatema, Khalid

Novel: Frankenstein

1. The letters help form the frame tale. The explorer Robert Walton is narrating as he writes letters to
his
sister who lives in England.
List some examples of light/dark imagery that appear throughout all of the letters.
A) The letters of Robert Walton in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" contain several examples of
light and dark imagery. One example of light imagery is when Walton describes the "soft
blue sky" and "brilliant stars" he sees during his voyage. In contrast, he also describes the
"black and comfortless" sea and the "gloomy" weather. Another example of dark imagery is
when Walton describes the "dreary" landscape of the Arctic and the "darkness" that
surrounds him.

2. Describe the history of the relationship between Victor’s parents and his family history.
A) Victor's parents, Alphonse and Caroline, had a loving and devoted relationship. They met
when Caroline was nursing Alphonse back to health after he fell ill during a trip to Italy. They
married soon after and had two children, Victor and his younger brother, William.

Victor's family was wealthy and respected in their community. His father, Alphonse, was a
magistrate and his mother, Caroline, was known for her kindness and generosity.

However, Victor's family history was also marked by tragedy. His mother's father, Beaufort,
had been a merchant who lost his fortune at sea and died in poverty. Caroline had been his
only child and was left alone in the world until she met Alphonse.

In addition, Victor's mother had adopted a young girl named Elizabeth, who was a child of a
poor Italian family. Elizabeth became a beloved member of the Frankenstein family, but her
adoption was also a reminder of the inequalities and injustices of society.

Overall, Victor's family history was a mix of privilege and tragedy, and it shaped his
worldview and his attitudes toward science and human nature.

3. In keeping with the characteristics of gothic literature, Victor describes how there was an “omen…
of my future misery” the day before he left for college at the University of Ingolstadt (in Germany).
What was it? (Chapter 3)
A) In Chapter 3 of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," Victor describes an omen of his future misery
that he experienced the day before he left for college at the University of Ingolstadt. He saw
a vision of his deceased mother, who had always been a source of comfort and support for
him. The vision was a "grim phantasm," and it seemed to be a warning of the tragedy that
would soon befall him. Victor was deeply disturbed by the vision and felt a sense of
foreboding about his future. This is a classic example of the use of supernatural and eerie
 elements in Gothic literature, which often relies on omens, visions, and other supernatural
phenomena to create a sense of suspense and unease in the reader.

4. List the physical details of the creature that Victor brought to life.
A) In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," the creature that Victor brings to life is described as
having several physical details. Here are some of the most notable ones:

- The creature is about 8 feet tall and has a proportionally large body.
- Its skin is yellow and has a "shriveled complexion" that looks almost translucent.
- The creature has long, black hair that covers its head and neck.
- Its teeth are "of a pearly whiteness" and its eyes are described as "watery" and "almost
of the same color as the dun-white sockets in which they were set."
- The creature's lips are black and its hands and feet are "in proportion to the rest of its
body."
- Its muscles and veins are visible through its skin, giving it a grotesque and unsettling
appearance.

These are just some of the physical details of the creature that Victor brings to life. As
the story progresses, the creature's appearance changes and becomes more distorted,
reflecting the psychological and emotional turmoil that it experiences.