Summary of Chapter 6
Elizabeth's letter expresses her concern about Victor's illness and entreats him to write to his family in Geneva as soon as he can. She also tells him that Justine Moritz, a girl who used to live with the Frankenstein family, has returned to their house following her mother's death.
After Victor has recovered, he introduces Henry, who is studying Oriental languages, to the professors at the university. The task is painful, however, since the sight of any chemical instrument worsens Victor's symptoms; even speaking to his professors torments him. He decides to return to Geneva and awaits a letter from his father specifying the date of his departure. Meanwhile, he and Henry take a walking tour through the country, uplifting their spirits with the beauties of nature.
Summary of Chapter 7
On their return to the university, Victor finds a letter from his father telling him that Victor's youngest brother, William, has been murdered. Saddened, shocked, and apprehensive, Victor departs immediately for Geneva.
By the time he arrives, night has fallen and the gates of Geneva have been shut, so he spends the evening walking in the woods around the outskirts of the town. As he walks near the spot where his brother's body was found, he spies the monster lurking and becomes convinced that his creation is responsible for killing William. The next day, however, when he returns home, Victor learns that Justine has been accused of the murder. After the discovery of the body, a servant had found in Justine's pocket a picture of Caroline Frankenstein last seen in William's possession. Victor proclaims Justine's innocence, but the evidence against her seems irrefutable, and Victor refuses to explain himself for fear that he will be labeled insane.
Summary of Chapter 8
Justine confesses to the crime, believing that she will thereby gain salvation, but tells Elizabeth and Victor that she is innocent—and miserable. They remain convinced of her innocence, but Justine is soon executed. Victor becomes consumed with guilt, knowing that the monster he created and the cloak of secrecy within which the creation took place have now caused the deaths of two members of his family.
Summary of Chapter 9
After Justine's execution, Victor becomes increasingly melancholy. He considers suicide but restrains himself by thinking of Elizabeth and his father.
Alphonse, hoping to cheer up his son, takes his children on an excursion to the family home at Belrive. From there, Victor wanders alone toward the valley of Chamounix. The beautiful scenery cheers him somewhat, but his respite from grief is short-lived.
Summary of Chapter 10
One rainy day, Victor wakes to find his old feelings of despair resurfacing. He decides to travel to the summit of Montanvert, hoping that the view of a pure, eternal, beautiful natural scene will revive his spirits.
When he reaches the glacier at the top, he is momentarily consoled by the sublime spectacle. As he crosses to the opposite side of the glacier, however, he spots a creature loping toward him at incredible speed. At closer range, he recognizes clearly the grotesque shape of the monster. He issues futile threats of attack to the monster, whose enormous strength and speed allow him to elude Victor easily. Victor curses him and tells him to go away, but the monster, speaking eloquently, persuades him to accompany him to a fire in a cave of ice.
Inside the cave, the monster begins to narrate the events of his life.
According to Elizabeth's letter, why did Justine Moritz have to leave the Frankenstein family?
She had to leave because her mother called her to come home. She came back after her mother died.
How does Victor feel about natural science since..
."the fatal night, the end of [his] labors, and the beginning of [his] misfortunes"?
He had a violent hatred toward science- the thought of his lab, and lab instruments angers him. Hates even the thought of science. Annoying
For what reason did Clerval come to Ingolstadt? ( What did he want to study?)
Oriental Languages-what to go to the east and learn the asian culture (probably for business).
How did Victor's William brother die?
He was murdered.He was strangled. They think that he was murdered because he was wearing their mother's locket. Elizabeth believes that this is her fault because she let him wear the locket.
Where does Victor go when he hears this news?
He's going home to Geneva to see his family. It's been almost 6 years since he was home.
What does Victor see in the tress during the storm? What does he conclude from the creature's presence? (this represents a change and foreshadowing p. 84-88)
He sees the monster. He thinks that the monster probably killed his brother.
What is victors fault and that he is responsible for?
The death's of William and Justine
Why does Victor decide not to mention the creature to anyone?
Because everyone would think that he was crazy, since he had recently been sick. He knows that no one would believe him. The monster can't really be caught anyway.
Who does the town think murdered William? Why?
They think that Justine Moritz-the servant killed William because of her troubled child life. When she was questioned she was very confused. The lock was found in Justine's Dress pocket- confused which made her guiltiness more real.
After her sentence, why does Justine confess to the crime?
Because she is not sure how she obtained the locket in her pocket. Because nobody but Elizabeth supports her and believes that the crime that she committed was not terrible. She said that she was the criminal because she knew that no one else was going to stand up for her.
Describe Victor's countenance and inner conflict during and after Justine's sentencing.
He is sad and feels that this is all her fault.He wants to tell them who the real criminal is, but he knows that if he does then they will think that he is crazy. He is tortured by the fact that the innocent is dead while the murder, him, should be the one that was hung.
What effect does being out in nature have on Victor?
It calms him and gives him a choice of how he can escape his pain and torment.
What thought tempted Victor while he was out on the lake?
To drown himself.
Who does Victor come face to face with up in the snowy mountains?
The monster
What sobering reminder does the monster give Victor before Victor tries to attack him?
That his brother is dead
What does the creature want from Victor
A female companion
What is sublime nature like?
Awful and majestic
What is Mont Blanc?
A poem by Percy Shelley
What is the idea of noble savage?
It begs the question of why are humans superior to animals?Freud - Civilization and its Discontents
What is the idea of "Mutability" and who came up with it?
Percy ShelleyHumans are unpredictable
What does Victory call the creature?
Devil
The creature saying, "Misery made me a fiend" is a reference to what?
Paradise LostNature vs Nurture
What are some ideas that come from Locke?
Tabula Rasa - the idea that individuals are born without built-in mental content and that therefore all knowledge comes from experience or perception.Blank Slate