Chapter Recaps Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is the importance of Walton’s first letters?
They serve as a framing device for the whole novel.
What happens in Walton’s first letter?
Robert Walton writes to his sister, Margaret, detailing his ambitious voyage to the North Pole. He expresses his longing for a friend.
What happens in Walton’s second letter?
Walton describes his loneliness and determination to continue his dangerous mission.
What happens in Walton’s third letter?
Walton reassures Margaret that the journey is going well and expresses excitement about the unknown.
What happens in Walton’s forth letter?
Walton’s crew rescues Victor Frankenstein, who is found near death on the ice. Victor begins to tell his story, warning Walton about ambition and its consequences.
What happens in chapter one?
Victor describes his idyllic childhood in Geneva, his loving parents, and the adoption of Elizabeth Lavenza, whom he views as his future wife.
What happens in chapter two?
Victor grows up alongside Elizabeth and his best friend, Henry Clerval. He becomes obsessed with science, particularly alchemy and the search for the “elixir of life.”
What happens in chapter three?
Victor leaves for the University of Ingolstadt. His mother dies of scarlet fever, leaving him heartbroken. At university, Victor begins studying modern chemistry and natural philosophy.
What happens in chapter four?
Victor becomes consumed by his studies and the mysteries of life.
He discovers how to reanimate dead matter and begins constructing a human-like creature in secret.
What happens in chapter five?
Victor brings the Creature to life, but he is horrified by its appearance and flees. Overcome with fear and disgust, Victor becomes ill. Henry Clerval arrives and nurses him back to health.
What happens in chapter six?
Elizabeth writes to Victor, expressing concern. Victor recovers, and Clerval encourages him to study languages instead of science to lift his spirits.
What happens in chapter seven?
Victor receives a letter about the death of his younger brother, William. He returns home to Geneva, where he sees the Creature lurking near the scene of the crime and realizes the Creature is responsible. Justine Moritz, the family’s servant, is falsely accused of the murder.
What happens in chapter eight?
Justine is tried and convicted of William’s murder despite her innocence. Victor is filled with guilt for creating the being that caused these tragedies.
What happens in chapter nine? (Beginning of volume two)
Victor sinks into depression and guilt. He seeks solace in nature but remains tormented.
What happens in chapter ten?
While wandering the mountains, Victor encounters the Creature.
The Creature begs Victor to listen to his story, promising to explain his actions.
What happens in chapter eleven?
The Creature recounts his experiences after his “birth.” Abandoned and alone, he learned to survive in the wilderness, but he felt lonely and confused.
What happens in chapter twelve?
The Creature observes the De Lacey family (Felix, Agatha, and their blind father) from a hiding place. He learns about human emotions, kindness, and family by watching them.
What happens in chapter thirteen?
The arrival of Safie, a Turkish woman, brings joy to the De Laceys.
Felix teaches her language and reading, which allows the Creature to learn as well. He gains knowledge about history, human society, and language.
What happens in chapter fourteen?
The Creature discovers Safie’s backstory and learns about injustice and prejudice in human society.
What happens in chapter fifteen?
The Creature reads books like Paradise Lost, which shape his understanding of himself. He tries to befriend the blind De Lacey, but when the family sees him, they are terrified and reject him. This deepens his anger and sorrow.
What happens in chapter sixteen?
The Creature, enraged by rejection, burns the De Laceys’ cottage and sets out to find Victor. Along the way, he kills William Frankenstein after learning of his connection to Victor.
What happens in chapter seventeen?
The Creature demands that Victor create a female companion for him. He promises to leave humanity alone and live peacefully if Victor complies.
What happens in chapter eighteen? (Start of volume three)
Victor reluctantly agrees to create a female creature but delays the work. His father proposes Victor marry Elizabeth, but Victor puts it off until his task is complete.
What happens in chapter nineteen?
Victor and Henry travel to England, where Victor plans to gather the materials and knowledge needed for the new creation. They visit Scotland, and Victor isolates himself on a remote island to
work.
