Frankenstein Socratic Seminar
1. Frankenstein has many elements of a horror story. What strategies and devices does Shelley use to make the story scary? How does Shelley go beyond the usual horror story elements to focus on characters and the differences between their behaviors, beliefs and values?
Some strategies Shelley uses to make this story is the theme of death and anticipation. She uses death as a horror theme by making it very persistent and making the reader feels the pain and struggle of Victor as he watches his family die off all because of the monster he created. Shelley goes beyond the usual horror story elements by making the story more personal. Since Victor created the monster, arguably, it’s his fault that the monster started its killing rampage. Mary Shelley does a good job at using different techniques of giving the story a “horror story” feel.
2. Who is the actual monster in Frankenstein? What do you consider to be monstrous?
The actual monster is the monster that was created. He is the real monster because of what he does. He feels rejected by Victor and his only reasonable solution is to kill his entire bloodline for creating him. The monster feels betrayed after Victor leaves abandons him after the creation. What I consider monstrous is harming others for selfish reasons. I think the monster was not right for harming others because he felt betrayed. Him killing Victor’s family was the wrong thing for him to do.
3. Why did Victor create the creature? What responsibilities did Victor, as the creator, have toward his creature? Why did Victor abandon the creature?
Victor created the creature because he felt like he had to. It was his obsession and he had spent too much time to not go through with creating it. The responsibilities that came with creating the monster were feeding it and giving it shelter. Frankenstein was not responsible of loving it even though if he did, the story would turn out much different. Victor abandoned the creature because it brought out the
Some strategies Shelley uses to make this story is the theme of death and anticipation. She uses death as a horror theme by making it very persistent and making the reader feels the pain and struggle of Victor as he watches his family die off all because of the monster he created. Shelley goes beyond the usual horror story elements by making the story more personal. Since Victor created the monster, arguably, it’s his fault that the monster started its killing rampage. Mary Shelley does a good job at using different techniques of giving the story a “horror story” feel.
2. Who is the actual monster in Frankenstein? What do you consider to be monstrous?
The actual monster is the monster that was created. He is the real monster because of what he does. He feels rejected by Victor and his only reasonable solution is to kill his entire bloodline for creating him. The monster feels betrayed after Victor leaves abandons him after the creation. What I consider monstrous is harming others for selfish reasons. I think the monster was not right for harming others because he felt betrayed. Him killing Victor’s family was the wrong thing for him to do.
3. Why did Victor create the creature? What responsibilities did Victor, as the creator, have toward his creature? Why did Victor abandon the creature?
Victor created the creature because he felt like he had to. It was his obsession and he had spent too much time to not go through with creating it. The responsibilities that came with creating the monster were feeding it and giving it shelter. Frankenstein was not responsible of loving it even though if he did, the story would turn out much different. Victor abandoned the creature because it brought out the