Assignment
Read Chapters 12, 15, and 16 of Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" and answer the following questions.
I. At the start of chapter 12 (focus on just the first four paragraphs) compare and contrast the creature's state with those of the cottagers. With this in mind, why is he having trouble understanding why they are unhappy?
II. On page one, how do the actions of the cottagers towards their father cause the creature to change his actions towards them?
III. On page two, why might he call their communication a "godlike science"?
IV. On page two, how is the creature changing and developing? How do the lives and emotions of the cottagers affect him?
V. On page two, how does he learn examples of kindness from Felix?
VI. On page three, why does the creature decide to wait to introduce himself to the cottagers? What does this decision show about his intellectual development?
VII. On page three, why does the creature want to understand the actions and feelings of Felix and Agatha? What does this desire reveal about the creature's character?
VIII. On page three the creature thinks: "I looked upon them as superior beings, who would be the arbiters of my future destiny." Examining this quote, what does the creature want from this family?
IX. Page 4: The creature finds Victor Frankenstein's lab journal in the clothes he stole from the laboratory after he was created and ran away. After reading this journal, why is he so angry at Victor?
X. Page 4: In what way is the creature still clinging to hope in regards to the cottagers?
XI. Page 4: He postpones meeting the cottagers- why? By continuing to delay, what is he setting himself up for if this meeting does not go well?
XII. Page 5: At this point, how is the creature different from those in this family he observes?
XIII. Page 5: What does he want now from this family?
XIV. Page 5: What is the creature's current plan to meet the family? How does this show the creature's intellectual development?
XV. Page 6: What is the old man's response to the creature?
XVI. When Agatha, Felix, and Safie return, how do they respond to the creature?
XVII. Page 6- 7, and the very top of page 8: In turn, how does the creature respond? What does this show about his character now?
XVIII. Page 7-8: How have these events contributed to a change in the creature?
XIX. Page 8: How does the creature have a brief change of heart? What is his new plan?
XX. Page 8-9: How did the relocation of the cottagers change him? In what ways is he filled with mixed emotions?
XXI. Page 8-9: How does the creature express his frustrations?