Bilan Ali

Wednesday December 14, 2022

Frankenstein Socratic Seminar questions

1. Who is the true villain of the novel? Is there even a true villain?

The true villain of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is the creature that Victor

Frankenstein creates. Despite his initial innocence and good nature, the creature is driven

to evil acts by the rejection and cruelty he experiences at the hands of society. Ultimately,

the creature becomes a ruthless and violent monster who seeks revenge against Victor for

abandoning him and not playing his role as his creator. This can be shown when he says “

The nearer I approached to your habilitation the more deeply did I feel the spirit of

revenge enkindled in my heart” (129). Regardless of the fact that Victor is responsible for

creating the creature, the true villain of the story is the creature himself, who represents

the dangers of playing God and interfering with the natural order of life.

2. What vision of mankind does Shelley want us to have as readers? Is it the fault of

mankind that the monster has turned evil? Do we, as part of mankind, have a

responsibility to the outcasts of society? Who are the outcasts?

In Mary Shelley’s novel, she portrays humanity as ambitious and driven, with a

desire to explore and understand the mysteries of the natural world. The characters Victor

Frankenstein and Robert Walton are both an example of this kind of ambitious and driven human

being. Early on in the book Walton says,’’ One man’s life or death was but a small price to pay

for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought’’ (13). For him to be willing to sacrifice a
person to gain new information is not only selfish but puts light on the vision of mankind Shelley

is trying to create. This selfishness and neglect the monster receives is for the most part the

reason why he has turned evil. The creature is initially sympathetic and friendly to Victor and

humanity, but after being outcasted by society due to his horrifying appearance, he turns to

revenge. This can relate to the outcasts of our society because those who are deemed to be

“weird” or different are rejected without reason and we as people have the responsibility to treat

people with respect and kindness to ensure that they are not mistreated.

3. [ 5] One of the novel's tragedies is the inability of the characters to recognize the

humanity of the creature. What qualities make us human? Which of these qualities does

the creature possess? What qualities does he not have?

Some of the key qualities that make us human include self-awareness, the ability

to feel and express emotions, logic and problem-solving, imagination and creativity, the ability to

speak, and curiosity. Despite his monstrous appearance, the monster is self-aware, as we see

throughout the book he is aware of his physical appearance, and he understands that his

monstrous appearance sets him apart from others. Though he is not happy with that so he is

conflicted with many emotions and reflects on that. For example, the creature says,” God, in pity,

made man beautiful and alluring, after his image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more

horrid even from the very resemblance[..] I am solitary and abhorred’’ (119). Though the

creature is unable to make decisions and reason the same way humans do. When he is rejected he

struggles to understand and makes impulsive decisions such as running away or hiding from his

problems.
4. [7] Explain the novel's popularity. What makes the novel a classic? How is the story

appropriate for today and our society?

The book is a well-known work of literature that is frequently read and studied at

schools all around the world. There are a number of explanations for why Frankenstein

has stayed so well-liked over time. One reason is that it touches on universal themes and

issues like the consequences of playing god and unchecked ambition. Along with

exploring the nature of critical binaries such as good and evil, the novel shows what it

means to be human. The creature says “ I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an

abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on.”( 211) The story is appropriate

for today and our society because the monster's situation as a misunderstood and

mistreated outsider, as the quote highlights, has resonated with readers of not only our

time but for centuries.

5. Why is it important to be loved and show love?

Love is a complex mix of emotions, behaviors, and beliefs associated with strong

feelings of affection, protectiveness, warmth, and respect for another person. Whether it

is between romantic partners, family members, or friends, love holds relationships

together and helps them to thrive. This can be seen when the creature describes the love

between Felix and Safie and explains how the arrival of Safie brought happiness and lit

up the entire house. The absence of love with the creature in this novel highlights the

consequences of not being loved as he becomes isolated, angry, and destructive. He is

 unable to form healthy, meaningful relationships with others, and this lack of love and

connection leads him to lash out in anger and violence.

6. Discuss the role of sickness in the novel. Victor often seems to fall ill after traumatic

events. Is this a means of escape, and, if so, is it effective? Is there another explanation

for his recurring illness?

Victor's recurring illness could potentially be a means of escape from the guilt

and regret that is consuming him ever since he created the monster. Although it is not

effective, falling ill is just a temporary relief from all the trauma he is facing and so it is

not helping his state in any way. Another explanation for his illness other than the fact

that he is unhealthy could be the fact that he has this unbearable responsibility for the

creature and he's no longer able to control his actions. The creature starts to demand

things of Victor for example the creature says “ create a female for me with whom I

can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my be- ing” (134). The

creature's attacks and threats add to Victor's fear and anxiety, and this takes a physical

and emotional toll on him.

7. Predict what Walton will do now that he has heard the entire story of

Frankenstein and his monster. How will he change, if at all?

Since Walton and Frankenstein have such similar personalities and

raging ambition one can assume that this story will deeply affect him. This can

be seen when in his letters Walton says that he “ [is] returning to England”

(206). Despite his curious and driven nature after hearing Victor's story he will

be motivated to change his ways of approaching his goals so that he doesn't

 make the same mistakes that Victor made in his life. It is also possible he will

go back to his sister and share the story with her or other people so that can

beware of the creature as it is still out and looking for revenge

8. Write two philosophical questions of your own to pose to the group

What is the nature of beauty, and how have our perceptions of it changed between the
time Shelley wrote Frankenstein and the present?

How does ambition impact our relationships and well-being, and what are the potential

downsides of pursuing our goals without caution?