Frankenstein Unit Test Study Guide
Your test is Friday, Mar. 24.
The test may include matching, multiple choice, short answer, and will include short essay questions.
Review the action of the entire novel. Know characters, settings, etc. Be able to determine the speaker and
significance of important quotations.
For example: Determine the speaker and significance for this quote: “I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I
not shunned and hated by all mankind?"
Literary Terms: Be able to define, give examples, and discuss each.
 Gothic Literature characteristics:
o Use the handout in your notebook.
 Atmosphere of mystery and suspense
 Visions/Dreams/Omens
 Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events
 High, overwrought emotion
 Women in distress
 Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male
 Metonymy of gloom and horror
 Gothic vocabulary
 Frame Narrative
Characters: Be able to describe each and list important actions/beliefs. You’ll be given quotations from the play, so
know characters well enough to be able to determine what they would have said.
1. Victor Frankenstein
2. The Creature
3. Robert Walton
4. Elizabeth Lavenza
5. Henry Clerval
6. Alphonse Frankenstein
7. Justine Moritz
8. William Frankenstein
9. Ernest Frankenstein
10. Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein
11. Mr. Beaufort
12. Mr. De Lacey
13. Felix De Lacey
14. Agatha De Lacey
15. Safie
16. Margaret Saville
17. M. Waldman
18. M. Krempe
19. Mr. Kirwin
Review the following questions/ideas:
1. Describe the contest that led Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein.
2. What did Percy Shelley and Lord Byron discuss that influenced the development of Mary Shelley's idea for a
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How did Robert Walton meet Victor Frankenstein?
How did Alphonse Frankenstein react to Victor studying Cornelius Agrippa?
What natural event did Frankenstein witness as a teen that became a symbol throughout the entire novel?
What two major events happened to Frankenstein when he was seventeen?
What goal was Victor pursuing while at the university in Inglostadt?
Describe Frankenstein’s views of his two professors, M. Waldman and M. Krempe.
Describe Victor’s behavior during the two years he spends creating the creature.
How did Frankenstein feel when his experiment succeeded and the creature came to life?
What does Victor decide to study with Henry when he abandons science?
What reason does Victor give to explain why he won’t share what he learned about how to bring inanimate
objects to life?
In general, what was the reaction of the people the creature encountered?
What does the creature learn to do while living in the hovel/lean-to shed, and how does he learn this?
What was Frankenstein's reaction when Justine was accused of William's murder?
What evidence is there of Justine’s guilt?
When Elizabeth and Victor visit her in jail, why does Justine say she felt she had to confess?
Describe Frankenstein’s state of mind after Justine’s conviction and punishment.
How does the Turk use Safie to ensure Felix would help him escape from prison?
How does knowledge heighten the creature’s frustration with his situation while hiding in the hovel?
Explain how Mr. De Lacey’s reaction to the creature is different from the reactions of Agatha, Safie, and
Felix.
What did the creature do at the cottage when he returned and found that the De Laceys had moved out?
Summarize the creature’s encounter with the drowning girl.
Explain why the creature placed the locket in Justine’s pocket.
How did the creature feel after he killed William?
What did the creature ask Frankenstein to do, and why?
Explain how the creature believes companionship will help his temperament.
What are the advantages and drawbacks to Victor meeting the creature’s request? (Give 1 of each.)
Explain how Victor manipulates his father so he has the time and liberty to create a female creature.
What qualities of the Orkney Islands make it a good place to complete Victor’s task?
What are some reasons Victor gives for deciding not to create a female creature?
What threat did the creature make when Frankenstein backed out on their agreement?
Why do the Irish townspeople suspect Victor of Henry’s murder?
What happened on Frankenstein and Elizabeth’s wedding night?
How does the creature indirectly cause Alphonse Frankenstein’s death?
What happened to Frankenstein at the end of the story?
What happened to the creature at the end of the story?
How does Elizabeth’s death intensify Victor’s concern for the rest of his family?
How do the deaths of Elizabeth and Alphonse change Victor’s focus in life?
Explain why the magistrate doesn’t think he can offer much help to Victor.
List all of the creature's victims, and explain why each was chosen.
What is the creature’s personality originally like?
How does his personality change over the course of the novel, and why?
Describe Victor Frankenstein’s personality.
How does Victor’s personality change over the course of the novel, and why?
Choose at least 4 characteristics of Gothic literature and explain how the novel demonstrates each.
What is the role of nature in the novel?