Frankenstein Study

Week 6

Victor Frankenstein- Comic Vine

Week 6 Reading Checklist

”But through the whole period during which I was the slave of my creature I allowed myself to be governed by the impulses of the moment…”

Day 1

☐ Volume III, Chapter 1

Thoughts:

As Victor wrestles with his decision to make his Creature a companion, he finds great peace deep within nature. We watch him have swings of emotions— deep lows and elevated highs. His dear friend Henry’s enthusiasm towards the beauty of nature mirrors that of the Creatures and yet, Frankenstein views them so vastly differently because of his prejudice against the monster.

How can scripture break down our prejudices, blinding us?

Optional Scripture:
Psalm 108

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Day 2

☐ Volume III, Chapter 2

Thoughts:
Cowardice is not experienced in isolation. A man’s reluctance towards the difficult in life affects not only himself but those he loves. Avoidance and delay seem to only exacerbate the situation, both internally and externally. We see this lived out within Victor’s life. He is now driven by fear, instead of the power and anticipation from the beginning. Hindsight is always 20/20. (To be honest, I found this chapter to be frustrating with the needless delay of action.)

What might we be delaying that could cause greater harm the longer it tarries?

Optional Scripture:
Revelation 21:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 28:1

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Day 3

☐ Volume III, Chapter 3

Thoughts:
The situation has really escalated here. The making and un-making of a 2nd companion creature shows the transistion of power between maker/creature. Once again, Victor believes that by hiding/ignoring the real problem (taking responsibility for his creation), it will eventually go away. He will learn quickly that his troubles are just beginning.

What is true power?

Optional Scripture:
2 Corinthians 12:9

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Day 4

☐ Volume III, Chapter 4

Thoughts:
The horror of his dear friend’s demise strikes Frankenstein mad with grief. The weight of guilt is suffocating, and it seems as though the scientist has nearly lost his mind. What he thought he could keep hidden has festered and rotted away another relationship in his life.

Would the creation of a second creature have prevented the death of his friend?

Optional Scripture:
Galatians 6:1-10

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Day 5

☐ Volume III, Chapter 5-6

Thoughts:
Guilt and secrecy continue to eat away at Frankenstein. Because he refuses to admit his guilt, his cowardice forces him into a self-imposed isolation where problems continue to multiply. His continual lack of self-awareness was maddening. Clearly, the Creature does not want to target him through direct attack, but rather, he wants his creator to feel what he feels in his rejection from community and love. His suffering is only in its infancy.

Victor’s pride and cowardice (a deadly combination) have destroyed everything in his life and those around him. It astounded me that it took the death of so many for him to show any kind of backbone.

How else could Frankenstein have approached the threat of the monster? Would it have made a difference?

Optional Scripture:
Proverbs 28:13

“When I was younger, I believed myself destined for some great enterprise…but such is not my destiny; I must pursue and destroy the being to whom I gave existence; then my lot on earth will be fulfilled, and I may die.”

Day 6

☐ Volume III, Chapter 7

Thoughts:
Revenge is the only thing keeping Frankenstein alive. His creature plays a wicked game of cat and mouse. Victor Frankenstein has nothing else to lose, and it is in this moment that he finally attempts to take personal responsibility for his creation. This does not make him noble or heroic by any means, for he is only motivated by revenge, not love or virtue. He has now become a madman with one aim— to hunt the creature, whatever the cost to himself.

At this point, I have to be completely honest— I found myself quite annoyed with Frankenstein. One of my notes on page 219 reads, “dear lord, he is insufferable!” Even in his last moments, he blames his own creation for his demise when it was really a mess of his own making. His lack of responsibility, care, and greedy ambition ruined so many lives.

Denying his creature love and fellowship is a stark lesson for all of humanity. Where do we deny these basic essential needs to those around us?

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What did you think of the book?

I give it a 3.75-star rating on Goodreads. I have mixed feelings about this one. I enjoyed the writing style, but I found Victor to be insufferable most of the time. There are some important truths to be gleaned, however— like creating something out of pure ambition without thought or responsibility for the consequences, just because we can do/make something doesn’t mean we should, and the care and nurturing of souls in contrast to the neglect we can extend, and what that means for the world.