In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein attends the University of Ingolstadt in Germany, where he, under professor M. Waldman, studies the sciences interrelated to creating his Monster:
biology, electricity, Galvinism, pseudo-genetic engineering, and early genetics
.
What kind of science does Frankenstein decide to study and what questions or areas of research interest him?
As a youth, VictorFrankenstein has studied the works of Agrippa, Magnus, and Paracelsus. This study indicates Victor's interest in
the natural sciences and alchemy
, an ancient science dealing with the transformation of base metals, such as lead, into gold.
What branch of science does Victor focus on?
At the age of 13, Victor discovers the works of Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus, all alchemists from an earlier age. His voracious appetite for knowledge thus begins, and eventually leads him to study
science and alchemy
.
Why does Victor Frankenstein study science?
Victor's initial attraction to Science is developed as a young child who is extremely curious about the natural world. … “Professor Waldman encourages Victor to study modern science and to learn from science's most recent, exciting discoveries if
he wants to penetrate the vast mysteries of nature
.
How does Victor Frankenstein become interested in science?
When
Victor first saw an oak tree struck by lightning
, he began to take a different outlook of the studies of science. A visit from a natural philosopher spurred Victor to delve into the practices of the “new” science of electricity and galvanism.
Where does Victor get the body parts?
Victor explains: “I
collected bones from charnel-houses
[. . . .] The dissecting room and the slaughter-house furnished many of my materials” (54 – 55).
How did Victor spend the night after bringing?
How did Victor spend the night after bringing the creature to life?
He runs to the woods, spends a week in bed, now repulsed by his work. He leaves the creature alone
.
Who is Victor's best friend?
Henry
is Victor's best friend who looks after him when he is ill and accompanies him to England. Henry's purpose in the novel is to show what Victor could have been had he not been influenced by ambition and the desire for discovery – in that sense he is Victor's opposite.
What was the question Victor wanted an answer to?
What questions does he seek answers to? He
wanted to learn the secrets of heaven and earth
. He wanted to learn about the mysteries of nature and about the soul of man. In Chapter 2, how does Victor feel about his studies?
How does Victor change after getting into university?
How does Victor change once he gets to the university?
He locks himself away with his studies.
What happens to Victor after he runs into Henry?
One stormy night,
after months of labor
, Victor completes his creation. But when he brings it to life, its awful appearance horrifies him. … Henry nurses him back to health and, when Victor has recovered, gives him a letter from Elizabeth that had arrived during his illness.
Why did Victor stop working on his second creature?
He doesn't want to, because he wants something from Victor. … What are Victor's final thoughts regarding his creature? He
was wrong to abandon the creature
and realizes he should have tried to give him happiness.
Why did Victor create the monster?
Why does Frankenstein create the Monster? Frankenstein believes that by creating the Monster,
he can discover the secrets of “life and death,” create a “new species,”
and learn how to “renew life.” He is motivated to attempt these things by ambition.
Why is Victor particularly interested in chemistry?
Because he had become keenly interested in chemistry
as a student at Eton thanks to his mentor
, a Scottish natural Philosopher by the name of James Lind (1736-1812). … He also draws some interesting parallels between the character of Waldman, the chemistry lecturer who so fascinates Frankenstein and Lind.
How does Victor feel about science?
In Frankenstein, Victor embodies
the concept of unrestrained science
. He is allured by the power and potential of science from a very young age. In spite of its lack of credibility, Victor develops a strong interest in alchemy, which focuses on harnessing the powers of science for personal gain.
Where is Victor Frankenstein born?
Victor Frankenstein was born in
Naples, Italy
(according to the 1831 edition of Shelley's novel) with his Swiss family. He was the son of Alphonse Frankenstein and Caroline Beaufort, who died of scarlet fever when Victor was 17.
