1.1.2

Chapters 1-3

Test yourself on Chapters 1-3

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Chapter 1, Volume I

Victor describes his childhood and upbringing. He explains that he was born into a wealthy and distinguished Genevese family.

Victor's family

Victor's family

  • Victor's father, Alphonse, married his mother, Caroline, when her father died, leaving Caroline an orphan.
    • Victor's parents adored and idolised him as a child.
Elizabeth Lavenza

Elizabeth Lavenza

  • Victor introduces Elizabeth, an orphan who was adopted by Caroline and brought from Italy back to Geneva.
  • Alphonse and Caroline love Elizabeth very much and Victor comes to believe that one day he will marry his 'more than sister'.
    • This relationship would have seemed less peculiar in the 19th century than it may to modern readers.

Chapter 2, Volume I

Victor describes his close relationship with Elizabeth and his blossoming interest in natural philosophy, which was the 19th-century term for modern 'science'.

Victor's family

Victor's family

  • Victor and Elizabeth are brought up together.
  • Victor's parents have a second son and settle permanently in Geneva.
  • Victor becomes very close friends with Henry Clerval, the son of a Genevese merchant, although their interests are very different.
Natural philosophy

Natural philosophy

  • Victor's interest in natural philosophy is sparked by a book by Cornelius Agrippa and develops through avidly studying the works of Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus, too.
    • But other people consider the ideas of these men to be outdated.
Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm

  • Victor witnesses a very violent thunderstorm when he is 15 years old and is struck by the destructive power of nature.
    • Young Victor is introduced to nature's power and man's inability to control it.
      • This was a concept which interested Romantic thinkers, like Shelley's husband, Percy.
  • Victor begins to question the ideas of his previously beloved alchemists, which now seem outdated.

Chapter 3, Volume I

Now that Victor is 17 years old, his parents decide he should continue his education at the university of Ingolstadt.

Caroline's death

Caroline's death

  • Just before Victor is due to leave for university, Elizabeth catches scarlet fever.
  • Caroline nurses Elizabeth back to health, but then contracts the illness herself and dies.
    • Caroline's final request is for Elizabeth and Victor to marry and have children.
University

University

  • At first, Victor is ridiculed for his previous study of outdated alchemists.
  • Victor later finds Professor M. Waldman, who takes Victor on as a kind of 'disciple' and does not dismiss his previous studies.
    • This convinces Victor to pursue studies in the sciences, which decides his 'future destiny'.
Jump to other topics
1

Plot Summaries

1.1

Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV1.1.2Chapters 1-31.1.3Chapters 4-61.1.4Chapters 7-81.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I
1.2

Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-31.2.2Chapters 4-61.2.3Chapters 7-91.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II
1.3

Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-31.3.2Chapters 4-61.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III
2

Characters

2.1

Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role2.1.2Quotations2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1Role2.2.2Quotations2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract
2.3

Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein2.3.4Henry Clerval2.3.5Justine Moritz2.3.6The De Laceys2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys
3

Key Themes

3.1

Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation3.1.2Key Quotations
3.2

Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.3

Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice
3.4

Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.5

Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.6

Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation3.6.2Key Quotations
3.7

Gender

3.7.1Presentation3.7.2Key Quotations3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More
4

Authorial Method

4.1

Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre4.1.2Intertextuality4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality
4.2

Form & Structure

4.2.1Form4.2.2Structure
4.3

Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings4.3.2Symbolism
4.4

Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery4.4.2Doubling4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More
5

Context

5.1

Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley5.1.2Time of Writing5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Victor Frankenstein6.1.2Quotations6.1.3Robert Walton6.1.4Elizabeth Lavenza6.1.5Alphonse Frankenstein6.1.6Henry Clerval6.1.7Justine Moritz6.1.8The De Laceys
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge6.2.2Prejudice6.2.3Justice6.2.4Companionship & Family6.2.5Revenge6.2.6Monstrosity6.2.7Gender

Practice questions on Chapters 1-3

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Who is Elizabeth Lavenza?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What was the 19th-century term for modern 'science'?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which author did NOT contribute to Victor's interest in natural philosophy?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Victor's DevelopmentPut in order
  5. 5
    At what age was Victor sent to continue his education at the university of Ingolstadt?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Chapters 1-3

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Letters I-IV

Chapters 4-6