3.1.1

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Ambition and the Pursuit of Knowledge

Shelley presents various types of education. Knowledge itself is not presented as a negative thing, but the damaging effect of a single-minded pursuit of knowledge is one of the central concerns of the novel.

Walton

Walton

Walton desires to uncover mysteries through his expedition. He believes that he will be a pioneer in his explorations, and has a sense of entitlement regarding his success.

Victor

Victor

In his studies at university, Victor is not satisfied to learn merely what the professors can teach him, but instead believes he must push past this so he can benefit mankind.
He believes that he can go further than the natural order, and his desire to create life can be seen as an attempt to bypass biology itself, entirely removing the female’s role in the act of creation.
Victor develops a thirst for knowledge in childhood, but later comes to understand the dangers attached to this.

Victor's ambition

Victor's ambition

Victor’s ambition entirely takes over his life, initially causing him to neglect his friends and family, and later preventing him from speaking up for what is right.
In contrast to Victor, Walton eventually listens to the imploring of his crew and abandons his ambitious plan, despite Victor’s disappointment.

The Monster

The Monster

With no formal education in place, the Monster attempts to acquire knowledge himself through reading, observing, and experiences.

1

Plot Summaries

1.1

Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV 1.1.2Chapters 1-3 1.1.3Chapters 4-6 1.1.4Chapters 7-8 1.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I

1.2

Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-3 1.2.2Chapters 4-6 1.2.3Chapters 7-9 1.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II

1.3

Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-3 1.3.2Chapters 4-6 1.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation 1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III

2

Characters

2.1

Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role 2.1.2Quotations 2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein

2.2

The Monster

2.2.1Role 2.2.2Quotations 2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster 2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract

2.3

Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton 2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza 2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein 2.3.4Henry Clerval 2.3.5Justine Moritz 2.3.6The De Laceys 2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse 2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys

3

Key Themes

3.1

Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation 3.1.2Key Quotations

3.2

Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3

Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations 3.3.2End 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

3.6.1Presentation 3.6.2Key Quotations

3.7

Gender

3.7.1Presentation 3.7.2Key Quotations 3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More

4

Authorial Method

4.1

Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre 4.1.2Intertextuality 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality

4.2

Form & Structure

4.2.1Form 4.2.2Structure

4.3

Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings 4.3.2Symbolism

4.4

Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery 4.4.2Doubling 4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More

5

Context

5.1

Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley 5.1.2Time of Writing 5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Victor Frankenstein 6.1.2Quotations 6.1.3Robert Walton 6.1.4Elizabeth Lavenza 6.1.5Alphonse Frankenstein 6.1.6Henry Clerval 6.1.7Justine Moritz 6.1.8The De Laceys

6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge 6.2.2Prejudice 6.2.3Justice 6.2.4Companionship & Family 6.2.5Revenge 6.2.6Monstrosity 6.2.7Gender

Jump to other topics

1

Plot Summaries

1.1

Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV 1.1.2Chapters 1-3 1.1.3Chapters 4-6 1.1.4Chapters 7-8 1.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I

1.2

Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-3 1.2.2Chapters 4-6 1.2.3Chapters 7-9 1.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II

1.3

Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-3 1.3.2Chapters 4-6 1.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation 1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III

2

Characters

2.1

Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role 2.1.2Quotations 2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein

2.2

The Monster

2.2.1Role 2.2.2Quotations 2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster 2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract

2.3

Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton 2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza 2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein 2.3.4Henry Clerval 2.3.5Justine Moritz 2.3.6The De Laceys 2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse 2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys

3

Key Themes

3.1

Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation 3.1.2Key Quotations

3.2

Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3

Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations 3.3.2End 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

3.6.1Presentation 3.6.2Key Quotations

3.7

Gender

3.7.1Presentation 3.7.2Key Quotations 3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More

4

Authorial Method

4.1

Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre 4.1.2Intertextuality 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality

4.2

Form & Structure

4.2.1Form 4.2.2Structure

4.3

Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings 4.3.2Symbolism

4.4

Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery 4.4.2Doubling 4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More

5

Context

5.1

Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley 5.1.2Time of Writing 5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Victor Frankenstein 6.1.2Quotations 6.1.3Robert Walton 6.1.4Elizabeth Lavenza 6.1.5Alphonse Frankenstein 6.1.6Henry Clerval 6.1.7Justine Moritz 6.1.8The De Laceys

6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge 6.2.2Prejudice 6.2.3Justice 6.2.4Companionship & Family 6.2.5Revenge 6.2.6Monstrosity 6.2.7Gender

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1
Effects of Victor’s ambition:Fill in the list
2
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End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys

Key Quotations