New
New
Year 8

Regret in Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein'

I can explain how Frankenstein's attitude towards the Creature fluctuates throughout the text.

New
New
Year 8

Regret in Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein'

I can explain how Frankenstein's attitude towards the Creature fluctuates throughout the text.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In Chapter 10, we see Frankenstein confront the Creature aggressively.
  2. Frankenstein regrets creating first Creature, and regrets his decision to begin creating the second one.
  3. Victor subsequently destroys the second creation, fearing the consequences of unleashing another ‘wretch’.
  4. Arguably, Victor has understood the consequences of his actions and has developed some moral awareness.
  5. Victor’s regret forces him to take responsibility.

Keywords

  • Malignity - the desire to see others experience pain or suffering

  • Abhorrent - disgusting and loathsome

  • Negligent - failing to take proper care of something you have responsibility for

  • Irresponsible - not behaving in a sensible or responsible manner

  • Gravity - The gravity of something is its seriousness.

Common misconception

Students do not appreciate the Creature's eloquence and the fact that he has educated himself.

The Creature is a persuasive and eloquent character who manages to convince Victor to begin making him a mate.

Ask the students their opinion on the following question: "Do you think that agreeing to the Creature's demand and then going back on his word made the Creature more vengeful than he would have been had Victor said no from the outset?"
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need to access to the extract from Chapter 10 of 'Frankenstein' which can be found in the additional materials

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is meant by the word 'transgression'?
a moral duty or obligation
Correct answer: violating laws, rules or boundaries
a method of travel or movement
somebody's last wishes before they die
Q2.
Which of the following is a Gothic convention?
light and bright settings
a happy ending
a relatable or charismatic protagonist
an opening that begins in the past
Correct answer: multiple narrators
Q3.
Which characters in 'Frankenstein' are not murdered by the Creature?
Victor's brother
Correct answer: Victor's father
Henry Clerval
Correct answer: Justine
Elizabeth Lavenza
Q4.
Complete the quotation from Chapter 5 of 'Frankenstein': "I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet."
Correct Answer: spark
Q5.
What do you think 'abhorrent' might mean?
beautiful and enchanting
valuable and precious
Correct answer: disgusting and loathsome
heart-breaking and sad
amusing and entertaining
Q6.
Starting with the first, put the events of 'Frankenstein' in chronological order.
1 - Frankenstein brings his creation to life.
2 - Frankenstein rejects his creation and runs away from it.
3 - The Creature murders Frankenstein's brother.
4 - Frankenstein confronts the Creature on the ice.
5 - Frankenstein destroys the second female Creature in front of his original one.
6 - The Creature murders Frankenstein's wife Elizabeth on their wedding night.
7 - The Creature tells Robert Walton his story of regret and woe.

6 Questions

Q1.
How does Victor feel when he meets his creation again in Chapter 10 of 'Frankenstein'?
heartbroken and sorrowful
relieved and thankful
Correct answer: furious and enraged
loving and affectionate
disappointed and confused
Q2.
Complete the quotation from Chapter 10 of 'Frankenstein': "Begone, vile !"
Correct Answer: insect
Q3.
In Chapter 10 of 'Frankenstein', what does the Creature want from Victor?
he wants Victor to leave him alone
he wants Victor to kill him
Correct answer: he wants Victor to create a mate for him
he wants Victor to find him a family to live with
he wants Victor to educate him
Q4.
Complete the quotation from Chapter 10 of 'Frankenstein': " made me a fiend."
Correct Answer: Misery
Q5.
Why did Frankenstein destroy his second (female) creation in 'Frankenstein'?
he wanted to get revenge on the Creature for killing his brother
he didn't want the Creature to be happy
Correct answer: he was attempting to regain some control over his creation
Correct answer: he didn't want the Creature to mate and produce a race of Creatures
he couldn't be bothered to put the work into creating the mate
Q6.
What does the following quotation from 'Frankenstein' show us about Victor? “Shall I, in cool blood, set loose upon the earth a dæmon whose delight is in death and wretchedness?”
we learn that he hates his Creature more than ever
Correct answer: Victor has learned some moral responsibility
Correct answer: Victor finally understands the consequences of his irresponsible actions
Victor has finally learned to care for his creation
Victor has finally learned the importance of knowledge and truth

Additional material

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