1. Frankenstein
Chapters 1 to 4

2. Chapter 1
Frankenstein focuses on his father a lot throughout these opening chapters. He seems to have inherited his father’s obsessive qualities. But whereas his father learned to control these tendencies, Victor does not. Interestingly, his father (and ‘creator’) does not satisfactorily dissuade Victor from pursuing his unusual scientific pursuits which only increases Victor’s interest.

3. Chapter 1
The story of Beaufort introduces the themes of pride and dutiful love. Beaufort’s daugther (Frankenstein’s mother) underpins the idea that love and the duties put of women go largely unappreciated or underestimated by the men. Women are the primary care-givers in this book and it contrasts sharply with the uncaring and obsessive male characters in the book such as Victor and Beaufort.

4. Women in Frankenstein fit into few roles: the loving, sacrificial mother; the innocent, sensitive child; and the concerned, confused, abandoned lover. Throughout the novel, they are universally passive, rising only at the most extreme moments to demand action from the men around them. The language Victor uses to describe the relationship between his mother and father supports this image of women’s passivity: in reference to his mother, he says that his father “came as a protecting spirit to the poor girl, who committed herself to his care.” Elizabeth, Justine Moritz, and Caroline Beaufort all fit into this mould of the passive woman. Various metanarrative comments (i.e., remarks that pertain not to the content of the narrative but rather to the telling of the narrative) remind the reader of the fact that Victor’s narrative is contained within Walton’s. Victor interrupts his story to relate how Elizabeth became a part of his family, prefacing the digression with the comment, “But before I continue my narrative, I must record an incident.” Such guiding statements structure Victor’s narrative and remind the reader that Victor is telling his story to a specific audience—Walton.
from SparkNotes

5. Chapter 1
Does Frankenstein’s possessive nature (which we see with Elizabeth) feed into the industrial and materialistic mindset of the age?
Throughout this chapter the idyllic nature of Victor’s childhood is tinged with a melancholic tone in places indicating that tragedy will soon consume his life.

6. Chapter 2
This chapter chronicles the begining of Frankenstein’s obsession with science. He is characterised as a man who develops fixations and is single-minded in an apologetic way. He has a temper and is passionate. There is a contrast between the Romantic, Elizabeth and the scientist, Victor. Frankenstein is brutally honest and self-critical here because he has nothing left to lose. He is in the middle of nowhere narrating his cautionary tale to a stranger.

7. Chapter 2
Victor Frankenstein boldly and unashamedly outlines his main scientific endevour and ambition here. He does not want money as it is ‘inferior’, instead choosing to pursue man’s invulnerability to disease and deth. He believes that other scientists have failed at or dismissed such pursuits because they seem illogical, irrational and insane. But is that the only reason? How about immoral?

8. Chapter 3
At the opening of this chapter, Frankenstein’s mother dies. Notably, he observes that ‘She died calmly.’ Is this observation made with the benefit of hindsight? Has Frankenstein seen the value of a natural death and learned to accept it as a natural part of life?

9. Chapter 3
Frankenstein develops a strong hatred for modern scientists but understands that if he is to achieve his own goals he must set this aside prejudice and learn what he needs from these men.
The views of one professor in particular, Waldmann, shakes him to his core and angers him. He uses a simile to convey this very point remarking that, ‘As he went on I felt as if my soul were grappling with a papable enemy…’ This is reminicent of Walton’s exclamation that “There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand.” But the young Victor understands his soul better than the naive Walton.

10. Chapter 3
Frankenstein quickly realises that he cannot allow the other scientists to become his enemy. He believes them to be ‘erroneously directed’ and busied with classifications and trivial discoveries. But while they busy themselves with such scientific tasks, he and other great creative scientific geniuses can be bold and explore greater fields of inquiry.
He says this day ‘decided his destiny’ because he found a way of working within the conservative scientific community and knows no one else will beat him to his goal or discovery. He gets what he needs from Waldmann (an explanation of machinary) and is left alone to work in secret with no judgement or interested parties to monitor his efforts.

11. Chapter 4
Frankenstein’s narration in this chapter is laced with mystery and the intoxicating power of science. He is fearless in his pursuit and has no emotional repsonse to working with corpses and labouring through the night.
‘I beheld the corruption of death…I saw how the worm inherited the wonders of the eye and brain.’
(Think about Blake’s The Sick Rose.)

12. The theme of secrecy manifests itself in these chapters, as Victor’s studies draw him farther and farther away from those who love and advise him. He conducts his experiments alone, following the example of the ancient alchemists, who jealously guarded their secrets, and rejecting the openness of the new sciences. Victor displays an unhealthy obsession with all of his endeavours, and the labour of creating the monster takes its toll on him. It drags him into charnel houses in search of old body parts and, even more important, isolates him from the world of open social institutions.
from SparkNotes

13. Chapter 4
He tells Walton that he discovered the cause of life and, therefore, the way to make life. But he will withold this from Walton and the world because he knows ‘how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge’. This is a neat way for Shelley to avoid the scientifc details of such a discovery. However, there are clues that electricity might be involved.
He creates creature that is eight feet tall which is embelmatic of Frankenstein’s own huge ego and arrogance. Note, at this point he still refers to the creature as ‘a human being’.

14. Chapter 4
Frankenstein is obsessed in this chapter and drives himself to the brink of sanity. He emphasises this point and repeats this sentiment in different ways so it will register with Walton and warn him against the dangers of such scientific fanaticism.

15. The symbol of light, introduced in Walton’s first letter (“What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?”), appears again in Victor’s narrative, this time in a scientific context. “From the midst of this darkness,” Victor says when describing his discovery of the secret of life, “a sudden light broke in upon me—a light so brilliant and wondrous.” Light reveals, illuminates, clarifies; it is essential for seeing, and seeing is the way to knowledge. Just as light can illuminate, however, so can it blind; pleasantly warm at moderate levels, it ignites dangerous flames at higher ones. Immediately after his first metaphorical use of light as a symbol of knowledge, Victor retreats into secrecy and warns Walton of “how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.” Thus, light is balanced always by fire, the promise of new discovery by the danger of unpredictable—and perhaps tragic— consequences.
from SparkNotes

16. Homework
Writing: In chapters 1-4, Frankenstein frequently references fate and destiny. Reflect on the exposition about Frankenstein’s education and the events in the novel. Is Frankenstein fated to live a life of suffering or is he responsible for his own misery?
Reading: Chapters 5 to 8