• Does anyone else find it interesting that, unlike Shakespeare and Milton, Shelley came up with the idea for Frankenstein through casual conversation rather than through deep thought? (Beginning of preface)—RS

• We learn that this whole story "Frankenstein" is actually made orally from Victor to Walton to his sister. Is there any signifigance in making this story some sort of dialogue? Gilgamesh was also a story that was told orally. Is there anything special about using this kind of writing style that has an affect on the audience/reader? (Letters I-IV)—PJI

• So within Walton's Letter IV (approx. p.30), Victor decides to tell his tale to Captain Walton. For what purpose do you think Victor is telling his story to Walton, why would he tell this man all of these horrible things that have happened to him?—KW

• Mary Shelly uses foreshadowing very often at the beginning of the book. You see it in letter four (1832 p. 12) when Walton meets the stranger on the ice, and in chapter two (1832 p. 38). Does this use of foreshadowing add to the suspense of the tale, or does it take away from the suspense because we now know the suffering that victor will go through?—JB

• Was Elizabeth brought into the story to contrast Victor? p36—SM

• Why does Victor's mother want him and Elizabeth to marry? On page 43 of Chapter 3—EC

• I would like to explore the change of relying on companionship to the isolating yourself from everyone you once knew. (Chapter 2, paragraph 2) (Chapter 4, paragraph 11)—SC

• What does everybody think of the rule Dr. Frankenstein talks about in the top paragraph of pg. 56 in the 1831 edition? Is he really just 'moralising' or do we believe that he is on to something here?—KM

• The initial relations that Victor has with both Elizabeth and the Monster seem to exude a sort of unappreciative outlook on living things. On page 36 Victor talks about Elizabeth as if she is simply a possession of his. Also on page 57 he speaks of the “disgust” that fills his heart upon looking at his creation. Do you think this shows that Victor is somewhat unappreciative of human life?—LK

• Why does Victor create the monster? Was it because the grief he felt because of the loss of his mother? (chapters 3-5)—BH

• Is the monster human? If not, what is the difference? Look toward Chapter 5 paragraph 3 (1831).—CD

• Why did Victor think it was okay to create this creature, and then just leave it in his apartment when he left?—RA

• Why did Victor not try to stop/control the monster that he created before it ran away?—ER

• Frankenstein's creature appears to have his own intelligence despite having a terrifying appearance. He has the intelligence to kill William, and frames Justin, the servant, for the crime. As the book was written in 1818, do you think that the novel represents people's fear of science, especially of what they considered to be occult?—KT