Guiding Questions to Consider

• How does Victor's ambition compare to or differ from the Creature's desires?
• In what ways does Shelley employ the frame narrative (Walton's letters) to strengthen her thematic warning?
• Who holds greater moral responsibility — the creator or the creation — and why?

Requirements

4–6 paragraphs | Textual evidence required | MLA or Chicago citation format

Guidance for Students

Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs

• Introduce the main conflict between creator and creation in the novel.
• Develop a clear thesis that takes a defensible stance on who — or what — embodies the true source of monstrosity in the text.
• Use at least three pieces of textual evidence, analyzing how each reinforces your argument.
• Consider the novel's framing narrative (Walton's letters) and how it influences the reader's view of Victor and the Creature.
• Address a counterargument and explain why your interpretation holds more weight.
• Conclude by linking your argument to Shelley's broader critique of unrestrained scientific ambition and the ethics surrounding creation.

In your essay, be sure to

• Craft a clear, arguable thesis that goes beyond simply summarizing the plot.
• Use at least three specific textual examples (quotations or scenes) to back up your argument.
• Analyze how Shelley utilizes characterization, narrative structure, and/or Gothic imagery to deliver her thematic warning.
• Address a counterargument: some readers contend that the Creature — not Victor — is morally responsible for the violence in the novel. Engage with this perspective and clarify why your interpretation is more convincing.
• Conclude by linking Shelley’s 19th-century concerns to a broader or contemporary context (e.g., bioethics, artificial intelligence, scientific hubris).

Suggested texts/passages to consider

• Victor's early obsession with "the secrets of heaven and earth" (Vol. 1, Ch. 2)
• The Creature's poignant account of abandonment (Vol. 2, Ch. 7)
• Victor's deathbed confession to Walton (Vol. 3, Ch. 7)