Frankissstein

The first encounters with robotics in the text are Claire’s dismissal of robotics as un-Christian, Polly’s privacy concern regarding teledildonics, and Ron’s infatuation with sexbots. How do these reactions to the field of robotics raise questions about the boundaries of humanity? How do Victor’s goals push those boundaries even further?

Mary and Claire are significantly different characters, and yet they are both romantically involved with similar men in a similar situation. How are Mary and Claire different? How do their differences compare to the differences between Percy and Lord Byron? Why is Polidori with the group at Lake Geneva, and how does his presence impact this dynamic?

There are three areas of transhumanism that are dominant in the modern world of the novel: robotics, cryogenics, and AI. Pick one of these and explain how it is represented in the novel. Then, use your findings to compare these modern fields with the discussions Mary has at Lake Geneva. For example, how might robotics be good or bad, and how do they compare to Mary’s discussion of looms?

Ry describes himself as a hybrid, which may indicate that he identifies as non-binary. However, Ry says he is uncomfortable “as a woman,” which implies that he prefers to identify as masculine. How do the other characters in the novel react to Ry’s identity? What evidence is there to show that Ry’s identity is not respected, and what reasons do other characters give for going against Ry’s wishes?

How does the novel construe Ry’s transgender identity as part of its larger exploration of transhumanism and the limitations of the body? Does the novel misrepresent transgender experience and identity in the service of these broader thematic goals?

Mary’s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was an early feminist figure, and Mary takes up her mother’s cause to fight back against the sexism of the early 19th century. Two hundred years later, Ry faces a different kind of discrimination. Using evidence in the text, discuss how Mary and Ry’s experiences are similar or different.

Claire is the only person in the text with explicit religious beliefs. How does Claire’s perspective change over the course of the novel? What points does Claire refuse to reevaluate, and what points does she concede to? How does Claire’s perspective agree or disagree with the perspectives of other characters?

There are a number of allusions in the text, such as the repetition of Sonnet 53’s opening lines. Look up some of the quotes and allusions in the novel, and investigate their sources. Choose one or more allusions and discuss how your investigation impacts your reading of a scene, chapter, or the whole novel. For example, the quote from Larry Page regarding a perfect search engine could affect the way you read the use of AI in Victor’s opening lecture.