frankenstein help plz. I need help with this book. chapters 3 and 4?

Question

What was Victor's initial attraction to science?

Why do you think Victor felt so uncomfortable amongst strangers?

How do you think Victor felt after his first meeting with Krempe?

How is Victor influenced by Professor Waldman?

Answer 1

I think Victor's initial interests were with alchemy and other aspects of the so-called "natural philosophies" that were popular at one point in time. That is what he came to town to study. It was only after meeting with several professors that his interests took a turn to this relatively "new" science.

Victor probably felt uncomfortable in his new environment because it was so different from his home. His mother had just died, and he had just left his family and friends. So he's grieving, and he might have been naturally shy or an introvert.

He probably felt discouraged and frustrated and unsure about what to do with his life after his first meeting with Krempe. He came to town full of grand hopes and then after one meeting was told that all his previous studies were a complete waste of time and he'd have to do something else with his life.

Victor chose a new line of study based on the lecture he attended given by Professor Waldman. He throws himself into this new study, new passion. Perhaps he uses it as a way to work through his grief. Or perhaps he's always been an obsessive sort. Regardless, this new professor becomes a mentor figure to him.

M. Krempe - A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt. He dismisses Victor’s study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew.

M. Waldman - The professor of chemistry who sparks Victor’s interest in science. He dismisses the alchemists’ conclusions as unfounded but sympathizes with Victor’s interest in a science that can explain the “big questions,” such as the origin of life.