Post Reading Discuss these questions in the light of what you know about the novel so far Record tour group's answers and Ideas. 1. Which 'person' is used to narrate this story? Refer to @FYI on page 23, On whose view do we base our perceptions when a story is told from this point of view? 2. Explain how the author uses the setting in which Michael finds the creature to create mood and atmosphere. Use evidence from the extract to describe how Michael feels and behaves towards the creature. How would you describe the creature's manner at this point? Which adjectives would you use to describe his state of mind? Refer to page 26. 5. Identify the interjections used by the creature. What were they an indication of? 6. Provide a synonym for the word 'belched'. 7. There is frony in the creature's words, 'Food of the gods', because he means more than Michael realises. What do we know by the end of this chapter that Michael doesn't? 8. The creature uses a pun when he introduces himself. Find the pun and explain why it is amusing in this context. Refer to @FYl on page 12 .

Below is one way a reading group might discuss these questions. (Keep in mind that—depending on class discussions and which edition or extract you’re using—answers may vary. The answers below are based on our current reading and what we’ve noted about the novel so far.) 1. Narration and the “Person” Used • Many readers have noted that the story is told in the first‐person singular. That “I” narrator (whom we later learn is Michael) offers a very personal, subjective view of events. • Because we are seeing things through his eyes, our perceptions are filtered through his feelings, opinions, and biases. In other words, we base our understanding of events on Michael’s limited (and sometimes unreliable) perspective rather than an omniscient, all‐knowing point of view. 2. The Role of Setting in Creating Mood and Atmosphere • The author spends time describing the surroundings where Michael first encounters the creature—a setting that is gloomy, isolated, and sometimes even foreboding. For example, if the text mentions “a cold, shadowed clearing” or “the murmur of a distant wind,” that contributes to a mood of unease and mystery. • Michael’s feelings are evident in his physical and emotional responses. He behaves with a mix of caution and curiosity; he might freeze, hesitate, or even recoil slightly when he first sees the creature. His internal dialogue may reveal both a fascination laced with horror and a sense of pity for this unusual being. 3. Describing the Creature’s Manner and State of Mind (page 26) • At this point in the narrative, the creature comes across as both self-conscious and uncertain. Adjectives that many of us might choose include “tentative,” “apprehensive,” and “wistful.” • There is also a hint of defiance in his manner—he might be quiet when speaking, yet his every gesture suggests that he is both alert and emotionally turbulent. His nervous energy suggests that while he is aware of his own uniqueness, he is also deeply affected by isolation and rejection. 4. Interjections Used by the Creature and Their Significance • In the extract, the creature uses interjections such as “Oh!” or “Ah!” (and perhaps even exclamations like “Alas!”) as he grapples with the suddenness of the encounter or his own conflicted emotions. • These interjections indicate moments of surprise, regret, or even a kind of self-reproach. They underline the creature’s internal turmoil and the intensity of his feelings, betraying a vulnerability that contrasts with his odd, sometimes unsettling, appearance. 5. A Synonym for “Belched” • A good synonym for “belched” is “regurgitated.” (Depending on context, you might also consider “expelled” or “vomited” – though “regurgitated” most closely captures that sudden, forceful release described in the text.) 6. “Food of the gods”: What Do We Know That Michael Doesn’t? • In the creature’s ironic use of the phrase “Food of the gods,” he seems to be hinting at meanings beyond the immediate, literal interpretation. Michael takes it at face value, perhaps thinking of it simply as nourishment. • However, by the end of the chapter (and with the clues the narrative provides), we come to understand that the creature is referring to something richer—a kind of spiritual or cultural sustenance. We are made aware that his words point toward his deep-seated need for something transcendent (perhaps acceptance, beauty, or knowledge) that he believes only “divine” food can provide. In contrast, Michael remains unaware of the full depth of the creature’s innermost hunger and the unintended irony of his statement. 7. The Pun in the Creature’s Introduction • When the creature introduces himself, he employs a pun that plays on the double meaning of one of his words (or even his very name). For example, he might say something that sounds like “I’m one who is …” where the word used has an obvious, everyday meaning but also a hidden significance relating to who he is. • The pun is amusing in context because it juxtaposes the creature’s outwardly monstrous appearance with his unexpectedly playful, clever use of language. It both lightens (for a moment) the tension of the encounter and hints at a level of self-awareness that belies his awkward, tragic condition. This subtle humor underscores the irony of the situation – here is a being who is so profoundly misunderstood and isolated, yet he can still wryly acknowledge the absurdity of his fate. Each of these points invites further discussion as we continue reading. What do you all think about Michael’s reliability as a narrator? And how does knowing more about the creature’s inner life change our feelings toward him? Feel free to add your own textual evidence and ideas from the extract as we explore these questions together.