Frankenstein

Chapters 1-6

Letters

• Sets the framework for the telling of the tale• Narrator: unknown stranger• Audience: Walton

Who is Walton?

• Sea captain / explorer• has an intense desire for discovery and the unknown

(willing to risk his life)– Epic hero (“glorious” “magnificent” misson)

• Consumed by the need to be immortal• suffers from “hubris”• believes he is invincible• his values are questionable (refuses to let his dream go)• highly motivated• younger version of Dr. Frankenstein

Themes

• The quest for new knowledge can lead to self-destruction

• Human need for companionship

Chapter 1

• Theme of family and kinship: the necessity of human contact and emotional ties– Ie. Frankenstein visits his friend Beaufort– Ie. Caroline is concerned with the needs of her

family, poor, her father– Ie. Beaufort’s ruin is connected to his decision to

live in isolation

First Person Narrator

• Victor is part of a traditional family structure• Ideal childhood (utopian) – expect Victor to

reflect the love and beauty he was surrounded with as a child

Relationships

• Caretaker / cared for– Ie. Caroline and her father– Ie. Victor’s father and Caroline– Ie. The Frankenstein’s and Elizabeth– Ie. Victor and Elizabeth

Love is dependent upon one’s willingness to care for another person – particularly if that person is defenseless or innocent

Theme

One must care for one’s children, since one is responsible for bringing them into the world

Chapter 2

• Characteristics that lead to Victor’s downfall– Thirst for knowledge (need for survival)– Compulsive (madness?)– Reads for secrets – forbidden knowledge

Elizabeth

• a “saint” – her gentle, feminine influence saves Victor from his obsession• influence of women as offering hope of salvation (inspires one to temperance and kindness)

Character foil: Henry Clerval

• Passionate, creative character• Very open• Writes songs/plays

Role of Fate

• Chances upon the volume of Cornelius Agrippa

• Destiny brought Victor back to the study of Natural Philosophy

• Victor tries to absolve himself of responsibility

Creation

• First time we see this word in the novel – “creative abortion”

Chapter 3

• Caroline nurses Elizabeth – self-sacrifice• Dies peacefully – eternal reward• Vows Victor and Elizabeth should marry in the

future

University

• Coming of age• Foreshadowing of things to come (mother’s

death, long and tiring journey, knows nobody)• Pursuit of knowledge takes the place of friends

and family – substitute for human connection• Waldman makes the scientist a god (seduces

Victor back to the world of natural science – hopes to be a god) – wants to be omnipotent and omniscient

Frankenstein

• Narrator is now called by last name – depersonalizes him

• Distances him from the reader • Frankenstein is almost a separate persona (the

god/scientist)

Chapter 4

• Two years have passed – no family contact • Capacity for altruism and benevolence has

been destroyed by his obsession (flawed character)

• Selfish• Self aggrandizement: he wants to be

worshipped by his creation

Role of Fate

• Going to return home, but is stopped by a chance occurance

• Plot device: dashed expectation• We long for F. to save himself – but his ruin is

inevitable (destiny)

Creation

• Hesitates before beginning his research• Calls this cowardice• Contemptuous of prudence and caution

(limitations)• Man should attempt to reverse death (to alter

divine handiwork)• Disrespects natural and heavenly boundaries

(hubris)

Dehumanizing of Frankenstein

• Becomes less human and more monstrous as he attempts to create a human being– Ie. Tortures living creatures

Neglects his familyHaunts cemeteries and charnel houses

• as his morality suffers so does his health (pale, emaciated)• Frankenstein’s work is sickening Victor

Chapter 5

• Victor’s obsession becomes a dream – ends with creature’s birth

• F.’s eyes open with the creatures – he realizes what he has done – makes him sick

• Sentences become short• Dreams of his mother (death of virtue)

Birth of the creature

• Benevolent• Affectionately reaches for Frankenstein• Innocent (like a new-born child)

Victor’s rejection

• Renounces his child• Contrasts his parent’s devotion and Clerval’s

selfless care• Shows F. as unethical

Chapter 6

• Elizabeth’s letter: tells of home events– Victor’s brothers– Justine (Caroline’s relationship is similar to

Elizabeth’s relationship to Caroline)

Justine

• Theme: the inevitability of atoning for one’s sins – entails suffering

• One must always pay for cruelty – with the thing one holds most dear

Victor abandons Science

• Denial of events• Impervious to harm (doesn’t attempt to find

creature)• Carelessness (continues as if nothing occurred)• Takes up languages and poetry • Refuses to acknowledge mistakes (creates

alternate reality)• Weak character (prolonged illness)

Springtime

• Wish to be reborn