frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein

The protagonist and narrator of the novel. A Swiss scientist who creates the Creature. He is intelligent, ambitious, yet often reckless and guilt-ridden.

The Creature

Victor’s creation, physically powerful but socially rejected. He is intellectually curious and emotional, seeking companionship but turning vengeful after rejection.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Victor’s adopted cousin and fiancée, who represents domestic harmony and is later a victim of the Creature’s revenge.

Henry Clerval

Victor’s best friend, who is kind, imaginative, and compassionate, acting as a foil to Victor’s obsessive personality.

Alphonse Frankenstein

Victor’s father, who is supportive, wise, and represents moral guidance and family duty.

William Frankenstein

Victor’s youngest brother; his murder by the Creature triggers major events.

Justine Moritz

A family servant wrongfully accused and executed for William’s murder, symbolizing innocence destroyed by society.

Unchecked ambition

A recurring theme illustrating how Victor’s obsession with creating life leads to death and destruction.

Isolation

A theme depicting how both Victor and the Creature suffer emotionally and morally from being isolated.

Nature in Frankenstein

Nature is portrayed as restorative and sublime, providing beauty and solace which contrasts the unnatural act of creation.

Prejudice and social rejection

The theme explores how the Creature is judged by appearance, causing suffering and vengeance.

Creator responsibility

The novel suggests creators are morally responsible for the consequences of their actions towards those they bring into the world.

Creature symbolism

Represents humanity’s duality, innocence corrupted, and the ramifications of neglect and prejudice.

Light and fire symbolism

Symbolizes knowledge and discovery (light), but also danger and destruction (fire).

Arctic setting symbolism

Symbolizes isolation, the limits of human ambition, and a desolate moral landscape.

Act of creation symbolism

Represents the dangers of overreaching ambition and the act of playing God.

Victor's ambition

Expressed through: “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation,” indicating obsessive drive.

Creature's maliciousness

Expressed in: “I am malicious because I am miserable,” highlighting the link between suffering and evil actions.

Danger of knowledge

Victor's warning: “Learn from me, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge,” emphasizes the need for moral responsibility.

Creature's first violence

Triggered by rejection from society after being abandoned by Victor.

Creature's learning

He learns to speak and read by secretly observing the De Lacey family and reading books.

Significance of William's murder

It sets a chain of guilt, blame, and tragedy in motion.

Victor's lesson

He ultimately fails to learn that ambition without responsibility leads to destruction.