Frankenstein Chapter Summaries

What does the creature ask Victor for in Chapter 17?

A female companion.

How does Victor feel about creating a companion for the creature?

He is scared of the possible consequences of their procreation.

What is Victor's initial reaction to the creature's request?

He is moved and shudders at the thought of the consequences.

What does the creature express about his feelings in Chapter 17?

He feels lonely and desires acceptance and community.

How does the creature's attitude change throughout Chapter 17?

He goes from being angry and vengeful to willing to wait for a companion.

What metaphor is used to describe the creature's speed when he leaves Victor?

He is compared to the speed of an eagle.

What significant decision does Victor make in Chapter 18?

He decides to fulfill the creature's request before marrying Elizabeth.

How does Clerval's character contrast with Victor's in Chapter 18?

Clerval is filled with love for nature and life, while Victor is consumed by inner turmoil and guilt.

What does Victor hope to achieve through his work in Chapter 18?

He hopes to claim Elizabeth and forget his past suffering.

What is Alphonse's role in Chapter 18?

He is a concerned father who wants to lift Victor's spirits and ensure the marriage happens soon.

What theme is explored in Chapter 19 regarding Victor's journey?

The theme of the sublime as self-destruction and the critique of rationality.

How does Victor's isolation affect him in Chapter 19?

He becomes anxious and starts to isolate himself due to the burden of his task.

What literary device does Shelley use to describe Victor's inner turmoil in Chapter 19?

Juxtaposition of eloquent descriptions of nature with Victor's woeful inner state.

What does Victor worry about while creating the female creature in Chapter 20?

He worries about the consequences of their potential procreation.

What does the phrase 'the bolt has entered my soul' signify in Chapter 19?

It reflects Victor's deep inner conflict and guilt over his actions.

What does the 'blasted tree' metaphor represent in Chapter 19?

It symbolizes the catastrophic end of Victor's former self due to his pursuit of knowledge.

What does the creature promise Victor if he grants his request in Chapter 17?

He promises that Victor will never see him again while the female creature exists.

What does Victor's father, Alphonse, represent in the story?

He represents concern for family and the desire for stability in Victor's life.

How does Victor's view of nature change throughout the chapters?

He moves from appreciating nature to feeling alienated and tormented by it.

What is the significance of Clerval's death in relation to Victor's character development?

It deepens the tragedy and highlights Victor's failure to protect those he loves.

What moral conflict does Victor Frankenstein face?

Victor struggles with the consequences of creating life and the responsibilities that come with it, leading to a breaking point.

How does Victor's perception of his creature change throughout the story?

He transitions from a creator to a destroyer, ultimately feeling trapped and haunted by his creation's demands and potential for revenge.

What emotions does the creature experience after being abandoned by Victor?

The creature feels desperation, heartbreak, and eventually transforms his hope into grief and fury, leading to a desire for revenge.

What themes are explored through the conflict between Victor and the creature?

Themes of morality vs. fear, betrayal, rage, hopelessness, and the consequences of isolation are central to their conflict.

What vow does the creature make to Victor, and when does he plan to fulfill it?

The creature vows to be with Victor on his wedding night as an act of revenge.

How does light and darkness function as a motif in the story?

Light represents moral clarity while darkness symbolizes moral confusion and the turmoil of creation, reflecting Victor's internal struggles.

What is Victor's emotional state leading up to his wedding?

Victor is filled with paranoia and fear that the creature will attack him on his wedding night, despite trying to maintain a facade of happiness.

What internal conflicts does Victor face in Chapter 22?

Victor experiences a conflict between his desire to protect Elizabeth and his overwhelming paranoia about the creature's intentions.

What significant event occurs in Chapter 23 that impacts Victor deeply?

Victor's wife, Elizabeth, is murdered by the creature, leading him to feel immense guilt and a desire for vengeance.

How does Victor's character change after Elizabeth's death?

He becomes consumed by vengeance and shifts from guilt to a destructive determination to destroy the creature.

What does Victor reflect on while imprisoned in a dungeon?

He reflects on his miseries, the consequences of creating the creature, and his desire for revenge against it.

How does the creature's suffering relate to Victor's actions?

The creature's pain of rejection and isolation mirrors Victor's guilt and anguish over the consequences of his creation.

What does Victor mean by 'playing God'?

Victor's act of creating life leads to dire consequences, highlighting the moral implications of his scientific pursuits.

What literary devices are used to convey Victor's emotional turmoil?

Melancholic diction, symbolism of darkness, and cyclical repetition highlight his internal conflict and descent into vengeance.

What does the phrase 'I be alone' signify for the creature?

It signifies the creature's profound loneliness and despair over never being accepted or loved.

What does Victor's illness and paranoia symbolize?

They symbolize his mental conflict and the toll of his guilt and fear regarding the creature's revenge.

How does the theme of revenge manifest in the story?

Both Victor and the creature are driven by revenge, leading to a cycle of violence and destruction.

What does Victor hope to achieve by arming himself?

He hopes to protect himself from the creature's anticipated attack on his wedding night.

What is the significance of the creature's threat to Victor?

It represents the culmination of Victor's fears and the consequences of his failure to take responsibility for his creation.

How does Victor's relationship with Elizabeth reflect his internal struggles?

His desire to protect her contrasts with his paranoia and guilt, showing his inability to find peace amidst chaos.