Final Brit Lit Study: Frankenstein

Elements of Romanticism

Emotion over reason

Nature as sublime

Individualism

Imagination

Focus on the common man

Elements of Gothic Literature

Mystery and suspense

Supernatural elements

Dark, gloomy settings

Psychological torment

Damsels in distress

Gothic novel

An English genre of fiction popular in the 18th to early 19th centuries that is characterized by an atmosphere of mystery and horror.

Epistolary novel

Characterized by letters written between characters (e.g., Walton's letters to his sister).

Frame narrative

A story within a story within a story (Walton → Victor → Creature).

William Godwin

A leading reformer, author, and philosopher; father of Mary Shelley.

Mary Wollstonecraft

A feminist and author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; mother of Mary Shelley.

Deaths in Frankenstein Caused by the Creature

Chronological order of victims: William Frankenstein, Justine Moritz, Henry Clerval, Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor Frankenstein, The Creature.

Victor Frankenstein

Protagonist; scientist who creates the creature and struggles with guilt and obsession.

Henry Clerval

Victor's best friend; represents compassion and Romantic ideals; murdered by the creature in Ireland.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Victor's cousin/fiancée; represents domestic bliss and purity; killed by the creature on her wedding night.

Robert Walton

Arctic explorer; writes letters to his sister (Margaret Saville) and rescues Victor.

Justine Moritz

Servant and family friend of the Frankensteins; wrongly accused and executed for William's murder.

Felix de Lacey

Son of the blind man the creature observes; kind to his family but attacks the creature out of fear.

The Creature

Created by Victor; intelligent and emotional; suffers from rejection and turns vengeful.

Significance of the subtitle The Modern Prometheus

Prometheus is a figure from Greek mythology who gave fire (knowledge) to humanity and was punished by the gods.

Themes in Frankenstein

Includes alienation, nature, ambition, birth and creation, revenge, pursuit of knowledge, and family.