Frankenstein

Volume One of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley introduces the framework of the story and the early life of Victor Frankenstein, setting the stage for the tragic events to follow. The narrative begins with a series of letters from Captain Walton, an Arctic explorer, to his sister. Walton recounts his expedition and describes rescuing a man, Victor Frankenstein, who is found stranded on the ice. Walton is captivated by Victor’s intelligence and despair and listens to his cautionary tale.

Victor narrates his childhood in Geneva, where he grew up in a loving family. He is particularly close to his adopted sister, Elizabeth Lavenza, and his best friend, Henry Clerval. From a young age, Victor displays an insatiable curiosity about the natural world, especially after discovering the works of ancient alchemists like Agrippa and Paracelsus. His father dismisses these studies, but Victor remains fascinated.

Victor leaves home to attend the University of Ingolstadt, where he begins to study modern science under influential professors. He becomes obsessed with uncovering the secrets of life and, through intense study and experimentation, discovers the means to animate lifeless matter. Victor ambitiously sets out to create a living being, but when his monstrous creation comes to life, he is horrified by its appearance. Overwhelmed with regret and fear, Victor abandons the creature and falls into a prolonged illness, cared for by Clerval, who arrives to help him recover.

Meanwhile, Victor receives a letter from his father with tragic news: his younger brother, William, has been murdered. Upon returning to Geneva, Victor encounters the creature near the scene of the crime and realizes it is responsible for William’s death. However, Justine, a servant of the Frankenstein household, is falsely accused of the murder. Despite Victor’s knowledge of the creature’s guilt, he remains silent, and Justine is executed.

By the end of Volume One, Victor is wracked with guilt and despair, feeling responsible for the deaths caused by his scientific ambition and his failure to take responsibility for the life he created.

Here is a more detailed summary of Frankenstein Volume 2:

- Victor's mental state and retreat to nature

- Victor struggles with overwhelming guilt and despair after the death of his brother William, whom he knows was murdered by the monster.

- To cope with his misery, he retreats into the Swiss Alps, seeking comfort and peace in the sublime beauty of nature.

- Victor’s encounter with the monster

- While hiking in the mountains, Victor unexpectedly meets the monster.

- The monster confronts Victor, accusing him of abandoning his creation and causing his misery.

- Initially, Victor is furious and wants to destroy the monster, but the monster persuades Victor to listen to his story.

- The monster’s narrative

- The monster recounts his experiences after being abandoned by Victor.

- He describes his initial confusion, fear, and loneliness as he wandered through the wilderness.

- Over time, he learns to survive by foraging for food and shelter but faces constant rejection and fear from humans due to his appearance.

- Observation of the De Lacey family

- The monster finds refuge near a small cottage inhabited by the De Lacey family: an old blind man (De Lacey), his son Felix, daughter Agatha, and later, a woman named Safie.

- He secretly observes the family from a hidden spot and grows emotionally attached to them.

- By watching them, the monster learns to speak, read, and understand human emotions.

- He becomes deeply sympathetic to their struggles, especially their poverty, and helps them secretly by gathering firewood and performing other small acts of kindness.

- The monster’s rejection by the De Lacey family

- After months of watching them, the monster decides to reveal himself, hoping the blind father will accept him and convince the others to do the same.

- Initially, the blind man listens to him kindly, but Felix, Agatha, and Safie return and react with horror, driving the monster away.

- This rejection deeply wounds the monster, filling him with rage and despair.

- Discovery of Victor’s involvement

- The monster finds Victor’s journal in the coat he had taken from his lab and learns about his creation and abandonment.

- This discovery intensifies the monster’s hatred toward Victor for condemning him to a life of suffering.

- The monster’s vow of revenge

- In his bitterness, the monster begins to act out his vengeance, killing Victor’s younger brother, William, as an act of retribution.

- He frames Justine, a servant of the Frankenstein family, by planting evidence to make her appear guilty.

- Demand for a female companion

- The monster tells Victor that he has realized he will never be accepted by society.

- He demands Victor create a female companion for him, someone who will share his experiences and alleviate his loneliness.

- He promises to leave humanity forever with his companion, living in isolation far from civilization.

- Victor, though reluctant, eventually agrees to the monster’s demand, hoping it will bring an end to his torment.

This volume explores themes of alienation, rejection, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. It provides insight into the monster’s tragic perspective, making him a more sympathetic character despite his violent actions.