Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

Key FactsType of work: NovelGenre: Gothic Science Fiction (mystery, horror, & the

supernatural)Time and place written · Switzerland, 1816, and London,

1816–1817 during the Romantic Movement (a rejection to the order, calm, and rationalism of the Enlightenment in favor of innovation and emotional expression)

Date of first publication · January 1, 1818Narrator · The primary narrator is Robert Walton, who, in

his letters, quotes Victor Frankenstein’s first-person narrative; Victor, in turn, quotes the monster’s first-person narrative; in addition, Elizabeth Lavenza and Alphonse Frankenstein narrate parts of the story through their letters to Victor.

Setting (time) · Eighteenth century Setting (place) · Geneva; the Swiss Alps; Ingolstadt; England and Scotland

More key sttuufff…

Tone · Gothic, Romantic, emotional, tragic, fatalistic

Themes (a.k.a. fundamental, universal ideas) · Dangerous knowledge; sublime nature; texts; secrecy; monstrosity

Motifs (a.k.a. recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes) - Passive women; abortion

Symbols (a.k.a. objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.) - Fire and light

Characters…

Victor FrankensteinVictor Frankenstein

The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror.

The monsterThe monster

The eight-foot-tall, hideously ugly creation of Victor Frankenstein. Intelligent and sensitive, the monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. :(

RobertRobert

WaltonWalton The Arctic

seafarer whose letters open and close Frankenstein. He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England.

AlphonseAlphonse

FrankensteFrankensteinin

Victor’s father, very sympathetic toward his son. Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance of family.

William William FrankensteFrankensteinin

Victor’s youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family.

Justine Justine MoritzMoritz

A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up.

Additional Characters…

Beaufort Beaufort

A merchant and friend of Victor’s father.

Caroline Caroline Beaufort Beaufort

The daughter of Beaufort.

M. WaldmanM. WaldmanThe professor of chemistry who sparks Victor’s interest in science. He sympathizes with Victor’s interest in a science that can explain the “big questions,” such as the origin of life.

M. KrempeM. Krempe A professor of natural

philosophy at Ingolstadt. He dismisses Victor’s study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew.

Mr. KirwinMr. Kirwin

PeasantsPeasants

Elizabeth Elizabeth LavenzaLavenza

An orphan, four to five years younger than Victor, whom the Frankenstein family adopts.

Henry ClervalHenry Clerval Victor’s boyhood

friend, who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor’s footsteps as a scientist.

“Did I request thee, Maker, from my clayTo mould me man? Did I solicit theeFrom darkness to promote me?----”

Milton’s Paradise Lost