Frankensiein: Ch. 2 analysis By richard and charlotte

Main themes and ideas How chapter Creates exposition and alludes to future conflicts

Obsession Victor read his study books ‘day and night’ Saw nature as a ‘secret to divine’ Was ‘smitten with the thirst for knowledge’ Nature Wanted to ‘penetrate’ the secrets of nature- Shelley implies knowing how nature works is a ‘violation’ of it and should be kept secret Thirst for knowledge Was always ‘dissatisfied’ with his pursuits and wanted the ‘glory’ that would ‘attain discovery’- links to theme of discovery and reflects Romantic Era voyages.

characters Main functions and characteristsics

Function: represents the thirst for knowledge in the Romantic Era Victor Frankenstein Function: represents the thirst for knowledge in the Romantic Era Themes/ Ideas: Embodies obsession. Attaches himself ‘fervently to a few [people].’ Thought what he studied were ‘secrets known to few besides myself’ – thought he was special and wanted the ‘glory’ of ‘discovery’ Characteristics: a ‘violent temper’ (implies he is impulsive and uncontrolled) Curious: discovered a book by Corneluis Agrippa and read it fervently despite his father saying it was ‘sad trash’ Guiltless: blames his father for his obsession with natural life because he dismissed the Agrippa book. [Densitiny] …had decreed [his] destruction,’ not him.

Loves ‘danger for its own sake’ Function Henry Clerval Loves ‘danger for its own sake’ Optimistic and obsesssed with heroes of ‘great valor’ and ‘moral relations of things’ Represents the moralistic principles in the text, used to highlight Vicotr’s lack of morality by contrasting it to his own

Elizabeth Lavenza Portrayed as pious, angelic and pure Able to tame Victor to a ‘semblance of her own gentleness’ Has no ‘disharmony or disunion’ with Victor- enforces passive female archetype

Role of chapter in book How does it function in relation to frankenstein?

Mary Shelley’s opinion This chapter serves to inform the reader of Victor’s background and his personality, and to justify/ account for the unrealistic events that follow in Chapter V. It also introduces key characters in the story, their temprement and relationships (ie. Henry=bff) Allows Shelley to comment on the passive nature of women and that they should be kind, gentle and agreeable. Influenced by her mother on this view. Hints at the Romantic ideals of valuing nature and criticising the pursuit of knowledge in geography, science and engineering

For more info, See summary notes of chapter That’s all, folks! For more info, See summary notes of chapter