Frankenstein-Chapter 3 Analysis

Character analysis Victor Frankenstein Elizabeth

Summary In chapter 3 Elizabeth catches the scarlet fever. Victor’s mother catches the illness while nursing her back to health and then dies herself. On her deathbed she tells Victor and Elizabeth that she wants them to get married. A few weeks later Victor goes to university where he meets M. Krempe who teaches natural philosophy and Waldman who teaches chemistry.

Character Analysis- Victor He shows a constant internal battle when his role models (professors) tell him conflicting information regarding his area of study. He develops an obsessive behavior regarding the science of creating another human, Mary Shelly describes Victor obsession as him being “throw into the chaise” that “indulged (him) in the most melancholy reflections.” He docent think twice about the repercussions that could happen if he achieves the impossible. “My internal being was in a state of insurrection and turmoil; I felt that order would thence arise, but I had no power to produce it.” – His ‘internal being’ could in fact be his obsessive and compulsive personality

Character Analysis- Elizabeth Elizabeth takes over the role as family caretaker, in Caroline’s place Becomes a mother figure and therefor her place in the novel is regarded as influential

Themes Education Obsession Family values (customs)

Family values His family nurtures his obsession during his childhood. Then his professor, M. Waldman, unintentionally continues to grow Victor in his obsessive personality.

Obsession Victors obsession in his family drives him to have an obsessive personality His ‘internal being’ could in fact be his obsessive and compulsive personality, as if it is a whole other being to him that he can’t seem to control at times. “My internal being was in a state of insurrection and turmoil; I felt that order would thence arise, but I had no power to produce it.” The constant power play between victors physical and internal being, both fighting for dominance in his life, with his internal obsessive being having major sway over every aspect of his life. Victor sees the “new” science taught at his university as the enemy to his “own”. Even when he leaves his family for University, the death of his mother isn’t a reason to stay, his obsession drives him.

Education At seventeen victors parents decided he’d go to university of Ingolstadt His father thought that he should be made acquainted with other customs than those of his native country

Notes As teachers how much are they responsible for what the students do with the information With the pursuit of knowledge comes with responsibility The suit of knowledge doesn't come without responsibility