1. Frankenstein
Chapters 1-6

2. Letters Sets the framework for the telling of the tale
Narrator: unknown stranger
Audience: Walton

3. Who is Walton? Sea captain / explorer
has an intense desire for discovery and the unknown (willing to risk his life)
Epic hero (“glorious” “magnificent” misson)
• Consumed by the need to be immortal
• suffers from “hubris”
• believes he is invincible
• his values are questionable (refuses to let his dream go)
• highly motivated
• younger version of Dr. Frankenstein

4. Themes The quest for new knowledge can lead to self-destruction
Human need for companionship

5. Chapter 1
Theme of family and kinship: the necessity of human contact and emotional ties
Ie. Frankenstein visits his friend Beaufort
Ie. Caroline is concerned with the needs of her family, poor, her father
Ie. Beaufort’s ruin is connected to his decision to live in isolation

6. First Person Narrator Victor is part of a traditional family structure
Ideal childhood (utopian) – expect Victor to reflect the love and beauty he was surrounded with as a child

7. Relationships Caretaker / cared for
Ie. Caroline and her father
Ie. Victor’s father and Caroline
Ie. The Frankenstein’s and Elizabeth
Ie. Victor and Elizabeth
Love is dependent upon one’s willingness to care for another person – particularly if that person is defenseless or innocent

8. Theme
One must care for one’s children, since one is responsible for bringing them into the world

9. Chapter 2 Characteristics that lead to Victor’s downfall
Thirst for knowledge (need for survival)
Compulsive (madness?)
Reads for secrets – forbidden knowledge

10. Elizabeth
• a “saint” – her gentle, feminine influence saves Victor from his obsession
• influence of women as offering hope of salvation (inspires one to temperance and kindness)

11. Character foil: Henry Clerval
Passionate, creative character
Very open
Writes songs/plays

12. Role of Fate Chances upon the volume of Cornelius Agrippa
Destiny brought Victor back to the study of Natural Philosophy
Victor tries to absolve himself of responsibility

13. Creation
First time we see this word in the novel
“creative abortion”

14. Chapter 3 Caroline nurses Elizabeth – self-sacrifice
Dies peacefully – eternal reward
Vows Victor and Elizabeth should marry in the future

15. University Coming of age
Foreshadowing of things to come (mother’s death, long and tiring journey, knows nobody)
Pursuit of knowledge takes the place of friends and family – substitute for human connection
Waldman makes the scientist a god (seduces Victor back to the world of natural science – hopes to be a god) – wants to be omnipotent and omniscient

16. Frankenstein Narrator is now called by last name – depersonalizes him
Distances him from the reader
Frankenstein is almost a separate persona (the god/scientist)

17. Chapter 4 Two years have passed – no family contact
Capacity for altruism and benevolence has been destroyed by his obsession (flawed character)
Selfish
Self aggrandizement: he wants to be worshipped by his creation

18. Role of Fate
Going to return home, but is stopped by a chance occurance
Plot device: dashed expectation
We long for F. to save himself – but his ruin is inevitable (destiny)

19. Creation Hesitates before beginning his research Calls this cowardice
Contemptuous of prudence and caution (limitations)
Man should attempt to reverse death (to alter divine handiwork)
Disrespects natural and heavenly boundaries (hubris)

20. Dehumanizing of Frankenstein
Becomes less human and more monstrous as he attempts to create a human being
Ie. Tortures living creatures
Neglects his family
Haunts cemeteries and charnel houses
• as his morality suffers so does his health (pale, emaciated)
• Frankenstein’s work is sickening Victor

21. Chapter 5
Victor’s obsession becomes a dream – ends with creature’s birth
F.’s eyes open with the creatures – he realizes what he has done – makes him sick
Sentences become short
Dreams of his mother (death of virtue)

22. Birth of the creature Benevolent
Affectionately reaches for Frankenstein
Innocent (like a new-born child)

23. Victor’s rejection Renounces his child
Contrasts his parent’s devotion and Clerval’s selfless care
Shows F. as unethical

24. Chapter 6 Elizabeth’s letter: tells of home events Victor’s brothers
Justine (Caroline’s relationship is similar to Elizabeth’s relationship to Caroline)

25. Justine
Theme: the inevitability of atoning for one’s sins – entails suffering
One must always pay for cruelty – with the thing one holds most dear

26. Victor abandons Science
Denial of events
Impervious to harm (doesn’t attempt to find creature)
Carelessness (continues as if nothing occurred)
Takes up languages and poetry
Refuses to acknowledge mistakes (creates alternate reality)
Weak character (prolonged illness)

27. Springtime
Wish to be reborn