Frankenstein

Chapters 7-12

Chapter 7

• William’s death – described in disjointed language – shows distress felt by the narrator’s father

Role of Letters

• Begins and ends with a series of letters• Many important details of plot and character

are related in letters• Allows Shelley to allow voices other than

Frankenstein’s (remember Frankenstein’s voice is highly subjective)

Victor’s reaction to the letter

• Wracked with grief• Anxiety at returning home after the long

absence• Self-absorption• Uneasy – foreshadows the horror which greets

him in Geneva• Reader shares his distress

Gothic elements

• Lightning storm creates ghost story element: “it was a dark and stormy night…”

• Reflects the imbalance and chaos of Victor’s family

• We jump to the same conclusion as Frankenstein when we see the creature – it is the murderer

First sight of creation

• Hatred for creation• “deformity” “wretch” “filthy demon”• Reader also blames the creature – we are

complicit to its outcast state• Victor’s decision to keep the monster a secret is

selfish and foolhardy – wants to preserve his reputation (should be more concerned with the fact a child has been killed and a monster has entered the world)

Chapter 8

• We already feel sympathy for Justine• Like a fragile doll – a plaything/pawn whose

fate is beyond her control• Sentences confused / lots of semi-colons to

show chaos in Frankenstein household (lost control over present and future and can’t even organize their own thoughts).

Frankenstein’s decision to conceal the truth

• Misguided• Not trying to absolve himself of guilt• “Fangs of remorse” tear at him• Feels guilty for both William’s murder and

Justine’s execution• Isolates him – can’t share his secret – outcast

from society

Chapter 9

• Victor considers suicide – shows him to be weak and selfish

• Overcomes his desire – he is capable of being less self-absorbed (concern for family and humanity)

Role of Nature

• Praises nature – sublime• Stands beyond the scope of human control and

comprehension• Ironic: Frankenstein desired to master nature

and unlock its secrets – so he created the monster

• Believes in all-powerful God – a God whose works he attempted to improve upon and replace

Elizabeth’s view

• Men are bloodthirsty monsters• Frankenstein and his creature?• Who is the true monster? Frankenstein or the

monster?

Chapter 10

• Victor travels to the valley of Chamounix to try to escape his guilt

• Seeks oblivion in sleep and bleakness of the glacial landscape

• Chaos of landscape (avalanches, rockslides) shows escape will be short-lived.

The creation confronts his maker

• Filled with biblical allusions:– Like Adam – forsaken by his creator– Christian god – Frankenstein assumes this role to

the creature– Like Satan: a fallen angel – grown vicious in the

absence of his god (creator)

Who is responsible?

• Shelley suggests that the creatures misdeeds are caused by his suffering

• At heart he is good / human• If he is monstrous – Frankenstein is to blame

Overarching Question:

• “How dare you [Frankenstein] sport with life?”

• Frankenstein longs to murder his creation (who owes its life to Frankenstein)

• If the creature is inherently good, yet capable of evil, then so is Frankenstein

Chapter 11

• Switch in point of view – the next few chapters are told from the creature’s point of view

• Humanizes the creature: gives him depth and sensitivity

• Learn of his sufferings• Creature was innocent and defenseless like a

newborn when Frankenstein abandoned him

Childlike

• Blurry vision• Confusion of the senses• Aversion to direct light• Experiences his world like a young child• Simple syntax (language)• Cannot interpret / analyze• Explores his world - fire

Shelley creates sympathy for the creature

• Gentle voice• Feared by mankind• Abandoned by Victor• Weeps in fear and pain• Others view him with horror and disgust• Outcast due to appearance• Deprived of love and companionship

Understanding of need for vengeance

• Wants revenge on V ictor and humanity• We question who is the monster

Chapter 12

• Creature longs to join society• Must learn everything (childlike)• Sees the cottagers as god-like (sees them

through the eyes of a child) – sees them as blessed

• Sees himself as a monster (sees his reflection)• Dreams of acceptance• Learns language (sees it as a way to gain

affection and trust)

More sympathy

• We pity the creature• Fear for him – know he won’t be accepted

(different)• Wait with dread for him to present himself to

the family he loves