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- Frankenstein: the characters
Frankenstein: the characters
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Who is the real monster: the creator or the creature? That question drives most exam answers.
Victor Frankenstein
Brilliant, ambitious and obsessive. He creates life but runs from responsibility.
He warns Walton: "Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge."
His silence lets Justine die, and his choices cost him everyone he loves.
He warns Walton: "Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge."
His silence lets Justine die, and his choices cost him everyone he loves.
The creature
Never given a name. He is described as hideous: "His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath."
He begins gentle and eager to learn, but rejection turns him to violence: "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend."
He tells Victor: "I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel."
He begins gentle and eager to learn, but rejection turns him to violence: "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend."
He tells Victor: "I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel."
Others
Walton: an ambitious explorer, like Victor. He learns from Victor's story and turns back.
Elizabeth: Victor's adopted sister and fiancee; gentle and loving.
Henry Clerval: Victor's cheerful, loyal friend.
The De Laceys: a poor but loving family who still reject the creature.
Elizabeth: Victor's adopted sister and fiancee; gentle and loving.
Henry Clerval: Victor's cheerful, loyal friend.
The De Laceys: a poor but loving family who still reject the creature.
Analyse "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend."
- "Benevolent" means kind.
- The creature blames his "misery", caused by rejection, for his evil.
- Shelley suggests that monsters are made by how society treats them, not born.
Answer: It suggests the creature became evil because of rejection and suffering, not by nature.
Victor: brilliant, obsessive, irresponsible. The creature: nameless, kind then vengeful after rejection. Walton: Victor's mirror who learns. Elizabeth and Clerval: loving victims. The De Laceys: kindness with limits.
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