Victor continues to feel guilty about causing the deaths of two people he loved, he even considers suicide as he cannot cope with the destruction he had caused to his family.
- Although Victor's personality has changed and he is desperately seeking revenge, he contemplates suicide which shows his 'sickness' is returning and that he is becoming a weaker person.
Victor's father takes the family to their lake house in Belrive to try and put the past behind them and to try and reignite some happiness back into the family.
Victor instead takes off into the mountains of Chamounix to reflect on his life and what he has caused. Whilst walking through the mountains, Victor describes the feeling of happiness and reflects on the beautiful view. However this feeling soon fades and Victor falls back into a depressed mood.
- Victor reflects on how beautiful the natural world is on his trip through the mountains, Shelley makes it out that Victor has only just realized how beautiful the natural world is and this can be compared to the way Shelley makes out science could be created to be so ugly.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Chapter 8
- Justine confesses to the murder of William even though she is innocent because she doesn't want to go to Hell.
- It's quite ironic that Justine had confessed to the murder as she doesn't want to go to hell however she lies which is seen as a sin.
- Elizabeth and Victor are reluctant to believe Justine that she is innocent, although Victor still does not want to tell anyone why he believes that Justine is innocent.
- Justine is executed.
- Shelley makes it out that Victor is responsible for the death of Justine because he is the creator of the monster which killed William and ultimately framed Justine forcing her to be executed. Victor feels guilty of the murders of two people he loved.
- It's quite ironic that Justine had confessed to the murder as she doesn't want to go to hell however she lies which is seen as a sin.
- Elizabeth and Victor are reluctant to believe Justine that she is innocent, although Victor still does not want to tell anyone why he believes that Justine is innocent.
- Justine is executed.
- Shelley makes it out that Victor is responsible for the death of Justine because he is the creator of the monster which killed William and ultimately framed Justine forcing her to be executed. Victor feels guilty of the murders of two people he loved.
Chapter 7
- Chapter 7 is the moment in the story when Victor's brother William had been brutally murdered back in Geneva, this all had happened once Victor had finally returned to University.
- This is a very crucial part of the story as it finally makes Victor enraged with anger, you can tell he is angry as throughout the chapter he doesn't morn much, instead he gets straight up and travels back to Geneva. I believe this is a tipping point in where Victor's personality had changed from an innocent, vulnerable man into an angry, revenged man.
- He arrives in Geneva to see his family however he is too late, the gates of the city had been closed and Victor isn't aloud in.
- The closing gates could be representing Victors thoughts that his family will turn him away once he arrives because of his long time away. Another interpretation could be showing that the gates represents how things have changed since Victor's arrival, maybe the city and his family are not ready for his arrival therefore closing the gates on him.
- Victor walks around where his brother was murdered, as he was walking around, he spots the monster lurking within the trees. Victor instantly realizes the monster through it's sheer ugliness and also realizes that the monster is responsible for his brothers murder.
- Although there is no actual proof, Victor automatically points the finger on his creation for the brutal murder of his brother, this shows that Victor is sort of obsessed with the monster, he wants to know what it is doing and why. It also shows that Victor's anger is taking over and all he thinks about is finding the murderer.
- The next day Victor finally reaches his families home where he discovers that Justine, the servant, had been accused of the murder of William because both had the same picture of Caroline in their pockets.
-This is similar to the way Victor has blamed the monster without having no actual proof. Justine had been accused of the crime just because they had the same picture. This shows how narrow minded people had become in the story.
- Justine's innocence is backed up by Elizabeth and Victor. Victor is certain that Justine is not the murderer as he has set his sights on the creature being the murderer, but he won't tell anyone who he thinks is the murderer.
- This is a very crucial part of the story as it finally makes Victor enraged with anger, you can tell he is angry as throughout the chapter he doesn't morn much, instead he gets straight up and travels back to Geneva. I believe this is a tipping point in where Victor's personality had changed from an innocent, vulnerable man into an angry, revenged man.
- He arrives in Geneva to see his family however he is too late, the gates of the city had been closed and Victor isn't aloud in.
- The closing gates could be representing Victors thoughts that his family will turn him away once he arrives because of his long time away. Another interpretation could be showing that the gates represents how things have changed since Victor's arrival, maybe the city and his family are not ready for his arrival therefore closing the gates on him.
- Victor walks around where his brother was murdered, as he was walking around, he spots the monster lurking within the trees. Victor instantly realizes the monster through it's sheer ugliness and also realizes that the monster is responsible for his brothers murder.
- Although there is no actual proof, Victor automatically points the finger on his creation for the brutal murder of his brother, this shows that Victor is sort of obsessed with the monster, he wants to know what it is doing and why. It also shows that Victor's anger is taking over and all he thinks about is finding the murderer.
- The next day Victor finally reaches his families home where he discovers that Justine, the servant, had been accused of the murder of William because both had the same picture of Caroline in their pockets.
-This is similar to the way Victor has blamed the monster without having no actual proof. Justine had been accused of the crime just because they had the same picture. This shows how narrow minded people had become in the story.
- Justine's innocence is backed up by Elizabeth and Victor. Victor is certain that Justine is not the murderer as he has set his sights on the creature being the murderer, but he won't tell anyone who he thinks is the murderer.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Frankenstein: Chapter 6 summary
- Henry shows Victor a letter from Elizabeth, it states how concerned she and his father is about his current welfare, she also gossips about what has happened in Geneva and recent family events.
- In the letter Elizabeth talks about Justine Moritz who was the family's servant had to rush back to her family as her mother had become ill and had eventually died.
- In the letter we also learn about Victors brothers, Ernest and William, Ernest wants to join the foreign service and William, who is only 5.
In Elizabeth's letter, we learn how much Victor had been cut off from the world whilst working. The reader realizes how fast time had passed and how much has changed since Victor's departure.
- Victor is hit by a guilt trip from Elizabeth, stating that he should visit her and his father or at least write back, this makes Victor realize what he is missing and wants to immediately write back.
-After being cared by Henry over the winter, Victor is finally able to leave his chamber. Henry also finds Victor a new apartment to stay in and had removed all of his scientific belongings from it.
The way Shelley talks about Victor being able to leave his chamber is similar to the way that the creature he has created has to be trapped in it's own body, it also shows that Victor's power has all but gone.
The way Henry removed Victors belongings also show that they are trying to remove the past from Victor's life, even the creature.
-Henry finally meets Victors professors, who are full of praise for Victor. Victor however finds the praise torturous and denies all of the praise, he also tries to change Henry's mind about choosing Science and instead forces him to choose Oriental Language.
-Victor promises to return to Geneva however he is rebuffed and changes the date til sprint, til then him and Henry embark on a 2 week journey through the countryside, Victor talks about how he has missed the changes of the seasons whilst he was working and shows a side to him that reflects his old self. Victor talks about how he takes great joy from the natural world.
The way Victor talks about how the natural world brings great joy to him shows how he is now a changed person and believes that science isn't everything. However, the quote is incredibly ironic as Victor did not believe in the natural world beforehand.
- In the letter Elizabeth talks about Justine Moritz who was the family's servant had to rush back to her family as her mother had become ill and had eventually died.
- In the letter we also learn about Victors brothers, Ernest and William, Ernest wants to join the foreign service and William, who is only 5.
In Elizabeth's letter, we learn how much Victor had been cut off from the world whilst working. The reader realizes how fast time had passed and how much has changed since Victor's departure.
- Victor is hit by a guilt trip from Elizabeth, stating that he should visit her and his father or at least write back, this makes Victor realize what he is missing and wants to immediately write back.
-After being cared by Henry over the winter, Victor is finally able to leave his chamber. Henry also finds Victor a new apartment to stay in and had removed all of his scientific belongings from it.
The way Shelley talks about Victor being able to leave his chamber is similar to the way that the creature he has created has to be trapped in it's own body, it also shows that Victor's power has all but gone.
The way Henry removed Victors belongings also show that they are trying to remove the past from Victor's life, even the creature.
-Henry finally meets Victors professors, who are full of praise for Victor. Victor however finds the praise torturous and denies all of the praise, he also tries to change Henry's mind about choosing Science and instead forces him to choose Oriental Language.
-Victor promises to return to Geneva however he is rebuffed and changes the date til sprint, til then him and Henry embark on a 2 week journey through the countryside, Victor talks about how he has missed the changes of the seasons whilst he was working and shows a side to him that reflects his old self. Victor talks about how he takes great joy from the natural world.
The way Victor talks about how the natural world brings great joy to him shows how he is now a changed person and believes that science isn't everything. However, the quote is incredibly ironic as Victor did not believe in the natural world beforehand.
Frankenstein: Chapter 5 summary
-On a 'Chill night in November' Victor brings his creation to life, immediatly after Victor feels voilently sick, as though he has witnessed a catastrophe.
When Victor is wrecked by illness both mind and body, this is really unnatural characteristics shown by Victor, as if his body is punishing him for creating such a horrible creature.
- Victor describes how he picked the perfect body parts such as pearl white teeth and wavy, black hair for the creature however the end product is hideous, it has thin black lips, inhuman eyes and sallow skin in which you can see his muscles, veins and arteries working.
- Victors obsessions becomes a reality, he no longer is working towards becoming a god-like figure towards the creature, he now feels disgusted with his own piece of work.
- Victor rushes back to his bedroom where he dreams about him meeting Elizabeth, he hugs her however she turns into his mother's corpse.
The way Victor has previously messed with life and death becomes significant in his dreams, again his body and mind is punishing him for doing so. It is significant that he dreams about two women who are able to bring life into the world and then suddenly replaced by death.
- He awakens in the middle of the night to find that his creature is sitting at his bedside trying to smile, the creature tries to talk however Victor runs out into the night.
From this it seems as if the creature is entirely innocent and shows that he already knows that Victor is his creature, this is shown by the way Shelley describes the way the creature reaches out to Victor.
It sounds as if Victor has finally realized what his obsession has caused him to do and that his obsession was just one big dream and he has finally awakened to find the mess he has created.
- As Victor is walking through town he spot Henry Clerval getting out of a carriage, at once Victor forgets about what had just happened and rejoices. Henry had finally persuaded his father to allow him to join Victor at Ingolstadt. Henry tells Victor how his family and becoming incredibly worried about his welfare.
The way Victor has abandoned the creature is in comparison to the way he had abandoned his family and friends.
-When returning to Victors house, Victor scours his rooms to check if the creature had gone, in which it had. This brought delight across Victor's face and made him act incredibly out of person which worried Henry. Henry wants to know what is making Victor act so weird but Victor does not tell him.
The way Victor acts completely out of character shows how his obsession has made him mentally ill.
When Victor is wrecked by illness both mind and body, this is really unnatural characteristics shown by Victor, as if his body is punishing him for creating such a horrible creature.
- Victor describes how he picked the perfect body parts such as pearl white teeth and wavy, black hair for the creature however the end product is hideous, it has thin black lips, inhuman eyes and sallow skin in which you can see his muscles, veins and arteries working.
- Victors obsessions becomes a reality, he no longer is working towards becoming a god-like figure towards the creature, he now feels disgusted with his own piece of work.
- Victor rushes back to his bedroom where he dreams about him meeting Elizabeth, he hugs her however she turns into his mother's corpse.
The way Victor has previously messed with life and death becomes significant in his dreams, again his body and mind is punishing him for doing so. It is significant that he dreams about two women who are able to bring life into the world and then suddenly replaced by death.
- He awakens in the middle of the night to find that his creature is sitting at his bedside trying to smile, the creature tries to talk however Victor runs out into the night.
From this it seems as if the creature is entirely innocent and shows that he already knows that Victor is his creature, this is shown by the way Shelley describes the way the creature reaches out to Victor.
It sounds as if Victor has finally realized what his obsession has caused him to do and that his obsession was just one big dream and he has finally awakened to find the mess he has created.
- As Victor is walking through town he spot Henry Clerval getting out of a carriage, at once Victor forgets about what had just happened and rejoices. Henry had finally persuaded his father to allow him to join Victor at Ingolstadt. Henry tells Victor how his family and becoming incredibly worried about his welfare.
The way Victor has abandoned the creature is in comparison to the way he had abandoned his family and friends.
-When returning to Victors house, Victor scours his rooms to check if the creature had gone, in which it had. This brought delight across Victor's face and made him act incredibly out of person which worried Henry. Henry wants to know what is making Victor act so weird but Victor does not tell him.
The way Victor acts completely out of character shows how his obsession has made him mentally ill.
Frankenstein: Chapter 4 summary
- Professor Waldman makes Victor his 'protege', Waldman speeds up Victors course of education to help him learn more. Natural Philosophy and Chemistry become Victors sole occupation and he becomes more and more distracted to become incredibly knowledgeable in these courses. He finds himself secluded in the laboratory for days on end.
- Two years pass with Victor spending days in his lab, he becomes out of touch with the world and although he has impressed the professors and other students at Ingolstadt, he has yet to write back to his family and friends inn Geneva.
I believe that Victor's character which had been built up by himself beforehand as being incredibly knowledgeable and 'nice' was to be criticized after him not even writing to his family and friends, this shows that Victor is slowly slipping into a trance-like state and his work is becoming his obsession. It also shows that Victor has flaws in his personality and is not perfect as he has built himself to be like.
- Victor develops a great interest in the human body's frame, he wants to find out how it works and what constitutes 'the principles of life'. Victor believe if he wants to find out more about life, he would first need to learn more about its counterpart, death.
Victor is showing a huge interest in life and death and shows that he wants to experiment with it. Because he wants to experiment with life and death gives me the impression he wants to become powerful like God who apparently possesses these powers.
- On his quest to learn more about death, Victor finds himself in graveyards trying to find body parts for his dissection projects.
This shows that Victors obsessions has become out of hand as he is digging up grave looking for body parts to experiment on.
- Through his projects, Victor has an epiphany and finds out how to create life, he however does not share it with Walton, or the reader, as it brings too much shame on his behalf.
This foreshadows Victors feelings to when he finally finishes his creation, he becomes ashamed and doesn't even want to share his epiphany with the reader.
- Victor does not rush to use his epiphany, he first plans out the framework of the body for his creation, stating he will make it of a huge proportion.
The way Shelley shows how Victor is planning his creation again shows how he wants to be god-like.
- Victor is incredibly big-headed over the power he holds, saying " No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve"
Again Shelley makes Victor sound more and more obsessed with becoming more powerful with his knowledge.
-Victor works weeks on end laboring in his lab, he even picks on animals and tortures them in order to help his creating become better. Shelley describes how the seasons pass with Victor being in a trance-like state.
Talking about Victor being god-like, here it states that Victor had been 'torturing' animals which contrasts to him being God-like and more towards being the devil.
- Victor shows some sympathy towards his father who is awaiting a letter from him however believes that his father will understand why he hadn't written back. At this point Victor starts to realise the obsession he has over his creation.
- Two years pass with Victor spending days in his lab, he becomes out of touch with the world and although he has impressed the professors and other students at Ingolstadt, he has yet to write back to his family and friends inn Geneva.
I believe that Victor's character which had been built up by himself beforehand as being incredibly knowledgeable and 'nice' was to be criticized after him not even writing to his family and friends, this shows that Victor is slowly slipping into a trance-like state and his work is becoming his obsession. It also shows that Victor has flaws in his personality and is not perfect as he has built himself to be like.
- Victor develops a great interest in the human body's frame, he wants to find out how it works and what constitutes 'the principles of life'. Victor believe if he wants to find out more about life, he would first need to learn more about its counterpart, death.
Victor is showing a huge interest in life and death and shows that he wants to experiment with it. Because he wants to experiment with life and death gives me the impression he wants to become powerful like God who apparently possesses these powers.
- On his quest to learn more about death, Victor finds himself in graveyards trying to find body parts for his dissection projects.
This shows that Victors obsessions has become out of hand as he is digging up grave looking for body parts to experiment on.
- Through his projects, Victor has an epiphany and finds out how to create life, he however does not share it with Walton, or the reader, as it brings too much shame on his behalf.
This foreshadows Victors feelings to when he finally finishes his creation, he becomes ashamed and doesn't even want to share his epiphany with the reader.
- Victor does not rush to use his epiphany, he first plans out the framework of the body for his creation, stating he will make it of a huge proportion.
The way Shelley shows how Victor is planning his creation again shows how he wants to be god-like.
- Victor is incredibly big-headed over the power he holds, saying " No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve"
Again Shelley makes Victor sound more and more obsessed with becoming more powerful with his knowledge.
-Victor works weeks on end laboring in his lab, he even picks on animals and tortures them in order to help his creating become better. Shelley describes how the seasons pass with Victor being in a trance-like state.
Talking about Victor being god-like, here it states that Victor had been 'torturing' animals which contrasts to him being God-like and more towards being the devil.
- Victor shows some sympathy towards his father who is awaiting a letter from him however believes that his father will understand why he hadn't written back. At this point Victor starts to realise the obsession he has over his creation.
Frankenstein: Chapter 3 summary
- Once Victor turns 17, his family decide to send him to the University of Ingolstadt, so he can work on becoming a great scientist.
-Before going to University, Elizabeth falls ill with scarlett fever.
- Caroline,Victors mother, who is incredibly worried about Elizabeth's well-being, tends to her bedside over the winter to help her recover. As Elizabeth recovers Caroline contracts the scarlett fever, she eventually ends up on her death bed.
The first 2 chapters of the novel are quite upbeat, however this is the first time we get a glimpse of the impending doom which Victor will have to battle through. These events are foreshadowing Victor's future.
- On Caroline's deathbed, her only wish which would make her happy would be for Victor and Elizabeth to eventually get married.
You could say that through Caroline's wish, Victor may actually have a chance of ending the novel with a 'happily ever after', it could be that this point has already set up and ending for the novel to finish on.
- Because of the death of his mother, Victor is stricken to grieve and cancels his move to Ingolstadt until he feels that the right time has come. Elizabeth also shows that she wants to fill Caroline's shoes by making sure she looks after the family.
- Henry Clerval visits Victor days before he goes to Ingolstadt, he tells Victor he is unable to company him on his move to Ingolstadt as his father will not allow him. Victor reflects on how he might cope as he finds it difficult to enjoy the company of strangers, however the knowledge that he will learn will compensate that.
Because Victor will use the knowledge he will gain from Ingolstadt to replace the thoughts of missing his family and friends back in Geneva is foreshadowing how Victor will become self dependent and work for years just to create the monster using the knowledge he learnt. It also shows Victors commitment to be able to become a great scientist.
- On his arrival to Ingolstadt, the first person Victor meets is Professor Krempe. Krempe tells Victor to scrap the books he is reading as they are 'absurd', he tells Victor to start anew with his knowledge. However Victor also visits Professor Waldman who lectures Victor on how scientist can make 'miracles happen' and they are able to 'mock the invisible world with it's own shadows' . Victor then decides to study 'Natural Philosophy'
Professor Waldman's lecture to Victor about scientists makes them sound god-like, for example she says that 'Scientists can make miracles happen' which sounds incredibly similar to what people believe God can do.
It is also the first time we learn Victor's second name, 'Frankenstein'. The reason why Shelley only just mentioned his second name now is to represent Victor becoming out of touch with the world and become more indulged into his scientific work which will ultimately lead to him creating the monster.
-Before going to University, Elizabeth falls ill with scarlett fever.
- Caroline,Victors mother, who is incredibly worried about Elizabeth's well-being, tends to her bedside over the winter to help her recover. As Elizabeth recovers Caroline contracts the scarlett fever, she eventually ends up on her death bed.
The first 2 chapters of the novel are quite upbeat, however this is the first time we get a glimpse of the impending doom which Victor will have to battle through. These events are foreshadowing Victor's future.
- On Caroline's deathbed, her only wish which would make her happy would be for Victor and Elizabeth to eventually get married.
You could say that through Caroline's wish, Victor may actually have a chance of ending the novel with a 'happily ever after', it could be that this point has already set up and ending for the novel to finish on.
- Because of the death of his mother, Victor is stricken to grieve and cancels his move to Ingolstadt until he feels that the right time has come. Elizabeth also shows that she wants to fill Caroline's shoes by making sure she looks after the family.
- Henry Clerval visits Victor days before he goes to Ingolstadt, he tells Victor he is unable to company him on his move to Ingolstadt as his father will not allow him. Victor reflects on how he might cope as he finds it difficult to enjoy the company of strangers, however the knowledge that he will learn will compensate that.
Because Victor will use the knowledge he will gain from Ingolstadt to replace the thoughts of missing his family and friends back in Geneva is foreshadowing how Victor will become self dependent and work for years just to create the monster using the knowledge he learnt. It also shows Victors commitment to be able to become a great scientist.
- On his arrival to Ingolstadt, the first person Victor meets is Professor Krempe. Krempe tells Victor to scrap the books he is reading as they are 'absurd', he tells Victor to start anew with his knowledge. However Victor also visits Professor Waldman who lectures Victor on how scientist can make 'miracles happen' and they are able to 'mock the invisible world with it's own shadows' . Victor then decides to study 'Natural Philosophy'
Professor Waldman's lecture to Victor about scientists makes them sound god-like, for example she says that 'Scientists can make miracles happen' which sounds incredibly similar to what people believe God can do.
It is also the first time we learn Victor's second name, 'Frankenstein'. The reason why Shelley only just mentioned his second name now is to represent Victor becoming out of touch with the world and become more indulged into his scientific work which will ultimately lead to him creating the monster.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Frankenstein: Chapter 2 summary
- Victor talks about his privileged and 'perfect' childhood, he grew up with an interest in science and wanted to learn the secrets behind life and the hidden laws of nature whilst Elizabeth grew up with a fascination of poetry.
- This is a hint of Victors early attraction to Science and the meaning of life as he questions different aspects of science.
- Victor also talks about his friendship with Henry Clerval, his friend who lived close to him in Italy, they both share an ambition on leaving a mark on human history.
- As they both share an ambition of leaving a mark on human history, they both are too young to understand the meaning of life.
- Victor remembers a time when he was 15 when he witnessed a lightning storm, the lightening hit a large tree which was then knocked over by the brutality of the strike, he realizes that the laws of science are not all correct and some are still undiscovered leading to Victor studying mathematics rather then natural philosophy.
- The use of the lightening strike knocking down the tree shows how nature can be beautiful yet can be incredibly dangerous. Also, when Victor chooses to study mathematics rather than natural philosophy shows that Victors believes that science is more practical rather than justified over belief.
- This is a hint of Victors early attraction to Science and the meaning of life as he questions different aspects of science.
- Victor also talks about his friendship with Henry Clerval, his friend who lived close to him in Italy, they both share an ambition on leaving a mark on human history.
- As they both share an ambition of leaving a mark on human history, they both are too young to understand the meaning of life.
- Victor remembers a time when he was 15 when he witnessed a lightning storm, the lightening hit a large tree which was then knocked over by the brutality of the strike, he realizes that the laws of science are not all correct and some are still undiscovered leading to Victor studying mathematics rather then natural philosophy.
- The use of the lightening strike knocking down the tree shows how nature can be beautiful yet can be incredibly dangerous. Also, when Victor chooses to study mathematics rather than natural philosophy shows that Victors believes that science is more practical rather than justified over belief.
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