Stories Of Victor And The Monster example essay topic

Characters and Character Constellations in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein: - the protagonist of the novel - a round, dynamic character - changes from an innocent youth, who is eager to learn, to a disillusioned, embittered man, who tries to live with the tragedies life threw at him - because the novel is told by various narrators the reader gets multiple insights into the character of Victor Frankenstein: 1. the classic mad scientist who oversteps every boundary without concern 2. the brave adventurer who - in the name of science - tries to discover new scientific methods and cannot be held responsible for the consequences 3. the young man who gets consumed by the ambition to learn and then by science itself etc. - as a youth: ambitious, enthusiastic, sporty, loves nature, loves his family, carefree, idealistic, wants to achieve something great... : "So much has been done (... ) more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation". (p 46) - as a man: nervous, guilt-ridden, scared, angry, haunted, easily frightened, unbalanced, timid, not always reasonable... : "I burned with rage to pursue the murderer of my peace (... ) I walked up and down my room hastily and perturbed, while my imagination conjured up a thousand images to torment and sting me". (p. 163) The "Monster": - the antagonist of the novel - a round, dynamic character - eight feet tall and enormously strong but has the mind of a newborn which makes him explore the world innocently and curiously - initially very good intentions; believes in goodness of humanity; is gentle and kind; tries to learn as much as possible - is soon disappointed by humanity and his gentleness turns into rage - the "monster" ends up lonely and confused - he is torn between rage and compassion: e.g. the death of his creator - on the one side he wishes to kill Victor, to make him pay for all the pain Victor caused him; on the other side the "monster" doesn't want to lose Victor because with him he has had at least some sort of relationship Elizabeth Lavenza: - a rather passive, yet round character - Elizabeth represents the good, patient, rather intelligent, loyal woman of the time - she has to face great tragedy but her inner self, her values and qualities are scarcely shattered - she provides some form of stability in Victor's life and is his main motivation to bring an end to the consequences of his own creation Henry Clerval: - a flat side character - Henry is Victor's best friend and acts as a foil: through his cheerfulness and carefree way he underlines Victor's gloomy, over-ambitious traits: Victor: "But in Clerval I saw the image of my former self; he was inquisitive and anxious to gain experience and instruction" (p 153) - is always somewhere in the background and immensely important to Victor Robert Walton: - functions as a form of conduit through which the reader hears the stories of Victor and the monster - is also a foil to Victor: 1. not obsessive enough to risk death and 2. not courageous enough to follow his passions - his letters to his sister form a frame to the story Alphonse Frankenstein: - Victor's father - a flat, passive character - he consoles and supports Victor and represents important family values William Frankenstein: - Victor's younger brother who is murdered by the monster - a flat side character - darling of the Frankenstein family; his death saddens Victor tremendously and makes up most of Victor's guilt - the first of the monster's victims: his death sets the "ball" rolling Justine Moritz: - actually a member of the family; accused of murdering William and thus executed - a flat side character - although a side character, her death shows the reader the dilemmas of Victor and his family - indirectly the second victim of the monster Caroline Beaufort: - Victor's mother - also a flat side character - she represents the perfect model of a mother - caring, loving, giving her children enough freedom to develop into strong personalities, gentle, intelligent... e.g. : "Caroline Beaufort possessed a mind of an uncommon mould, and her courage rose to support her in her adversity". (p 31) Cottagers: - a blind old man, De Lacey and his children, Felix and Agatha; a foreign women, Safe - from them the monster learns how to speak and interact; to him they become role-models of humanity - in the end, their behaviour disappoints and shatters him deeply Primary text: Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein.

London: Penguin Popular Classics, 1994.