Personnages de Frankenstein

Characters

Captain Robert Walton: An explorer who narrates the story and seeks to reach the North Pole, sharing ambitions with Victor Frankenstein and befriends him during his journey.
Margaret Walton Saville: Walton's sister, the recipient of his letters, forming the novel's structure.
Victor Frankenstein: The protagonist, a scientist who creates a monster through his obsession with defying death and creating life, leading to tragic consequences.
Alphonse Frankenstein: Victor's compassionate father, caring for Victor and his family, but unable to prevent the resulting tragedy.
Caroline Beaufort: Victor's mother, who dies from illness before Victor leaves for university, inspiring his pursuit of science.
Beaufort: Caroline's father, a wealthy merchant who falls into poverty and dies, leading to Caroline's marriage to Alphonse.
William Frankenstein: Victor's youngest brother, murdered by the creature, triggering a series of tragic events.
Elizabeth Lavenza: Victor's adopted sister and fiancée, portrayed as angelic and passive, embodying traditional feminine ideals.
Henry Clerval: Victor's best friend, a moral contrast to Victor, representing humanistic values and a good life.
Justine Moritz: A servant in the Frankenstein household, falsely accused and executed for William's murder, framed by the creature.
Waldman: Victor's inspiring professor at the university, fostering his interest in science.
Krempe: Another university professor, critical of Victor's early scientific interests but still providing instruction.
De Lacey: A blind, elderly man living in a cottage with his family, from whom the creature learns.
Felix: De Lacey's son, initially kind to the creature but driving him away later.
Agatha: Felix's sister, contributing to the creature's education alongside the family.
Safie: A Turkish woman who is Felix's love interest, whose background contrasts with other female characters.
Kirwin: A magistrate in Ireland who assists Victor after his health deteriorates and he faces accusations.

Summary of the Novel

The novel explores themes of isolation, ambition, and the consequences of playing God, highlighting the risks of unchecked scientific curiosity.
Frankenstein, a scientist, creates a creature from different body parts and uses electrical impulses to bring it to life
Victor's horrified reaction and abandonment of the creature lead to a series of tragedies.
The creature's quest for acceptance and understanding through observation and learning from others.
The creature's desire for a companion, leading to the creation and pursuit of a female companion by Victor, who abandons the effort.
The novel explores the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and the dangers of pursuing knowledge without ethical consideration.
Important themes include isolation, loneliness, and the importance of compassion, ultimately contrasting with the cruelty and rejection exemplified by the characters.

Questions and Answers

Who is Mary Shelley? Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein; her mother is Mary Wollstonecraft.
What is the subtitle of the novel? Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus.
What genre is Frankenstein? Gothic horror novel incorporating elements of science fiction.
How many narratives are present in Frankenstein? Three: Walton's letters, Victor's story, and the creature's story.
What role does Robert Walton play? Walton acts as a frame narrator and a mirror of Victor, representing the quest for knowledge and the associated dangers of ambition.
Who are Caroline Beaufort, Elizabeth Lavenza and Justine Moritz and how are they similar? All three are nurturing, passive female figures with limited agency in the narrative.
How does Caroline Beaufort die? Caroline dies of scarlet fever after caring for Elizabeth when ill.
How does Alphonse die? Alphonse dies from grief following Elizabeth's murder.
What subject captures Victor's interest before university? Alchemy, particularly the works of Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus.
What drives Victor to pursue scientific studies? The desire to transcend human limits and unlock the secret of life.
How does Victor "make" the creature? From dead body parts and electrical impulses.
How does Victor respond to the creature's creation? Horrified rejection and abandonment.
What happens to William Frankenstein? William is murdered by the creature.
Why does Victor return to Geneva? To discover Justine's wrongful conviction and confront his guilt.
How does Henry Clerval compare to Victor? A contrast, Henry is idealistic and optimistic, while Victor is driven by scientific obsession.
What happens at Montanvert? Victor encounters the creature, contrasted with the beauty of nature.
How does the creature understand Victor? Through observation, reading, hearing and learns about Victor's life.
How do people respond to the creature? With fear and hostility.
How does the creature learn to speak? Through observation of the De Lacey family.
Why does the creature murder William? Out of revenge and misery stemming from Victor's abandonment.
Why do Victor and Henry go to England? For scientific study.
What happens to Henry? Henry is murdered by the creature.
How much does Victor learn from the creature and others? The creature learns from observing the De Lacey family, while Victor learns through interactions and observations to understand humanity.
What happens to Walton and his crew? Walton turns back from his quest after Victor's death.
What view of science does Frankenstein express? A critique of unchecked scientific ambition.
Who is Frankenstein's monster? The creature created by Victor Frankenstein.
What is the novel's point? The consequences of playing God, unbridled ambition, and isolation.