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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Plot
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Slide 1
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - Plot
Slide 2
Frankenstein - Letter 1
The first letter that precedes the story is from Robert Walton in Russia, addresseed to his sister, Miss Saville in England. Walton is an explorer searching for a sailing route between the North Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, via the Baltic Sea.
His letter offers some background about the time of Shelley's novel, indicating that this is a world where mysteries still remained and the landscape, to some degree, remained partially unexplored.
Shelley offers some background information on Robert Walton in order to establish his credibility. He is a man of means, who seeks to improve himself through education - in this case, the hands-on education of sailing the Arctic. Likewise, the mention of exotic locations such as St Petersberg and Archangel provides the story with a measure of worldly wisdom.
Slide 3
Letter 2
The second letter to Miss Saville from Walton is really just a continuation of the first.
Walton talks of his desire for a friend with which to share his experiences. He wonders about the crew he has hired and references a poem - The Rime of The Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This a poem that deals with committing crimes against Nature, and the price paid by the crew.
The poem also concerns ominous omens - an irony, given that in this context, Coleridge's poem is itself a portent of bad fortune to come.
Slide 4
Letter 3
The third letter to Miss Saville from Robert Walton offers little in the way of crucial information, but in its banality, continues to establish the credence of Walton the character.
His ship continues North in fair July weather. As he writes of his desire to find the route and, in that way, find his own way to tame the Natural world, he reflects a popular mode of thought central to the enlightenment philosophy - Nature was there to be mastered, rather than feared.
Slide 5
Letter 4
Finally, the plot comes into focus. Walton's ship has become trapped in an ice-flow
In a letter written over three separate dates, Walton relates how, far from land or a town, and while their boat is stuck, they witness a huge figure driving a sled of huskies northward. Then, within two days, they encounter the exhausted form of a stranger. The man turns out to be Victor Frankenstein, who when partially recovered, begins to relate the story that found him in such an inhospitable place.
Victor starts to describe the monster that he pursues, and Walton becomes a medium for his confession.
Slide 6
Chapter 1
Victor Frankenstein is now the narrator of the story.
He begins by recounting the story of the Frankenstein family: in particular, his father, Alphonse, and his friendship with Mr Beaufort. Alphonse, at one time, was a prominent member of Swiss government who retired to raise a family late in life. Beaufort is a friend who has fallen on hard times, but Alphonse does what he can to help his friend and, in doing so, wins the affections of Caroline, Beaufort's daughter, who will become Victor's mother.
Born during a spell in Italy, Victor is a much loved and prodigious child. As he grows, Alphonse and Caroline encounter an impoverished family who cannot afford to take care of their own. Alphonse and Caroline offer to adopt their daughter, Elizabeth, who becomes Victor's adopted cousin and lifelong companion.
Slide 7
Chapter 2
Now living in Geneva, Victor and Elizabeth are 7 years old. The family are very happy and Caroline is due to have another child. A little brother is born. He goes on to recount his childhood.
Victor introduces his friend, Henry Clerval, who is interested in literature and mythology. Victor, on the other hand, begins to become obsessed with arcane sciences, in particular the texts of Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus - notable alchemists from history.
At age 15, Victor watches an electrical storm. The grand spectacle becomes an obsession as he considers practical uses for electricity.
Slide 8
Chapter 3
At age 17, Victor is soon to leave to study at the University of Ingolstadt. The household is infected by scarlet fever, and both Caroline and Elizabeth fight the disease. On her death-bed, Caroline tells Victor of her long hope for the union of her son and his 'cousin', Elizabeth. On Caroline's death, Elizabeth becomes the matron of the household.
Victor leaves for Ingolstadt, and paints a picture of life there. He talks of two professors - Krempe and Waldman. Both men question the validity of alchemy. Krempe believes Victor has wasted his time studying something he sees as false and dated. Waldman is more encouraging. Victor vows to find new truths in the ancient field and combine it with new teachings in the sciences.
Slide 9
Chapter 4
Victor dedicates himself to learning all knowledge available to him at the University. His reputation grows with both faculty and the student body. His intelligence and ability are formidable. Inspired by lessons in chemistry and alchemical dogma - and thinking of his beloved mother - he becomes obsessed by the quality of 'life' and believes that he may be able to reanimate the dead.
He works feverishly, with many failures. He works himself into poor health, but never doubts the validity of his thinking. Like Goethe's Faust, his quest for knowledge is taxing his life. Finally he succeeds.
Slide 10
Chapter 5
Only after succeeding does Victor take stock of what he has done.
Due to his practical need to work with a large framework, the 'monster' Victor has created is enormous - a collection of reanimated body-parts melded together to form a beast, 8ft tall, and terrifying to the eye.
Shocked and excited by his creation, Victor runs from his laboratory. His friend, Henry, discovers him in a state of agitation and he explains what he has done. They go to confront the monster, who has fled. Victor collapses. Henry takes care of him in the following months until Victor recovers. When he does, Henry persuades him to write home.
Slide 11
Chapter 6
This chapter engages with Victor's lengthy recovery.
Henry removes the evidence of the monster's creation because the sight of the equipment sends Victor into a frenzy. They begin to study foreign languages together, to occupy his mind. As with everything, Victor becomes an expert quickly.
Victor is visited by his Professors, who welcome the recovery of their prize pupil - they know nothing of the monster. A letter arrives from Elizabeth. In it she talks of the family housekeeper, Justine who, though disowned by her own family, finds favour with the Frankensteins.
The letter speeds Victor's recovery and he vows to travel home when the weather improves.
Slide 12
Chapter 7
Victor receives another letter, this time from his father. He is asked to come home immediately - his younger brother, William, has been strangled. Alphonse explains how they found the body, missing a locket which was given by Elizabeth.
Victor travels as far as Secheron, where he realises he has not been home for six years. It has been two years since he created his monster. While here, he catches a glimpse of the monster, who he instinctively knows is the murderer. But he is reluctant to reveal his own part in its creation.
When he arrives home, he finds that Justine, the virtuous housekeeper, has been accused of the crime. He reassures her that she will be found innocent, but stops short of explaining how.
Slide 13
Chapter 8
Justine is being tried because of the evidence found in her possession. The locket that had been William's was planted on Justine.
As she goes to trial, Justine is calm and serene - a picture of innocence. Elizabeth provides her with a glowing character reference and, despite the lack of motive, Justine is found guilty and is sentenced to hang the following day. She has provided a false confession due to her fear of being excommunicated by the church.
Victor is horrified at the thought of the murder and the subsequent evidence plant. He is in a living hell as he realises that he is now indirectly responsible for the deaths of two innocent lives, both within his household.
Slide 14
Chapter 9
In an effort to heal his troubled mind, Victor begins a series of trips designed to distract his melancholy.
He boats on Lake Geneva and visits the Chamounix area of nearby France. Even within these beautiful environs, Victor contemplates suicide - an irony given his earlier obsession with creating life.
Unclearly, he confesses to Elizabeth that he is the real murderer. She worries for his sanity, knowing that he was nowhere near William at the time of his death.
Slide 15
Chapter 10
While walking on a nearby glacier, Victor sees a huge figure speeding toward him, which he knows to be the monster. He braces himself, ready for combat, but the monster desires to speak instead. Articulately, he requests an audience with his creator - 'I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam'.
Victor agrees and they travel to the monster's mountain hut, where he begins to tell of the days since his creation, two years previous.
Slide 16
Chapter 11
The monster, who is now the narrator, begins to recount his story. His earliest memories are vague. He does not explain how he left Ingolstadt. But he tells of seeking refuge in the forest, eating nuts and berries, foraging and only stealing when necessary. After a time, he comes across the de Lacey family, whom he lives beside, in secret. They are a romantic ideal: family poor in pocket, but rich in spirit. The blind father is a source of great joy to his grown children, Felix and Agatha. Covertly getting to know them, the monster begins to love them.
Slide 17
Chapter 12
Intelligent and a quick learner, the monster picks up languages from listening to the de Laceys. They are an educated family who have fallen in stature. They worry because they are poor and hungry. The monster feels for their plight and begins to help them secretly.
Believing they are being aided by 'a good spirit', the family find chopped firewood, repaired fences and other helps around their small property.
The monster sees his own reflection in a pool of water. He understands that he is hideous, but still wishes to reveal himself to his adopted family. At this point, he understands himself to be a creature of virtue, despite his appearance.
Slide 18
Chapter 13
The monster tells the story of Felix reunited with his old flame, Safie, who has come to stay.
Safie does not speak German, so as the family teach her, the monster learns alongside (still in secret).
Through their learned conversations, he gains an education, in many subjects including politics, literature and modern European history.
As he learns, the monster begins to question his existence, humanity and his relationship to it. He, like mankind, began to feel the need to interrogate his creator, of whom he is still ignorant.
Slide 19
Chapter 14
This chapter recalls the de Lacey's fall from social standing.
Once a prominent family in France, the de Lacey father was a friend to Safie's father, a Turkish merchant. For unspecified reasons - possibly racist - the Turkish man fell foul of the French authorities. Only by sacrificing his own wealth and standing was Monsieur de Lacey able to save the life of his friend.
In this recount, the monster learns more about injustice and how it is not only he that must suffer from the whims of misfortune.
Slide 20
Chapter 15
Now that the monster can read, he looks through the books that he had always carried in Victor's coat. Among them are Pluratch's Roman Lives, Milton's Paradise Lost and Goethe's Sorrows of Werter. Through these texts, the monster discovers many things including metaphysics and the concept of the kindred soul, which he sees in Felix and Safie. He reads Victor's notes and discovers the truth of his creation. Where was his Eve, he wonders?
He decides to make himself known to the family, and when the father is alone, he talks with him. The conversation is going well until Felix returns who, horrified at the creature, chases him away. The monster leaves, willingly.
Slide 21
Chapter 16
After rejecting the monster, the de Lacey family leave their impoverished cottage. Feeling anger at the sting of their loss, the monster burns the house to the ground and decides to travel to Geneva, in search of his creator.
En route, the monster encounters a little girl, drowning. He saves her and, instead of being hailed a hero, he is chased and shot. The pain drives him to greater anger. He curses mankind. So, when he meets William Frankenstein walking in the forest, as soon as he realises who he is, the beast strangles him. He takes the locket, finds Justine asleep in a barn, and plants it.
After his confession, the monster pleads with Victor to create a mate for him, that they can live together and be done with mankind.
Slide 22
Chapter 17
Victor and the monster argue in the hut.
When the monster asks for a mate, Victor refuses. Only after a number of threats and entreaties, does he relent.
This chapter demonstrates that the monster is at least as intelligent as his creator. Self taught and effectively a two year old, the monster understands the need of creatures for companionship and more. By requesting for a mate, there is an implication that they might breed, creating an entirely new race. With the metaphorical stick, the monster promises to destroy Victor and everything he loves. Offering a carrot, he swears to live out his days in the wilds of South America is he has a mate. Eventually, and against his better instincts, Victor relents.
Slide 23
Chapter 18
Victor has promised to create a bride for Frankenstein.
He makes his plans in secret and reads scientific journals for new developments. He tells his father he will travel to England and marry Elizabeth on his return. He knows the monster will carry out his threat and wonders whether he will stay in Geneva or follow Victor.
Henry Clerval travels with Victor, noy knowing the true nature of their mission. Henry's high spirits at the scenery of the Rhine valley are in stark contrast to Victor's glum demeanor.
Slide 24
Chapter 19
In England, Victor continues to gather the information and items he will needs to create a second monster.
Henry - who is enjoying the journey - and he part ways in Londons and Victor travels north to a remote part of the Orkney Islands. This desolate land is described in contrast to the many beautiful vistas they have witnessed across the rest of the novel.
Victor begins work, scavenging body parts in Scotland. He wrestles with the implications of his success and often considers destroying his new creation before it is finished.
Slide 25
Chapter 20
Victor has mostly finished the second monster but, in doing so, relives many of the terrible memories caused by the creation of the first. He reasons that this creature may be worse than the first and may feel no obligation to adhere to the agreement of her mate. In all conscience, Victor cannot continue and decides to destroy the creature just as the original monster has traced him to the island.
Angered, the monster warns Victor that he 'will be with you on your wedding night.', and departs.
Victor destroys the evidence of his experiments and begins to travel home. A storm pushes him to Ireland where he is arrested, in a reminder of Justine's arrest earlier in the novel.
Slide 26
Chapter 21
A body has washed up. There are strangulation marks on the neck and Victor is assumed to be the culprit because he is a stranger.
In good news for Victor, some witnesses come forward to say they witnessed a giant deposit the corpse. In bad news, the body is revealed to be that of Henry Clerval. Victor is distraught and falls ill from despair. His father comes from Switzerland, but Victor begins to fear the worst. Thanks to the magistrate, Kirwan, Victor is released. But the monster is still at large and more dangerous than ever.
Slide 27
Chapter 22
Victor and Alphonse begin the long journey home from Ireland. Elizabeth sends a letter wondering what keeps Victor away do long. She believes there to be another woman and they will never be married.
Victor tries to confess to his father that the deaths of William, Justine and Henry are all on his hands. Alphonse refuses to listen.
On returning to Geneva, Elizabeth and Victor make plans to marry. Victor is always on the lookout for the monster and now travels everywhere with dagger and pistols.
The pair are married and embark on a honeymoon.
Slide 28
Chapter 23
On their first night married, Victor and Elizabeth stop at an inn.Victor takes a walk and while he is gone, the monster slips into the room and strangles the new bride.
Victor sees him leaving and shoots, but the monster escapes. Overcome with grief, Victor sends word to Geneva about the death. Alphonse, on hearing the news, immediately dies from the shock.
Victor tells the magistrate in Evian everything that has happened and vows to spend his remaining energies on catching and killing the monster.
Slide 29
Chapter 24
Visiting the graves of his loved ones, Victor senses the presence of the monster (as he has done all through the narrative).
The monster mocks him and goads him to the chase. Victor leaves Geneva and begins his pursuit, down through Southern Europe, across the Black Sea, up through the steppes of Russia, on the icy tundras of the Arctic circle. Often he is aided by notes from the monster, which continue the strange impulse of their relationship - in each other, they finally have the companionship that they often lacked in former life.
Victor had closed to within a mile or so of the monster, when the ice below them broke. Victor's dogs were dying when he was rescued by Walton's passing ship. He urges the sailors to continue his mission, promising to help them from the afterlife, which he senses is near.
Slide 30
Closing Letters
In a closing series of letters, Walton describes the worsening condition of Victor and laments that he had found a friend so close to death. Victor produces some papers to prove his story. The crew are becoming mutinous. Walton fears the failure of his mission alongside Victor's. When Victor finally passes, the monster knows, as if a connection had been severed.
Walton is surprised to find the creature grieving over the corpse of his creator. The two talk and the monster tells his side of the tale. He draws parallels between himself and Milton's Lucifer, though draws a distinction because, as he sees it, Lucifer at least had demons for company- The monster has nobody.
The monster promises to leave the ship and crew unmolested. He vows to die alone in the North and welcomes the relief that death will bring. Dying, he says, will be the only consolation he has received since the spark of life was forced upon him in Ingolstadt. With that, he leaves.
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