Frankenstein Chapters 1-4

Chapter 1

• The main purpose is for the audience to be introduced to the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, and for him to explain is parents relationship and his childhood.
• the fact that his mother, Caroline, cared for her father can be seen as the first example of the motif of "care and affection." The fact that her father was only referred to as "her father" rather than the more personal grandfather, can be seen to show that victor is a reserved character who is incapable of showing his emotions.
• "there was a show of gratitude and worship in his attachment to my mother" this portrays his father of being desperate in terms of love. [interesting quote that means something, just not sure what]
• The theme of restoration is also mentioned in this chapter through the line "pleasant climate of Italy ... as a restorative for her weakened frame." the line shows how landscape can improve situations. Because of this, it can deduced that location in the mimics the emotions held in the chapter. For example: Italy=sunny=happy mood whereas arctic=desolate=depressed mood and remote Scottish island=remote and barren=seclusion
• "stores of affection ... bestow upon me" the line shows he was the centre of their attention, perhaps grew resentful of Elizabeth as time progresses, complete juxtaposition from the childhood of the creature in later chapters.
• the word "creature" is used to describe Elizabeth, could show that ultimately they are not that different, both have caring nature, only circumstances changed them. Nature vs Nurture.

Chapter 2

• Clerval is portrayed as a complete opposite to Frankenstein so it could therefore be seen as strange that they are friends. Clerval is more literacy and language based than the scientific Victor.
• "it was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn" this is an example of the the "pursuit of knowledge theme" and the Gothic theme of crazed ambition. Macbeth was greedy for power Frankenstein for knowledge
• "Natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate" this line could be seen to show that he has no remorse for his options. His downfall was already decided
• the scene where the oak tree is reduced to ribbons is extremely symbolic. Let the tree represent family, then the lightning destroying it could be the "spark" of imagination from victor that leads to the creation of the creature. Alternatively, the lightning could represent the creature. It is also prolepsis of the destruction later in the novel.
• The positive viewpoints of Elizabeth appear to heighten the fact she dies later in the novel.

Chapter 3

• Victor is going to university in Germany. Yet another location in the novel.
• Carolines love is ultimately her downfalls she contracts scarlet fever and eventually dies from it.
• The phrase "old familiar faces" is yet a further link to the theme of literature. The line is taken from the poem "old familiar faces" by Charles Lamb.
• The line "enlightened and scientific age" refers to the numerous recent scientific discoveries. For Example Henry Cavendish discovered hydrogen and other scientists who made advances in decay and the human body.

Chapter 4

• Victor, in this chapter, discovers that living matter can be produced from dead matter. This can be seen to build on the theoms of Darwin (Charles Darwin's grandfather) who stated dead can produce life.
• the theme of ambition is intensified by Victors pursuit of creating a creature of "gigantic stature," this relates to the letters where a person of enormous stature is seen. First hint at the main story.
• Where victor neglects his family, you could say science destroys affection.
• By the inclusion of the word "vice", with hindsight, victor realises his fault
• The name Victor can be seen as ironic - is he really victorious?
• [The philosophical section of 56-57 need a better look at]
• the line "remind me to preceed" reminds us that we are hearing the story second hand. Therefore is it a believable tale?