What kind of character is Victor Frankenstein?
Victor Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein is the main character in Mary Shelley 's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. He is an Italian-Swiss scientist who, after studying chemical processes and the decay of living beings, gains an insight into the creation of life and gives life to his own creature,...
What is Victor Frankenstein's job in Frankenstein?
Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. He is an intelligent man with an obsession with reanimation, or reawakening the dead, which he studies intensely in the old and out-of-date works of alchemists and ancient scientists.
What is Frankenstein’s life story?
Victor Frankenstein’s life story is at the heart of Frankenstein. A young Swiss boy, he grows up in Geneva reading the works of the ancient and outdated alchemists, a background that serves him ill when he attends university at Ingolstadt.
Why does Victor Frankenstein set off to find his brother's murderer?
Convinced his youngest brother's murderer is his creation, he sets off to find the creature. Victor is a modern scientist unleashed upon an unsuspecting society. Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new race of humans, he spends his entire life trying to destroy the same creation.
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How old is Frankenstein in this dark endearment?
In Kenneth Oppel 's novel This Dark Endeavor and its sequel Such Wicked Intent, Frankenstein is portrayed as a 16-year-old aspiring scientist who creates his own creature from the body of his deceased twin brother, Konrad.
What does the creature promise to Frankenstein?
Enraged, the creature swears revenge; he kills Henry Clerval, Frankenstein's best friend, and promises Frankenstein, "I shall be with you on your wedding night." The creature keeps his promise by strangling Elizabeth on her matrimonial bed. Within a few days, Frankenstein's father dies of grief. With nothing else left to live for, Frankenstein dedicates his life to destroying the creature.
How did Frankenstein die?
Although he is rescued by a ship attempting an expedition to the North Pole, he dies after relating his tale to the ship's captain, Robert Walton. His creature, upon discovering the death of his creator, is overcome by sorrow and guilt and vows to commit suicide by burning himself alive in "the Northernmost extremity of the globe;” he then disappears, never to be seen or heard from again.
How many brothers does Frankenstein have?
Frankenstein has two younger brothers—William, the youngest, and Ernest, the middle child. Frankenstein falls in love with Elizabeth Lavenza, who became his adoptive sister (his blood cousin in the 1818 edition) and, eventually, his fiancée.
What nationality is Victor Frankenstein?
Naples, Italy. Nationality. Italian - Swiss. Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist in Mary Shelley 's 1818 novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. He is an Italian-Swiss scientist (born in Naples, Italy) who, after studying chemical processes and the decay of living things, gains an insight into the creation of life ...
Why does Frankenstein's aunt come to Frankenstein's castle?
In the book Frankenstein's Aunt, the Baron's aunt comes to Frankenstein's castle to put it back in order, following the chaos caused by her nephew's experiments. In the novel Frankenstein's Aunt Returns, Frankenstein has created a child for the monster and his bride.
What are the characteristics of Frankenstein?
In the book, Frankenstein has many characteristics of a great scientist. At a young age, he has the initiative to study natural philosophy and mathematics. As an adult, he attributes his accomplishments in chemistry to the effort he put into the discipline, rather than his intelligence. Frankenstein also has great curiosity about the world, and even recalls that some of his earliest memories were his realizations about the laws of nature. It is his curiosity about the cause of life that leads him to creating the monster.
What is Victor's story in Frankenstein?
Victor’s life story is at the heart of Frankenstein. A young Swiss boy, he grows up in Geneva reading the works of the ancient and outdated alchemists, a background that serves him ill when he attends university at Ingolstadt. There he learns about modern science and, within a few years, masters all that his professors have to teach him. He becomes fascinated with the “secret of life,” discovers it, and brings a hideous monster to life. The monster proceeds to kill Victor’s youngest brother, best friend, and wife; he also indirectly causes the deaths of two other innocents, including Victor’s father. Though torn by remorse, shame, and guilt, Victor refuses to admit to anyone the horror of what he has created, even as he sees the ramifications of his creative act spiraling out of control.
How does Victor change over the course of the novel?
Victor changes over the course of the novel from an innocent youth fascinated by the prospects of science into a disillusioned, guilt-ridden man determined to destroy the fruits of his arrogant scientific endeavor. Whether as a result of his desire to attain the godlike power of creating new life or his avoidance of the public arenas in which science is usually conducted, Victor is doomed by a lack of humanness. He cuts himself off from the world and eventually commits himself entirely to an animalistic obsession with revenging himself upon the monster.
What does the monster do to Victor?
The monster proceeds to kill Victor’s youngest brother, best friend, and wife; he also indirectly causes the deaths of two other innocents, including Victor’s father.
How is Victor Frankenstein described?
Most of our physical description of Victor Frankenstein comes from Walton 's narration in the letters that frame the narrative. Walton notes upon first seeing Frankenstein that in contrast to the Creature, who he has spotted from a distance, Victor appears civilized and educated. From this, we can assume that he is likely well-dressed and well-groomed. However, when Victor arrives on the ship, Walton notes that he is in remarkably poor physical condition:
Why is Victor drawn to Walton?
Because Victor fits Walton's preconceived notions of looking like a sensitive European, Walton is drawn toward him. It is very possible that Walton's positive response to Victor's physical beauty (or the romantic wreck of it) leads Walton to conclude that Victor's soul is purer than it is.
What does Walton see Victor as?
But as time goes on, Walton increasingly sees Victor as a sensitive, refined, and physically attractive man. At first, Victor's eyes are usually wild, but Walton states:
What is the character's body shape in Frankenstein?
Victor Frankenstein is described as being of a sickly nature, with a thin and gaunt body, yet with an educated manner and the ability to convey intense passion and energy despite his fragile frame.
What is Frankenstein's most animated part?
However, the most animated part of his appearance is his eyes , which Walton says "have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness," but light up and become alive when he is more alert. A recurring theme in Walton's description of Frankenstein is that of a vibrant spirit shining through the frail exterior.
Why is Walton's description of Victor important?
Walton's description of Victor is important for several reasons. First , as our first impression of Victor, it builds reader sympathy for this character. He is intuitive, delicate, once beautiful, suffering, a refined European from the educated classes.
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What does Victor represent in the book?
His excesses ultimately destroy him. Victor represents the id, the part of the psyche that is governed by the instinctive impulses of sex or aggression. Previous Final Letters. Next The Monster.
What was Frankenstein's last wish before dying?
Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein's last wish before dying is for Victor and Elizabeth to be happily married. He later attends the University of Ingolstadt, where his interest in the teachings of the physical sciences prompt him to study them while there.
What happens to Victor after creating the monster?
Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. Immediately after creating the monster, Victor falls into a depression and fear. He leaves the university and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there.
Who is Victor Frankenstein?
The creator of the monster, Victor spends most of the novel trying to defeat the monster. Victor is the oldest son of Alphonse and Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein. Victor's childhood is a good one. His doting parents lavish him with attention. He even receives a present, in the form of Elizabeth Lavenza, from his parents.
What is the cycle of guilt, anger, and destruction in Victor?
Victor's abandonment of his "monster" creates a cycle of guilt, anger, and destruction, in which first the monster takes vengeance upon Victor, and then Victor swears vengeance on the monster. In the end, Victor resembles the monster he hates far more than he would care to imagine.
What do the colored dots and icons in Chapter 1 of The Frankensteins mean?
The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. Chapter 1. The stranger, Victor Frankenstein, says he was born in Naples and grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. His father,... (full context) Victor, his parents, and all the Frankensteins adored Elizabeth.
Why did Victor stop in Paris?
En route to Geneva, they stop in Paris so Victor can regain his strength. His father tries to help by getting him to engage with... (full context)
What does Victor see when he sees the monster?
Near where his brother died, Victor sees a figure resembling the monster. He realizes that the monster killed William, which means... (full context)
How long does Victor go mad?
Victor goes mad for several months and is kept in a cell. When he regains his... (full context)
How long does Victor spend alone?
Victor decides to build a race of beings, starting with one creature. He spends months alone... (full context)
When do Victor and Clerval arrive in London?
Victor and Clerval arrive in London in October. Victor continues to despair, avoiding people unless they... (full context)
What is the vivid imagery in Frankenstein?
In Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein, there is a great deal of vivid imagery that helps share Victor's sense of horror when looking at the creature he has brought to life. ...by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open... Victor then describes how it takes its first breath.
How does Victor describe the creature?
Victor describes the creature with disgust and fear. As readers, we can perceive a combination of amazement and horror. Victor particularly seemed to detest the creature’s eyes. After all, those very eyes looked straight at Victor, at one point, with the same innocence and need with which children look at their parents.
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Is Frankenstein haunted?
It is very significant that Victor Frankenstein, who once wished with all his heart to create life, is now haunted by what he sees in front of him. Nothing is like he expected. What once was a fascinating curiosity has transformed into the nightmare of having created a monstrous creature that was somehow brought to life. What is worse, the creature seems to have the mannerisms and emotions of a regular human being. Yet, these very characteristics are what make its existence more morbid.
Overview
Victor Frankenstein is a fictional character and the main protagonist and title character in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. He is an Italian-Swiss scientist (born in Naples, Italy) who, after studying chemical processes and the decay of living things, gains an insight into the creation of life and gives life to his own creature (often referred to as Frankenstein's monster, …
Origin of the character
Percy Shelley, Mary's husband, served as a significant influence for the character. Victor was a pen name of Percy Shelley's, as in the collection of poetry he wrote with his sister Elizabeth, Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire. There is speculation that Percy was one of Mary Shelley's models for Victor Frankenstein; while a student at Eton College, he had "experimented with electricity and magnetism as well as with gunpowder and numerous chemical reactions", and his rooms at the U…
History
Victor Frankenstein was born in Naples, Italy (according to the 1831 edition of Shelley's novel) with his Swiss family. He was the son of Alphonse Frankenstein and Caroline Beaufort, who died of scarlet fever when Victor was 17. He describes his ancestry thus: "I am by birth a Genevese; and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic. My ancestors had been for many years counsellors and syndics; and my father had filled several public situations with honour and reput…
Characterization
While many subsequent film adaptations (notably the 1931 movie Frankenstein and the Hammer Films series starring Peter Cushing) have portrayed Frankenstein as the prototypical "mad scientist", the novel portrayed him as a tragic figure.
In the book, Frankenstein has many characteristics of a great scientist. At a young age, he has the initiative to study natural philosophy and mathematics. As an adult, he attributes his accomplish…
In other media
Besides the original novel, the character also appears or is mentioned in other books from pastiches to parodies.
• In the book Frankenstein's Aunt, the Baron's aunt comes to Frankenstein's castle to put it back in order, following the chaos caused by her nephew's experiments. In the novel Frankenstein's Aunt Returns, Frankenstein has create…
See also
• Frankenstein in popular culture
• Frankenstein's monster
• Mary Shelley