Characters

Understanding the characters in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is essential for grasping the novel's deeper themes about ambition, responsibility, and human nature. Each character serves a specific purpose in exploring the consequences of unchecked scientific progress and the importance of compassion in society.

Main characters overview

The novel features eight key figures who each represent different aspects of humanity and moral choice. Victor Frankenstein stands as the ambitious scientist whose creation sets the tragic events in motion. His Monster, though initially innocent, becomes vengeful through abandonment and rejection. Elizabeth Lavenza embodies Victorian ideals of pure womanhood, while Henry Clerval represents the balance between reason and emotion that Victor lacks. Robert Walton frames the narrative as an Arctic explorer whose own dangerous ambitions mirror Victor's. The supporting characters - Alphonse Frankenstein, Justine Moritz, and William Frankenstein - each highlight different consequences of Victor's actions on innocent lives.

Victor Frankenstein: The tragic scientist

Victor serves as both the novel's protagonist and its primary cautionary example. Shelley presents him as a man whose intellectual gifts become corrupted by excessive ambition and pride. His obsessive pursuit of knowledge ultimately destroys everything he holds dear.

Victor's dangerous ambition is captured in his admission: "I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body." This statement reveals the extent of his obsession and his desire to play God. Shelley uses Victor to warn against the Enlightenment belief that science alone can solve humanity's problems. His arrogance and disregard for moral consequences initiate all the tragic events that follow.

The retrospective warning "Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge" shows Victor's eventual recognition of his errors. However, this acknowledgment comes too late to prevent the destruction of his family. Shelley positions him as both a tragic hero who falls due to his fatal flaw and a cautionary figure whose story serves as a warning to others. His intellectual ambition completely isolates him from human connection and moral responsibility.

Victor's emotional extremes are further highlighted in his confession: "I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation." This reveals how his passion lacks balance and moral direction, reinforcing the theme that unchecked ambition is dangerous. Shelley criticizes a worldview where personal glory becomes more important than responsibility to others and to society.

The Monster: From innocence to vengeance

The Monster represents one of literature's most complex antagonists - a being who begins with the capacity for good but becomes evil through societal rejection and abandonment. Shelley uses the Monster to explore whether evil is inherent or created through circumstances.

The Monster's moral decline is powerfully expressed in his statement: "I am malicious because I am miserable." This quote reveals how his pain and isolation have transformed him into something vengeful. Shelley suggests that monstrosity is not innate but rather the result of neglect and rejection. The Monster begins as a blank slate - essentially innocent - but becomes vengeful when denied love and companionship.

His biblical reference "I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel" connects him to Paradise Lost, positioning him as betrayed by his creator. Shelley uses this comparison to explore the responsibilities of creation and the pain of abandonment. The quote generates sympathy for the Monster while simultaneously highlighting his moral corruption.

The Monster's defense of his original nature - "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend" - forces readers to question who bears greater responsibility for the tragic events. Shelley uses his transformation to critique society's treatment of outsiders and those who appear different. This statement challenges readers to consider whether the Monster or his creator is the true villain of the story.

Elizabeth Lavenza: The idealized feminine figure

Elizabeth represents the Victorian ideal of perfect womanhood - pure, gentle, and devoted to domestic harmony. However, Shelley also uses her character to critique the limitations placed on women in society and the vulnerability of such idealized figures.

Her characterization as "docile and good-tempered, yet gay and playful as a summer insect" reflects Victorian expectations of femininity - innocent, cheerful, and submissive. Shelley uses Elizabeth to embody domestic virtue, creating a stark contrast with Victor's scientific obsession. Her presence shows what Victor sacrifices in his pursuit of knowledge, representing the emotional warmth and stability he abandons.

Elizabeth's role as a stabilizing force is emphasized through the description of "The saintly soul of Elizabeth shone... in our peaceful home." She represents emotional warmth and family unity, directly contrasting with Victor's internal turmoil and isolation. Shelley uses this contrast to highlight what Victor loses through his obsessive pursuits. Her death marks the complete destruction of Victor's connections to love and family.

Her tragic acceptance in the letter "I have resigned myself to death if it will restore you to peace" demonstrates how she sacrifices her own concerns for Victor's comfort. Shelley uses her passive acceptance to critique the constrained role of women in society. Elizabeth's fate illustrates how female characters become endangered by male ambition and the pursuit of personal glory over family responsibility.

Henry Clerval: The moral counterweight

Henry represents the ideal balance between intellectual pursuit and emotional wisdom that Victor lacks. Shelley presents him as a Romantic figure who values beauty, creativity, and human connection alongside scholarly achievement.

Described as "a being formed in the 'very poetry of nature,'" Henry embodies the Romantic ideal - gentle, creative, and harmoniously connected to the natural world. He provides both moral and emotional balance to Victor's character, representing what Victor could have been with proper guidance. Shelley contrasts Henry's love of beauty and humanity with Victor's narrow scientific obsession.

Victor's recognition of their differences - "How great was the contrast between us!" - shows how far he has drifted from Henry's balanced approach to life. Henry's optimism and genuine care for humanity underscore Victor's growing alienation from normal human feelings. His death symbolizes the destruction of Romantic innocence by dangerous ambition.

The description of Henry's character - "His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart" - reveals the balance between intellect and empathy that makes him Shelley's model of ideal manhood. His murder by the Monster represents a major turning point that intensifies Victor's guilt and sorrow, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of Victor's actions on innocent lives.

Robert Walton: The framing narrator

Walton serves as both the narrator who frames Victor's story and a parallel figure whose own dangerous ambitions mirror those of Victor. Through Walton, Shelley explores themes of isolation, ambition, and the possibility of moral redemption.

Walton's loneliness is expressed in his desire: "I have sought one who would sympathize with and love me." His isolation mirrors both Victor's and the Monster's experiences, creating a connection between all three characters. Shelley uses Walton to frame the story while reflecting on human isolation and the need for companionship. His longing for understanding introduces the novel's central themes of empathy and shared humanity.

His eventual moral growth is shown in his decision: "I cannot lead them unwillingly to danger." This choice contrasts sharply with Victor's reckless pursuit of knowledge regardless of consequences. Shelley uses Walton to demonstrate that redemption is possible through compassion and moral responsibility. His character development highlights the positive outcomes of choosing ethical behavior over personal ambition.

The early quote "What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?" foreshadows the dangerous ambition that Walton initially shares with Victor. Shelley uses this statement to highlight humanity's capacity for both great achievement and great destruction. His later change of heart reinforces the novel's moral message about the importance of considering consequences and caring for others.

Alphonse Frankenstein: The voice of reason

Alphonse represents traditional wisdom, paternal duty, and emotional stability. Though he appears less frequently than other characters, his presence provides important contrast to Victor's volatile behavior and serves as a voice of reason and moral guidance.

His frustration with powerlessness is captured in: "Nothing is more painful... than... the dead calmness of inaction." This reveals the emotional toll of watching his family suffer while being unable to help. Shelley uses Alphonse to represent traditional patriarchal values and the importance of emotional restraint during crisis. His presence contrasts with Victor's emotional extremes, emphasizing the value of measured responses to tragedy.

His confusion and grief are expressed in: "There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand." This captures his bewilderment in the face of the inexplicable tragedies befalling his family. Shelley uses Alphonse to show how Victor's actions create ripple effects that damage everyone around him. His emotional turmoil reflects the broader consequences of keeping dangerous secrets.

The dismissive comment "My dear Victor, do not waste your time upon this; it is sad trash" regarding Victor's early scientific interests shows the generational gap and missed opportunity for proper guidance. Shelley includes this to demonstrate how well-meaning but misguided parental responses can sometimes fail to prevent disaster. His good intentions ultimately prove insufficient to guide Victor away from his destructive path.

Justine Moritz: The innocent victim

Justine represents the vulnerability of innocence in an unjust world. Her wrongful accusation and execution serve to highlight the moral failures of both Victor and the society that condemns her.

Her coerced confession illustrates the injustice of authority: "I confessed, that I might obtain absolution; but now that falsehood lies heavier at my heart." This reveals how she was pressured into admitting guilt for a crime she didn't commit. Shelley uses Justine's trial to critique both societal and religious institutions that force false confessions. Her character embodies innocence sacrificed by those in positions of power who prioritize convenience over truth.

Even facing death, Justine maintains her integrity: "God knows... that I am innocent." Her steadfast honesty contrasts sharply with Victor's secretive behavior. Shelley uses this contrast to highlight the moral cowardice of those who fail to speak truth when it matters most. Justine's fate underscores the destructive consequences of remaining silent when action could save innocent lives.

Victor's reflection on her death - "The tortures of the accused did not equal mine" - shows his overwhelming guilt while simultaneously revealing his self-centeredness. Shelley uses Justine's wrongful execution to highlight how inaction and selfishness can have deadly consequences for others. Her death represents the first irreversible consequence of Victor's failure to take responsibility for his creation.

William Frankenstein: The catalyst for tragedy

Though William appears briefly, his murder serves as the catalyst that transforms the Monster from a misunderstood being into an active agent of revenge. His innocence makes his death particularly tragic and significant.

William's terrified reaction - "Hideous monster! Let me go" - triggers his own death by revealing society's immediate prejudice against the Monster's appearance. Shelley uses this reaction to demonstrate how even children reflect societal prejudices about physical appearance. William becomes a symbol of how fear of the unknown can breed violence and destruction.

The description "He is very tall, and his hair is curly" humanizes the Monster by showing he still appears recognizably human rather than completely monstrous. Shelley includes this detail to emphasize that the Monster is not truly a beast but rather a distorted reflection of humanity. This description reinforces the theme that monstrosity lies in actions rather than appearance.

Though not directly quoted, the sorrow surrounding William's murder underscores the fragility of family happiness. Shelley uses his death to represent the first irreversible consequence of Victor's ambition, showing how the pursuit of personal glory can destroy innocent lives. His murder marks the beginning of the Monster's systematic revenge against his creator.