Chapter 1
Frankenstein
Characters
Alphonse Frankenstein
"As the circumstances of his marriage illustrate his character, I cannot refrain from relating them." (Shelley 14)
Beaufort
"This man, whose name was Beaufort, was of a proud and unbending disposition and could not bear to live in poverty and oblivion in the same country where he had formerly been distinguished for his rank and magnificence." (Shelley 14)
Caroline Beaufort
"This, to my mother, was more than a duty; it was a necessity, a passion..." (Shelley 16)
Elizabeth
"Every one loved Elizabeth. The passionate and most reverential attachment with which all regarded her became, while I shared it, my pride and my delight." (Shelley 18)
Victor Frankenstein
"Much as they were attached to each other, they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of affection from a very mine of love to bestow them upon." (Shelley 16)
"For a long time I was there only care." (Shelley 16)
Overall
Themes
* Treatment of Women: In this chapter, it was evident that the women were provided for. This could be taken in positive light; however, it could also be turned around. Shelley mentions the fact that Caroline worked hard to provide for her father (a sort of reversing roles), but it is very cursory and soon turns to a man taking her in and "saving" her. Moreover, Elizabeth is, from a young age, viewed as Frankenstein's property. This certainly can't be a positive light on the treatment of women during this time either.
Literary Techniques
--This simile refers to the fact that Caroline got all of Alphonse's attention. He wanted to please her, thus, later on in the novel if something were to happen to her, we may see a shift in characters that causes the plot to act in the way that it does.
Foreshadowing: "No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me - my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only." (Shelley 18)
--This foreshadowing suggests that Frankenstein may be with Elizabeth until she dies. This is important to note as Shelley gives similar clues throughout the book as to how things may turn out.
Important Quotes:
--Caroline got all of Alphonse's attention. Similarly, Elizabeth got all of Caroline's attention. Thus, one must consider the effect that this had on Frankenstein.
"This, to my mother, was more than a duty; it was a necessity, a passion, - remembering what she had suffered, and how she had been relieved, - for her to act in her turn the guardian angel of the afflicted." (Shelley 16)
--Caroline Beaufort (now Frankenstein) felt that it was necessary for her to pay back what was once done for her. The misery that she went through affected her in such a way. One should recognize the fact, though, that not all characters will respond to misery in the same way throughout the book.
"No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me - my more than sister, since till death she was to be mine only." (Shelley 18)
--This quote is important not only when noting foreshadowing but when noting gender relations as well.
Developments
Citations
"The Characters." Frankenstein. Weebly, 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
Fox, Kimberly. "Writing Style." The Monster Behind the Monster. WordPress, 28 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. London: Dover Thrift Editions, 1994. Print.