1. Frankenstein
Chapters 19-24

2. Chapter 19 The symbol of the blasted tree
Demonstrates what Frankenstein has become
The tree is a living organism that branches and spreads itself widely – one that is “blasted” is split down the middle, severed from its roots, unable to register sensations
The happiness Victor once had is now tainted by memories of the past and visions of the future
He can no longer find solace – his soul has no pleasure

3. Lightning imagery A “bolt” (as in lightning) has entered his soul
The creature was brought to life by means of lightning
This imagery links Victor and his creation

4. Separation from humanity
Victor – an “insurmountable barrier”
His guilt
• the creature – his ugliness

5. Victor’s Journey to England
His journey parallels the creature’s own journey
Both reflect on how they were once able to find consolation in nature and in stories of human accomplishment (satchel of books)
Scotland is described as “a desolate and appalling landscape” – mirrors the desolation and horror in Victor’s heart (“forebodings of evil”)

6. Chapter 20 Abandonment of 2nd experiment Reader feels ambivalent
Motivated by humanitarian concerns
Exposed his family and friends to danger
Victor assumes the creature’s wrath will be directed at him, not upon Elizabeth
Reader expects the worst: in destroying the creature’s bride (and thus the creature’s only chance at happiness) the creature will respond in kind

7. Doubling Victor is now the creature’s slave
His life is entirely of the creature’s design
No longer clear who is the creator / who is the creation; who is the father / who is the child
Victor is actually more like a mother (Victor bore his creature – and he is now in a subordinate position - femininity

8. Sexual Threat?
Some interpret the creature’s threat to “be with Victor on his wedding night” as a sexual threat
Common for critics to suggest homosexuality as the most evil act of which man and the creature could be capable

9. Irony
Frankenstein’s near-death at sea would have robbed the creature of his longed-for vengeance
He could have escaped the creature and saved his family
Instead he stubbornly clings to life
Frankenstein’s fate lies in his creation’s hands – won’t be spared the final catastrophe

10. Chapter 21 Irony: Victor is cleared of murder
He is responsible because he created the monster
He murdered the monster’s mate
He was disposing of remains while monster murdered Henry – punishment?

11. Secret becoming too much to bear
Accuses self of murder (semi-conscious)
Wants the barrier of secrecy to end – no longer selfish
Still thinks about suicide – but urge to keep his family from harm is stronger

12. Death of Clerval Death of Frankenstein’s Romantic idealism
Henry helped F. see the world beyond science
Henry enabled F. to delight in nature
Can no longer see the world through Henry’s eyes
With every murder a piece of F. dies as well
Becomes broken both mentally and physically
Becomes “doomed” to stay alive until his destiny has been completed

13. Chapter 22
The Wedding
Hastiness shows a desire to create the illusion of order and tranquility for his family “does not delay the moment a single hour”
Fills the reader with apprehension
His father, Elizabeth and F. view it as a safeguard to the future (a new beginning) – a chance at happiness

14. Elizabeth’s emotions Joy Sense of foreboding of misfortune
This foreshadows her doom

15. Victor’s almost madness
Lost the ability to reason
Marries Elizabeth despite the creature’s threat – shows recklessness
Claims the creature “blinded him to his real intentions” – almost magical

16. Creature
The creature has taken on almost supernatural proportions – like he has unleashed the wrath of hell
F.’s weapons seem futile

17. Allusion F. compares he and Elizabeth to Adam and Eve
Dreams of love and joy
The apple was already eaten – no hope
Forbidden apple comes from the Tree of Knowledge – curiosity gets them kicked out of paradise
F.’s scientific curiosity and his desire to defy the work of God results in his own misfortunes

18. Reversal of Roles
Frankenstein is aligned with Adam and Eve and with the creature (remember the creature compared himself to Adam as well)
This puts the creature in the role of God (and angel) – the creator of Frankenstein
Their roles have been reversed

19. Chapter 23
Natural landscape foreshadows violence – wind and storm arise
Nature has lost its power to reassure
It reflects the chaos and darkness of Victor’s soul

20. Irony
Victor doesn’t recognize the monster’s true intentions while the reader does (dramatic irony)
Pathos (feelings of pity aroused in the reader)
We feel pathos at Victor’s mistake

21. Guilty Frankenstein feels guilty over Elizabeth’s death
He created her destroyer
Left her unprotected at the moment of her death

22. One in the same? Victor is now indistinguishable from his creation
Both are utterly bereft
Both are loveless
Both are alone
Both desire revenge (only thing keeping them alive)

23. Chapter 24 Victor’s character becomes more dynamic
Revenge invigorates him
Feels joy at seeing the creatures sledge marks (first time he has been happy in months)
Frees himself from his prison of guilt – exchanges it for wrath

24. Irony
The creature finally has the companionship he desired – Frankenstein will now share the creature’s life – he will follow him wherever he goes
Parent / child
Lover / beloved
Obsessed with each other

25. The Chase Appears almost childless Creature taunts him
Frankenstein follows with no regard for sense or reason
• Presents Frankenstein with a new challenge
- lust for conquest (which motivated his earlier scientific pursuits)

26. Creature as master Leader Animating force
Monster brings the maker to life
without desire for revenge F. would have died long ago