Frankenstein

DeLacey Family Felix, Agatha, Father Modeled language and writing for Monster Learned about how family members teach each other: “…how the father doted on the smiles of the infant…” Understood human kindness and grief Observed that it is the relationships among people that bind them to one another

Delacey History Affluent family from France Safie’s father was a Turkish merchant who had been arrested by the French government Felix was upset at how Safie’s father was treated and aided him in his escape. Safie’s father promised Felix Safie’s hand and Safie wanted to be with Felix because she wanted to live in a more liberal country

Delacey History Unfortunately, Safie’s father double-crossed Felix and took Safie back home with him. Felix’s family is arrested back in France, Felix goes to help them and they spend 5 months in prison. They were deprived of their fortune and were exiled from their country. Safie’s father forbade her to be with Felix because he no longer had money, but Safie ran to be with Felix

Connections… Lack of mother figures Paternal relationships and their impacts on others Acting on personal belief system even if it causes problems later on.

Being and the DeLaceys Exposed to three key books: Paradise Lost, Plutarch’s Lives and The Sorrows of Werter. Books were a “never-ending source of speculation and astonishment” Werter: discussions of suicide, death Paradise Lost: link to Adam, Satan and God Plutarch: what happens in public life and politics

The Being’s Other Discovery Frankenstein’s journal from the four months before his creation Monster is sickened by Frankenstein’s thoughts Decided that he would try to connect with the DeLaceys to see if he could replace the paternal connection

Why does the Monster want a mate? When the Monster sees Safie and Felix together, he “cherished hope, it is true…” that he could have his own mate. He references Eve and says “But it was all a dream; no Eve soothed my sorrows, nor shared my thoughts; I was alone. “

The DeLacey’s Reject Monster The Father seems to be accepting. He says “Do not despair. To be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate; but the hears of men, when unprejudiced by any obvious self interest are full of brotherly love and charily. Rely, therefore, on your hopes; and if these friends are good an amiable, do not despair.” – What is Shelley saying through this character?

Rejection Felix assumes the monster is trying to kill Father Felix and family depart Monster burns house and despairs. Knows where Frankenstein lives because of the notes monster found. Gave vent to anguish in fearful howlings. “I was like a wild beast that had broken the toils; destroying the objects that obstructed me, and raging through the wood with a stag like swiftness.

Rejection…Again! As the monster finds his way back to Victor, he encounters a little girl. He saves the little girl from drowning but her father shoots the monster because he thinks the monster is trying to kill his daughter

Killing William Monster thinks that he can make connection with William because he is an innocent child. William rejects monster and reveals that he is a Frankenstein. Monster murders him to get vengeance on his maker

Creating a Mate When Monster sees Justine sleeping in the barn, he realizes that he will be deprived of “…the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow…” He wants Victor to build him a companion of the same species and with the same defects He promises to leave Europe and never be seen again if Victor builds her

To Build or not to Build Victor understands Monster’s reasoning Finally agrees to build the mate Monster will follow him during the process Victor has a hard time getting motivated to build the woman. He spends time in nature and becomes more peaceful. His family thinks he should marry Elizabeth.

The Game Plan Victor will build the monster, but he will have to travel away from his family to do so Clerval will accompany him on the trip Clerval and Victor are foils Clerval and Victor split up in Scotland and Victor goes to the Orkney Islands to build the mate.

Foiled again… As Victor builds the monster he, for once, thinks about the consequences He decides to destroy the woman The Monster comes to him that night and promises revenge and says “I will be with you on your wedding night” Victor is ok with it…figures that all the monster will do is kill him the night he gets married and Victor feels bad for Elizabeth..

Bummer Problem is… the monster doesn’t wait until the wedding night to kill his next victim. He kills Henry Clerval and Victor is accused of the murder (interestingly it is the wind and the water which push Victor to the shores of Ireland just in time to be accused) Luckily, Victor is released when someone gives evidence that he was, in fact, in the Orkney Islands on the night in question