1. ARCHETYPES IN Frankenstein
Arooj sheikh, sarika aggarwal, shermy Thomas
Ap English 4, 2nd period

2. What Is an archetype?
A very typical example of a certain person or thing
A universally understood symbol or term, or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied or patterned
Used in storytelling and myths to unify a common understanding of the human experience 
Types: character, situational, symbolic
Read as is. Picture shows a storyteller because archetypes are used commonly in stories and myths.
Retrieved from

3. RELEVANCE TO FRANKENSTEIN
Each major character represents at least one different character archetype
1. Victor Frankenstein-Mad Scientist
2. Monster/Creation-The Villain; Outcast/Orphan
3. Captain Robert Walton- The Explorer; The Hero
2. Elizabeth Lavenza- The Damsel (Love Interest); Caregiver
3. Henry Clerval- Sidekick; Foil 
4. Agatha, Safie, and Felix- Mentors
5. Monster/Creation- The Villain; Outcast
6. Alphonse Frankenstein (Victor’s Father) – Father and Mother Figure
Situational archetypes represent the major key events of the plot (the quest, the revelation, the challenge) 
Symbolic archetypes (light and fire, haven vs wilderness, spring vs winter) 
Read as is. Picture shows the 12 most common archetypes.
Retrieved from

4. CHARACTER ARCHETYPE: MAD SCIENTIST
Play video.
Retrieved from www. youtube.com

5. Character archetype: Mad scientist
“The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest, or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage: but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature” (Shelley 33). “For this purpose I will preserve my life: to execute this dear revenge will I again behold the sun and tread the green herbage of earth, which otherwise should vanish from my eyes forever. And I call on you, spirits of the dead; and on you, wandering ministers of vengeance, to aid and conduct me in my work” (Shelley 150).
At the beginning of the novel, Victor was incredibly passionate in bringing life to a lifeless being. He dedicated himself entirely, cutting himself off from his friends and family in the process. By the end of the novel, it is evident that Victor has transformed into a mad scientist as a result of his creation of the monster. Victor becomes obsessed with the defeat of the monster because of the monster’s killing and wicked behavior.

6. Symbolic archetype: fire (Light and dark)
“One day…I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce opposite effects!” (Shelley 72).
Fire equals light and represents enlightenment and discovery of new knowledge. But, going into this realm causes pain; this is the darkness (monster was burned). The picture is from Hannah Montana where after the two mean girls have a good comeback or insult (a burn), they say “ooh tss”.
Retrieved from

7. Doppelganger
“The picture appeared a vast and dim scene of evil, and I foresaw obscurely that I was destined to become the most wretched of human beings” (Shelley 72). “But through the whole period during which I was the slave of my creature, I allowed myself to be governed by the impulses of the moment; and my present sensations strongly intimated that the fiend would follow me, and exempt my family from the danger of his machinations” (Shelley 163).
Throughout the novel Victor and the monster seem to grow together as they go through similar experiences. Both the monster and Victor are knowledgeable since they are capable of feeling hatred and love and even go through times of isolation. This is a prime example of both Victor and the monster as outcasts in the novel, in which the doppelganger element allows the develop of the outcast archetype.
Retrieved from:

8. Allusion
“But Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper emotions. I read it, as I had read the other volumes which had fallen into my hands, as a true history…Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me” (Shelley 92).
Through the allusion to Paradise Lost, Mary Shelley is able to further develop and depict the monster/creation as an outcast from society. In this quote, the creature compares himself to Adam who was very different from everyone else around him, but contrasts in the way that the creature was abandoned and isolated whereas Adam was loved by his Creator. This allusion illustrates how Victor’s feelings towards his creation left his creation similar to that of an orphan, unloved and utterly alone. This literary device best applies to the topic of archetypes because it creates comparisons and contrasts easy to understand by the reader and audience which allow the author’s message to be conveyed accurately.
Retrieved from:

9. CONFLICT: MAN vs Society
“When I slept or was absent, the forms of the venerable blind father, the gentle Agatha, and the excellent Felix flitted before me. I looked upon them as my superior beings, who would be the arbiters of my future destiny…I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour, and afterwards their love” (Shelley 81). “Who can describe their [Felix, Safie, and Agatha] horror and consternation on beholding me?” (Shelley 96)
The creature views himself as a hideous and terrifying monster, separated from the rest of society. In contrast, the creature believes the cottagers, the de Lacey family, are perfect members of society. Because of his rejection by what he viewed as perfect people, the creation became even more ostracized and aware of how he was an outcast, further developing this character archetype.
Retrieved from

10. WALTON As a hero
The Call: “I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man” (Shelley 1) The Threshold: Walton- “One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge…” (Shelley 11). Frankenstein (Mentor)- Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxication draught? Hear me, -let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips” (Shelley 12).
These quotes show the book from the perspective of Captain Robert Walton, a reliable narrator. Walton occupies the role of a hero as he first begins to explore the world and crosses the threshold by gaining a mentor (Frankenstein) who teaches him that considering life and death is much more important than a thirst for knowledge. This is taught by Frankenstein telling his story to Walton. This relates to Mary Shelley because by writing her novel, she is warning people of the negative consequences of technological advances (i.e. a thirst for knowledge). Also, Mary Shelley was an outcast throughout her life similar to both the monster and Frankenstein.

11. AP Prompt 2006
How does the country setting function in the novel and what is its purpose? The country setting in Frankenstein is essential in that it allows the reader to understand the emotions, characters, and events that occur throughout the novel. By incorporating settings from nature, the country, and the city, Shelley integrates a variety of scenes that portray the many characteristics that relate to Victor Frankenstein. The novel is introduced by providing the eminent contrasts of the city and country life. The country is a place of peace and confinement whereas the city is where both Victor Frankenstein and the monster experience the most pain. For instance, after Victor had realized the consequences of his actions, his sanity was somewhat returned after touring Ingolstadt's country, observing nature's beauty and soothing his soul. Even the monster found the most pleasure while being encompassed around nature as it is seen when he was observing the De Lacey family. In contrast, whenever the monster came in contact with the city, he was turned away and treated with absolute hate and disgust.
Read as is.

12. AP Prompt 2006
“I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited; where I remained during the rest of the night, walking up and down in the greatest agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably given life” (Shelley 36). “I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure, that had long appeared dead, revive within me. Half surprised by the novelty of these sensations, I allowed myself to be borne away by them; and, forgetting my solitude and deformity, dared to be happy” (Shelley 100).
These quotes illustrate how the country setting was peaceful for Victor after being in the city, where he realized what he had done.

13. Creature’s revelation/orphan archetype
“Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, even more horrid from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred” (Shelley 93).
This quote is a pivotal moment because the creation’s revelation of realizing he was alone and that his own Creator hated him was what ultimately made him an orphan/outcast, fulfilling the archetype. This is pivotal because it led to the creature beginning to kill Victor’s loved ones as revenge and what internally haunted Victor throughout his life.
Retrieved from:

14. Elizabeth’s death
“The murderous mark of the fiend’s grasp was on her neck, and the breath had ceased to issue from her lips… The shutters had been thrown back; and, with a sensation of horror not to be described, I saw at the open window a figure the most hideous and abhorred. A grin was on the face of the monster; he seemed to jeer, as with his fiendish finger he pointed towards the corpse of my wife” (Shelley 145).
When the monster killed Elizabeth, Victor is overcome with devastation, but at the same time, realizes what he must do. He has to go forth and find his creation and destroy it because he can no longer live in the way he has now that most of his loved ones have been killed because of his actions. This represents the situational archetype of the challenge for Victor as he seeks out the monster.
Retrieved from

15. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. , 1994
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., Print.
Works cited