1. Chapters 3-5 Frankenstein Chapter Summaries Frankenstein’s Development
Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
Chapters 3-5
Chapter Summaries
Frankenstein’s Development
Symbols & Allusions
The Creature

2. Frankenstein Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Chapter Summaries
Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 3
Goes to university at 17
Elizabeth catches scarlet fever from mother – wish for marriage – focus on emotions (grief)
Realizes he has been studying nonsense so focuses life studying new sciences
Goes to work in a lab with Professor Krempe
Chapter 4
Chemistry becomes “sole occupation” for two years
Begins to question structure of body, purpose of life, and how to create life
“To examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death” (Anatomy / Death & Decay)
Discovers reanimation
Foreshadows lesson: “…how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge “
Questions morals, responsibilities, etc. of creating life but ultimately creates human form
Believes creature will “bless its creator and source”
Takes a year to complete project
The more time spent working, the less social Frankenstein becomes, (shuns others)
Chapter 5
Opens with PATHETIC FALLACY
Immediate descriptions of creature are not positive
“…the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart”
Nightmare: Kissing Elizabeth but she changes to a corpse
Allusion to Dante (Description of creature)
Allusion to Coleridge, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” – Being followed
Runs into Clerval (hasn’t seen in years)
Creature gone when Frankenstein and Clerval return to house. Clerval knows something is up
Clerval gets Frankenstein to communicate with family

3. An Emotional Rollercoaster
Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Victor Frankenstein – Character Development
Victor Frankenstein:
An Emotional Rollercoaster
CHAPTER 3
Grief due to loss of mother
”These are the reflections of the first few days; but when the lapse of time proves reality of the evil, then the actual bitterness of grief commences”
Motivated to learn all aspects of science
”Thus ended a day memorable to me; it decided my future destiny”
CHAPTER 4
Curiosity/Determination
Digging around in graveyards
Imaginative
Focusing on powers of life and death
Inquisitive
Wonders if he is doing the right thing
Oppressed
Removes himself/shuns all fellow creatures
CHAPTER5
Disgust
Realization that creature is wretched
Tormented
With thoughts of vileness of his actions/creation
IRONY: The more time Frankenstein spends creating life, the more he loses his own life

4. Frankenstein Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2 Symbols and Allusions
Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Symbols and Allusions
SYMBOLS
Body parts
Light vs. Darkness
Mad Scientist
Recurring Dreams/Nightmares
ALLUSIONS
Outdated sciences (i.e. Alchemy)
Pathetic fallacy / Use of seasons (i.e. “fall of a leaf”)
Dante’s Inferno
“Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
“The Vicar of Wakefield”

5. Frankenstein Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2 The Creature
Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
The Creature
Planned Creature
Proportioned limbs; beautiful face
Large and strong
Appreciative of its Creator
Intended to be a companion/friend
Resulting Monster
Yellow skin barely covered muscles and arteries
Dull yellow eyes
Mutters “inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks”
Reaches out, as if to detain Frankenstein
Ends up being a cause for sickness