Frankenstein — Chapter 12: Chapter 12

The creature secretly observes the impoverished De Lacey family in their cottage, learning about their daily routines, poverty, and kindness while secretly aiding them by gathering wood and clearing snow. He gradually learns their language by listening to their speech and Felix's reading, discovering their names and basic words, and becomes deeply attached to them despite his own misery upon realizing his monstrous appearance in a pool. As spring arrives, his hope grows that he might one day reveal himself to these gentle beings he views as superior.

On stage

The creature Secretly watches the family day and night, steals then stops stealing their food, gathers wood and clears snow for them at night, learns their language and names, sees his own reflection, and dreams of befriending them.

Old Man Plays his instrument, receives care from his children, walks with his son, encourages his children to overcome melancholy, and is unknowingly aided by the creature.

Agatha Arranges the cottage, prepares food, performs laborious tasks, weeps with her brother, listens to her father, and is unknowingly aided by the creature with wood and chores.

Felix Works outdoors collecting wood and in the garden, labors for a farmer, reads aloud to his father and sister, weeps with his sister, carries flowers to Agatha, and is unknowingly aided by the creature.

Main 10

Victor Frankenstein

Also known as: I, Victor, the narrator, my companion, myself, Frankenstein +14 más

Distraught scientist and creator of the monster; a grieving man who has lost his brother and is tormented by guilt and horror over his creation. Roams the mountains for consolation, ascends Montanvert alone, confronts the creature with fury, debates him, and finally consents to listen to his story in the hut.

Caroline Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza cousin and more than sisterBeaufort family friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted sister and companion +31 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Elizabeth Lavenza

Also known as: Elizabeth, cousin, my more than sister, the beautiful and adored companion, the sweet orphan, Lizaveta +19 más

Sad and despondent young woman who was close to Victor in childhood; she loved William and Justine and is deeply affected by their deaths, viewing the world as full of monsters. Expresses her grief and sense of injustice over Justine's execution; comforts Victor when she sees his anguish and urges him to banish dark passions.

Victor Frankenstein cousin and more than brotherCaroline Frankenstein adoptive motherAlphonse Frankenstein adoptive fatherVictor Frankenstein adoptive brother and companionHenry Clerval friend +14 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Henry Clerval

Also known as: Clerval, Henry, his son, my fellow student, my dear Clerval, my friend +3 más

Victor's close friend and fellow student at Ingolstadt, sympathetic and consoling. Reads the letter, offers sympathy to Victor, accompanies him to order horses for the journey home, and speaks kindly of the dead William.

Victor Frankenstein closest friendElizabeth Lavenza friend and influenceVictor Frankenstein close friendVictor Frankenstein friendVictor Frankenstein dear friend +2 more

Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Alphonse Frankenstein

Also known as: my father, my parents, the narrator's father, your father, Your affectionate and afflicted father, papa +2 más

A loving, morally upright father who has lost one son and is distressed by Victor's changed behavior and grief. He attempts to console Victor with advice about duty to the living. Observes Victor's despair and offers philosophical arguments to inspire fortitude and reduce excessive sorrow.

Victor Frankenstein sonVictor Frankenstein sonElizabeth Lavenza niece or adopted daughterWilliam Frankenstein sonCaroline Frankenstein wife +15 more

Chapters 2, 4, 8, 1, 3, 7, 9, 5

Robert Walton

Also known as: he, my enemy, the being I had created, the demoniacal corpse, the dreaded spectre, the miserable monster +31 más

Invisible observer living in a hovel adjacent to the cottage; a lonely, deformed being who is intelligent, sensitive, and eager to learn human ways after being rejected by villagers. Secretly watches the family day and night, steals then stops stealing their food, gathers wood and clears snow for them at night, learns their language and names, sees his own reflection, and dreams of befriending them.

Victor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creatorWilliam Frankenstein murderer of himVictor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creator +3 more

Chapters 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12

Justine Moritz

Also known as: Justine, poor Justine, poor girl, good Justine, poor, poor sufferer +5 más

Deceased young woman who was executed for William's murder but was innocent; she had been a beloved servant in the Frankenstein household. Referenced repeatedly as the innocent victim whose death intensifies Victor's remorse and Elizabeth's sorrow.

Elizabeth Lavenza protectress and admirerVictor Frankenstein former favorite of hisWilliam Frankenstein accused of murdering himElizabeth Lavenza loved by herAlphonse Frankenstein valued highly but now suspected by others +6 more

Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9

William Frankenstein

Also known as: little William, little darling William, William, dear lovely child, my little William, my sweet boy +8 más

Deceased young brother of Victor, murdered by the monster. Mentioned as a victim whose death contributes to the family's mourning and Victor's guilt.

Victor Frankenstein elder brotherElizabeth Lavenza sisterly figureAlphonse Frankenstein fatherVictor Frankenstein brotherErnest Frankenstein brother +9 more

Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9

The monster

Also known as: destroyer, fiend, he, him, my creation, wretch

The creature Victor brought to life, who murdered William and framed Justine. Victor views him with intense hatred and fear of future crimes. Not physically present but constantly in Victor's thoughts as the source of his terror and desire for revenge.

Victor Frankenstein creatorWilliam Frankenstein victimJustine Moritz framed for his crime

Chapter 9

Agatha

Also known as: children, gentle Agatha, girl, her, sister

Kind and hardworking young woman in the cottage; respectful daughter and sister who performs domestic labors and shows affection. Arranges the cottage, prepares food, performs laborious tasks, weeps with her brother, listens to her father, and is unknowingly aided by the creature with wood and chores.

Father fatherFelix brotherThe creature unknown benefactor

Chapter 12

Felix

Also known as: brother, children, excellent Felix, his, son, young man +1 más

Hardworking young man of the cottage; dutiful son and brother who appears deeply sad yet tries to be cheerful for his father. Works outdoors collecting wood and in the garden, labors for a farmer, reads aloud to his father and sister, weeps with his sister, carries flowers to Agatha, and is unknowingly aided by the creature.

Father fatherAgatha sisterThe creature unknown benefactor

Chapter 12

Secondary 18

Caroline Frankenstein

Also known as: Caroline Beaufort, my mother, the narrator's mother, her preserver, she, this best of women +1 más

Victor's deceased mother, whose miniature portrait is missing from William and later found on Justine. Appears only in a painting over the mantelpiece depicting her in despair by her father's coffin; her portrait is the item that tempted the murderer and led to Justine's accusation.

Alphonse Frankenstein husbandVictor Frankenstein sonBeaufort fatherElizabeth Lavenza adopted daughterVictor Frankenstein son +5 more

Chapters 1, 3, 7

Beaufort

Also known as: his friend, the merchant

Proud former merchant and close friend of Alphonse Frankenstein who falls into poverty and hides in Lucerne with his daughter; he dies after months of illness. Falls into poverty, conceals himself in Lucerne, dies in his daughter's arms leaving her orphaned.

Alphonse Frankenstein intimate friendCaroline Frankenstein daughter

Chapter 1

Cornelius Agrippa

Also known as: Agrippa

An author of occult and alchemical works whose volume Victor discovers by chance. His book sparks Victor's enthusiasm for alchemy and natural secrets; later dismissed by Victor's father and eventually overshadowed by modern science.

Victor Frankenstein inspiration and early influence

Chapter 2

Paracelsus

An alchemical author studied by Victor alongside Agrippa. Mentioned as one of the "wild fancies" writers whose works Victor devours in secret.

Victor Frankenstein studied author

Chapter 2

Albertus Magnus

An alchemical and philosophical author whose works Victor studies with delight. Mentioned as one of Victor's early inspirations in the search for the philosopher's stone and elixir of life.

Victor Frankenstein studied author

Chapter 2

Man of great research

Also known as: man of great research in natural philosophy

An unnamed learned guest present during the thunderstorm at Belrive. Explains the theory of electricity and galvanism after the oak tree is destroyed, causing Victor to abandon his alchemical studies.

Victor Frankenstein temporary teacher and influencer

Chapter 2

M. Krempe

Also known as: professor of natural philosophy, that little conceited fellow, Professor Krempe, professor, the fellow

Blunt and harsh professor at the university known for his direct manner and self-praise. Gives loud, enthusiastic praise of Victor's achievements which causes Victor pain, then turns the conversation to his own youthful modesty.

Victor Frankenstein studentVictor Frankenstein studentVictor Frankenstein former student he admiresHenry Clerval person he addresses

Chapters 3, 4, 6

M. Waldman

Also known as: a fellow professor, the professor, this professor, Professor Waldman, professor

Kind and warm professor at the University of Ingolstadt who previously encouraged Victor's scientific studies. Praises Victor's past progress in the sciences during their meeting, then shifts topics upon noticing Victor's discomfort.

Victor Frankenstein studentVictor Frankenstein student and friendVictor Frankenstein former star pupil

Chapters 3, 4, 6

Victor's mother

Also known as: dead mother, my dead mother

Victor's deceased mother. Appears only as a corpse in Victor's nightmare, with grave-worms in her shroud.

Victor Frankenstein son

Chapter 5

The porter

Unnamed gatekeeper at the courtyard where Victor takes refuge. Opens the gates in the morning, allowing Victor to leave the courtyard and enter the streets.

Chapter 5

Ernest Frankenstein

Also known as: Ernest, his elder brother, our Ernest, my brother

Victor's younger brother who was with William before the murder. Enters the library to welcome Victor home, weeps over the family's losses, and explains the circumstances of Justine's accusation.

Victor Frankenstein elder brotherElizabeth Lavenza family memberVictor Frankenstein brotherWilliam Frankenstein brotherAlphonse Frankenstein father +1 more

Chapters 6, 7

Madame Moritz

Also known as: her mother, the poor woman, the woman

Widow and mother of Justine; initially harsh toward her daughter but later repentant before dying. Her troubled life, treatment of Justine, and death are recounted in the letter.

Justine Moritz neglected then repentant toward daughter

Chapter 6

Louis Manoir

Also known as: your favourite schoolfellow

Victor's former schoolfellow in Geneva who has faced misfortunes but is now recovering. Mentioned in Elizabeth's letter as about to marry an older French widow.

Elizabeth Lavenza news provider to Victor

Chapter 6

Madame Tavernier

Also known as: a lively pretty Frenchwoman

Widow and admired socialite in Geneva who is older than Louis Manoir. Reported in the letter as soon to marry Louis Manoir.

Louis Manoir prospective husband

Chapter 6

The Confessor

Also known as: my confessor

Religious figure who pressures Justine in prison. Threatens Justine with excommunication and hellfire until she makes a false confession.

Justine person he pressures to confess

Chapter 8

Old Man

Also known as: aged cottager, silver-haired man, blind father, father, venerable blind father, venerable companion

Blind elderly patriarch of the cottage family; kind, contemplative, and encouraging toward his children. Plays his instrument, receives care from his children, walks with his son, encourages his children to overcome melancholy, and is unknowingly aided by the creature.

The young girl daughterThe young man sonAgatha daughterFelix sonThe creature unknown benefactor

Chapters 11, 12

The young girl

Also known as: amiable companion, daughter, fair creature, girl, young creature, young woman

A gentle, patient, and sad young woman with fair plaited hair who performs household chores and cares for her father and brother. She is kind, graceful, and emotionally expressive. Carries a pail of milk, works in the cottage and garden, weeps while listening to music, kneels at her father's feet, and prepares meals with her brother.

Old Man fatherThe young man brother

Chapter 11

The young man

Also known as: companion, son, youth

A slight, graceful, and deeply despondent young man who performs manual labor and helps his family. His features show symmetry but his eyes and attitude convey sadness. Takes the milk pail from his sister, carries wood, works in the garden, reads aloud in the evening, and assists his father while walking.

Old Man fatherThe young girl sister

Chapter 11