This chapter
Characters 39
Places 0
Victor Frankenstein and his father arrive in Paris where Victor's guilt over creating the monster leads him to avoid society and confess his crimes, which his father dismisses as delirium. Elizabeth writes a letter questioning if Victor truly wishes to marry her or loves another, prompting Victor to resolve to wed her despite the monster's threat to appear on their wedding night. They return to Geneva, marry, and begin a journey by boat to Evian for their honeymoon, during which Victor briefly finds happiness before his fears return upon landing.

On stage

Victor Frankenstein Confesses his crimes to his father but withholds the full truth, responds to Elizabeth's letter by agreeing to marry her while planning to reveal his secret afterward, marries Elizabeth, and travels with her by boat while trying to conceal his anxiety.
Alphonse Frankenstein Accompanies Victor from Ireland to Paris and then Geneva, tries to cheer him and arrange his marriage, and remains overjoyed during the wedding preparations.
Elizabeth Lavenza Writes a letter to Victor expressing her love and seeking confirmation of his wishes before their marriage, welcomes him warmly upon his return, soothes his episodes of despair, and travels with him by boat on their wedding day while hiding her own melancholy.
The monster Only mentioned through Victor's memories of his crimes and the specific threat to appear on Victor's wedding night.
Henry Clerval Only mentioned as one of the victims Victor feels responsible for killing.
William Frankenstein Only mentioned as one of the innocent victims Victor claims to have killed.
Justine Moritz Only mentioned as an innocent victim who died because of Victor's actions.
Main 12

Victor Frankenstein

Also known as: I, Victor, the narrator, my companion, myself, Frankenstein +28 más

Guilt-ridden young scientist from Geneva who created a monster that has murdered his loved ones; tormented by remorse and fear of the creature's threat. Confesses his crimes to his father but withholds the full truth, responds to Elizabeth's letter by agreeing to marry her while planning to reveal his secret afterward, marries Elizabeth, and travels with her by boat while trying to conceal his anxiety.

Caroline Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza cousin and more than sisterBeaufort family friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted sister and companion +53 more

Elizabeth Lavenza

Also known as: Elizabeth, cousin, my more than sister, the beautiful and adored companion, the sweet orphan, Lizaveta +24 más

Cousin and betrothed of Victor; kind, gentle, and loving woman raised by the Frankenstein family who harbors doubts about Victor's feelings but desires his happiness above all. Writes a letter to Victor expressing her love and seeking confirmation of his wishes before their marriage, welcomes him warmly upon his return, soothes his episodes of despair, and travels with him by boat on their wedding day while hiding her own melancholy.

Victor Frankenstein cousin and more than brotherCaroline Frankenstein adoptive motherAlphonse Frankenstein adoptive fatherVictor Frankenstein adoptive brother and companionHenry Clerval friend +19 more

Henry Clerval

Also known as: Clerval, Henry, his son, my fellow student, my dear Clerval, my friend +10 más

Victor's close friend and companion who was murdered by the monster. Only mentioned as one of the victims Victor feels responsible for killing.

Victor Frankenstein closest friendElizabeth Lavenza friend and influenceVictor Frankenstein close friendVictor Frankenstein friendVictor Frankenstein dear friend +7 more

Alphonse Frankenstein

Also known as: my father, my parents, the narrator's father, your father, Your affectionate and afflicted father, papa +5 más

Victor's caring but unaware father who believes his son's self-accusations are signs of madness and encourages him to marry Elizabeth to find happiness. Accompanies Victor from Ireland to Paris and then Geneva, tries to cheer him and arrange his marriage, and remains overjoyed during the wedding preparations.

Victor Frankenstein sonVictor Frankenstein sonElizabeth Lavenza niece or adopted daughterWilliam Frankenstein sonVictor Frankenstein son +21 more

Robert Walton

Also known as: he, my enemy, the being I had created, the demoniacal corpse, the dreaded spectre, the miserable monster +47 más

A hideous, intelligent creature made by Victor, filled with rage and a thirst for companionship and revenge. Follows Victor, watches him work, howls in despair when the female is destroyed, confronts and threatens Victor in his room, then departs in a boat after issuing the wedding-night threat.

Victor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creatorWilliam Frankenstein murderer of himVictor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creator +23 more

Justine Moritz

Also known as: Justine, poor Justine, poor girl, good Justine, poor, poor sufferer +8 más

Young woman wrongfully executed for the murder of William, which was actually committed by the monster. Only mentioned as an innocent victim who died because of Victor's actions.

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 +9 more

William Frankenstein

Also known as: little William, little darling William, William, dear lovely child, my little William, my sweet boy +11 más

Victor's younger brother who was murdered by the monster. Only mentioned as one of the innocent victims Victor claims to have killed.

Victor Frankenstein elder brotherElizabeth Lavenza sisterly figureAlphonse Frankenstein fatherVictor Frankenstein brotherErnest Frankenstein brother +13 more

The monster

Also known as: destroyer, fiend, he, him, my creation, wretch +11 más

Malevolent creature created by Victor Frankenstein who has murdered William, Justine, Henry Clerval, and others, and has vowed revenge on Victor. Only mentioned through Victor's memories of his crimes and the specific threat to appear on Victor's wedding night.

Victor Frankenstein creatorWilliam Frankenstein victimJustine Moritz framed for his crimeVictor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creator

Agatha

Also known as: children, gentle Agatha, girl, her, sister, the ever-gentle Agatha +7 más

Daughter of De Lacey; gentle sister in the cottage family. Is remembered fondly by the creature but also recalled as fleeing in horror from him.

Father fatherFelix brotherThe creature unknown benefactorFelix sister toDe Lacey daughter to +8 more

Felix

Also known as: brother, children, excellent Felix, his, son, young man +8 más

Son of De Lacey; previously taught Safie and reacted with violence upon seeing the creature. Returns to the cottage with the landlord, announces the family is abandoning the property due to the horror caused by the creature, and is never seen again by the creature.

Father fatherAgatha sisterThe creature unknown benefactorSafie beloved (sweet Arabian)Agatha brother to +13 more

Safie

Also known as: his sweet Arabian, the Arabian, the charming Arabian, the lady, the lovely stranger, the stranger +13 más

Beautiful Arabian woman who was learning from Felix and lived with the De Lacey family. Is remembered by the creature for her exquisite beauty; is mentioned as part of the family that fled.

Felix beloved (his sweet Arabian)De Lacey affectionate guest toAgatha fellow womanFelix lover and intended husbandThe Turk father +6 more

De Lacey

Also known as: father, his father, the old man, blind and aged father, blind old man, excellent man +4 más

Blind old man and head of the cottage family who had befriended the creature through conversation without seeing him. Is discussed by the creature as the one he should have approached first; is mentioned by Felix as being in mortal danger after the incident.

Felix father toAgatha father toSafie embraces affectionatelyFelix sonAgatha daughter +6 more
Secondary 27

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Turk

Also known as: Muhammadan, Turkish merchant, father of Safie, her father, his deliverer, the captive +2 más

Treacherous Turkish merchant who lived in Paris; imprisoned and sentenced to death on dubious charges. Cunning and ungrateful; uses Felix's love for his daughter to secure escape but later betrays the family. Is rescued from prison by Felix; promises Safie to Felix but secretly plans to take her away; flees Italy with her upon learning of Felix's ruin; sends insulting money to Felix.

Safie daughterFelix his deliverer

Her mother

Also known as: Christian Arab, this lady

Mother of Safie; a Christian Arab who was enslaved by Turks but married Safie's father due to her beauty. She instilled values of freedom, intellect, and independence in her daughter before dying. Only mentioned through Safie's recounted memories; taught Safie Christian tenets and to aspire to higher ideals.

Safie daughterThe Turk husband

The girl

Also known as: young girl

A young girl running playfully along the river. Is saved from drowning by the creature but is then snatched away by a rustic who shoots the creature.

The creature rescuer

The rustic

Also known as: a rustic, my injurer, the man, the person from whom she had playfully fled

Man in the woods, likely the girl's companion or guardian. Seizes the rescued girl from the creature's arms, flees, then shoots the creature when pursued.

The girl presumed companion

Mr. Kirwin

Also known as: Kirwin, magistrate

Kind and benevolent Irish magistrate who conducts the inquiry into the murder and shows compassion toward Victor despite initially suspecting him. Questions witnesses, orders Victor to view the body, provides him the best prison room with a physician and nurse, visits occasionally, arranges his defense, informs him of his father's arrival, and ensures his release.

Victor Frankenstein examines and cares for

Unnamed man

Also known as: ill-looking man, man with a hoarse voice

Gruff local inhabitant of the Irish town who speaks to Victor. Answers Victor rudely, accuses him of being a villain, and leads him to the magistrate.

Daniel Nugent

Also known as: Nugent, his companion

Fisherman and brother-in-law to the main deponent who was present when the body was found. Testifies that he saw a boat with a single man (Victor) near the shore just before the body was discovered.

Old woman

Also known as: hired nurse, she, the second, wife of one of the turnkeys

Nurse hired to care for Victor in prison; she is the wife of a turnkey and displays a hard, unsympathetic demeanor. Tends to Victor during his fever and recovery, speaks to him with indifference about his alleged crime, prepares medicines, and sleeps in his room.

Physician

Also known as: the first

Doctor provided by Mr. Kirwin to treat Victor in prison. Visits Victor, prescribes medicines, but shows visible carelessness in his treatment.