Frankenstein — Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Victor Frankenstein succeeds in animating his creature on a stormy November night but is immediately filled with horror and disgust at its grotesque appearance. He flees the room and is later visited by his friend Henry Clerval, whose arrival temporarily relieves his terror until Victor fears the creature is still in his apartment. The shock triggers a nervous fever that confines Victor for months, during which Henry nurses him devotedly until Victor slowly recovers in the spring.

On stage

Victor Frankenstein Successfully animates the creature but immediately rejects it in disgust, flees his apartment, experiences a nervous breakdown after seeing the creature again, and is nursed back to health by Henry while raving about the monster.

Henry Clerval Arrives in Ingolstadt, reunites joyfully with Victor, nurses him through a months-long nervous fever while concealing the illness from Victor's family, and gently encourages Victor to write home.

Elizabeth Lavenza Appears only in Victor's nightmare as a healthy young woman who transforms into the corpse of his dead mother.

The creature Opens its dull yellow eye and moves convulsively upon animation, later appears at Victor's bedside holding up the bed curtain, mutters inarticulate sounds, grins, and stretches out a hand before Victor flees; its memory continues to haunt Victor.

Victor's father Mentioned as being too old to travel and kept unaware of the severity of Victor's illness by Henry.

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

The porter Opens the gates in the morning, allowing Victor to leave the courtyard and enter the streets.

Main 5

Victor Frankenstein

Also known as: I, Victor, the narrator, my companion, myself, Frankenstein +2 más

Ambitious young scientist from Geneva studying at the University of Ingolstadt, driven by an obsessive passion for creating life that has now turned into horror and remorse. Successfully animates the creature but immediately rejects it in disgust, flees his apartment, experiences a nervous breakdown after seeing the creature again, and is nursed back to health by Henry while raving about the monster.

Caroline Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza cousin and more than sisterBeaufort family friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted sister and companion +12 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Elizabeth Lavenza

Also known as: Elizabeth, cousin, my more than sister, the beautiful and adored companion, the sweet orphan, Lizaveta +4 más

cousin Appears only in Victor's nightmare as a healthy young woman who transforms into the corpse of his dead mother.

Victor Frankenstein cousin and more than brotherCaroline Frankenstein adoptive motherAlphonse Frankenstein adoptive fatherVictor Frankenstein adoptive brother and companionHenry Clerval friend +2 more

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5

Henry Clerval

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

Victor's loyal and kind-hearted university friend from Geneva who has come to study at Ingolstadt, leaving behind his father's business. Arrives in Ingolstadt, reunites joyfully with Victor, nurses him through a months-long nervous fever while concealing the illness from Victor's family, and gently encourages Victor to write home.

Victor Frankenstein closest friendElizabeth Lavenza friend and influenceVictor Frankenstein close friendVictor Frankenstein friend

Chapters 2, 3, 5

Alphonse Frankenstein

Also known as: my father, my parents, the narrator's father, your father, father

Victor's elderly father back in Geneva. Mentioned as being too old to travel and kept unaware of the severity of Victor's illness by Henry.

Victor Frankenstein sonCaroline Frankenstein wifeVictor Frankenstein sonBeaufort intimate friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted daughter +5 more

Chapters 2, 4, 1, 3, 5

Robert Walton

Also known as: he, my enemy, the being I had created, the demoniacal corpse, the dreaded spectre, the miserable monster +2 más

A hideous, newly animated being with yellow skin, black hair, pearly teeth, watery eyes, and shrivelled lips, brought to life by Victor after two years of work. Opens its dull yellow eye and moves convulsively upon animation, later appears at Victor's bedside holding up the bed curtain, mutters inarticulate sounds, grins, and stretches out a hand before Victor flees; its memory continues to haunt Victor.

Victor Frankenstein creator

Chapter 5

Secondary 10

Caroline Frankenstein

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

Victor's affectionate and devoted mother who prioritizes family above all. She is benevolent and courageous. Nurses Elizabeth through scarlet fever, contracts the disease herself, and dies after blessing Victor and Elizabeth's future union on her deathbed.

Alphonse Frankenstein husbandVictor Frankenstein sonBeaufort fatherElizabeth Lavenza adopted daughterVictor Frankenstein son +2 more

Chapters 1, 3

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 at the University of Ingolstadt with a repulsive appearance but sound sense and real information. Teases Victor about his earlier interest in Cornelius Agrippa while acknowledging his rapid progress.

Victor Frankenstein studentVictor Frankenstein student

Chapters 3, 4

M. Waldman

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

Gentle and encouraging professor at Ingolstadt who becomes a true friend to Victor. Provides frank and helpful instruction that smooths Victor's path in science and expresses heartfelt exultation at his progress.

Victor Frankenstein studentVictor Frankenstein student and friend

Chapters 3, 4

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