Chapter 6: Chapter 6

This chapter
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Elizabeth writes a long letter to Victor expressing worry over his illness and updating him on family and friends in Geneva, including the full backstory of Justine Moritz. Victor reads the letter, writes back, recovers enough to leave his room, and introduces Clerval to the university professors despite his newfound aversion to natural philosophy. He then studies oriental languages with Clerval, delays his return home through winter, and finally enjoys a restorative two-week walking tour in the countryside around Ingolstadt with his friend.

On stage

Elizabeth Lavenza Writes a detailed letter reassuring Victor of the family's well-being, recounting Justine's history, and urging him to write and return home.
Victor Frankenstein Reads Elizabeth's letter with emotion, writes a reply that fatigues him, introduces Clerval to professors while suffering inwardly from their praise of his scientific work, studies oriental languages to distract himself, and enjoys a pedestrian tour with Clerval that restores his spirits.
Henry Clerval Delivers Elizabeth's letter, cares for Victor during recovery by removing scientific apparatus, accompanies Victor to meet professors and deflects painful conversation, studies oriental languages with Victor, proposes and joins the pedestrian tour while amusing and supporting his friend.
M. Waldman Praises Victor's past progress in the sciences during their meeting, then shifts topics upon noticing Victor's discomfort.
M. Krempe Gives loud, enthusiastic praise of Victor's achievements which causes Victor pain, then turns the conversation to his own youthful modesty.
Justine Moritz Her history and recent return to the family after her mother's death are described in Elizabeth's letter.
Ernest Frankenstein Mentioned in Elizabeth's letter as having grown and changed since Victor left.
William Frankenstein Described fondly in Elizabeth's letter with details of his appearance and childish affections.
Madame Moritz Her troubled life, treatment of Justine, and death are recounted in the letter.
Louis Manoir Mentioned in Elizabeth's letter as about to marry an older French widow.
Madame Tavernier Reported in the letter as soon to marry Louis Manoir.
Main 7

Victor Frankenstein

Also known as: I, Victor, the narrator, my companion, myself, Frankenstein +5 más

Young student recovering from a severe illness caused by his creation of a monster; sensitive, guilt-ridden, and now averse to natural science. Reads Elizabeth's letter with emotion, writes a reply that fatigues him, introduces Clerval to professors while suffering inwardly from their praise of his scientific work, studies oriental languages to distract himself, and enjoys a pedestrian tour with Clerval that restores his spirits.

Caroline Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza cousin and more than sisterBeaufort family friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted sister and companion +16 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Elizabeth Lavenza

Also known as: Elizabeth, cousin, my more than sister, the beautiful and adored companion, the sweet orphan, Lizaveta +6 más

Caring and affectionate cousin of Victor who lives in Geneva with his family. She is kind, dutiful, and acts as a loving correspondent and emotional support for the Frankenstein household. Writes a detailed letter reassuring Victor of the family's well-being, recounting Justine's history, and urging him to write and return home.

Victor Frankenstein cousin and more than brotherCaroline Frankenstein adoptive motherAlphonse Frankenstein adoptive fatherVictor Frankenstein adoptive brother and companionHenry Clerval friend +4 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Henry Clerval

Also known as: Clerval, Henry, his son, my fellow student, my dear Clerval, my friend +2 más

Loyal and perceptive university student and Victor's close companion; kind, literary, and interested in oriental languages rather than science. Delivers Elizabeth's letter, cares for Victor during recovery by removing scientific apparatus, accompanies Victor to meet professors and deflects painful conversation, studies oriental languages with Victor, proposes and joins the pedestrian tour while amusing and supporting his friend.

Victor Frankenstein closest friendElizabeth Lavenza friend and influenceVictor Frankenstein close friendVictor Frankenstein friendVictor Frankenstein dear friend +1 more
Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6

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

Justine Moritz

Also known as: Justine, poor Justine, poor girl

Servant and former ward in the Frankenstein household; grateful, gentle, pretty, and once favored by Victor and his aunt. Her history and recent return to the family after her mother's death are described in Elizabeth's letter.

Elizabeth Lavenza protectress and admirerVictor Frankenstein former favorite of his
Chapter 6

William Frankenstein

Also known as: little William, little darling William

Youngest brother of Victor; a cheerful, attractive child with dimples and blue eyes. Described fondly in Elizabeth's letter with details of his appearance and childish affections.

Victor Frankenstein elder brotherElizabeth Lavenza sisterly figure
Chapter 6
Secondary 14

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, 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

Younger brother of Victor; active sixteen-year-old who prefers outdoor pursuits over study and wishes to enter foreign military service. Mentioned in Elizabeth's letter as having grown and changed since Victor left.

Victor Frankenstein elder brotherElizabeth Lavenza family member
Chapter 6

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
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