Main 7
Victor Frankenstein
Also known as: I, Victor, the narrator, my companion, myself, Frankenstein
+9 másThe narrator and protagonist, a young scientist from Geneva who created a living being two years earlier; he is grief-stricken, guilt-ridden, and torn between his secret knowledge and his family's suffering. Reads his father's letter, rushes home from Ingolstadt, encounters the creature near the murder site, and tries to console his family while withholding the truth about the murder.
Caroline Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza cousin and more than sisterBeaufort family friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted sister and companion
+23 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Elizabeth Lavenza
Also known as: Elizabeth, cousin, my more than sister, the beautiful and adored companion, the sweet orphan, Lizaveta
+12 másVictor's cousin, raised in the Frankenstein household; she is affectionate, sensitive, and tormented by guilt over William's death. Weeps continuously, accuses herself of causing William's death, welcomes Victor with hope that he can help Justine, and expresses certainty in Justine's innocence.
Victor Frankenstein cousin and more than brotherCaroline Frankenstein adoptive motherAlphonse Frankenstein adoptive fatherVictor Frankenstein adoptive brother and companionHenry Clerval friend
+8 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Henry Clerval
Also known as: Clerval, Henry, his son, my fellow student, my dear Clerval, my friend
+3 másVictor'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
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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
+1 másVictor's beloved and venerable father in Geneva, a grieving parent who has lost his youngest son. Writes a letter informing Victor of William's murder and urging his return; later welcomes Victor home and expresses hope that Justine will be acquitted.
Victor Frankenstein sonCaroline Frankenstein wifeVictor Frankenstein sonBeaufort intimate friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted daughter
+10 more
Chapters 2, 4, 1, 3, 7, 5
Robert Walton
Also known as: he, my enemy, the being I had created, the demoniacal corpse, the dreaded spectre, the miserable monster
+9 másThe gigantic and deformed monster created by Victor two years earlier, now loose in the world. Appears to Victor during the storm near the murder site, is recognized as the killer of William, and flees by climbing the rocks of Mont Salêve.
Victor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creatorWilliam Frankenstein murderer of him
Chapters 5, 7
Justine Moritz
Also known as: Justine, poor Justine, poor girl, good Justine, poor
The amiable and beloved servant in the Frankenstein household who is wrongly accused of murdering William. Is arrested and accused based on the discovery of Caroline's miniature in her pocket and her confused behavior; she is scheduled to be tried that day.
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
Chapters 6, 7
William Frankenstein
Also known as: little William, little darling William, William, dear lovely child, my little William, my sweet boy
+3 másThe young brother of Victor who was murdered; described as a gentle, gay, and radiant child. Is the victim of the murder described in the letter and later confirmed as killed by the creature; his miniature portrait is central to the accusation against Justine.
Victor Frankenstein elder brotherElizabeth Lavenza sisterly figureAlphonse Frankenstein fatherVictor Frankenstein brotherErnest Frankenstein brother
+2 more
Chapters 6, 7
Secondary 14
Caroline Frankenstein
Also known as: Caroline Beaufort, my mother, the narrator's mother, her preserver, she, this best of women
+1 másVictor'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
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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