Frankenstein — Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Victor Frankenstein is consumed by guilt and remorse after the deaths of William and Justine, which he caused by creating the monster. He isolates himself, contemplates suicide but is restrained by thoughts of his family, and tries to find solace in nature by traveling alone to the valley of Chamounix in the Alps. There, the sublime mountain scenery temporarily eases his despair before he falls into exhausted sleep.

On stage

Victor Frankenstein Describes his mental anguish and despair in detail; rejects his father's advice; rows on the lake at night contemplating suicide; travels to the valley of Chamounix seeking relief in nature; falls asleep at an inn.

Alphonse Frankenstein Observes Victor's despair and offers philosophical arguments to inspire fortitude and reduce excessive sorrow.

Elizabeth Lavenza 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.

William Frankenstein Mentioned as a victim whose death contributes to the family's mourning and Victor's guilt.

Justine Moritz Referenced repeatedly as the innocent victim whose death intensifies Victor's remorse and Elizabeth's sorrow.

The monster Not physically present but constantly in Victor's thoughts as the source of his terror and desire for revenge.

Main 8

Victor Frankenstein

Also known as: I, Victor, the narrator, my companion, myself, Frankenstein +12 más

Guilt-ridden creator of the monster; a young man from Geneva whose benevolent nature has been destroyed by his actions and their consequences. He is tormented by remorse, self-loathing, and fear of further crimes by his creation. Describes his mental anguish and despair in detail; rejects his father's advice; rows on the lake at night contemplating suicide; travels to the valley of Chamounix seeking relief in nature; falls asleep at an inn.

Caroline Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza cousin and more than sisterBeaufort family friendElizabeth Lavenza adopted sister and companion +30 more

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

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 +12 más

Mysterious and malevolent being created by Victor that murdered William and framed Justine. Not present but identified by Victor as the true murderer who betrayed the innocent Justine.

Victor Frankenstein creatorVictor Frankenstein creatorWilliam Frankenstein murderer of himVictor Frankenstein creator

Chapters 5, 7, 8

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

Secondary 15

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