Chapter 1

This chapter
Characters 9
Places 15
A Genevese narrator recounts his family’s background and his father’s effort to rescue his impoverished friend Beaufort and Beaufort’s daughter, Caroline. Caroline becomes the narrator’s mother after Beaufort dies, and their marriage leads to years of travel and the narrator’s upbringing. When the narrator is about five, his mother brings an orphaned Milanese noble girl, Elizabeth Lavenza, into their home, treating her as his “more than sister.”

On stage

Victor Relates the family history, the circumstances of his parents’ marriage, his childhood and travels, and how Elizabeth Lavenza becomes part of the household.
Victor Experiences early childhood memories and participates in outings, including the Lake Como excursion where Elizabeth is first noticed.

Mentioned

Beaufort Was sought out by the narrator’s father after hiding for ten months; dies after months of sickness left Beaufort with few funds.
Caroline Beaufort Receives her father’s care during his decline, survives by working, becomes orphaned and penniless when he dies, and is later placed under the protection of a relation before marrying the narrator’s father.
Alphonse Frankenstein Discovers Beaufort’s hiding place, enters his misery, cares for and transports Caroline to Geneva, arranges her protection by a relation, and later marries her; then travels with his family.
Elizabeth Lavenza Is identified during a visit to a poor cottage at Lake Como; later brought into the narrator’s parents’ home as an honored member of the household with the narrator calling her ‘cousin’ and treating her as a protected companion.
the peasant woman Communicates Elizabeth Lavenza’s history to the narrator’s mother during the visit.
the peasant man Distributes a scanty meal to hungry children in his cottage; is present as part of the household during the narrator’s mother’s visit.
the village priest Is consulted by the narrator’s parents’ household regarding taking Elizabeth into their home; their consultation results in Elizabeth becoming an inmate of the parents’ house.
Victor Is the addressee of the mother’s promise that he will receive Elizabeth as a present.
Caroline Beaufort’s relation Receives Caroline under protection after Beaufort’s death.
Caroline Beaufort Rescues attention on a poor cottage at Lake Como, visits and learns of Elizabeth Lavenza, and later prevails on Elizabeth’s foster parents to yield their charge; eventually presents Elizabeth to the narrator as a promised gift.

Settings

Geneva A republic and city associated with the narrator’s origins; also where the narrator’s father conducts Caroline and places her under a relation’s protection.
Lucerne A town where Beaufort retreats to live unknown and in wretchedness with his daughter.
Reuss A river used as a geographic reference point near the house where Beaufort hides.
Italy A country-region of travel described as a restorative for Caroline’s weakened frame after marriage; includes tours through a land of wonders and stops in parts of Italy.
Naples A city where the narrator is born.
Germany A country visited by the parents on travel after Italy.
France A country visited by the parents on travel after Italy.
Lake of Como A lake whose shores are visited during an excursion beyond the frontiers of Italy; a setting for visiting cottages of the poor.
Milan A city near which the narrator’s father goes by himself; the poor cottage is visited after that. Also referenced as the origin of Elizabeth’s noble lineage.
Austria A country referenced as imprisoning the Italian father of Elizabeth’s orphan status; dungeons and confiscation occur under its power.
the frontiers of Italy (beyond) Border region referenced as the route for an excursion when narrator is about five years old.
a mean street near the Reuss Specific neighborhood in Lucerne-like geographic context where Beaufort’s house is located—described as mean and associated with misery.
our villa (parents’ villa hall) The narrator’s family residence; includes a hall where Elizabeth is found playing with him and where she is integrated into family life.
a poor cot in the foldings of a vale A singularly disconsolate poor cottage setting associated with penury and five hungry babes.
a cottage (peasant abode) The specific peasant home containing the family and the hungry children; described as penury in its worst shape.
Main 3

Victor

Also known as: Frankenstein, M. Frankenstein

Child version of the narrator, described as the narrator being the plaything and idol of his parents; single offspring for a long time until Elizabeth is brought in. Learns patience, charity, and self-control through his upbringing.

Beaufort friend-of-family via fatherCaroline Beaufort motherhis father fatherElizabeth Lavenza more than sister / cousin-like bondAlphonse Frankenstein child/son +2 more
Chapter 1

Alphonse Frankenstein

Also known as: the narrator’s father, the father, his father

Genevese man from a distinguished family; a public figure who served as counsellor and syndic through his ancestors, and who filled public situations with honor and reputation. Respected for integrity and indefatigable attention to public business; devoted, upright, and guided by a sense of justice in love. Later relinquishes public functions before marrying and after; becomes husband to Caroline Beaufort and father to the narrator and later caregiver of Elizabeth Lavenza.

Beaufort intimate friendCaroline Beaufort husbandElizabeth Lavenza guardian/household headVictor father/parent
Chapter 1

Elizabeth Lavenza

Also known as: the narrator’s cousin, Elizabeth, the narrator’s Elizabeth

Gentle, compassionate, morally steady orphan connected to Victor as cousin and intended spouse; capable of noticing Victor’s changes and responding with concern. Provides a moral anchor and embodies the best hope for Victor’s happiness and domestic stability.

the peasant woman foster child (charge)the peasant man foster child (charge)the village priest consulted authority regarding her careCaroline Beaufort rescued/placed under careAlphonse Frankenstein adopted into household / cared for +1 more
Chapter 1
Secondary 1

Caroline Beaufort

Genevese woman whose courage and benevolence are emphasized; her past includes suffering that makes her a guardian angel to the afflicted. Becomes wife of the narrator’s father two years after Beaufort’s death. Tender, soft, benevolent, and devoted; seeks to shelter and surround family with things that excite pleasurable emotion.

Beaufort fatherAlphonse Frankenstein later husband/wife relationshipElizabeth Lavenza rescuer/benefactorCaroline Beaufort same person as narrator’s motherVictor mother/parent
Chapter 1
Mentioned 5
Beaufort Was sought out by the narrator’s father after hiding for ten months; dies after months of sickness left Beaufort with few funds.
the peasant woman Communicates Elizabeth Lavenza’s history to the narrator’s mother during the visit.
the peasant man Distributes a scanty meal to hungry children in his cottage; is present as part of the household during the narrator’s mother’s visit.
the village priest Is consulted by the narrator’s parents’ household regarding taking Elizabeth into their home; their consultation results in Elizabeth becoming an inmate of the parents’ house.
Caroline Beaufort’s relation Receives Caroline under protection after Beaufort’s death.
Main 8

Geneva

A republic and city associated with the narrator’s origins; also where the narrator’s father conducts Caroline and places her under a relation’s protection.

  • Narrator’s father takes Caroline to Geneva after Beaufort’s interment.
  • Caroline is placed under the protection of a relation in Geneva.
  • Parents own a house in Geneva; narrator describes avoiding crowds and attaching to a few friends there.
  • Geneva school routine is mentioned as part of his education.
  • The narrator’s education in local schools is referenced as completed before age seventeen.
  • The narrator does not visit Geneva for two years while absorbed in discovery.
  • His father’s letters from Geneva enquire about his occupations and address his silence.
  • Elizabeth’s letter dated in Geneva describes household changes and gossip.
  • Victor’s convalescence prompts correspondence to family in Geneva.
  • Victor arrives in the environs of Geneva as night closes around; gates are shut.
  • Victor’s father’s house is where Victor enters at dawn.
  • Justine returns around eight o’clock to the house in Geneva.
  • She cannot search freely when the gates are shut.
  • The trial and visits occur in connection with Geneva’s judicial institutions.
  • Gates closing at ten o’clock shapes Victor’s dissatisfaction with staying in Geneva.
  • Victor feels temporarily freer after retreat to Belrive.
  • Victor returns home at once, enters the house, and is met with alarm.
  • Victor returns to Geneva and struggles to recommence his work.
  • Victor’s father speaks with him there about marriage and the cause of his unhappiness.
  • Victor’s father reassures Victor that Elizabeth and Ernest are safe there.
  • Victor decides that returning to Geneva is his remaining duty after release.
  • Victor and his father return to Geneva.
  • Elizabeth welcomes Victor in Geneva with compassion and tears.
  • A marriage ceremony is performed in Geneva.
  • The couple depart by water for their first days of happiness.
  • Victor arrives
  • his father dies of grief
  • Victor later is imprisoned and then released
  • Victor decides to quit Geneva for ever.
  • Victor wanders the confines of town seeking a clue.
  • Victor enters the cemetery at night and swears vengeance at the tombs of William, Elizabeth, and his father.
Chapter 1

Italy

A country-region of travel described as a restorative for Caroline’s weakened frame after marriage; includes tours through a land of wonders and stops in parts of Italy.

  • Immediately after their union, the parents seek the pleasant climate of Italy.
  • From Italy they visit Germany and France.
Chapter 1

Germany

A country visited by the parents on travel after Italy.

  • The parents visit Germany.
  • De Lacey and Agatha end up confined as exiles and find a miserable asylum in a cottage in Germany
Chapter 1

France

A country visited by the parents on travel after Italy.

  • The parents visit France.
  • Felix conducts the fugitives through France toward Lyons
Chapter 1

Lake of Como

A lake whose shores are visited during an excursion beyond the frontiers of Italy; a setting for visiting cottages of the poor.

  • Parents spend a week on the shores of the Lake of Como.
  • Narrator’s mother and narrator visit a poor cottage in a vale/foldings near the lake.
Chapter 1

Milan

A city near which the narrator’s father goes by himself; the poor cottage is visited after that. Also referenced as the origin of Elizabeth’s noble lineage.

  • The narrator’s mother visits the poor abode when the father has gone by himself to Milan.
  • Elizabeth is described as the daughter of a Milanese nobleman.
Chapter 1

our villa (parents’ villa hall)

The narrator’s family residence; includes a hall where Elizabeth is found playing with him and where she is integrated into family life.

  • Father returns and finds Elizabeth playing with the narrator in the hall of their villa.
  • Elizabeth becomes the inmate of the parents’ house and companion of their occupations and pleasures.
Chapter 1

a poor cot in the foldings of a vale

A singularly disconsolate poor cottage setting associated with penury and five hungry babes.

  • Narrator’s mother notices the cot during a walk with the narrator.
  • She finds a peasant couple distributing a scanty meal to five hungry babes.
Chapter 1
Secondary 7

Lucerne

A town where Beaufort retreats to live unknown and in wretchedness with his daughter.

Reuss

A river used as a geographic reference point near the house where Beaufort hides.

Naples

A city where the narrator is born.

Austria

A country referenced as imprisoning the Italian father of Elizabeth’s orphan status; dungeons and confiscation occur under its power.

the frontiers of Italy (beyond)

Border region referenced as the route for an excursion when narrator is about five years old.

a mean street near the Reuss

Specific neighborhood in Lucerne-like geographic context where Beaufort’s house is located—described as mean and associated with misery.

a cottage (peasant abode)

The specific peasant home containing the family and the hungry children; described as penury in its worst shape.

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