Chapter 2

This chapter
Characters 14
Places 19
Victor recounts his childhood in Geneva and his close companionship with Elizabeth and Henry Clerval, contrasting their interests. He describes how his scientific passions begin with reading alchemical works, then shifts after a thunderstorm near Belrive, when he turns to mathematics and other studies.

On stage

Victor Frankenstein Narrates his upbringing, friendships, early intellectual interests, and the formative experiences (reading alchemical authors and the thunderstorm near Belrive) that redirect his studies.
Elizabeth Lavenza Is described as Victor’s companion in childhood—admiring poetry and natural scenes while also influencing Victor and Henry through her gentleness and sympathy.
Henry Clerval Is presented through Victor’s recollections of childhood companionship and the way Elizabeth’s influence shapes his aspiration to do good.
Alphonse Frankenstein Provides a careless, negative judgment of Cornelius Agrippa when Victor shares his discovery; also mentioned as not explaining principles of modern science.

Mentioned

Caroline Frankenstein Referenced as part of Victor’s parents and their shift from wandering life to settled life near Geneva.
Cornelius Agrippa Serves as the key book Victor finds during a trip to baths near Thonon, sparking his early enthusiasm for natural philosophy.
Paracelsus Named as part of the sequence of authors Victor procures and reads after discovering Cornelius Agrippa.
Albertus Magnus Named along with Paracelsus and Cornelius Agrippa as works Victor seeks out and reads avidly.
Sir Isaac Newton Referenced as a model statement to illustrate Victor’s dissatisfaction and sense of learning near the surface of truth.
Jura Referenced as the storm’s origin in Victor’s childhood recollection.

Settings

Geneva Victor’s native city; the household possesses a house there and later shifts residence primarily to nearby lands.
Belrive (eastern shore of the lake) A countryside property ('campagne') on the eastern shore of the lake, near Geneva; where Victor and his family mostly reside.
The baths near Thonon A destination for a party of pleasure; a trip where bad weather confines them to an inn.
An inn near the baths A lodging building where Victor finds a volume of Cornelius Agrippa during the weather delay.
Thonon The region associated with the baths that Victor’s family visits.
The Frankenstein house near Belrive The specific house location near Belrive from which Victor watches the thunderstorm.
An old and beautiful oak A tree located about twenty yards from the Frankenstein house; struck and destroyed during the thunderstorm.
Swiss home Victor’s broader mountainous homeland setting; described through mountains, seasons, winter silence, and Alpine summers.
Swiss mountains/Jura The mountain regions surrounding the Swiss home; the Jura mountains are named as the thunderstorm’s direction.
Main 4

Victor Frankenstein

Also known as: Frankenstein, Victor, M. Frankenstein, M.

A Genevese scientist and first-person narrator whose created being’s revenge leads to deep personal tragedy; driven by calculated vengeance and consumed by grief, eventually dies on an Arctic expedition ship.

Alphonse Frankenstein fatherCaroline Frankenstein motherElizabeth Lavenza adopted cousin; treated as more-than-sister; betrothed (implied)Henry Clerval closest friend and fellow student; bond of companionshipCornelius Agrippa reads/was influenced by his works +3 more
Chapters 1, 2

Alphonse Frankenstein

Also known as: Father, my father, Papa, Alphonse, my

Victor’s father and head of the Frankenstein family; a kind and indulgent parent in the household, though not scientifically inclined. He dismisses certain reading material, affecting Victor’s pursuits.

Beaufort intimate friendCaroline Frankenstein husbandVictor Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza guardian/household authority as part of the familyHenry Clerval connected by household relationship through Victor
Chapters 1, 2

Elizabeth Lavenza

Also known as: Elizabeth, my cousin, my dearest cousin, cousin, sister, my sister, playmate, my beloved, my dear Elizabeth, Liz Lavenza, Liz, Beth Lavenza, Beth, Lizzy Lavenza, Lizzy, Eliza Lavenza, Eliza, my

Raised in the Frankenstein household as Victor’s adopted cousin and more-than-sister; gentle, saintly, calm, concentrated, and sympathetic. Her presence softens Victor’s roughness and inspires tenderness in others, shaping the moral tone of the home.

Victor Frankenstein adopted cousin; treated as more-than-sister; belovedCaroline Frankenstein adopted/placed under protection byAlphonse Frankenstein adopted/placed under protection byHenry Clerval influences his kindness and beneficent aspirations
Chapters 1, 2

Henry Clerval

Also known as: Clerval, Henry, my dear Henry, Henry Clerval, Harry Clerval, Harry, Hal Clerval, Hal, Hank Clerval, Hank, my friend, my, my only nurse

A talented, imaginative boy from a merchant family in Geneva; loves enterprise, hardship, and danger, and is deeply read in chivalric romance. Ambitious toward heroic beneficence and humane, thoughtful kindness tempered by adventurous passion.

Victor Frankenstein closest friend; fellow studentElizabeth Lavenza friend/admirer; Elizabeth helps unfold his beneficenceAlphonse Frankenstein connected through Victor’s household proximityCaroline Frankenstein connected through Victor’s household proximity
Chapter 2
Secondary 1

Caroline Frankenstein

Also known as: Caroline Beaufort, my mother, Madame Frankenstein, Caroline, my, Madame

Victor’s mother, wife of Alphonse; compassionate and courageous despite early suffering. Part of a household characterized by kindness and indulgence.

Beaufort daughterVictor Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein husbandElizabeth Lavenza protective guardian/adopter; treats as gift to Victor
Chapters 1, 2
Mentioned 9
Beaufort Is the catalyst for Caroline’s hardship and subsequent adoption into Victor’s family.
Milanese nobleman Is identified as Elizabeth Lavenza’s father whose political fate leaves her orphaned and impoverished.
Victor's village priest Participates indirectly in the decision that results in Elizabeth Lavenza being placed in Victor’s home.
Elizabeth Lavenza's foster parents Are the guardians who host Elizabeth during her impoverished upbringing and agree to yield her to Victor’s mother.
Cornelius Agrippa Serves as the key book Victor finds during a trip to baths near Thonon, sparking his early enthusiasm for natural philosophy.
Paracelsus Named as part of the sequence of authors Victor procures and reads after discovering Cornelius Agrippa.
Albertus Magnus Named along with Paracelsus and Cornelius Agrippa as works Victor seeks out and reads avidly.
Sir Isaac Newton Referenced as a model statement to illustrate Victor’s dissatisfaction and sense of learning near the surface of truth.
Jura Referenced as the storm’s origin in Victor’s childhood recollection.
Main 2

Geneva

Victor’s native city; the household possesses a house there and later shifts residence primarily to nearby lands.

  • Victor introduces his birth and family background as Genevese.
  • Victor’s family life includes relocation to Geneva when Alphonse brings Caroline under his protection.
  • Victor describes childhood and family life in Geneva as part of a settled period after a wandering life.
  • Victor’s education is described as having begun at Geneva schools before moving to Ingolstadt.
  • Victor delays a visit home during his university period.
  • Elizabeth’s letter is dated and written from Geneva.
  • Elizabeth reports on household and family changes in Geneva.
  • Alphonse’s letter is written and dated there.
  • Victor arrives in the environs of Geneva and goes to his father’s house.
  • Victor notes he had previously been confined by the gates and lake rules, making solitude harder.
  • The Creature decides to proceed toward it to find Victor.
  • He later reaches its environs and hides among fields that surround it.
  • Victor descends to the valley, returns to Geneva, and enters the house to present himself to the family.
  • Victor returns to Geneva, continues delaying his work, and recovers his health while isolated on the lake.
  • Elizabeth’s letter is dated from Geneva.
  • Victor and his father return to Geneva.
  • Victor and Elizabeth spend time together as preparations begin for marriage.
  • Victor returns to Geneva after being devastated by Elizabeth’s murder and subsequent family losses.
  • Victor resolves to quit Geneva for ever and departs with money and jewels.
  • Victor later wanders around the town’s confines searching for a clue to the Creature’s steps.
Chapters 1, 2

Belrive (eastern shore of the lake)

A countryside property ('campagne') on the eastern shore of the lake, near Geneva; where Victor and his family mostly reside.

  • Victor and his family retire to their house near Belrive around age fifteen.
  • A devastating thunderstorm occurs near an oak about twenty yards from their house, leading to Victor’s change in interests.
Chapter 2
Secondary 17

Lucerne

A town where Beaufort retreats and lives unknown in wretchedness after paying his debts.

Reuss

A river near which Beaufort’s mean street house is situated.

Milan

An Italian city visited by Alphonse for which Victor mentions the father going by himself; also associated with Elizabeth’s origin.

Italy

A region traversed by Victor’s family as part of restorative travel after Caroline’s marriage and earlier hardships.

Naples

A city in Italy where Victor is born.

Lake of Como

A lake-shore area beyond Italy’s frontiers where Victor’s family spends time; charitable walks lead to the discovery of the poor cot and Elizabeth.

a poor cot in a vale

A humble peasant dwelling in a foldings of a vale, described as singularly disconsolate and surrounded by half-clothed children.

a hall of their villa

The interior space of the Frankenstein household where Victor plays and where Elizabeth’s arrival is later explained in memory.

Germany

A country visited by Victor’s family during their travels.

France

A country visited by Victor’s family during their travels.

The baths near Thonon

A destination for a party of pleasure; a trip where bad weather confines them to an inn.

An inn near the baths

A lodging building where Victor finds a volume of Cornelius Agrippa during the weather delay.

Thonon

The region associated with the baths that Victor’s family visits.

The Frankenstein house near Belrive

The specific house location near Belrive from which Victor watches the thunderstorm.

An old and beautiful oak

A tree located about twenty yards from the Frankenstein house; struck and destroyed during the thunderstorm.

Swiss home

Victor’s broader mountainous homeland setting; described through mountains, seasons, winter silence, and Alpine summers.

Swiss mountains/Jura

The mountain regions surrounding the Swiss home; the Jura mountains are named as the thunderstorm’s direction.

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