Chapter 3

This chapter
Characters 22
Places 26
Victor, newly seventeen, prepares to study at the University of Ingolstadt, but the plans are delayed by tragedies in his family. His cousin Elizabeth survives scarlet fever while Victor’s mother dies after nursing her, and the household’s grief culminates in a bittersweet farewell to Victor’s departure; he then meets professors Krempe and Waldman and becomes drawn back into scientific study.

On stage

Victor Frankenstein Narrates his family’s crisis, the death of his mother, his departure to Ingolstadt, and his first interactions with professors Krempe and Waldman that reignite his ambition.
Alphonse Frankenstein Delays and then supports Victor’s departure by granting him a respite and blessing him at the farewell; also is described as a narrow-minded trader when Clerval seeks to accompany Victor.
Caroline Frankenstein Nurses Elizabeth through scarlet fever, then contracts the fever herself and dies calmly, asking Elizabeth to care for her younger children and emphasizing Victor and Elizabeth’s union as consolation.
Elizabeth Lavenza Survives scarlet fever, then helps comfort the household after Victor’s mother’s death while continuing her caregiving role and farewell entreaties to Victor.
Henry Clerval Spends the last evening with Victor before his departure; tries to persuade his father to allow him to study with Victor, then says little but conveys resolve at the farewell.
M. Krempe Questions Victor and condemns his alchemical study, then provides a list of books and announces that he will begin lectures.
M. Waldman Delivers a lecture that awakens Victor’s ambition, then welcomes Victor privately, discusses the value of earlier thinkers, and guides him on books and study plans.
Alphonse Frankenstein (again implied at farewell) Blesses Victor when Victor departs.

Mentioned

William Frankenstein Referenced as one of the younger children Elizabeth must help care for after Victor’s mother’s death.
Ernest Frankenstein Referenced as part of the younger children Elizabeth is instructed to support after their mother’s death.
Justine Moritz Mentioned indirectly as part of the household circle referenced during the family mourning context.
Cornelius Agrippa Mentioned as one of the alchemists whose names Victor cites to Krempe and later acknowledged more sympathetically by Waldman.
Paracelsus Mentioned alongside other alchemists when Victor describes his prior studies.
Albertus Magnus Mentioned as a named alchemist Victor studied, prompting Krempe’s astonishment.
Angel of Destruction Described as exerting an evil influence from the moment Victor leaves his father’s door.
Clerval’s father Refuses Henry Clerval permission to accompany Victor and become his fellow student.

Settings

Geneva Victor’s native city; where he attended schools before Ingolstadt.
Ingolstadt University town in Germany where Victor is going to study; contains lecture rooms and professors’ residences/laboratory.
the University of Ingolstadt The institution Victor plans to attend as a student.
M. Krempe’s lecture space / visiting location A professor’s setting where Krempe questions Victor and assigns books.
M. Waldman’s lecturing room Room where Waldman gives public lectures.
M. Waldman’s laboratory Waldman’s private laboratory space where he explains machines and study tools.
the Frankenstein family house (house of mourning) Victor’s home in mourning after Elizabeth’s illness and Caroline’s death; the place where family farewells occur.
the carriage route / carriage The conveyance Victor uses to leave for Ingolstadt.
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 +9 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3

Alphonse Frankenstein

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

Head of the Frankenstein family; practical and influential in Victor’s education decisions; husband of Caroline and father of the Frankenstein children.

Beaufort intimate friendCaroline Frankenstein husbandVictor Frankenstein fatherElizabeth Lavenza guardian/household authority as part of the familyHenry Clerval connected by household relationship through Victor +3 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3

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

Victor’s adopted cousin and betrothed, raised as his sister in the Frankenstein household; gentle, courageous, and self-sacrificing during family suffering; assumes duties for younger family members.

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 aspirationsWilliam Frankenstein family bonds as part of household caregiving +2 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3

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

Victor’s close friend and fellow student; imaginative, emotionally expressive yet restrained in speech; strongly values liberal education.

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 proximityClerval’s father son; seeks father’s permission for education +3 more
Chapters 2, 3
Secondary 6

Caroline Frankenstein

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

Victor’s mother; kind and fortitudinous; devoted caregiver whose anxiety for Elizabeth leads her to nurse through her illness; wife of Alphonse.

Beaufort daughterVictor Frankenstein motherAlphonse Frankenstein husbandElizabeth Lavenza protective guardian/adopter; treats as gift to VictorWilliam Frankenstein mother +2 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3

Ernest Frankenstein

Also known as: Ernest, my younger children, my younger brother, my

Victor’s younger brother/child named Ernest within the Frankenstein family.

Victor Frankenstein younger brotherElizabeth Lavenza younger household member under her careCaroline Frankenstein sonAlphonse Frankenstein family relation; her uncle is not pleased with distant military career (household position implied)William Frankenstein brother +1 more
Chapter 3

Justine Moritz

Also known as: Justine, poor Justine, my playfellow, Madame Moritz, Justine's mother, poor, my, Madame, Justine's

A servant/household companion in the Frankenstein household; associated with Victor’s childhood and the family’s domestic setting.

Victor Frankenstein household companionElizabeth Lavenza cohabiting household relationBeaufort none (not stated directly in this excerpt)Alphonse Frankenstein household servantWilliam Frankenstein murder-related circumstances +1 more
Chapter 3

M. Krempe

Also known as: Krempe, Professor Krempe, M., Professor

Professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt; gruff, uncouth, and strongly dismissive of Victor’s earlier studies; influential gatekeeper for Victor’s early curriculum.

Victor Frankenstein professor; teacher/lecturer he directsM. Waldman colleague professor who alternates lectures with himHenry Clerval present during the professor visit
Chapter 3

M. Waldman

Also known as: Waldman, Professor Waldman, M., Professor

Professor of chemistry at Ingolstadt; benevolent, mild, and encouraging; compares modern chemistry favorably to older pursuits and emphasizes broad learning, including mathematics.

Victor Frankenstein professor; adviser and encouraging teacherM. Krempe colleague professor who alternates lectures with himHenry Clerval interacts with Henry during introductions
Chapter 3

Alphonse Frankenstein (again implied at farewell)

Alphonse appears as the father blessing Victor at the morning farewell.

Victor Frankenstein father
Chapter 3
Mentioned 12
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.
William Frankenstein Not directly named as the murdered child; described indirectly as a child whose identity corresponds to Victor’s family but only the Creature’s narrative of a child murder is given.
Angel of Destruction Described as exerting an evil influence from the moment Victor leaves his father’s door.
Clerval’s father Refuses Henry Clerval permission to accompany Victor and become his fellow student.
Main 4

Geneva

Victor’s native city; where he attended schools before Ingolstadt.

  • 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, 3

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

Ingolstadt

University town in Germany where Victor is going to study; contains lecture rooms and professors’ residences/laboratory.

  • Victor arrives and is conducted to his apartment.
  • Victor visits professors Krempe and Waldman and attends lectures/receives guidance.
  • Victor attends lectures and engages with professors of natural philosophy and chemistry.
  • Victor experiences the creature’s awakening in his apartment and later flees into the streets
  • Victor views the church and clock indicating the sixth hour
  • Victor meets Henry Clerval at an inn for diligences
  • The Creature’s forest is identified as near Ingolstadt.
  • Elizabeth references Victor’s years spent at Ingolstadt.
Chapter 3

the Frankenstein family house (house of mourning)

Victor’s home in mourning after Elizabeth’s illness and Caroline’s death; the place where family farewells occur.

  • Caroline attends Elizabeth’s sickbed before dying.
  • Victor requests time to mourn and delays departure.
  • Clerval spends the last evening with the family and the farewell happens at morning’s dawn.
Chapter 3
Secondary 22

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.

the University of Ingolstadt

The institution Victor plans to attend as a student.

M. Krempe’s lecture space / visiting location

A professor’s setting where Krempe questions Victor and assigns books.

M. Waldman’s lecturing room

Room where Waldman gives public lectures.

M. Waldman’s laboratory

Waldman’s private laboratory space where he explains machines and study tools.

the carriage route / carriage

The conveyance Victor uses to leave for Ingolstadt.

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