Main 5
Victor
Also known as: Frankenstein, M. Frankenstein
Man consumed by moral guilt and dread from his experiments and abandonment of his created being. Still believes the created being threatens him directly. Attached to Elizabeth as cousin and intended spouse; tormented by memory and an impending cycle of murders.
Beaufort friend-of-family via fatherCaroline Beaufort motherhis father fatherElizabeth Lavenza more than sister / cousin-like bondAlphonse Frankenstein child/son
+12 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Alphonse Frankenstein
Also known as: the narrator’s father, the father, his father
Genevese public figure known for integrity and patient attention to public business; guided by justice in love; has close concern for Elizabeth and the children; currently grieving William’s death and facing a trial involving Justine Moritz.
Beaufort intimate friendCaroline Beaufort husbandElizabeth Lavenza guardian/household headVictor father/parentHenry Clerval father of a friend; conflicts with Clerval’s desire to study
+3 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
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
+6 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Henry Clerval
Also known as: Clerval
Young man from Geneva, talented and fanciful with morally oriented ambition; devoted friend to Victor; in this period is traveling with Victor and able to empathize deeply though he offers limited consolation.
Victor closest childhood friendElizabeth Lavenza friend/companion; Elizabeth influences his moral directionClerval’s father son/parent relationship; father restricts his educationCaroline Beaufort family acquaintance during farewell eveningAlphonse Frankenstein relative of his friend; his father’s approval/disapproval concerns education
+4 more
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
the creature
Also known as: the wretch, the filthy dæmon, fiend, filthy dæmon, the fiend, the creature/fiend as daemon (as feared), the dæmon, the murderer, the daemon, fiendish monster, dæmon, miserable wretch (Victorian whisper), gigantic monster, monster
Physically deformed created being, socially shunned; self-aware and emotionally intense, driven by revenge and later by remorse/self-condemnation. Described as eloquent, intelligent, and capable of deep feeling.
Victor created by; tormenting presence in the narrator’s mindWilliam murdererJustine Moritz believed to be responsible for the murders that lead to her death (via accusations and Victor’s understanding)Henry Clerval threat (feared destroyer)Elizabeth Lavenza indirectly targeted via threats to Victor’s promised happiness
Chapters 5, 7
Secondary 8
Caroline Beaufort
Daughter of the merchant Beaufort; courageous and capable, able to sustain herself through plain work. Serves as the narrator’s mother in the story’s established context; emotionally significant to the narrator as someone associated with grief and memories.
Beaufort fatherAlphonse Frankenstein later husband/wife relationshipElizabeth Lavenza rescuer/benefactorCaroline Beaufort same person as narrator’s motherVictor mother/parent
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
the man of great research in natural philosophy
Knowledgeable scientific visitor/accompanying figure associated with demonstrations of electricity and galvanism during the family’s time near Belrive.
Victor teacher/expounder figure (indirect instruction)
Chapters 2, 4
M. Krempe
Professor of natural philosophy in Ingolstadt; uncouth and gruff with repulsive manners, though capable of sound sense; believes in scientific secrets and self-importance.
Victor professor/student relationshipHenry Clerval professor addressing him directly as ‘M. Clerval’M. Waldman colleague faculty member
Chapters 3, 4, 6
M. Waldman
Fellow professor in Ingolstadt, around fifty; dignified in lecture, kind and mild in private; frames instruction with frankness and good nature.
Victor professor/mentor relationshipM. Krempe colleagues; alternates lectures with himHenry Clerval professor interacting with student circle
Chapters 3, 4, 6
the porter
Unnamed household servant involved in examining Justine’s apparel and reporting the found miniature to another person who contacts a magistrate.
Victor serves him in access to the courtyard/gatesJustine Moritz household relationship (observes/handles clothing)magistrate reports toElizabeth Lavenza indirect via identification of the picture
Chapters 5, 7
Justine Moritz
Also known as: Justine
Genevan household servant formerly associated with Victor’s family; remembered for frank-hearted kindness; in this household narrative she is suspected of murder and accused despite Victor’s belief in her innocence; to be tried today.
Elizabeth Lavenza beloved domestic attendant/affectionate household bondMadame Moritz daughterVictor appears in Victor’s earlier memory as a favourite figurethe narrator’s aunt reminiscence model; resembles her in mien and expressionAlphonse Frankenstein household servant
+2 more
Chapters 6, 7
Ernest
Sixteen-year-old boy in Elizabeth’s family; spirited, active, wants to be true Swiss and enter foreign service; tends to be outdoorsy and less drawn to study; grieving William’s death and later involved in family discussions about the trial.
Elizabeth Lavenza son/childthe narrator’s uncle relative/household authority mentioned as not pleased about his military careerWilliam brotherVictor brotherthe creature possible intended victim
Chapters 6, 7
magistrate
Local judicial authority to whom testimony is given regarding William’s murder.
Justine Moritz charges/arrestsVictor speaks via an officer who delivers verdict detailsthe creature target of proposed apprehension
Chapter 7
Mentioned 29
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.
Cornelius Agrippa
Works serve as the catalyst for the narrator’s initial enthusiasm for obscure theories and later contribute to his subsequent discontent and change of direction.
Paracelsus
Provides further reading that occupies the narrator’s fascination with exploded systems and the “elixir of life” pursuit.
Albertus Magnus
Adds to the narrator’s early study of contradictory, discarded systems that later lose value to him.
Sir Isaac Newton
Serves as an illustrative comparison for the narrator’s sense of knowledge limits and dissatisfaction.
the guardian angel of my life
Narrator attributes his change of inclination and will to this protective influence, framed as an attempt to avert impending destruction.
Destiny
Referenced conceptually as an ‘influence’ and as ‘fate’ connected with the lecture sequence that ‘destroyed’ the narrator’s previous resistance to science.
Clerval’s father
Unseen figure who prevents Clerval from accompanying the narrator by refusing permission.
the Angel of Destruction
Characterized as the cause-like influence accompanying the narrator from his father’s door and leading to his first encounter with M. Krempe.
M. Krempe’s list of books (implied)
Requested and provided as a study prescription by the professor.
Cornelius Agrippa’s list of books (implied)
Not applicable to this chapter’s events.
the narrator’s cousin
Is implied as the source of a letter waiting for the narrator.
Madame Moritz
Mentioned in Elizabeth’s letter as the cause of Justine’s departure from their house and later Justine’s return.
M. Moritz
Referenced as deceased before the family’s subsequent treatment of Justine.
M. Duvillard
Mentioned in Elizabeth’s social gossip as Manon Mansfield’s husband.
John Melbourne
Mentioned as the Englishman Miss Mansfield is about to marry.
Miss Mansfield
Mentioned in Elizabeth’s letter as receiving visits for her impending marriage.
Manon
Mentioned as having married banker M. Duvillard last autumn.
Louis Manoir
Mentioned as having recovered and being reported near marriage to a French widow.
Madame Tavernier
Referenced as the person Justine nursed previously, supporting character testimony.
Justine Moritz’s brothers and sister
Mentioned as having died one by one, prompting Madame Moritz’s guilt.
William
Mentioned in Elizabeth’s letter as one of her household’s ‘little darling’ children and described alongside his interaction with Louisa Biron.
Louisa Biron
Mentioned as William’s favourite among his ‘wives’ (play companions).
the narrator’s uncle
Mentioned as the one restrained from visiting Ingolstadt and as objecting to Ernest’s foreign service plan.
the narrator’s aunt
Referenced as the deceased benefactress of Justine and as the model Elizabeth’s Justine now resembles.