Author:

v  Mary Shelley (1797 - 1851)

Themes:

v  Dangerous Knowledge

v  Monstrosity

v  Secrecy

v  Texts

v  Sublime Nature

Symbols:

v  The monster

v  Electricity

v  Lightning

v  Weather

Genres:

v  Gothic and Romantic Literature

Major Characters:

v  Victor Frankenstein- Creator of the monster. Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. Immediately after creating the monster, he falls into a depression and fear. He leaves the school and returns home to his family, only to find tragedy there. Not fully aware of the consequences of his creating a new human, he spends his entire life trying to destroy the same creation.

v  The Monster- The creature created by Victor Frankenstein while at the University of Ingolstadt. "Formed into a hideous and gigantic creature," the monster faces rejection and fear from his creator and society. The monster's rejection from society pushes him to commit murder against his creator's family.

v  Robert Walton- Arctic explorer on his way to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean from Russia to the Pacific Ocean. Robert finds Victor Frankenstein near death, listens to his tale, and records it in letters to his sister Margaret Saville.

v  Henry Clerval- Victor's best friend who helps Victor in his time of need. The monster kills Henry after Victor breaks his promise of creating a female companion for the monster. He studies language at the University of Ingolstadt and is totally unaware of Victor's creation.