An Analysis of
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Volume 1 - Chapter 6
An Analysis of Chapter 7
Tone
Grief-Stricken, Anxious, Guilt-Ridden, Suspenseful, Foreboding.
Basic Stats
| Intensity | Clarity | Conflict | Resolution | Pacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart-pounding - (5) | Clear - (4) | Explosive - (5) | A little - (2) | Quick - (4) |
Basically...
Victor Frankenstein receives a heartbreaking letter from his father announcing the murder of his youngest brother, William. Upon returning home, Victor becomes convinced that his creation is the true murderer, but an innocent family friend, Justine, is accused of the crime. Victor and Elizabeth struggle with grief and the injustice about to unfold.
In more detail...
Chapter VI plunges Victor Frankenstein into personal tragedy as he receives a letter from his father informing him of the murder of his youngest brother, William. The eloquent letter describes the event in detail, the family's anguish, and the subsequent accusation of Justine Moritz, the family's beloved servant. Distraught, Victor rushes home, haunted by suspicions that his unnamed Creature is the real killer, a certainty he gains when he catches sight of its monstrous form during a storm at Plainpalais. Despite this, he anguishes over the impossibility of revealing the truth or catching the Creature. He reunites with his family, learns of Justine's impending trial, and is consoled by Elizabeth, who refuses to believe Justine's guilt. The chapter sets the family in a state of mourning and foreshadows the coming injustice, highlighting Victor's guilt, powerlessness, and the tragic consequences of his actions.
Characters
- Victor Frankenstein
- About - Protagonist, returns home upon news of his brother's murder. He realizes his Creature is culpable, wrestles with intense guilt, but feels powerless to reveal the truth or act.
- Personality Traits - Guilt-ridden, anguished, compassionate toward family, introspective, indecisive, anxious.
- Physical Characteristics - Not detailed in this chapter; previously described as of youthful, fevered appearance.
- Character Connections
- Alphonse Frankenstein - Son; receives letter from him and seeks to comfort him.
- Elizabeth Lavenza - Adopted cousin/fiancée; seeks to console and support her.
- Ernest Frankenstein - Brother; interacts emotionally upon return.
- Henry Clerval - Close friend; Clerval comforts and supports Victor.
- Justine Moritz - Innocent family friend and servant; Victor knows her to be innocent.
- The Creature - His creation; Victor is convinced of its guilt in William's murder.
- Alphonse Frankenstein
- About - Victor's father, writes the detailed letter about William's death and family's grief. Tries to maintain strength for his children.
- Personality Traits - Affectionate, caring, grief-stricken, wise, seeks justice, protective.
- Physical Characteristics - Not specified in this chapter.
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Father; sends for Victor's return for family support.
- Elizabeth Lavenza - Niece; comforts her in distress.
- William Frankenstein - Father of the murdered child.
- Justine Moritz - Employer, struggles to grasp her potential guilt.
- Elizabeth Lavenza
- About - Victor's cousin and fiancée, devastated by William's death, feels responsible due to the missing miniature. Staunchly supports Justine's innocence.
- Personality Traits - Affectionate, sensitive, loyal, trusting, melancholic, hopeful.
- Physical Characteristics - Now a grown woman, lovely, open, frank, mild hazel eyes, dark auburn hair, slight and graceful.
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Cousin and fiancée; deeply connected emotionally.
- William Frankenstein - Younger cousin whose death profoundly affects her.
- Justine Moritz - Friend; firmly believes in her innocence.
- Alphonse Frankenstein - Niece; relies on his judgement and comfort.
- Ernest Frankenstein
- About - Victor's brother; conveys the news about Justine's accusation and shows emotional vulnerability.
- Personality Traits - Sensitive, emotional, candid, affected by tragedy.
- Physical Characteristics - Not specified in this chapter.
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Brother; welcomes him home sadly.
- Alphonse Frankenstein - Son; part of the grieving family.
- Elizabeth Lavenza - Relative and family member in mourning.
- William Frankenstein - Brother; played with him before his death.
- Justine Moritz - Friend; relays news of her accusation to Victor.
- Henry Clerval
- About - Victor's devoted friend, initially supports Victor upon hearing of William's death and later helps prepare for Victor's journey home. Offers comfort through empathy and reflection on loss.
- Personality Traits - Sympathetic, supportive, wise, compassionate.
- Physical Characteristics - Not specified in this chapter.
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Close friend; helps and comforts Victor.
- Justine Moritz
- About - Beloved servant in the Frankenstein household, accused of William's murder due to circumstantial evidence (possession of the missing miniature). Victor and Elizabeth believe in her innocence.
- Personality Traits - Gentle, confused, distressed in the face of accusation, loyal, beloved.
- Physical Characteristics - Described as amiable (no physical details here).
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Employer; Victor believes her innocent.
- Elizabeth Lavenza - Friend; Elizabeth is her unwavering supporter.
- Alphonse Frankenstein - Employer; saddened by her situation.
- William Frankenstein - Implied connection via family ties; accused of his murder.
- The Creature
- About - Victor's creation, seen by Victor at Plainpalais, leads Victor to conclude it is William's murderer. Not directly interacting with others in this chapter but central to the conflict.
- Personality Traits - Hidden, powerful, possibly vengeful; motivation is not revealed in this chapter.
- Physical Characteristics - Gigantic stature, hideous and deformed, more monstrous than human.
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Creator; Victor now sees him as his tormentor.
- William Frankenstein - Victim; implied murderer in Victor's eyes.
- William Frankenstein
- About - Victor's youngest brother, victim of murder which catalyzes the tragic events of the chapter.
- Personality Traits - Innocent, cheerful, beloved.
- Physical Characteristics - Described in the letter as a "sweet child... so gentle, yet so gay."
- Character Connections
- Victor Frankenstein - Brother; his death causes Victor's anguish.
- Elizabeth Lavenza - Cousin; she grieves deeply and feels responsible due to the loss of the miniature.
- Alphonse Frankenstein - Father; deeply mourns his loss.
- Ernest Frankenstein - Brother; played with him before his death.
- Justine Moritz - Circumstantially accused of his murder.
- The Creature - Implied murderer.