Analysis of Characters in Frankenstein

To continue our class discussion on the characters in Frankenstein, I figured I would blog a brief analysis of each main character, and we can use this post to further discuss and analyze Victor, Walton, and the Monster.

Victor Frankenstein- A good place to start with this character is an analysis of his name. The name Victor is thought to be derived from Milton's "Paradise Lost," which was influential on Shelley's work. Throughout the poem, Milton refers to God as "The Victor," which coincides with the idea that Victor Frankenstein is playing God by creating a monster and giving it life. Victor is also, interestingly enough, a pen name used by Mary Shelley's husband, the English Romantic poet Percy Shelley. Some say Mary may have based Victor's character off of Percy, as Percy was said to have "experimented with electricity and magnetism as well as with gunpowder and numerous chemical reactions." Mary Shelley claims that the name Frankenstein came to her in a "dream-vision," however, in his book In Search of Frankenstein, Radu Florescu asserts that prior to writing her novel, Mary Shelley visited the Castle Frankenstein on the Rhine, where the alchemist Konrad Dippel had experimented with human bodies.

Frankenstein's Monster- Frankenstein's complete rejection of his creation is evidenced by the fact that the creature is not named, which gives it a lack of identity. Frankenstein's creation is referred to as "monster," "creature," "deamon," "fiend," and even addressed by Frankenstein as "devil," "vile insect," and "abhorred monster." Shelley's portrayal of Frankenstein's monster also borrows from Milton's "Paradise Lost." After reading Milton's poem, the Monster states, "Like Adam, I was created apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the special care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me." In this way, the Monster shares many similarities with Satan, and even says that he sympathizes with Satan's role in "Paradise Lost."

Robert Walton- Walton's primary role in the story is to be the medium through which the reader hears Victor Frankenstein's story. However, his character also parallels that of Victor Frankenstein in that both men are explorers (literally and figuratively). Walton ultimately serves as a foil to Frankenstein's character (AHH BAD MEMORIES FROM THE AP TEST!!) because he terminates his pursuit, because, unlike Frankenstein, he is not obsessive enough to risk his life and not courageous enough to allow his passions to drive him.