Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN
Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter Summaries
Allusions, History, and Science
Introducing Themes
Dopplegangers
Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter Summaries
Letter 1
Letter 2
Letter 3
• Robert Walton going to
North Pole
• ”I feel my heart glow
with an enthusiasm
which elevates me to
heaven”
• Prepared “day and
night” for voyage
• Six years since start of
planning
• Looking to accomplish
a great purpose
• Lonely – no one of
similar mind to share
success with on ship
• “I shall certainly find no
friend on the wide
ocean” – Foreshadow
• Story of the Master of
the Ship
• Allusion to “Rime of
the Ancient Mariner”
(Coleridge)
• Promise to Margaret
that he will be safe and
responsible
• “Success shall crown
my endeavours”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
• History of
Frankenstein’s family /
relationship/friendship
of mother and father
• Adoption of Elizabeth
and plan for her and
Victor to marry
• Early interests in science
• Friendship between
Victor, Elizabeth and
Henry Cerval
• First interested in
alchemy and out-dated
sciences
• Inspiration for natural
sciences comes during
lightning storm
Letter 4
• Sees a “gigantic figure”
on a sled
• Next morning ship
rescues Victor
Frankenstein
• “I never saw a man in
so wretched a
condition”
• Descriptions of
Frankenstein’s
emotions
• Walton tells of wanting
a friend – Frankenstein
explains situation
Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Allusions, History and Science
ALLUSION:
Making reference to
another text, person,
literature, art, etc.
He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.
PROMETHEUS: (Greek Mythology)
-Sought knowledge and stole fire from Gods
-Gave fire to man; man caused destruction
-Punished my being chained to rock and
having liver removed from body every day by
an eagle
WHY DO AUTHORS USE ALLUSIONS?
EMOTIONS
-Walton’s emotions in
letters
-Victor’s emotions upon
rescue
-Happiness and warmth
of Victor’s childhood
Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Allusions, History and Science
ROLES OF WOMEN
CONSIDER…
-Loving mother
-Innocent and beautiful child
-Lover
-Women need care and protection of men
WEIRD RELATIONSHIPS
-Frankenstein’s father married girl he was
taking care of, despite age difference
-Elizabeth “given” to Frankenstein as “a
beautiful present”. Mother later states “my
firmest hopes of future happiness were placed
on the prospect of your union."
Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Allusions, History and Science
STUDY OF SCIENCES
FRANKENSTEIN:
“It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and
whether it was the outward substance of things, or the inner spirit of
nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my
inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or, in its highest sense,
the physical secrets of the world.” (Chapter 2)
METAPHYSICAL
PHYSICAL
Studying the nature of being
and the connections within
the world. Philosophy
Studying how things work,
like chemistry, geology,
biology. True Science
Allusions to outdated beliefs of Cornelius Agrippa (divine connected to natural world)
and new understandings of galvanism and electricity
Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Introducing Themes
Sciences
Letters, Chapters 1
&2
Relationships
Letters, Chapters 1
&2
Quest for Knowledge
(Letter 1, Chapter 2)
Mary Shelley’s
FRANKENSTEIN Letters 1-4 and Chapters 1 & 2
Dopplegangers
Robert Walton
A twin, dark
double or
“shadow
self”.
(i.e. “The
Strange Case
of Dr. Jekyll
and Mr.
Hyde”
Situation
Goals
Attitude
Personal Qualities
Other
Victor Frankenstein