6.1.3

Loss & Companionship

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Loss

Loss is integral to the novel. The catalyst for the Monster’s destruction is borne out from the loss of his parental figure when he's abandoned.

Shelley's life

Shelley's life

  • As shown in the biography of Shelley, she suffered many losses in her life.
  • A childhood without her mother, the loss of 4 children and the untimely death of her husband, Percy.
Physical loss

Physical loss

  • Loss is integral to the novel. The catalyst for the Monster’s destruction is borne out from the loss of his parental figure when he's abandoned.
  • He then decides to gain revenge by making Victor lose everyone he loves.
Loss of innocence

Loss of innocence

  • The loss of innocence through the gaining of knowledge could also be related to the Monster’s development in his meta-diegetic narration, akin to the theories of Rousseau (see intertextual references).
End of the novel

End of the novel

  • At the end of the novel, loss is keenly felt:
    • Victor is dead.
    • The Monster disappears to commit suicide.
    • Walton has turned his boat around, unable to continue his daring journey to the North Pole.

Human Companionship

Walton, the Monster and Victor all crave companionship but have all lost it by the end of the novel.

Walton

Walton

  • Walton writes to his sister, stating he lacks companionship and feels overjoyed when he finds Victor.
The Monster

The Monster

  • The Monster lacks companionship and wishes for one just like him, which is why he demands that Victor creates a female monster for him.
Victor

Victor

  • Victor finds comfort in companionship with Clerval, and yet still isolates himself away from society and is able to create his hideous creature because he has no one governing his behaviour.
Loss

Loss

  • At the end of the novel, we see the Monster mourning the loss of Victor after keeping him going on their vast chase across the world by leaving food for him at each stop.
  • Victor becomes the Monster’s only companion and the reader experiences a poignant scene when the Monster realises his creator has died and that there is no more reason for him to be alive.
Jump to other topics
1

Narrative Structure

1.1

Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure1.1.2Narrative Distancing1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure
2

Character Summaries

2.1

Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton2.1.2Victor Frankenstein2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1The Monster2.2.2The Monster 22.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster
2.3

Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.2Justine Moritz2.3.3Henry Clerval2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
2.4

Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family2.4.2The De Lacey Family2.4.3Other Characters2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters
3

Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1

Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner3.1.3The Bible3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References
3.2

Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke3.2.2Thomas Paine3.2.3John Locke3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau3.2.5Historical Figures3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories
4

Biographic Context

4.1

Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety4.1.3Literary Legend4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context
5

Chapter Summaries

5.1

Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 25.1.2Letters 3 & 45.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters
5.2

Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-25.2.2Chapters 3-45.2.3Chapters 5-65.2.4Chapters 7-95.2.5Chapters 10-115.2.6Chapters 12-155.2.7Chapters 16-195.2.8Chapters 20-235.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-65.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-155.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-235.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters
6

Key Themes

6.1

Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge6.1.2Science & Society6.1.3Loss & Companionship6.1.4Connection to Nature6.1.5Injustice
6.2

Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes6.2.2Industrialised University Cities6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations
7

Recap: Main Quotes

7.1

Characters Quotes

7.1.1Walton - Quotations7.1.2Victor Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.3The Monster - Quotations7.1.4The Educational Texts - Quotations7.1.5Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations7.1.6Justine Moritz - Quotations7.1.7Henry Clerval - Quotations7.1.8Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations7.1.9The De Lacey Family - Quotations
7.2

Quotes by Chapters

7.2.1Letters 1 & 2 - Quotations7.2.2Letters 3 & 4 - Quotations7.2.3Chapters 1-6 - Quotations7.2.4Chapters 7-13 - Quotations7.2.5Chapters 14-20 - Quotations7.2.6Chapters 21-24 & Waton's Last Letters - Quotations

Practice questions on Loss & Companionship

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  1. 1
    What loss is felt at the end of the novel?True / false
  2. 2
    What does the Monster demand of Victor?Multiple choice
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Science & Society

Connection to Nature