Loss & Companionship

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.

1Narrative Structure

1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.2Narrative Distancing

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

2.1Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton

2.1.2Victor Frankenstein

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1The Monster

2.2.2The Monster 2

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.2Justine Moritz

2.3.3Henry Clerval

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.4Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family

2.4.2The De Lacey Family

2.4.3Other Characters

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters

3Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus

3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3.1.3The Bible

3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References

3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke

3.2.2Thomas Paine

3.2.3John Locke

3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.2.5Historical Figures

3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories

4Biographic Context

4.1Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents

4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety

4.1.3Literary Legend

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context

5Chapter Summaries

5.1Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 2

5.1.2Letters 3 & 4

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters

5.2Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-2

5.2.2Chapters 3-4

5.2.3Chapters 5-6

5.2.4Chapters 7-9

5.2.5Chapters 10-11

5.2.6Chapters 12-15

5.2.7Chapters 16-19

5.2.8Chapters 20-23

5.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters

5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

5.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15

5.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23

5.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters

6Key Themes

6.1Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge

6.1.2Science & Society

6.1.3Loss & Companionship

6.1.4Connection to Nature

6.1.5Injustice

6.2Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes

6.2.2Industrialised University Cities

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations

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