2.1.1

Role

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Development I

Victor develops from an innocent and intellectual youth to an ambitious man, to a character motivated only by revenge. This highlights the inevitable downfall of someone who obsessively pursues knowledge.

A complex character

A complex character

  • Shelley uses the character of Victor to challenge the reader's response to him as a protagonist.
    • The readers feelings towards Victor change throughout the novel, especially as the narrative is transferred between different characters.
A victim

A victim

  • Victor is introduced in Walton's initial letters.
    • Victor is decribed as 'a European', in direct opposition to the Monster, who is 'a savage inhabitant of some undiscovered island'.
    • Victor is also described as 'a man on the brink of destruction', suggesting he is just an innocent victim of the creature.
  • Walton aligns himself with Victor.
    • Walton describes Victor as 'so noble a creature' with a 'cultivated' mind and 'unparalleled eloquence'.
A well-liked character

A well-liked character

  • Victor is well-loved by his family and friends, and Professor Waldman quickly develops a liking for him.
    • Victor's amiable character could suggest that he is ultimately a good man.
      • Victor changes his mind regarding Walton's self-centred pursuits, advising him to 'avoid ambition', and appears to have learnt from his experiences.
Criticism of society

Criticism of society

  • Shelley could also be suggesting that the characters who fail to see Victor's flaws are themselves short-sighted.
    • This could be Shelley's criticism of a society which prizes background and nobility above moral worth.

Development II

Victor develops from an innocent and intellectual youth to an ambitious man, to a character motivated only by revenge, highlighting the inevitable downfall from an obsessive pursuit of knowledge.

An arrogant character

An arrogant character

  • The confidence with which Victor presents his ambition can come across as arrogant.
  • Victor's neglect of his loving family and friends in pursuit of scientific glory makes him seem self-centred and callous.
A coward

A coward

  • The reader begins to lose sympathy for Victor during Justine Moritz's trial.
    • Victor repeatedly states his desire to intervene but entirely fails to take action.
    • Victor refers to himself as the 'true murderer' of his brother William, voicing his sense of responsibility.
A villain

A villain

  • In the Monster's narrative, Shelley presents the Monster as thoughtful, rational and eloquent.
    • This presentation contrasts vastly with the way in which Victor has presented the Monster up to this point.
  • Victor is cruel and violent towards the Monster, attacking him and insulting him with 'Abhorred monster!' and 'fiend'.
  • Shelley calls the Monster's 'monstrosity' into question and encourages the reader to query the validity of Victor's own narrative, as well as his actions.
Jump to other topics
1

Plot Summaries

1.1

Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV1.1.2Chapters 1-31.1.3Chapters 4-61.1.4Chapters 7-81.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I
1.2

Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-31.2.2Chapters 4-61.2.3Chapters 7-91.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II
1.3

Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-31.3.2Chapters 4-61.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III
2

Characters

2.1

Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role2.1.2Quotations2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1Role2.2.2Quotations2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract
2.3

Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein2.3.4Henry Clerval2.3.5Justine Moritz2.3.6The De Laceys2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys
3

Key Themes

3.1

Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation3.1.2Key Quotations
3.2

Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.3

Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice
3.4

Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.5

Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.6

Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation3.6.2Key Quotations
3.7

Gender

3.7.1Presentation3.7.2Key Quotations3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More
4

Authorial Method

4.1

Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre4.1.2Intertextuality4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality
4.2

Form & Structure

4.2.1Form4.2.2Structure
4.3

Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings4.3.2Symbolism
4.4

Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery4.4.2Doubling4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More
5

Context

5.1

Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley5.1.2Time of Writing5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Victor Frankenstein6.1.2Quotations6.1.3Robert Walton6.1.4Elizabeth Lavenza6.1.5Alphonse Frankenstein6.1.6Henry Clerval6.1.7Justine Moritz6.1.8The De Laceys
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge6.2.2Prejudice6.2.3Justice6.2.4Companionship & Family6.2.5Revenge6.2.6Monstrosity6.2.7Gender

Practice questions on Role

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  1. 1
    Descriptions of Victor: Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Which quote suggests Victor is just an innocent victim of the creature? Multiple choice
  3. 3
    When does the reader begin to lose sympathy for Victor? Multiple choice
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End of Topic Test - Volume III

Quotations