Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-2-1-the-monster [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel.md) › [English Lit: Edexcel A Level Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein.md) › The Monster # The Monster English Lit: Edexcel A Level Frankenstein, topic 2.2.1 ## The Monster The Monster is initially presented to the reader from the perspective of Victor Frankenstein (as his creator). ### Victor's perspective ![Victor's perspective](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/a14bc0c5-48ae-4a4a-8f01-28a6571873d4/eery-frankenstein-monster-.jpg) - Victor's narrative, full of horror and disgust at the __"fiend"__ he has built, instantly prejudices the reader against the creature. - We are later informed he has killed William Frankenstein and framed Justine Moritz for the murder of the child. ### The Monster's perspective ![The Monster's perspective](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/7b7712cb-0272-48db-8e21-a621f08e393a/frankenstein-.jpg) - However, Shelley’s multi-layered narrative allows the reader to experience the Monster’s own perspective, which exposes a story of vulnerability, isolation and misery. - From its ‘birth’ in the dingy laboratory of Frankenstein, the creature is exiled into a cruel, hostile world. ### Innate goodness ![Innate goodness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/32b1105f-69cb-49d8-bc8c-471e61abaf1c/heart-wings-angel-.jpg) - The Monster's alterity (difference from others) juxtaposes greatly with its childlike innocence. - The Monster seems to have innate goodness at heart (see Rousseau and Locke) which is eventually corrupted and eroded away by the treatment the Monster receives in society. - __"I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend."__ ### The De Laceys ![The De Laceys](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/4f30056e-a649-4336-ab08-8f618b345d9f/writing-.jpg) - After secretly watching the De Lacey family and learning to read and write, the Monster learns what it is to be human from great works of fiction and nonfiction. - He decides to speak to the De Lacey family but is rejected by them, as they are terrified by his grotesque form. ### Revenge ![Revenge](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/5.2.4%20-%20Control%20of%20body%20temperature/fire-2197606_640-min.jpg) - In anger and sadness, he burns down their house after they flee for safety. - He then goes on a terrifying journey of revenge, wreaking havoc and chaos in order to make his maker, Victor, suffer the consequences of his actions: __"You are my creator, but I am your master; - obey!"__ ## The Monster Victor reneges on his promise to make a female creature, destroying the parts of the body he had already crafted. The creature vows to take revenge. ### Revenge ![Revenge](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/78d5b691-32c8-4c14-9f04-5c3054e1e68c/bride-frankenstein-.jpg) - After Victor goes back on his promise, the creature becomes incandescent with rage and vows to __"be with (him) on his wedding night"__. - This threat is taken by Victor to be aimed solely at him and is stunned when he is arrested for the death of Clerval, who has died at the hands of the Monster too. ### The wedding ![The wedding](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/24113e5c-ace1-4e49-a776-ea09d223ddbc/wedding-vows.jpg) - Being cleared of the offence, Victor returns back to Geneva to marry Elizabeth. However, soon after his nuptials, he realises that his wife is the intended victim of the Monster, who is exacting the same revenge upon Victor that he had to suffer: - __"Shall each man… find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone?"__ ### Further deaths ![Further deaths](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/cf0e50f0-a9cb-4c53-89b8-0158c34e8879/death-coffin-funeral-.jpg) - After Elizabeth’s death, Alphonse Frankenstein dies of a broken heart and the Monster and Victor are locked in a cat and mouse game across the Arctic. - Walton is the last one to talk to the Monster, who he finds mourning over the body of Victor then fleeing off into the desolate realms of the Arctic. ## Test yourself on The Monster - From whose perspective do learn of the Monster's misery? - Which of these are true of the Monster? - What does the Monster vow to do after Victor refuses to build a female companion? - Whose body is the Monster mourning over when Walton finds him? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/4583c87b-4827-4c40-99da-9787f8aac5c0/section/a3d1df8b-9eca-4103-bb2e-93422e7e7c79/session) - Previous topic: [2.1.3 End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-1-3-end-of-topic-test-walton-and-frankenstein.md) - Next topic: [2.2.2 The Monster 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-2-2-the-monster-2.md) ## English Lit: Edexcel A Level Frankenstein contents ### 1 Narrative Structure - 1.1 Narrative Structure - [1.1.1 Narrative Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/1-1-1-narrative-structure.md) - [1.1.2 Narrative Distancing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/1-1-2-narrative-distancing.md) - [1.1.3 End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/1-1-3-end-of-topic-test-narrative-structure.md) ### 2 Character Summaries - 2.1 Walton & Frankenstein - [2.1.1 Walton](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-1-1-walton.md) - [2.1.2 Victor Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-1-2-victor-frankenstein.md) - [2.1.3 End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-1-3-end-of-topic-test-walton-and-frankenstein.md) - 2.2 The Monster - [2.2.1 The Monster](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-2-1-the-monster.md) - [2.2.2 The Monster 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-2-2-the-monster-2.md) - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - The Monster](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-the-monster.md) - 2.3 Elizabeth, Justine & Henry - [2.3.1 Elizabeth Lavenza](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-3-1-elizabeth-lavenza.md) - [2.3.2 Justine Moritz](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-3-2-justine-moritz.md) - [2.3.3 Henry Clerval](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-3-3-henry-clerval.md) - [2.3.4 End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-3-4-end-of-topic-test-elizabeth-justine-and-henry.md) - 2.4 Families & Other Characters - [2.4.1 The Frankenstein Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-4-1-the-frankenstein-family.md) - [2.4.2 The De Lacey Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-4-2-the-de-lacey-family.md) - [2.4.3 Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-4-3-other-characters.md) - [2.4.4 End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/2-4-4-end-of-topic-test-families-and-other-characters.md) ### 3 Intertextuality & Allusions - 3.1 Intertextual References - [3.1.1 The Modern Prometheus](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-1-1-the-modern-prometheus.md) - [3.1.2 The Rime of the Ancient Mariner](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-1-2-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner.md) - [3.1.3 The Bible](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-1-3-the-bible.md) - [3.1.4 Mutability & Tintern Abbey](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-1-4-mutability-and-tintern-abbey.md) - [3.1.5 End of Topic Test - Intertextual References](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-1-5-end-of-topic-test-intertextual-references.md) - 3.2 Philosophical & Scientific Theories - [3.2.1 Edmund Burke](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-2-1-edmund-burke.md) - [3.2.2 Thomas Paine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-2-2-thomas-paine.md) - [3.2.3 John Locke](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-2-3-john-locke.md) - [3.2.4 Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-2-4-jean-jacques-rousseau.md) - [3.2.5 Historical Figures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-2-5-historical-figures.md) - [3.2.6 End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/3-2-6-end-of-topic-test-philosophy-and-science-theories.md) ### 4 Biographic Context - 4.1 Biographic Context - [4.1.1 Shelley's Parents](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/4-1-1-shelleys-parents.md) - [4.1.2 Loss & Maternal Anxiety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/4-1-2-loss-and-maternal-anxiety.md) - [4.1.3 Literary Legend](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/4-1-3-literary-legend.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Biographical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-biographical-context.md) ### 5 Chapter Summaries - 5.1 Letters - [5.1.1 Letters 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-1-1-letters-1-and-2.md) - [5.1.2 Letters 3 & 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-1-2-letters-3-and-4.md) - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Letters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-letters.md) - 5.2 Chapters - [5.2.1 Chapters 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-1-chapters-1-2.md) - [5.2.2 Chapters 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-2-chapters-3-4.md) - [5.2.3 Chapters 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-3-chapters-5-6.md) - [5.2.4 Chapters 7-9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-4-chapters-7-9.md) - [5.2.5 Chapters 10-11](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-5-chapters-10-11.md) - [5.2.6 Chapters 12-15](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-6-chapters-12-15.md) - [5.2.7 Chapters 16-19](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-7-chapters-16-19.md) - [5.2.8 Chapters 20-23](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-8-chapters-20-23.md) - [5.2.9 Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-9-chapter-24-and-waltons-last-letters.md) - [5.2.10 End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-10-end-of-topic-test-chapters-1-6.md) - [5.2.11 End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-11-end-of-topic-test-chapters-7-15.md) - [5.2.12 End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-12-end-of-topic-test-chapters-16-23.md) - [5.2.13 End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-13-end-of-topic-test-chapter-24-and-waltons-letters.md) ### 6 Key Themes - 6.1 Key Themes - [6.1.1 Curiosity & Knowledge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-1-1-curiosity-and-knowledge.md) - [6.1.2 Science & Society](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-1-2-science-and-society.md) - [6.1.3 Loss & Companionship](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-1-3-loss-and-companionship.md) - [6.1.4 Connection to Nature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-1-4-connection-to-nature.md) - [6.1.5 Injustice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-1-5-injustice.md) - 6.2 Key Locations - [6.2.1 Extreme Landscapes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-2-1-extreme-landscapes.md) - [6.2.2 Industrialised University Cities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-2-2-industrialised-university-cities.md) - [6.2.3 End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/6-2-3-end-of-topic-test-key-themes-and-locations.md) ### 7 Recap: Main Quotes - 7.1 Characters Quotes - [7.1.1 Walton - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-1-walton-quotations.md) - [7.1.2 Victor Frankenstein - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-2-victor-frankenstein-quotations.md) - [7.1.3 The Monster - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-3-the-monster-quotations.md) - [7.1.4 The Educational Texts - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-4-the-educational-texts-quotations.md) - [7.1.5 Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-5-elizabeth-lavenza-quotations.md) - [7.1.6 Justine Moritz - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-6-justine-moritz-quotations.md) - [7.1.7 Henry Clerval - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-7-henry-clerval-quotations.md) - [7.1.8 Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-8-alphonse-frankenstein-quotations.md) - [7.1.9 The De Lacey Family - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-1-9-the-de-lacey-family-quotations.md) - 7.2 Quotes by Chapters - [7.2.1 Letters 1 & 2 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-2-1-letters-1-and-2-quotations.md) - [7.2.2 Letters 3 & 4 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-2-2-letters-3-and-4-quotations.md) - [7.2.3 Chapters 1-6 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-2-3-chapters-1-6-quotations.md) - [7.2.4 Chapters 7-13 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-2-4-chapters-7-13-quotations.md) - [7.2.5 Chapters 14-20 - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-2-5-chapters-14-20-quotations.md) - [7.2.6 Chapters 21-24 & Waton's Last Letters - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/7-2-6-chapters-21-24-and-watons-last-letters-quotations.md)