Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/frankenstein/5-2-3-chapters-5-6 [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) › Chapters 5-6 # Chapters 5-6 English Lit: Edexcel A Level Frankenstein, topic 5.2.3 ## Chapter 5 Victor finally finishes his creation, but he is horrified by the Monster's vile appearance and quickly abandons it in his apartment. ### Victor creates the Monster ![Victor creates the Monster](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/7b7712cb-0272-48db-8e21-a621f08e393a/frankenstein-.jpg) - Victor informs Walton of his success in creating new life in November as the Monster __"agitated its limbs"__ with a __"convulsive motion"__, echoing the notes from Luigi Galvani’s 1780 experiment with a dead frog’s legs. - Rather than being overjoyed by his scientific triumph, Victor is horrified by the inhumane creation he has brought to life. ### Victor's dream ![Victor's dream](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/f7f73a2f-61dd-4c1a-8e36-d33005260525/shutterstock_39723631.jpg) - When Victor finally falls asleep, having left his creation in his workshop, he has a vivid nightmare. - In the dream, Victor goes to kiss Elizabeth, only for her to transform into the rotting corpse of his mother. - Victor wakes up to find the creature standing over his bed, so he rushes out of the house and spends the night pacing restlessly. ### Henry Clerval ![Henry Clerval](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/ced8a5a4-0374-43d4-a2b1-9a72d0870332/Travel-Emigration-Moving-Train-Man-Bags.jpg) - Victor comes across Henry Clerval, who has just arrived from Geneva to begin his studies and whom Victor is very pleased to see. - Victor brings Clerval back to his now-empty apartment. ### Victor's illness ![Victor's illness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/bb1e504a-272b-4f32-8bfb-f24806135d47/mentally-ill-patient.jpg) - Victor, weakened by both hard work and shock, falls ill with a nervous fever that lasts several months. - Clerval nurses him back to health and gives him a letter from Elizabeth. ### Tragedy is self-inflicted ![Tragedy is self-inflicted](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/4.1.1%20Creating%20Permanent%20Magnets/alternating-head-shake-min.jpg) - Shelley demonstrates the impact Victor's creation has had on both his physical and mental health, as an effect of his own pursuits. - There is the suggestion that Victor's problems are self-inflicted, foreshadowing that tragedy occurs due to a person's own failings. ## Chapter 6 Victor reads the letter from Elizabeth and longs to return to Geneva, although this is made impossible by the winter weather, among other occurrences. ### Elizabeth's letter ![Elizabeth's letter](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/e3a65421-eda1-462e-b842-4fb6a88dce66/letter-mail-post.jpg) - Elizabeth expresses concern for Victor's health and urges him to write home as soon as possible. - Elizabeth relays how Justine Moritz, a girl who had previously lived with the family, has returned following her mother's death. - Justine is __"clever and gentle"__ and Elizabeth loves her dearly. ### Victor's recovery ![Victor's recovery](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/f1950899-9e95-4fb4-85d0-99d0376a4969/physicsBridge.jpg) - Victor introduces Clerval to his professors at university, but now hates anything associated with natural philosophy. - He turns, like Henry, to the study of language and literature and uses nature as a restorative tool, having a walking holiday in Ingolstadt with Clerval. - __"A selfish pursuit had cramped and narrowed me until your gentleness and affection warmed and opened my senses".__ - Victor here is benefiting greatly from the restorative and calming power of nature. ### Influence of Romanticism ![Influence of Romanticism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/5829cdc1-6541-449f-bae2-08d6ebab0aa9/spring-flower-innocence-.jpg) - As a Romantic, Shelley is almost presenting the __"selfish pursuit"__ as the Age of Enlightenment which preceded and was the catalyst for the Romantic movement. - The Romantics favour nature over man and felt like nature could take us back to a more natural, happier sense of being than the greedy, industrialised world that was growing in the 19th century. ## Test yourself on Chapters 5-6 - How does Victor feel about his creation in Chapter 5? - How does Elizabeth describe Justine Moritz in her letter? - What kind of holiday does Victor go on in Chapter 6? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/4583c87b-4827-4c40-99da-9787f8aac5c0/section/c4f66831-5555-4f50-831e-fd1716ff25a4/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)