Chapters 7-8
English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein, topic 1.1.4
Chapter 7, Volume I
Victor receives a letter from his father with very grave news. The news means he has to return to Geneva to see his family.
William's murder
- Alphonse's letter contains the news that Victor's youngest brother, William, has been murdered whilst out on a walk.
- Victor leaves Ingolstadt to return to Geneva to console his family, particularly Elizabeth, who is grieving.
Thunderstorm
- Outside the gates of Geneva, Victor sees a storm.
- In a flash of lightning, Victor thinks he sees his creation.
- Victor becomes convinced that the Monster is responsible for murdering William.
Justine's accusal
- When Victor returns home, he finds that Justine has been accused of William's murder.
- A portrait of Caroline, last seen in William's possession, had been found in Justine's pocket.
- Victor is convinced that Justine is innocent but keeps quiet as he fears he will look insane.
Changing sympathies
- In this chapter, the reader begins to lose sympathy for Victor, who dwells only on his own suffering and self-pity.
- Shelley's more sympathetic presentation of Justine and Elizabeth encourages the reader to side with them instead.
Chapter 8, Volume I
Justine's trial goes ahead. Its result leaves Victor filled with guilt and self-pity.
Justine's trial
- Victor continues to keep quiet about what he knows because he fears that no one would believe his concerns about the Monster.
- Justine becomes increasingly distressed during her trial.
- Elizabeth attests to Justine's good character, which upsets Victor more. Still, he does not speak up.
- In the morning, Justine is condemned to death and is revealed to have confessed to the crime.
Aftermath
- Justine tells Elizabeth that she 'confessed a lie' as she believed this might bring her salvation in the afterlife.
- Justine is executed. She is hanged on the scaffold 'as a murderess'.
- Victor continues to lament the 'tortures' he experiences. He feels responsible for the deaths of two family members and worries that there will be more to come.
Victor's tragedy
- Shelley continues to present Victor's tragedy as self-inflicted, making his suffering seem inevitable.
Test yourself on Chapters 7-8
Events of Chapter 7
What is the name of Victor's youngest brother?
Why did Justine 'confess a lie' in Chapter 8?
Why does Victor continue to keep quiet about what he knows about the Monster in Chapter 8, Volume I?