Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-1-chapters-1-3

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein.md) › Chapters 1-3

# Chapters 1-3

English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein, topic 1.2.1

## Chapter 1, Volume II

Victor experiences grief and depression following the execution of Justine.

### Victor's depression

![Victor's depression](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/06ea5cdb-8463-40cb-9ffb-d553069d6913/hand-fog-reach-touch-depress-.jpg)

- Victor falls into a state of depression, experiencing __'deep, dark, death-like solitude'__. 
- Alphonse tries to console Victor, but he does not understand the true reasons for Victor's sadness.

### Valley of Chamounix

![Valley of Chamounix](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e4b2805e-99ac-493b-b5ff-1f55c4a0c020/uttarakhand-india-hill-valley-.jpg)

- Victor wanders towards the valley of Chamounix.
 - The awe-inspiring scenery brings him a __'sense of pleasure'__, but he still cannot escape his grief.

### The sublime

![The sublime](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/5bb4be40-96f5-493c-97fa-20f792909e94/romeoAndJulietOCR.jpg)

- In this chapter, Shelley draws upon Romantic ideas, specifically that of the sublime.
 - This idea suggests that man should draw a sense of calm from the vastness of nature and man's relative insignificance.

## Chapter 2, Volume II

Victor continues to explore the Alpine valley, but his momentary respite is soon shattered by a reunion with the Monster.

### Montanvert

![Montanvert](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/24c43954-c9f4-4cac-99d0-7154cb6c9a84/shutterstock_221809534.jpg)

- On a dark, rainy day, Victor climbs to the summit of Montanvert, hoping that the view will ease his woes. 
- When he reaches the summit, the view of Mont Blanc leads him to feel __'something like joy'__.

### The Monster

![The Monster](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/d4ab582e-2b99-4bbb-9a23-b31668b82830/fantasy-spirit-scary-monster-.jpg)

- Victor notices a creature approaching him and recognises the Monster. 
 - He prepares to fight the Monster, but he is easily overpowered by the Monster's strength and speed. 
- The Monster responds verbally, explaining that Victor owes him the same love God felt for Adam.
 - The Monster persuades Victor to listen to his tale and Victor follows him to a cave.

### Presentation of the Monster

![Presentation of the Monster](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/7f7b9faa-3618-4534-b857-39a273f39c6f/horror-scary-.jpg)

- By presenting the Monster as thoughtful and eloquent, Shelley encourages the reader to reconsider how Victor has presented him up until this point.
 - Shelley encourages the reader to question Victor's narrative and consider more deeply the __'monstrous'__ nature of Victor's creation.

## Chapter 3, Volume II

The Monster recounts the beginning of his life and the confusion he felt. He details the scared and hostile responses of the villagers towards him.

### The Monster's first experiences

![The Monster's first experiences](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/ab44fc38-143b-4448-b46e-e78ffce34c09/fire-energy-hot.jpg)

- After leaving Victor's apartment, the Monster had to learn about the world through the experience of his senses.
 - His description of discovering fire, fuel, cooking and shelter seem very childlike.

### The village

![The village](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/1c51f44c-689b-44ce-9835-e7d2e71919db/castelmezzano-village-italy-mountains-houses-.jpg)

- The Monster finds the hut of an old man, who quickly runs away, and sleeps here for the night. 
- In the morning, the Monster finds the village and is fascinated, but the villagers scream and run from him or some even attack him.

### The hovel

![The hovel](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/faa8a074-fa39-4bfe-b25d-087cd3d3b3d8/barn.jpg)

- The Monster finds a small hovel next to a cottage for refuge. 
 - He makes the hovel as habitable as he is able and observes the adjacent cottagers through a gap in the wall and learns more from them.

## Test yourself on Chapters 1-3

- How does Shelley describe Victor's depression?
- What causes Victor to feel __'something like joy'__ when he reaches the summit of Montanvert?
- Events of Chapter 2
- Who does the Monster observe and learn from?
- Which is NOT a response of the villagers to the Monster?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8cdf14b1-4ce2-4099-98dc-f9c7835917f9/section/525921aa-2dde-4389-9a59-e3ba05b44308/session)

- Previous topic: [1.1.5 End of Topic Test - Volume I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-5-end-of-topic-test-volume-i.md)
- Next topic: [1.2.2 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-2-chapters-4-6.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE Frankenstein contents

### 1 Plot Summaries
- 1.1 Volume I
  - [1.1.1 Letters I-IV](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-1-letters-i-iv.md)
  - [1.1.2 Chapters 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-2-chapters-1-3.md)
  - [1.1.3 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-3-chapters-4-6.md)
  - [1.1.4 Chapters 7-8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-4-chapters-7-8.md)
  - [1.1.5 End of Topic Test - Volume I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-1-5-end-of-topic-test-volume-i.md)
- 1.2 Volume II
  - [1.2.1 Chapters 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-1-chapters-1-3.md)
  - [1.2.2 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-2-chapters-4-6.md)
  - [1.2.3 Chapters 7-9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-3-chapters-7-9.md)
  - [1.2.4 End of Topic Test - Volume II](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-2-4-end-of-topic-test-volume-ii.md)
- 1.3 Volume III
  - [1.3.1 Chapters 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-1-chapters-1-3.md)
  - [1.3.2 Chapters 4-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-2-chapters-4-6.md)
  - [1.3.3 Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-3-chapter-7-and-walton-in-continuation.md)
  - [1.3.4 End of Topic Test - Volume III](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/1-3-4-end-of-topic-test-volume-iii.md)

### 2 Characters
- 2.1 Victor Frankenstein
  - [2.1.1 Role](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-1-1-role.md)
  - [2.1.2 Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-1-2-quotations.md)
  - [2.1.3 End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-1-3-end-of-topic-test-victor-frankenstein.md)
- 2.2 The Monster
  - [2.2.1 Role](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-1-role.md)
  - [2.2.2 Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-2-quotations.md)
  - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - The Monster](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-the-monster.md)
  - [2.2.4 Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-2-4-grade-9-the-monster-question-and-extract.md)
- 2.3 Other Characters
  - [2.3.1 Robert Walton](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-1-robert-walton.md)
  - [2.3.2 Elizabeth Lavenza](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-2-elizabeth-lavenza.md)
  - [2.3.3 Alphonse Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-3-alphonse-frankenstein.md)
  - [2.3.4 Henry Clerval](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-4-henry-clerval.md)
  - [2.3.5 Justine Moritz](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-5-justine-moritz.md)
  - [2.3.6 The De Laceys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-6-the-de-laceys.md)
  - [2.3.7 End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-7-end-of-topic-test-walton-elizabeth-and-alphonse.md)
  - [2.3.8 End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/2-3-8-end-of-topic-test-henry-justine-and-the-de-laceys.md)

### 3 Key Themes
- 3.1 Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge
  - [3.1.1 Presentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-1-1-presentation.md)
  - [3.1.2 Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-1-2-key-quotations.md)
- 3.2 Prejudice
  - [3.2.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-2-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md)
- 3.3 Justice
  - [3.3.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-3-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md)
  - [3.3.2 End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-3-2-end-of-topic-test-ambition-prejudice-and-justice.md)
- 3.4 Companionship & Family
  - [3.4.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-4-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md)
- 3.5 Revenge
  - [3.5.1 Presentation & Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-5-1-presentation-and-key-quotations.md)
- 3.6 Monstrosity
  - [3.6.1 Presentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-6-1-presentation.md)
  - [3.6.2 Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-6-2-key-quotations.md)
- 3.7 Gender
  - [3.7.1 Presentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-7-1-presentation.md)
  - [3.7.2 Key Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-7-2-key-quotations.md)
  - [3.7.3 Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/3-7-3-key-themes-companionship-revenge-and-more.md)

### 4 Authorial Method
- 4.1 Genre & Intertextuality
  - [4.1.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-1-1-genre.md)
  - [4.1.2 Intertextuality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-1-2-intertextuality.md)
  - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-genre-and-intertextuality.md)
- 4.2 Form & Structure
  - [4.2.1 Form](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-2-1-form.md)
  - [4.2.2 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-2-2-structure.md)
- 4.3 Settings & Symbolism
  - [4.3.1 Settings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-3-1-settings.md)
  - [4.3.2 Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-3-2-symbolism.md)
- 4.4 Imagery & Doubling
  - [4.4.1 Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-1-imagery.md)
  - [4.4.2 Doubling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-2-doubling.md)
  - [4.4.3 End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/4-4-3-end-of-topic-test-structure-settings-and-more.md)

### 5 Context
- 5.1 Context
  - [5.1.1 Mary Shelley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/5-1-1-mary-shelley.md)
  - [5.1.2 Time of Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/5-1-2-time-of-writing.md)
  - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-context.md)

### 6 Recap: Main Quotes
- 6.1 Characters Quotes
  - [6.1.1 Victor Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-1-victor-frankenstein.md)
  - [6.1.2 Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-2-quotations.md)
  - [6.1.3 Robert Walton](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-3-robert-walton.md)
  - [6.1.4 Elizabeth Lavenza](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-4-elizabeth-lavenza.md)
  - [6.1.5 Alphonse Frankenstein](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-5-alphonse-frankenstein.md)
  - [6.1.6 Henry Clerval](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-6-henry-clerval.md)
  - [6.1.7 Justine Moritz](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-7-justine-moritz.md)
  - [6.1.8 The De Laceys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-1-8-the-de-laceys.md)
- 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes
  - [6.2.1 Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-1-ambition-and-pursuit-of-knowledge.md)
  - [6.2.2 Prejudice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-2-prejudice.md)
  - [6.2.3 Justice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-3-justice.md)
  - [6.2.4 Companionship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-4-companionship-and-family.md)
  - [6.2.5 Revenge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-5-revenge.md)
  - [6.2.6 Monstrosity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-6-monstrosity.md)
  - [6.2.7 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/frankenstein/6-2-7-gender.md)
