Frankenstein Summary

“What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?” Mary Shelley asks through Victor Frankenstein’s ambitions—and ultimately warns us of the dire cost of unchecked pursuits.

1. Ambition Can Be Destructive

Victor Frankenstein's relentless ambition drives the entire narrative. He is captivated by the idea of transcending boundaries and unraveling the mysteries of life itself. From a young age, Victor is inspired by outdated scientific theories and determines to make groundbreaking discoveries. This obsession blinds him to the consequences of his pursuits.

As he grows older, his studies intensify, and he becomes isolated from his family and friends. He spends endless nights alone, his mind consumed by the thought of reanimating dead tissue. When Victor finally succeeds in bringing his creation to life, he's horrified by the consequences of his ambition—a creature he deems grotesque.

His dream of scientific glory spirals into tragedy. Instead of recognizing his faults, Victor flees, showing the cost of an ambition that overrides ethical boundaries. His creation wreaks havoc, leading to the deaths of his loved ones.

Examples

• Victor ignores Elizabeth’s letters during his manic scientific research.
• He abandons the creature after bringing it to life, rejecting his responsibility.
• His ambition ultimately leads to the deaths of his brother William, his friend Henry, and his wife Elizabeth.

2. The Monster Is a Reflection of Society’s Fear of the Unknown

Shelley portrays the monster as more than just a brute or villain. The creature possesses depth, eloquence, and emotional intelligence. Its story sheds light on a recurring theme: the fear of what is different or unknown.

Despite its initial innocence, society uniformly recoils at the monster's appearance. No matter how kindly or gently it tries to make contact, humans react with disgust, rejection, or violence. This learned rejection transforms the creature, turning its pain into anger and eventually into vengeance.

The reaction of the cottagers—blind DeLacey's initial acceptance of the monster before he is interrupted by his horrified family—emphasizes the power of appearance in societal judgment and shows how the creature's fate is sealed by factors outside its control.

Examples

• Villagers throw stones or chase the monster away during its early attempts to interact.
• The monster’s plea for acceptance from DeLacey is ruined the moment Felix sees it.
• After reading "Paradise Lost," the creature identifies with Satan, seeing itself as unjustly cast out.

3. Knowledge Without Responsibility Leads to Ruin

Victor Frankenstein’s acquisition of forbidden knowledge mirrors the dangers of power without accountability. He unlocks the secret of life but fails to consider the ethical and moral responsibilities tied to creating life.

When he brings his creation to life, Victor realizes the dangers too late. Instead of addressing the situation responsibly, he chooses to abandon his creation. His refusal to teach, guide, or even acknowledge it leaves the creature to navigate a hostile world alone, creating a cycle of hatred and destruction.

Victor’s neglect sets off a chain reaction where he loses control of his creation. This demonstrates how too much knowledge, without responsibility, can lead to devastating consequences for both the seeker and others.

Examples

• Victor’s rush to create life reveals his neglect in planning for its upbringing or integration into society.
• He refuses to create a female companion for the monster, fearing greater repercussions but failing to offer an alternative solution.
• His attempts to escape responsibility culminate in the monster vowing vengeance on his family.

4. Loneliness Breeds Despair and Rage

Loneliness is a destructive force in both Victor and the monster’s lives. Victor isolates himself during his obsessive research, avoiding his family and friends. This physical and emotional isolation feeds into his depression and guilt as tragedy strikes those around him.

For the creature, the isolation is far worse. Born into rejection and perpetual solitude, the monster longs for companionship. It tries repeatedly to connect with humanity, but each encounter ends in violence or fear. Its descent into anger and vengeance is triggered by its unbearable loneliness.

The tragic events of the novel—murders, heartbreak, and pursuits—stem largely from this theme of despair fueled by isolation.

Examples

• Victor’s long periods of isolation from his family during his university studies.
• The creature’s failed attempt to befriend the DeLacey family.
• The monster’s request for a female companion, driven by its desperate need for connection.

5. Betrayal Can Turn Innocence into Evil

The monster begins life as an innocent being, curious about the world. This innocence, however, erodes as it endures repeated betrayals. Its creator abandons it, and every human it encounters rejects it.

These betrayals fuel its transformation into the vengeful being that hunts down Victor’s loved ones. The monster’s murder of William and framing of Justine are acts of retaliation for the betrayal it suffers—its creator has doomed it to a life of suffering.

This serves as a lesson on how betrayal, especially from those who owe duty and care, can corrupt even the most innocent.

Examples

• Victor deserts the monster the moment it comes alive.
• The rejection the monster faces from both individuals and communities.
• The loss of hope in the monster after Felix drives it away.

6. Playing God Has Consequences

Victor’s desire to “play god” is at the heart of the story. He longs to create life and control the forces of nature. However, he finds that tampering with life and natural order has irrevocable consequences.

The narrative suggests that while humanity may strive for progress and innovation, there are limits that should not be crossed. Victor’s venture results in the suffering of both his creation and himself, showing that taking on godlike responsibilities can have disastrous outcomes.

Examples

• Victor’s overestimation of his ability to control life after creating the monster.
• The creature’s impact on his family—William’s murder and Elizabeth’s death.
• Victor’s eventual obsession with hunting a being he brought to existence.

7. Appearances Dominate Judgments

The monster’s misery is largely shaped by judgments based on its appearance. Regardless of its intelligence, eloquence, or benevolence, society judges it as evil and dangerous based solely on how it looks.

Shelley emphasizes this theme to critique humanity’s shallow tendencies to judge purely on aesthetics. Even Victor, its creator, is unable to look beyond its surface and show compassion. This rejection highlights a broader commentary on society’s underlying prejudices.

Examples

• Villagers attacking the monster due to fear of its appearance.
• Elizabeth and Victor’s younger brother screaming at the sight of it.
• Felix’s violent reaction during the creature’s attempt to befriend DeLacey.

8. Regret Fuels Tragedy

Victor spends much of the novel crushed under the weight of his regrets. His creations and decisions haunt him, yet he appears powerless to make meaningful amends.

Victor regrets bringing the creature to life yet shirks responsibility for it. He regrets the deaths of William, Justine, Henry, and Elizabeth, but doesn’t fundamentally alter his behaviors. His pattern of inaction repeatedly leads to greater tragedies.

Shelley paints regret as paralyzing and ineffective unless accompanied by corrective action.

Examples

• Victor’s immediate regret after creating the monster.
• His inability to save Justine despite suspecting her innocence.
• His failure to protect Elizabeth despite suspecting the monster’s warning.

9. Nature Offers Solace

Amidst Frankenstein’s chaos, nature serves as a recurring source of peace and clarification. Victor often escapes to natural locales to clear his mind and find inspiration. The Swiss Alps, in particular, provide a starkly beautiful contrast to the darkness of his struggles.

The monster also finds moments of solace in nature. It learns survival skills and finds fleeting comfort in the wilderness. However, both characters ultimately realize that nature cannot solve their deeper emotional turmoil, though it provides temporary relief.

Examples

• Victor finds calm hiking through the mountains in Geneva.
• The creature’s discovery of fire and moments of peace in the wilderness.
• The Mont Blanc glacier scene, where Victor reflects on his life.

Takeaways

1. Responsibility goes hand-in-hand with the power to create or innovate; always weigh consequences before action.
2. Avoid isolation during challenging pursuits—stay connected to loved ones and mentors for perspective.
3. Approach differences with empathy instead of fear; alienation breeds further pain and conflict.