"Frankenstein": Chapters 19-21

Chapters 19-21

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"Frankenstein"

Open Ended

What is the demand the Creature makes to Victor in Chapter 18?

• The creature asks Victor for a companion and Victor eventually agrees

• Victor agrees to marry Elizabeth

• Victor goes on a trip (with Henry) to find a secluded place where he can finish the companion before his marriage to Elizabeth​

Let's Review:

Chapters 16- 18

• ​The creature burns down the DeLacey cottage - The first act of destruction

• The creature saves a girl from drowning and gets shot

• The creature swears revenge on humanity and travels to Geneva to find Victor

• The creature kills William and frames Justin - the first murder

Open Ended

How does Justine's story illustrate injustice?

• Remember the tree from Chapter 2?

• "As I stood at the door, on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak which stood about twenty yards from our house; and so soon as the dazzling light vanished, the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump, when we visited it the next morning, we found the tree shattered in a singular manner. It was not splintered by the shock, but entirely reduced to thin ribbons of wood. I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed!"

• This was Victor's inspiration to study electricity - Metaphor for Victor

Chapter 19

​London / Scotland

​"But I am a blasted tree; the bolt has entered my soul; and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what I shall soon cease to be - a miserable spectacle of wrecked humanity, pitiable to others and intolerable to myself."

"For an instant I dared to shake off my chains and look around me with a free and lofty spirit, but the iron had eaten into my flesh, and I sank again, trembling and hopeless, into my miserable self."

Imprisonment = Gothic element

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Chapter 19

​London / Scotland

• Victor' paranoia is mounting

• He lacks responsibility for the creature, and fears for his family

• SELFISHNESS!

• "I had now neglected my promise for some time, and I feared the effects of the daemon's disappointment. He might remain in Switzerland and wreak his vengeance on my relatives. This idea pursued me and tormented me at every moment from which I might otherwise have snatched repose and peace."

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Chapter 19

• Victor leaves Henry with the Scots and travels to a remote spot in Scotland to (finally) work on his project

• He becomes unhealthy as he isolates himself in obsession - he is homesick and alone

• He realizes the grotesqueness of his work

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Chapter 19

​Victor leaves Henry to journey alone

• Victor worries about the female creature's thoughts and actions

• He worries about "a race of devils"

• Victor sees the creature outside of his window

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Chapter 20

• A few minutes go by and the creature comes back to speak with Victor

• The creature confronts him saying, "You are my creator, but I am your master - obey!"

• Victor refuses and demands that the creature leave

• The creature obeys saying, "I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding night."

• Victor believes that the creature intends to kill him

• While seeking solace in nature (again), a fishing boat brings him a letter from Henry to come visit

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Chapter 20

• Victor decides to spend a couple of days cleaning up his equipment and dumping the incomplete creation's body into the sea.

• He sets sail and arrives in Ireland.

• He is promptly arrested.

• He's taken to the magistrate Mr. Kirwin to be questioned

• A man was found murdered the night before...

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Chapter 20

• Victor's destruction of the female creation reflects the lack of personal liberties of women during the early 19th century

• The female creation is property that he discards, and not seen as a (potential) living being

• Similarly, Victor, and society, don't view the creature as a man, either

• Ultimately, unlike Adam, who has a companion, the creature is denied his partner, and views himself as a character similar to Satan

• The more knowledge that the characters acquire, the more tormented they become throughout the story

• Themes: dehumanization, pursuit of knowledge

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Key Notes - Chapter 20

Open Ended

What would you do if you found yourself in a situation that seems impossible to overcome?

• Victor is questioned before the magistrate

• Several witness provide evidence that points to his possible involvement

• Victor isn't worried; he has an alibi

• He is taken to see the body and discovers that it is Henry

• Victor is arrested as suspect and put in prison; he falls ill, mutters in French, and remains in prison for several months

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Chapter 21

• Victor begins to recover and his father comes to visit (letter sent by Mr. Kirwin)

• His father reassures him that Elizabeth and Ernest are okay

• He goes to trial; alibi is solid

• Victor and his father set sail towards home

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Chapter 21

Open Ended

Would you stick by someone who was harboring a secret?

• Failure notices are being sent out today, 3/31

• Attend English 12 Open Office Hours

• Use classroom website and lesson introduction pages to help you complete lessons and assignments

• English 12 ends on May 23rd

• Ms. Collura will be out for state testing from 4/24 - 4/28

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Wrap Up