THE LETTERS

Robert Walton captained the ship – “a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. This expedition has been the favourite dream of my early years.”

Sailed into the arctic – “I am going to unexplored regions to ‘the land of mist and snow.”

Stuck on ice + saw gigantic figure on sled – “a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature.”

Pick up ill old man – “you may conceive my astonishment on hearing such a question addressed to me from a man on the brink of destruction…”

Walton + Frankenstein develop friendship – “My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree.”

ACTUAL STORY

Dr Frankenstein is a child, Geneva is his home – “I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic”

We are told about his family – “… my father had filled several public situations with honor and reputation.” “Two years after this event Caroline  became his wife.”                                                                                       ” I, their eldest child, was born at Naples, and as an infant accompanied them in their rambles. I remained for several years their only child.”                                                                                                                          “…this child was thin and very fair. Her hair was the brightest living gold, and despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed to set a crown of distinction on her head. Her brow was clear and ample, her blue eyes cloudless, and her lips and the molding of her face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness that none could behold her without looking on her as of a distinct species, a being heaven-sent, and bearing a celestial stamp in all her features.”                                                                                                                                                “On the birth of a second son, my junior by seven years, my parents gave up entirely their wandering life and fixed themselves in their native country.”

Travels to Ingolstadt university – When I had attained the age of seventeen my parents resolved that I should become a student at the university of Ingolstadt.

Elizabeth (sister) gets ill, mother gets ill. Mother dies – “Elizabeth was saved, but the consequences of this imprudence were fatal to her preserver.”

Initially disappointed by university – “Have you,’ he said, ‘really spent your time in studying such nonsense?”

Chemistry teacher inspires Frankenstein, showing him that science isn’t all nonsense – “They ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breathe. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers.”                                                                                            “‘I am happy,’ said M. Waldman, ‘to have gained a disciple; and if your application equals your ability, I have no doubt of your success.

Tells us he has a secret – “I see by your eagerness and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted.”

Spends almost a year on his ‘creation’: “So deeply was I engrossed and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be enforced of the secret with which I am acquainted.”

His ‘creation’ comes to life: “I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.”

He gets ‘very ill’: “but I was in reality very ill, and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life.”

Clervel comes and takes care of him: “but I was in reality very ill, and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life.” 

His sister sends letters: “My dearest cousin, you have been ill, very ill, and even the constant letters of dear kind Henry are not sufficient to reassure me on your account.” 

His father sends a letter to say William died, his younger brother: “William is dead! – that sweet child, whose smile delighted and warmed my heart, who was so gentle, yet so gay! Victor, he is murdered!” 

He goes back to Geneva: “By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored me, and I continued my journey towards Geneva.” 

He thinks he sees his creation on the outskirts of Geneva and then is convinced that the ‘monster’ killed his brother: “The whole train of my progress toward the creation; the appearance of works of my own hands at my bedside.” 

He believes that Justine is innocent: “she is innocent, my Elizabeth,’ said I, ‘and that shall be proved; fear nothing, but let your spirits be cheered by the assurance of her acquittal.”

Justine was trialled for Williams murder and Victor is feeling guilty: “