|
Mary Shelley's |
FRANKENSTEIN | |
|
GEOGRAPHY HISTORICAL INFO LITERARY TERMS
STUDY QUESTIONS |
 CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF "STATIC CHARACTERS" Frankenstein Family, Elizabeth, and Justine are used as the reason for Victor's revenge. They exist only to be killed by the monster (or killed by society), thus giving Victor the motivation he needs to rid the world of the monster. Also, Mrs. Frankenstein's death is what makes Victor wish to create, and ultimately restore, life to inanimate objects. Henry Clerval is used as another reason for Victor's revenge. He is also a foil for Victor by showing how scientific and, often, un-Romantic Victor is. Henry is Shelley's way of showing how life could be for Victor if he was not given to his passion for science. Robert Walton is Shelley's device that allows Victor to tell his story. Just as Victor uses him to be the scribe of his story, Shelley uses him to be the reason the story is told. M. Waldman is purely a catalyst for Victor to return to natural philosophy and continue his creation. The Cottagers are the means through which the creature learns how to speak (so he can tell his story) and how to "socialize." They are the single most important factor in making the creature long for human company, and then for his feeling of utter despair that drives him to murder.
|