Frankenstien reading journal 1-8

Chapter One

• We learn Victor is from a respected family as they are 'the most distinguished' of the Geneva republic. This suggests a stable up bring which would result in good mannerisms and morals from Victor. This is reflected later in the novel when he has realised his mistake in making the monster and he regrets it.
• We understand that Victors family are very well off, this is evidence by their constant country hopping. This would mean that Victor could really have what ever material goods he wanted, and mean that he could go on to do what ever he wants. This makes the fact that he focus' on science very significant, and highlights his passion for it.
• We are introduced to Elizabeth. she is describes as a 'blessing' to Victors family. This suggests that she can be to his family, what victor is not, as she won't go to study, rather she will be there to support his household.
• Victor's mum describes Elizabeth as 'a pretty prsent' for Victor. This shows again how Victor can get every thing that he materially wants. Victor, it says takes this very seriously and he truly believes she is his property. This relationship accentuates the affect of Victor's loss when Elizabeth is murdered.

Chapter 2

• Victors lust for knowledge is accentuated 'I was more smitten with the thirst for knowlegde' - a key them of the novel and arguably victors hamartia and reason for his downfall.
• 'It was the secrets of heaven that I desired to learn... the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupies me' - Gothic, victors lust for a supernatural power.
• Victors friend - Clerval - highlights how happy victor is with him, the theme of companionship is mentioned, and the benefits of it are highlighted.
• Victor studies 'aggrippa' and more, his father describes it as 'sad trash' - hinted at the worthlessness of the studies which he is doing and hints at what is to come from the university.

Chapter 3

• Victor goes to university because his 'parents resolved' that he would, proving that he isn't rebellious towards them and extenuating his respect for them. 
• Victors mother dies - because of Elizabeth?????? Victor links her death with 'irreparable evil' - the start of his downfall. Perhaps his lust to create life is to recreate his mother and to stop his feelings of despair.
• Victors father was right, as his studies are described as 'rubbish'.
• Victor is entranced by the scene - the chapter marks a turning point in his life as it 'decided his future'.

Chapter 4

• we learn of how secluded he makes himself. he describes chemistry as his 'sole occupation' and does not visit home for two years. This links back to the them of companionship that we had at the beginning and shows what happens through the deprivation of it.
• Victor, as he is retelling his life regrets his actions, even goes as far as saying 'how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier the man is who believes his native town to be world' - reflects how his opinion has changed drastically over the time, makes the reader wonder why??????
• Because of victors lack of human contact, and obsession with creating life he becomes a 'wreck' who 'shunned' his Friends and fellow humans. He also obtains a slow fever. This is the first physical illness we are informed that victor has had. this is significant because it was caused by his creation, so could be seen to reflect the disaster that his monster will later create.

Chapter 5

• the monster is finished and , before he is beheld he is described by victor as his 'accomplishment'. However, after victor has viewed him is described as an 'accident' and 'horrid'. These feelings are so strong, and completely opposite to what victor was expecting, that they explain his actions and his fear of the creature. They also explain why victor has an almost extreme fear of his monster, which you wouldn't expect from a character  with his strength. 
• Victors dream of kissing Elizabeth, who them turns into his mother reflects how victor has almost turned nature on its head by creating the monster. As the dead had come to life, and he is kissing his mother in and incestuous way. It could also be a proleptic passage into the death of Elizabeth.
• The idea of the blessing of companionship is re kindled as when Frankenstein meets clerval he says that 'in a moment i had forgotten my horror and misfortune. this emphasises the power that companionship has in the book, and proves how the creature is going to be doomed if he doesn't have any.

Chapter 6

• Through Elizabeth's letter we learn of Justine, who is later falsely accused of killing William. This introduction to her character emphasises how sad her life has been, not only because of its misfortune, but because she was present in victors home when he was there and yet he didn't notice her. This show How she has been almost ignored throughout the novel, and proves that she would be an easy victim to pin a crime on.
• Describes William as 'rosy with health' - this, along with the rest of his description in the letter make him seem pure and angelic, like an angel. This highlights his innocence, and perhaps explains the innocence recognised by the monster, that we learn about in later chapters. This description also adds to the despair which is felt when we learn of Williams death in the next chapter as he is so beautiful and healthy now.
• The relationship between Elizabeth and Victor is explored slightly in this letter because we are in part witnessing a conversation between the two. When Elizabeth describes Manon as 'ugly' it gives the reader a sense of the informality of Elizabeth and Victors relationship, and how friendly they are to each other, as they can open up to each other freely.

Chapter 7

• In victors fathers letter he is described as 'long-absent son'. This description proves that he is disturbed and perhaps annoyed by Victors absence and that he wants to convey this to his son in a gentle yet firm way. This emphasises the love between the two, even though the father could seem rejected by victor.
• 'William is dead!' The fact that this fact is thrust so forcefully in to the letter reflects the suddenness of Williams death to the family. It is as if Victors father is trying to convey some of their surprise and shock at the news to victor in the form of a letter.
• 'I will not attempt to console you' Proves that the Frankensteins have accepted the horror of the event and can't find any hope in the situation.
• 'you alone can console elizabeth' - their closeness is highlighted again.
• 'with feelings of peace and gentleness' These are the feelings that Victors father tries to encourage victor to posses. This suggests that victors normal reaction would be to seek revenge rather than forgive, which is attitude that he reflects later in the novel.
• Describes his creature as 'the filthy deamon' rather than 'creautre' because he learns that he killed his brother. It is because he has taken on the actions of a monster so Victor sees it fitting to change his name. However, there is a question as to weather Victor should be refered to as the monster????

Chapter 8

• Justin is described as 'calm... exquisitley beautiful...confident yet innocent' These conflicting factors to her appearence reflect her conflictinf emotions of shock and despair at the loss of william, and confusion and perhaps anger at her false accusation. The fact that is is through victors eyes could be interprtedtied as a reflection of his feelings becuase it is his fault that she is being trialed, and later killed, becuase he created the monster.
• 'I cannot pretend to describe what i felt then' This is victors immedient reaction to Justines Condement. Where he is normally very lietrate and clever, it seems that this blow has tunned him. This moment combines all the lovong descriptions that have been felt from victor towards justine, and uses them to empahsise the loss and guilt that victor must fell knowing his actions, and lack of actions, have sentanced her to her death.
• The fact that that Justine confesses her guilt could be seen as a reflection of the corruptness of soceity. Becuase the court has forced the innocent to confes to a crime she did not commit. Shelly could be using this as a means of conveying th courpness of those in power and how they manipulat it to suite thier own means.
• 'I wish... that I were to die with you; I cannot live in this world of misery' This is elizabeths responce to Justines condement. She wishes to die becuase of all the death that she has witness. The creature is later to grant this wish, and elizabeths feeling are then reflected in Victor.