Frankenstein Full Plot Summary - Schooling Online

Summary

This engaging summary of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' follows the journey of Captain Robert Walton, who rescues Victor Frankenstein in the Arctic. Victor recounts his tragic tale of ambition and loss, driven by his desire to uncover the secrets of life. After creating a monstrous being, Victor abandons it, leading to devastating consequences for both creator and creature. As they spiral into a cycle of revenge and despair, the narrative explores themes of isolation, the quest for knowledge, and the moral implications of scientific ambition, ultimately questioning who the real monster is.

Takeaways

• 😀 Captain Robert Walton is an ambitious English explorer on a voyage to the North Pole to uncover the secrets of the Earth's magnetic force.
• 😀 Walton's ship becomes trapped in ice, leading to strange occurrences during the wait for rescue.
• 😀 Walton rescues Victor Frankenstein, who is pursuing a mysterious creature and is in poor health.
• 😀 Victor Frankenstein's childhood is marked by wealth, love, and the loss of his mother, which deeply affects him.
• 😀 Inspired by medieval scientists and his own tragedy, Victor becomes obsessed with the secrets of life and death.
• 😀 Victor successfully creates a living being but is horrified by its appearance and abandons it, leading to disastrous consequences.
• 😀 The Monster, initially innocent, faces rejection and violence from humanity, which fuels its anger and desire for revenge.
• 😀 Victor's family suffers greatly, culminating in the murder of his brother William and the wrongful execution of Justine Moritz.
• 😀 The Monster demands that Victor create a female companion, promising to leave humanity behind if his request is fulfilled.
• 😀 The story explores profound themes of ambition, isolation, and the moral implications of scientific exploration, ultimately questioning what it means to be a monster.

Q & A

Who is Captain Robert Walton and what is his mission?

Captain Robert Walton is an ambitious English explorer whose mission is to discover the secrets behind Earth's magnetic forces at the North Pole.

How does Walton first encounter Victor Frankenstein?

Walton encounters Victor Frankenstein after rescuing him from an ice flow while Victor is pursuing a mysterious creature that Walton's crew spotted earlier.

What significant event triggers Victor's obsession with science?

Victor's obsession with science is triggered by witnessing the power of lightning at the age of 15, which leads him to investigate electricity and galvanism.

What personal tragedy does Victor experience that impacts his life?

Victor suffers the tragedy of losing his beloved mother to scarlet fever, which deeply affects him and sets the stage for future miseries.

What does Victor attempt to create and what is his reaction upon its creation?

Victor attempts to create a perfect human specimen but is horrified by its ugliness upon bringing the creature to life, leading him to abandon it.

How does the creature initially attempt to integrate into human society?

The creature initially attempts to integrate into human society by observing a family (the De Laceys) from a distance, learning their language, and hoping to introduce himself compassionately.

What events lead to the creature's transformation into a vengeful being?

The creature's transformation into a vengeful being is fueled by rejection and violence from humans, including being shot while trying to save a drowning girl and being attacked by Felix upon his introduction to the De Laceys.

What ultimatum does the creature present to Victor, and how does Victor respond?

The creature demands that Victor create a female companion for him. Victor initially refuses but eventually agrees, although he delays the project out of repulsion at the idea of creating another monster.

What are the consequences of Victor's decision to destroy the female creature?

Victor's decision to destroy the female creature results in the monster threatening him with vengeance, ultimately leading to the death of Victor's bride, Elizabeth, on their wedding night.

What is the final fate of both Victor and the creature?

Victor dies from his relentless pursuit of the creature and his grief, while the creature vows to end his own life by setting himself on fire to prevent further suffering and to ensure that no one can create another like him.