Lecture Notes: The Monster's Journey and Motivations

Key Events and Plot Points

• **Initial Anger and War Declaration: **

  • The monster declares war on all humans, especially Victor Frankenstein.
  • Calms down the next day, reconsiders his actions.

• Destruction of the Cottage:

  • Returns to the cottage, sees Felix negotiating to leave.
  • Hatred and desire for revenge flare up again.
  • Burns the Delacys' cottage to the ground.

• Journey to Geneva:

  • Sets off for Geneva.
  • Saves a young girl from drowning along the way.
  • Shot in the shoulder by a witness who misinterprets his actions.
  • Spends weeks recovering from the injury.

• Encounter with William Frankenstein:

  • Near Geneva, meets a young child (William Frankenstein).
  • Hopes the child will not fear him, but the boy screams and insults him.
  • Learns the boy's identity and strangles him in a fit of rage.
  • Takes the portrait the child was wearing.

• Framing Justine:

  • Sees Justine and decides to frame her for the murder.
  • Places the portrait in her pocket.

• Demand for a Mate:

  • Wanders, hoping to confront Victor.
  • Demands that Victor make him a mate.

Themes and Analysis

• Contrast of Actions:

  • Kind deed: Saving the girl from drowning.
  • Violent deed: Murdering William and framing Justine.

• Rejection and Anger:

  • Rejection by the Delacys and the witness leads to violence.
  • Rage is reignited by William's reaction and the mention of Victor's name.

• Belief in Language and Power:

  • Monster believes in the literal power of the written word.
  • Assumes threats and violence will persuade Victor to create a mate.
  • Naive belief foreshadows the failure of his plea.

• Nature and Romanticism:

  • Connection to nature as a theme inspired by the Romantic movement.
  • Desire to reanimate the drowning girl connects the monster to Victor.