Frankenstein Reading Journal (Chapters 17-20)

Chapter Sixteen:

• Narration is now back with Victor.
• Creature craves company- reader sympathises? 'I am miserable; am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?'
• Creature a monster? 'fiendish rage animated him... his face was wrinkled into contortions too horrible for human eyes to behold.
• Victor agrees to create a companion for his creation.
• The idea of tranquility is mentioned again.
• Links with Paradise Lost- Biblic Language, Adam and Eve (creature wants an 'Eve' figure), Romantic.
• Temperamental nature of Victor towards the creature could be seen as cruel?

Chapter Seventeen:

• Victor does not want to create another.
• On his return, his health improves- 'tranquility' mentioned again. Romantic idea of nature acting as a healing power is present in this chapter, as on his return to Geneva, Victor's health is restored.
• Engagement to Elizabeth. What should be a happy moment in the tale, yet Victor's mind is still distracted upon his promise made to the creature.
• Jouney to England.
• 'tranquil'.

Chapter Eighteen:

• Links with Romanticism: The idea of the sublime, and the use of Wordsworthian Language.
• Idea of slavery can be seen within the chapter. 'slave'.
• Paradise Lost connections.
• 'I saw an insurmountable barrier placed between me and my fellow-men; this barrier was sealed with the blood of William and Justine'. Although there is no physical barrier between Victor and other men, his guilt is a metaphorical one that prevents him.
• Possible envy of Clerval- sees himself in his friend. 'But in Clerval I saw the image of my former self'. However Clerval is free of the guilt that Victor feels, from following his thirst for knowledge.
• Descriptive language- Victor is able to appreciate his new surroundings- yet again nature's healing power. 'majestic'...'sublime'...'picturesque'.
  

Chapter Nineteen:

• Gothic- Creatures face by the light of the moon is a scary image. 'on looking up, I saw, by the light of the moon; the daemon...A ghastly grin wrinkled his lips'. Sinister Language.
• Morality is shown- Victor ponders about right and wrong yet again. His moral dilemma links with Macbeth.
• Victor realises the new creature may not want to be with the original, and may not agree to be peaceful. 'might refuse to comply with a compact made before her creation... They might even hate each other'. This would surely backfire on Victor, and he does not want to be responsible for creating another danger to society.
• 'You are my creator, but I am your master;- obey!'
• 'I will be with you on your wedding-night'. The creature threatens Victor after breaking the promise,  putting yet another life of his loved ones in danger.