Character development and analysis in Frankenstein

1. Character development and analysis in Frankenstein

2. Types of Characters: • Round Characters- characters that are fully developed and multi-dimensional • Flat Characters- characters that are based solely on one trait or characteristic

3. Types of Characters: • Dynamic Characters- characters that develop through the course of the story • Static Characters- characters that do NOT develop through the course of the story

4. Types of Characters: • Foil- a character who is the opposite of another character used to shed light upon the character of the latter • Catalyst- a character (or event) that starts a chain of events. A catalyst is the first domino to fall and hit the other dominoes

5. Character Analysis of Static Characters • Frankenstein Family • Elizabeth and Justine- used for Victor’s revenge • Mrs. Frankenstein- her death is what makes Victor wish to create, and ultimately restore, life to inanimate objects

6. Character Analysis of Static Characters • Henry Clerval- another reason for Victor’s revenge • A foil for Victor- his character shows how scientific and 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

7. Character Analysis of Static Characters • Robert Walton- device that allows Victor to tell his story • Victor uses him as the scribe • Shelley uses his as the reason for Victor to tell his story

8. Character Analysis of Static Characters • The De Lacy family- creature learns how to speak (so he can tell his story) • Creature learns how to socialize from them • 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

9. Character Analysis of Dynamic Characters • Victor Frankenstein- changes throughout the story • Story covers his entire life • Inverted time sequence- his character in the book is not in the same sequence as real life • Childhood = happy and loving child • Youth = science obsessed • Man = broken and “wiser-for-the-wear” • Sorrows and guilt prematurely age him and make him sick

10. Character Analysis of Dynamic Characters • Frankenstein Cont. • His change in philosophy (important!) • First, unintentionally created havoc for himself because of his scientific quest • He then realizes it’s better to enjoy life than go after fame, glory, and knowledge • Victor learns that ignorance is bliss

11. Character Analysis of Dynamic Characters • The Creature- develops tremendously throughout the story • Begins life as a clean slate • He only has the potential for everything • He literally becomes what society makes him • He is Shelley’s warning to the reader

12. Literary Allusions: • A writer’s comparison of his or her characters to characters in other well-known works of literature • Value of an allusion lies in its ability to garner much information in only a title or a character name

13. Literary Allusions used in Frankenstein: • Milton’s Paradise Lost • Biblical account of Adam and Eve • “The Modern Prometheus”