book brief mary shelleys frankenstein

Book BriefFrankensteinMary ShelleyNovelBrief Synopsis: The book
opens with a scene of a ship in the Arctic Ocean. The ship is stuck inthe
ice and unable to move. Robert Walton, the ship's captain, is writing
letters to hissister back home. The letters tell of his explorations and the
events that occur on the ship. Walton's crew pulls abord a lifeless body
and revive the man back to life. This man isVictor Frankenstein. Walton
and Frankenstein talk about why Victor is in the Arctic andVictor explains
the horrible and tragic story of the past few years of his life. Victor was
born to a very wealthy and popular family. While he was still younghis
parents adopted a young girl with whom Victor would grow up with and
eventuallyfall in love with her. Victor goes through medical school and
becomes very good friends aclassmate, Henry Clerval. Even though
Victors young life seams perfect it is all about tochange. Victor's
mother died when he was still young and her death would change him
forthe rest of his life. After Victor's mother's death Victor swore he would
conquer themortality of humans. Victor, once he was out of medical
school, he began to work on histheory of conquering death. He collected
numerous body parts and put them together andused a special technique
to bring the corpse to life. At first Victor thought he had failed,but the
creature sat up and was alive. Victor was horrified by his own creation
and fledhis laboratory. The monster then disappeared into the city. Two
years pasted and the monster wasn't heard from, until something
terriblehappened. Victor's younger brother William was strangled to
death. It was believed thatWilliam's nanny and close friend of the family,
Justine, had murdered him. A lynch mobgathered and drug her off and
hanged her. Later on Victor saw his creature and realizedthat the
monster murdered his brother not Justine. Victor still in shock after his
brother'sdeath went to the mountains. The monster followed him there.
When Victor stopped themonster confronted him. The monster explained
to Victor how he survived while inhiding. He told Victor of the family he
watched through a crack in the wall of theabandoned shack he stayed in

and how he learned to read, write, and talk from thesepeople. After
a long and detailed conversation the monster told Victor of his deal.
Themonster wanted Victor to create another being similar to himself. The
monster realizedthat he was hideous and that no normal human could or
would ever love him. Thecreature that Victor would create for him would
be his lifelong partner and they wouldflee civilization never to return. The
other side of the deal was if Victor did not agree themonster would haunt
Victor the rest of his life. Since the monster would not have anyoneto
love neither would Victor because the monster would torture Victor by
killing all thepeople that he loved. At first Victor agreed to the deal. Days
went by and Victor began his project. Half way through he realized that he
regretted the first time he did this and he swore tohimself that he would
not repeat the same mistake again. Victor destroyed the remains ofthe
project and as he was doing this the monster came in the room. Once
the monster sawVictor wreaking his laboratory, he became furious. The
monster promised Victor hewould regret his actions and threatened that
Victor should be careful because the monsterwould be with him on his
wedding night. The monster's threat did not stop Victor from his
plans of marrying Elizabeth, hischildhood love. After the wedding Victor
hired the best men to guard him and his wifethat night. As Victor was
checking the guards he heard his wife scream. They rushed intothe
room, saw the monster fleeing the room, and saw his wife strangled on
the bed. Victor then swore that he would track the monster to the ends of
the Earth and kill him. The monster lead Victor to the Arctic. This is
where Victor was pulled aboard by Capt.Walton and his crew. After
Victor finished telling his story to Walton and his crew he fell asleep
anddied. Sometime later a rather large and hideous man came aboard
the ship and asked ifthey had seen his "father." The men pointed toward
Victor's body and the man/monsterwept. The monster built a raft and
placed Victor's body on it and floated out to sea on it. As the crew

watched the monster set fire to the raft burning the raft, Victor's body,
andhimself to death.Theme/Author's Message: The theme was that we,
as humans, should not "play God." We should also notinterfere with
nature because it is far more powerful than we can possible fathom.Main
Characters: Victor Frankenstein Young doctor, wealthy family, and
creator of "the monster" The Monster Creation of Victor
Frankenstein, kills William Frankenstein, HenryClerval, and Elizabeth
directly, he indirectly kills Justine, and Victor's father. Elizabeth Lavenza
(Frankenstein) adopted sister and later wife of Victor. Robert
Walton Captain of a ship that is exploring the Arctic and he
nursesVictor to life and is there went Victor dies. Henry Clerval
Friend of Victor. Justine Moritz Lynched by a mob because it was
believed that she killed WilliamFrankenstein. William Frankenstein
Victor's youngest brother, killed by monster.Tone: The tone here is
dark, mysterious, and eerie. A typical setting for a horror story.Critical
Review: I did enjoy reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It is one of
the few horror booksI have actual read. I chose this book because a
friend of mind recommended when I said Ihad to read a book for school.
I had already seen the movie and enjoyed it, so I thought Iwould also like
the book. I did like the ending better in the movie than the book though.
The reason is that Vincent actual gets to confront the monster other than
running all overthe Arctic looking for it. I wish though that Victor would
have been able to get rid of themonster. Victor should have never let the
monster out of his sight, but if that happenedthere would not be a story. I
felt sorry for Victor because of the lose of his wife, but themonster
promised he would take away his loved ones. I would recommend this
classic to anyone who is in the mood for a good classic. Ido say that if
you are going to watch the movie though, watch it after reading the book.
The movie does spoil the book, because the movie does have a better
ending.