16.11.2021
Notes:
Clerval sacrificed his own dreams for Victor – ‘whole winter, instead of being spent in study’,
Clerval and Victor are opposites because Victor wouldn’t give up his dreams for anyone
‘object’ – Victor dehumanizes the creature
‘deserving of my love’ – very two-faced
Theme of Dreams, Creation, Male Hubris, Abuse of Power
Chapter VI – Introduction of the Theme of Social Justice
‘my own Elizabeth’ – so possessive and controlling
Female perspective of Elizabeth (unreliable narrator)
Elizabeth is incredible motherly, thoughtful, articulate, kind and compassionate, this
juxtaposes Victor who is immoral, unkind and selfish.
‘one word’ – so very desperate to be close to Victor
Domestic Sphere, means that she cannot leave to visit Victor because it is not her place –
‘not being able to perform it herself’
‘our Ernest’ ‘our dear children’ – very motherly, has taken on Caroline’s role. Ernest wants to
join the army, a second son who wants to leave the family – emphasises the fact that
Victor’s isolation is really cruel on the family
Shelley is showing that there always needs to be balance, in the family and in life unlike
Victor who is completely unbalanced
‘immutable laws’ – power of nature
Justine – justice: like the story of Cinderella, very different to Victor’s only family, entered
into the family as a servant – a comment on social standing and looks, unlike Elizabeth who
was ‘a daughter of a Milanese nobleman’ and was beautiful, Justine isn’t a regular servant
but wasn’t fully part of the family, Justine is educated by Caroline
‘grateful little creature…adored her protectors…endeavoured to imitate her phraseology and
manners’ – also becoming like Caroline, competition for Elizabeth, ‘continually remind me of
my own aunt’ – extreme women and extreme men (masculine).
Context: Shelley moved for two years because her step-mother was mean to her
Theme of Social Justice, Kindness and Compassion
‘darling William’ – everyone loves William
Mentions marriage of others to nudge Victor into marrying her