Notes Chapter 6-8 Frankenstein

Frankenstein
Chapters 6-8

Chapter 6
V receives a letter from Elizabeth, who is desperate for him to return home.
She says that his father is well, and Ernest is now 16.
William, the youngest, is described as being a happy child.
Justine Moritz’s story begins with this chapter. She becomes a part of the Frankenstein family, and though called a servant is much more than that to them.

Chapter 6 (con’t
Justine’s young life is troubled at times, and foreshadowing appears in quotes such as: “Poor Justine was very ill, but other trials were reserved for her.”
V recovers from his illness and despair in about a fortnight (14 days). He cannot feel joy in his progress, because he is worried about what the fruit of his labors may be doing.

Victor introduces Henry Clerval to his professors.
As Waldman praises V, it makes him feel even less joy than before. In trying to please Victor with praise, Waldman actually torments V.
Krempe is not nice about V and his emotional stuggles.
Clerval does not like the sciences like V. He is a fan of literature and languages.
V plans to go home in the fall; he has been away for 6 years.

Chapter 6 - conclusion
V and Henry take a long walking tour, and V feels happy again, somewhat…but embedded in his musings is the fact that he knows it this happiness is only temporary.

Chapter 7: Bad news from V’s dad
William is dead, murdered while he left the family to play hide and seek.
Possible motive for the murder is the theft of a very valuable miniature that once belonged to Caroline (V’s mom).
Victor makes plans to go to Geneva immediately. The journey home is melancholy. Stops for two days at Lausanne to try to calm his nerves.

C. 7 - continued
V stops at the place where William was murdered since he arrives at Geneva when the city gates are closed.
A thunderstorm with lightening ensues, and Victor sees the glimpse of a figure that looks like it might be his creation.
He wonders if the monster may be the actual murderer, and then concludes that the creature is the one! Thinks of pursuing the creature, but sees that the monster is hanging on some mountain rocks, out of range.
V goes to his dad’s home
V desperately wishes to tell what he know about who the murderer might be, but cannot.
Arrives at his father’s home, and Ernest tells him that the murderer has been found – Justine!
Circumstantial evidence against Justine:
She was ill and taken to her bed for a few days. While ill, a servant discovered the miniature in her clothing. She was also out all night the evening of the murder, and acted strangely when told of William’s death.

Chapter 8: The Trial
Justine is calm; evidence is presented. Says she is innocent, but says that her protests will probably not acquit her.
Mentions seeing a man late that evening (who might that be?)
Says she spent the night in a barn since the city gates were locked.
Conjectures that the murderer might have placed the jewel on her, but then takes her statement back.

C. 8
Elizabeth testifies as to Justine’s character, and even though it is powerful, it is not helpful.
V starts acting like a stereotypical mad scientist.
Justine then confesses to the murder, and then calls it a lie. Says she confessed, so she can obtain absolution. “I leave a sad and bitter world.” She dies and V feels devastation at how many lives have been lost because of him.

Victor
Victor is in turmoil; he has caused William’s death, and now Justine’s, and despairs over “…the first hapless victims [of]my unhallowed arts.”