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Introduction/Preface & Letters 1–4

Most editions have a title page quote from John Milton’s Paradise Lost. The Introduction, written by Mary Shelley for the 1831 edition, explains how she (as a “young girl”) was able to write such a dark and unusual book. The Preface, which Shelley says in the Introduction was written by her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley for the 1818 edition, briefly covers some of the same topics. Both frontmatter pieces say that Frankenstein resulted from a competition among friends to write a work inspired by German ghost stories while they waited out the rain on a visit to the Swiss Alps.

The novel opens with four letters written by an English explorer named Robert Walton to his sister while on a voyage to the North Pole. In Letter 1, he writes of his desire to achieve “some great purpose” on the voyage.

In Letter 2, Walton writes about his feeling of isolation and loneliness since none of his shipmates are as educated as he is, nor do they share his Romantic nature.

In Letter 3, Walton tells his sister he is full of confidence about the voyage.

In Letter 4, Walton describes how he and his crew rescue and bring on board a weak and starving man. As the man recovers, he tells Walton he will tell him his story. We will hear the story in the upcoming chapters of the book.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Preface & Letters 1–4

Chapters 1 & 2

In Chapter 1, the stranger, whose name is Victor Frankenstein, starts his narrative by telling Walton of his background and childhood. He talks about his father, Alphonse, his mother, Caroline, and how Elizabeth Lavenza came to live with them when she was four.

In Chapter 2, we learn about Victor and Elizabeth’s happy childhood and about Victor’s friend, Henry Clerval. We also learn about Victor becoming engrossed in the mysteries of the natural world and the power of electricity as a teenager.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 1 & 2

Chapters 3–5

In Chapter 3, Victor leaves his family in Geneva to attend the university at Ingolstadt, but not before his mother, on her deathbed, begs Elizabeth and Victor to marry. At university, Victor decides to study the sciences.

In Chapter 4, Victor devotes all his energy in the next few years to his studies, neglecting his friends and family. Upon discovering the secrets of life, he starts constructing an animate creature. As he grows increasingly pale and obsessed, he envisions the creation of a new race of super beings.

In Chapter 5, Victor succeeds in bringing his creation to life one stormy night. But horrified by his monster, he flees his apartment and chances upon Henry Clerval before falling ill with fever for several months. He is brought back to health by Henry, who gives him a letter from Elizabeth that arrived during his illness.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 3–5

Chapters 6–8

In Chapter 6, we learn about Elizabeth’s letter to Victor urging him to contact his family and telling him about Justine Moritz, a girl who had lived with the Frankenstein family and who has returned, after her mother’s death. When a visit to the school triggers a worsening of his health, Victor decides to return to Geneva.

In Chapter 7, as Victor prepares to return home, he receives a letter from his father telling him that his brother William has been murdered. Returning to Geneva, Victor sees his monster lurking and realizes that he killed William. Justine is accused of the murder based on the circumstantial evidence of a picture of William’s mother being found on her. Victor knows she’s innocent, but refuses to explain why, fearing he will be labeled insane.

In Chapter 8, believing it will gain her eternal salvation, Justine confesses to William’s murder and is soon executed. Victor is consumed with guilt, knowing that the monster he created caused the deaths of William and Justine.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 6–8

Chapters 9 & 10

In Chapter 9, Victor’s melancholy after Justine’s execution is momentarily relieved after traveling to the family home in Belrive.

In Chapter 10, when Victor’s feelings of despair return, he travels to the summit of Montanvert where the monster approaches him and entreats him to come to a cave where he will narrate the events of his life.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 9 & 10

Chapters 11 & 12

In Chapter 11, the monster describes to Victor his confusion after being born, his flight from Victor’s apartment, his discovery of the sensations and elements of the world, and his resolve to avoid people after some negative encounters. But then, after settling in a small hovel adjacent to a cottage, he surreptitiously observes the people in the cottage—a young man, a young woman, and an old man.

In Chapter 12, the monster tells Victor about how he grew affectionate and benevolent toward his neighbors in the cottage and how he learned the rudiments of language by eavesdropping on them.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 11 & 12

Chapters 13 & 14

In Chapter 13, the monster tells Victor that he noticed a lift in the mood in the cottage when a woman named Safie moved in. He reports that as she learned the cottagers’ language, so did he. He says he also learning about human society and history, as well as the fact that he was deformed and alone.

In Chapter 14, the monster says that was able to learn the cottagers’ story: The old man (De Lacey) had been a wealthy Parisian, and his children (Felix and Agatha) were well-respected until their attempt to help Safie’s father escape prison was discovered and the family was exiled. They moved to the cottage, where Safie later joined them.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 13 & 14

Chapters 15–17

In Chapter 15, the monster tells Victor that after reading literature including John Milton’s Paradise Lost as well as pages from Victor’s journal explaining the manner of his creation, he decided to reveal himself to the cottagers, but that Felix, who was horrified by his appearance, drove him away.

In Chapter 16, the monster describes how he vowed revenge against all humans, particularly Victor. He tells him that he saved a drowning girl but was shot at anyway. He describes encountering William, strangling him when he realizes who he is, and finding a picture of Caroline and placing it in Justine’s dress as she sleeps. Then, the monster implores Victor to create a female monster to be his mate.

In Chapter 17, the monster tries to convince Victor to make him a mate by arguing that it is Victor’s responsibility as his creator and by saying that he will withdraw from society since having a mate will make him peaceful. The monster is overjoyed but skeptical when Victor agrees and warns Victor that he will be watching him.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 15–17

Chapters 18–20

In Chapter 18, a troubled Victor contemplates the creation of a companion creature for the monster before deciding he will travel to Britain, accompanied by Henry, to do the work. He plans to marry Elizabeth after his return.

In Chapter 19, Victor decides that Henry should stay in a Scottish town while he goes to a shack in the remote Orkney Islands to undertake his project. There he begins the work but is plagued by thoughts of its potential consequences.

In Chapter 20, after seeing the monster grinning at him through the window, Victor decides to destroy his work, prompting the monster to vow to be with Victor on his wedding night. Upon returning to the shore after dumping the remains of the new creature into the sea, he is told that he is the suspect in a murder.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 18–20

Chapters 21–23

In Chapter 21, Victor falls unconscious when he is shown Henry’s body, covered with the black marks of the monster’s hands around his neck. When Victor awakens, he is greeted by his father who waits with him until the court finds him not guilty of Henry’s murder, after which they depart for Geneva.

In Chapter 22, stopping in Paris on the way home to Geneva, Victor vows to fight to the death with the monster to end his ongoing misery. Victor and Elizabeth marry in Geneva, then depart to a family cottage to spend the night.

In Chapter 23, as Victor searches for the monster, he hears Elizabeth scream as she is killed by the monster. His father dies after Victor reveals his secret to him, and he vows to devote the rest of his life to destroying the monster.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapters 21–23

Chapter 24 & Walton, in Continuation

In Chapter 24, Victor’s story culminates in his meeting with Walton in the frozen North after months of tracking the monster, ultimately entreating Walton to continue his search for vengeance after he is dead.

In the chapter Walton, in Continuation, we hear the end of the story through letters Walton sends to his sister. He says that after Victor dies, he discovered the monster weeping over Victor’s body. The monster tells Walton he regrets having become an instrument of evil before he departs the ship into the darkness to presumably die himself.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Chapter 24 & Walton, in Continuation

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