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Victor Frankenstein
The doomed protagonist and narrator of the main portion of the story. The eldest son of a wealthy Geneva family, while studying in Ingolstadt, Victor discovers the secret of life and creates an intelligent but grotesque monster, from whom he recoils in horror. Victor keeps his creation of the monster a secret, feeling increasingly guilty and ashamed as he realizes how helpless he is to prevent the monster from ruining his life and the lives of others.
Read an in-depth analysis of Victor Frankenstein.
The Monster
The eight-foot-tall, hideously ugly creation of Victor Frankenstein. Intelligent, eloquent, and sensitive, the monster attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but all who see him shun him. His feeling of abandonment compels him to seek revenge against his creator.
Read an in-depth analysis of the monster.
Robert Walton
The Arctic explorer whose letters convey the narrative of Frankenstein. Walton picks the bedraggled Victor Frankenstein up off the ice, helps nurse him back to health, and hears Victor’s story. He records the incredible tale in a series of letters addressed to his sister, Margaret Saville, in England.
Read an in-depth analysis of Robert Walton.
Elizabeth Lavenza
An orphan, four to five years younger than Victor, whom Alphonse and Caroline Frankenstein adopt and whom Caroline decides will eventually marry Victor. Elizabeth embodies the novel’s motif of subjugated women, as she waits patiently for Victor’s attention.
Read an in-depth analysis of Elizabeth Lavenza.
Henry Clerval
Victor’s close friend from childhood who nurses Victor back to health in Ingolstadt. After working unhappily for his father, Henry begins to follow in Victor’s footsteps as a scientist. His cheerfulness counters Victor’s moroseness.
Read an in-depth analysis of Henry Clerval.
Alphonse Frankenstein
Victor’s wealthy and respected father, who married Caroline somewhat later in life. Highly sympathetic towards his son, Alphonse consoles Victor in moments of pain and encourages him to remember the importance of family.
Read an in-depth analysis of Alphonse Frankenstein.
Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein
The matriarch of the Frankenstein family. She was the daughter of Alphonse’s friend Beaufort, who fell on hard times and died destitute. Caroline is a devoted daughter, wife, and mother who dies of scarlet fever as a result of nursing Elizabeth through the illness just before Victor heads off to school in Ingolstadt.
Read an in-depth analysis of Caroline Frankenstein.
William Frankenstein
Victor’s youngest brother and the darling of the Frankenstein family. The monster strangles 7-year-old William in the woods outside Geneva to hurt Victor for abandoning him. William’s death deeply saddens Victor and burdens him with tremendous guilt about having created the monster.
Read an in-depth analysis of William Frankenstein.
Justine Moritz
A young girl adopted into the Frankenstein household while Victor is growing up. Justine is blamed and executed for William’s murder, which is actually committed by the monster.
Read an in-depth analysis of Justine Moritz.
M. De Lacey
The blind French patriarch of the De Lacey family that the monster observes, and of which he grows very fond. M. De Lacey, blind to the monster’s appearance, treats him with humanity. He represents the inherent goodness that exists in human nature, unimpeded by prejudice.
Read an in-depth analysis of M. De Lacey.
Felix
Son of De Lacey, brother to Agatha, and fiancé to Safie. The monster observes that Felix often looks forlorn until his beloved Safie finally arrives at the De Lacey cottage. It is through Felix’s lessons with Safie that the monster learns to speak and to read.
Agatha
Daughter of De Lacey and sister to Felix. She is a young woman with a “gentle demeanor” who is devoted to her father, brother, and future sister-in-law. She tries to remain in good spirits but is often saddened by her family’s impoverished state.
Safie
Felix’s fiancé. She is a young woman of Turkish descent who longed to marry Felix against her father’s wishes. She was eventually able to escape and traveled to live with the De Lacey family in their cottage.
Ernest Frankenstein
The middle brother of the Frankenstein family who is six years younger than his brother Victor and ten years older than his brother William. Ernest is the only member of the family still alive at the end of the novel.
Margaret Saville
Beloved sister to Robert Walton and the intended recipient of his letters. Unseen in Frankenstein, Margaret provides the context for the story framed narrative because the entire novel is essentially being written to her.
Beaufort
A merchant and friend of Victor’s father Alphonse who suffers a reversal of fortune. He is the father of Caroline Beaufort, who will marry Alphonse after her father’s death.
M. Waldman
The professor of chemistry at Ingolstadt who sparks Victor’s interest in science. He dismisses the alchemists’ conclusions as unfounded but sympathizes with Victor’s interest in a science that can explain the “big questions,” such as the origin of life.
M. Krempe
A professor of natural philosophy at Ingolstadt who dismisses Victor’s study of the alchemists as wasted time and encourages him to begin his studies anew.
Mr. Kirwin
The magistrate in Scotland who accuses Victor of Henry’s murder, but who shows sympathy for him after Victor recovers from his illness.
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