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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Frankenstein, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family, Society, Isolation
Ambition and Fallibility
Romanticism and Nature
Revenge
Prejudice
Lost Innocence
Summary
Analysis
Almost immediately, Victor begins to question the wisdom of creating a companion for the monster and delays. He also realizes that to complete the project he'll have to do some research in England.
On the mountain the monster's argument barely won out over Victor's prejudice. Now the scales start to tip.
Themes
Quiz
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Alphonse senses Victor's distress, and thinks it might stem from some reluctance on Victor's part to marry Elizabeth. Victor assures his father he'd like nothing more than to marry Elizabeth. Alphonse suggests they marry immediately as a cure for the family's recent sorrow. But Victor does not want to marry with his bargain with the monster hanging over his head, and uses the trip he has to take to England as an excuse to put the wedding off.
Alphonse's hope in Victor and Elizabeth's marriage again shows the importance of family and connection, which is just what the monster lacks. But Victor continues to isolate himself from his family and keeps secrets, which will ultimately lead to disaster.
Themes
Quiz
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Alphonse and Victor agree that he will go to England for a time not to exceed a year, and that Clerval, looking to pursue his studies after having to spend some time working for his father, will accompany him. Yet Victor continues to feel like a "wretch."
"Wretch" is also the word the monster uses to describe itself, drawing a parallel between the two isolated beings. But Victor is isolated by choice, while the monster is forced into isolation.
Themes
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