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Chapter 21
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
En route to Geneva, they stop in Paris so Victor can regain his strength. His father tries to help by getting him to engage with society, but Victor feels he has no right to. Victor even tells his father he murdered Justine, William, and Clerval. His father considers him deranged, and Victor says no more.
As Victor's father seeks to draw him into society, Victor increasingly resembles the monster in his sense that he's an outcast. As part of his isolation, Victor continues to keep his deadly secrets.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
While in Paris, Victor receives a letter from Elizabeth. She expresses her desire to marry Victor, but worries he may have taken another lover during his long absence. Victor remembers the monster's vow to "be with him" on his wedding night, and decides that whether he kills it or it kills him, at least he will be free. Victor writes back that he wants to marry immediately, but adds that he has a terrible secret he will tell her the day after they are married.
Victor's cutting himself off from society makes Elizabeth doubt his love for her. But won't waiting until a day after his wedding to tell his secret be too late? A selfish half-confession by Victor, who thinks more about himself than Elizabeth.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
A week later Victor and his father arrive in Geneva. The wedding takes place ten days later. Yet as Victor and Elizabeth sail to a cottage by Lake Como in Italy for their honeymoon, Victor's fear of facing the monster dissolves his happiness. Elizabeth tries to cheer him by pointing out the beauty in nature. It doesn't work.
By now this is a painfully familiar scene: Victor depends on the temporary relief of Nature and the support of his companion, now Elizabeth instead of Clerval or Alphonse, in order to ease his anxiety.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
