Frankenstein Characters

  • Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss scientist who discovers a means of bringing the dead back to life.
  • The Creature, an eight-foot-tall monster built from the body parts of cadavers.
  • Robert Walton, an Arctic explorer, who rescues Victor from the icy waters and listens to his story.
  • Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor's wife, who is killed by the Creature on her wedding night.
  • Henry Clerval, Victor's friend and confidante, whom the Creature strangles in revenge.

Characters Discussed

Victor Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein, a native of Geneva who early evinces a talent in natural science. Having concluded his training at the university at Ingolstadt, he works until he discovers the secret of creating life. He makes a monster from human and animal organs found in dissecting rooms and butcher shops. The monster brings only anguish and death to Victor and his friends and relatives. Having told his story, he dies before his search for the monster is complete.

The Monster

The Monster, an eight-foot-tall synthetic man endowed by its creator with human sensibilities. Rebuffed by man, it turns its hate against him. Its program of revenge accounts for the lives of Frankenstein’s bride, his brother, his good friend, and a family servant. Just after Victor dies, the monster appears and tells the explorer that Frankenstein’s was the great crime, for he had created a man devoid of friend, love, or soul.

Robert Walton

Robert Walton, an English explorer who, on his ship frozen in a northland sea of ice, hears the dying Frankenstein’s story and also listens to the monster’s account of, and reason for, its actions.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor’s foster sister and later his bride, who is strangled by the monster on her wedding night.

William Frankenstein

William Frankenstein, Victor’s brother, who is killed by the monster while seeking revenge on its creator.

Henry Clerval

Henry Clerval, Victor’s friend and a man of science who is killed by the monster to torment Frankenstein.

Justine Moritz

Justine Moritz, a family servant tried and condemned for William’s murder.