Frankenstein- Chapter 1 Reading Journal

Overview:
Chapter 1 tells the readers about Frankenstein's past. This is not only his childhood, but also of how his parents met and later married. This chapter is important for the rest of the book because it helps the readers to understand some of the things that occur later in the book and perhaps manipulates our feelings towards these.

Point 1:
It is important that we find out that Frankenstein had a very happy upbringing. Both his parents loved him dearly and although for a while he was an only child, he later had a brother and sister who he was also very close to- 'I remained for several years their only child... they seemed to draw inexhaustible stores of affection from a very mine of love to bestow them upon me. My mothers tender caresses, and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure... I was their plaything and their idol.' This highlights a direct contrast between the way that Frankenstein was brought up by his parents and the way that he treats the creature that he created is the polar opposite to this. The language used is also similar to the incident that happens later. He describes himself as a 'helpless creature' and 'what they owed towards the being to which they had given life'. The word 'creature' suggests a being that isn't human and is later used to describe his own creation. Shelley also uses the phrase 'given life' which is exactly what he does, yet he feels no sense of responsibility or obligation as he runs away from his creation.

Point 2:
We first hear of 'Elizabeth Lavenza' which is his adopted sister. It is important to remember this as they later on marry. Shelley writes a description of when Frankenstein first meets Elizabeth- 'My mother said playfully-'I have a pretty present for my Victor- tomorrow he shall have it.' And when, on the morrow, she presented Elizabeth to me as her promised gift, I, with childish seriousness, interpreted her words literally, and looked upon Elizabeth as mine- mine to protect, love and cherish... a possession of my own... my more than sister.' The thing that is most striking from this passage is that he calls her his 'possession' which implies that he owns her. This shows his protective side and could contribute to why he runs away from his creature, because he is trying to protect himself. It could also suggest the theme of jealousy as he calls her 'mine' meaning no one else can have her. He also calls her his 'more than sister' which suggests that he has always had these feelings that are more than sisterly love for her which is proved when he marries her.