Frankenstein- Chapter 4 Reading Journal

Overview:
Chapter 4 is dominated by his experimenting and how this leads to his isolation. He hasn't written to his family, he becomes weak and he still drives towards his ultimate goal. Themes of isolation, friendship and power seem prominent in this chapter.

Point 1:
Early on in the chapter Frankenstein says that 'in M.Waldman (he) found a true friend'. This is important for our impression of Frankenstein's character because he's already told us that it is hard for him to make friends. Even though he makes a friend, this man is significantly older than him, meaning that their friendship seems to be a mature one. Had he made friends with a student, it is unlikely that he would've been able to gain the knowledge and therefore his life ending in regret. This isn't the first time that the theme of friendship has arisen, Robert Walton says in his letter 'I have no friend'. Both these men are similar because they have voluntarily pushed themselves into isolation while striving for victories, yet their human nature still means that they want someone to share this with. Even though Frankenstein does have a friend, he doesn't feel that he can tell Waldman about his experimenting. The last letter explains that they both find a friend in each other as Frankenstein finally tells someone what he has done.

Point 2:
Nature seems to be a common theme within this chapter. He marks the time that he has spent in isolation by the passing seasons- 'Winter, spring and summer passed away during my labours.' He refers to this more than once through the chapter, meaning that he emphasises this as an important point. He also talks of 'supernatural horrors' which enforces the Gothic genre. Although Shelley has made it this genre, she purposely tells us that Frankenstein isn't scared of the stereotypes that we have of it. The effect that this has is interesting because he isn't scared of a 'spirit' or a 'churchyard' which gives a darkness to his character. It is because he isn't scared of them that this brings in the idea of a psychological character. This is later reinforced when he sets out on making a human being and deluding himself that he will be praised for this, as he completely disregards the moral issues surrounding his idea.

Point 3:
The theme of 'power' emerges as he believes this is what he has when he 'began the creation of a human being'. The tone of this chapter almost turns cocky as he begins praising himself for his creation- 'No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs'. This shows that there is no doubt in his mind that he will be able to achieve the impossible and also talks of how he deserves their gratitude, as though people will see him as some sort of God.