Frankenstein First Half

 Kunle Badmus

10/20/21

EN101

Dr. Ellis

First Half of Frankstein

The first half of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is nothing short of riveting. Shelley begins the fiction writing by throwing the reader into the perspective of the novel’s protagonist and narrator, Victor. Victor is born into a well of family and is their first child. Victor’s parents' story of elopement is quite unconventional. Victor’s father, who was a wealthy man, went in search of an old, close friend of his. His friend had since fallen upon hard times after accumulating an abundance of wealth through his work as a merchant. Victor’s father searched and searched tirelessly in hopes to locate him. When he was finally able to, Victor’s father decided to go to his home to speak with him. It was there that he met the merchant’s daughter holding her father as he passed away from an arduous battle with sickness. Through consoling and caring for his dear friend’s daughter, the two fell in love. Victor’s father provided her for her and they soon lived together and got married. Victor was born soon after, and on a trip to the countryside of Italy, the whole family came across another familial unit with little to offer. The two adults were attempting to raise five children but only with scraps they had accumulated to feed and clothe them. It was there that Victor met his new sister for the first time. His family was infatuated by her upon first glance, as she looked different from the rest of the lot. Soon thereafter, the family adopted the young girl and took her home. This shows us Victor’s family’s care and regard for the people around them and their philanthropic ways. Victor depicts his mother as an extremely giving person, due to the fact she understood and endured the struggle of having little to nothing.  

Victor was fascinated by the sciences and the world around him to the point he became consumed. Victor wanted to learn and discover anything that was scientific. As he grew older, he became a recluse, drowning himself in his experiments and quests for scientific knowledge. Through this, Victor created a monster who he fainted upon seeing. This monster was the book's focus, Frankenstein. Having disconnected himself from his family and loved ones, his science and passions were all Victor had.