Summaries of Chapters 6-8
Summary of Chapter 6
As Frankenstein recovers from his late illness, his dear friend Clerval feels it’s time to deliver his well awaited letter from his beloved cousin Elizabeth. The heart wrenching letter reveals Frankenstein’s family’s worry for Frankenstein, and explains how much they have missed and been upset by his lack of communication. It explains how hard their fail to keep in touch has been on them all. These words of longing and sadness moved Frankenstein, and made him realize how foolish he had been to forget such a loving family. After he finished reading the letter, Frankenstein replied immediately, apologizing for his foolishness and ungratefulness. In his letter Frankenstein affirms that he would like to return home soon, and is anxious to know when he can reserve his trip. He concludes with a most sincere apology, and a hope to soon see his beloved family once again. Summary of Chapter 7 Chapter 7 starts off with Frankenstein heading on his journey home. The approximate 5 day hike from his college to his home in Geneva gives Frankenstein a chance to mourn his newly murdered brother, a poor five year old William of which Frankenstein had barely ever known. The news of his brother's death had come in the most despairing letter from his father, and gave Frankenstein the best excuse for returning home. On the way home Frankenstein also took some time to soak in, accept, and move on from his recent illness. It wasn't easy, but the drive to go home kept him hiking on. As Frankenstein approached the nearest mountains of his home he entered the area of which his brother had been murdered. There was a terrible lightning storm around these mountains, so although he was so close to home, Frankenstein hid for shelter under a tree to wait for the storm. While waiting, Frankenstein saw maybe the most disturbing sight he could possibly have seen at that moment. What he made out to see was an overly large human with unmistakably yellow skin. Could it be? It had to be. Frankenstein had just seen his monster, his own terrorizing creation wandering into the distance of the mountain. Upon seeing the monster, Frankenstein jumped to the most unpleasant conclusions. Was the monster the real murderer for his poor brother William’s death. Could the monster have really killed the poor innocent boy related to his own creator? Frankenstein concluded that this must be the case. He was certain that the monster of Frankenstein had killed his own brother, and quickly rushed off to confide his family in his most disturbing discovery. |
Summary of Chapter 8
With his return to home Frankenstein learns of the accusation to Justine, a recent house guest in the Frankenstein household for the murder of little William. Frankenstein knows her innocence, for he is confident the monster was the killer, but there was no way he could say such a thing without people assuming him crazy. So Frankenstein had to hold tight as the trial for poor Justine began. The fight against Justine argued with numerous evidence for her guilt, including the most mysterious discovery of one of Williams lockets found in her pocket. Justine defended herself with the plea of her characteristic justice, and brought forward numerous old family friends and acquaintances to defend her case. Even Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s sister/cousin who loved Justine like a sister after having her live with them gave a heart wrenching speech to defend Justine. But, the evidence that the other side brought was a very tough argument to out do. The trial had ended, and the next day Frankenstein and Elizabeth were astonished to hear Justine had confessed her as the murderer! It cannot be, Frankenstein thought, for he was certain it was his monster who killed William. Still in shock, Elizabeth and Frankenstein went to see Justine only to learn she had confessed with a lie. She really was innocent, but the overwhelming environment of the whole situation had brought her to believe it would be easier to confess and sentence her own death. Regretting her decision Justine pleas to Elizabeth and Frankenstein to help her out of this disastrous mess, but it is too late and the next day she dies guilty. Frankenstein was left with this awful guilt, for he knows it wasn’t right for innocent Justine to die, and cannot understand how he will be able to prevent more disastrous events such as these concerning his monster. |