Frankenstein: Volume I - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

In Ingolstadt, Victor recieves a letter from his father saying to come back immediately as Victors youngest brother, William, has been murdered. They family had been out on a walk and he had run ahead, only to be found 'stretched on the grass livid and motionless; the print of the murderer's fingers on his neck'. The locket  of their mother that Elizabeth had given him earlier was missing. Victor returns to his hometown late into the night, and subsequently the town's gates are locked, leaving him to roam the outskirts of the town until morning. The night holds a severe thunderstorm. When Victor is near to where his brother was murdered, a flash of lightning reveals the creation amongst the trees. Upon seeing the 'demon', Victor realises that the creature was probably Williams murderer. Victor wants to warn his family about the dangers of his creation, but realises he would be perceived as a madman and so decides to keep quiet. When Victor arrives at the Frankenstein household, Ernest tells him that Justine has been accused of Williams murder as the picture he had was found in her pocket. Victor exclaims Justines innocence, but does not give a reason. He reassures the family, particularly Elizabeth, that she will not be found guilty due to lack of evidence.

What makes it Gothic?

• The Weather - the flash of lightning accompanies the revelation of the creature, the storm foreshadows dark circumstances
• Sense of mystery and dread - what will happen at the trial?
• Secrets - Victor does not tell his family about the creature