Frankenstein: Chapters 22-23, Book Review Example

Chapter 21

It is in this chapter that Frankenstein reveals that he has murdered everyone that he had ever loved. After suffering a mental and physical breakdown, Frankenstein is told that in his delusional state he had stated, “I lay for two months on the point of death: my ravings, as I afterwards heard, were frightful; I called myself the murderer of William, of Justine, and of Clerval.” This is the first time that Frankenstein openly admits that he played a role in the deaths of William, Justine, and Clerval. Although Frankenstein did not actually murder these people, they are dead because of what he did and what he created. Had he not pursued his research and scientific endeavor, his loved ones would still be alive.

Not only is Frankenstein forced to deal with the psychological impact of having destroyed so many lives, he is also forced into confinement and “in two months, found myself as awaking from a dream, in a prison, stretched on a wretched bed, surrounded by goalers, turnkeys, bolts, and all the miserable apparatus of a dungeon.” This is one of the first times that Frankenstein has had to physically deal with the consequences of the monster’s actions. Prior to his apprehension, Frankenstein was tormented psychologically because of the people that the monster killed.

Chapter 22

In this chapter, Frankenstein receives a letter from his betrothed, Elizabeth, inquiring about his health. He states, “This letter revived in my memory what I had before forgotten, the threat of the fiend–“I will be with you on your wedding-night!_” Such was my sentence, and on that night would the daemon employ every art to destroy me, and tear me from the glimpse of happiness which promised partly to console my sufferings.” Despite the fact that the monster has warned Frankenstein of the consequences of denying him a mate, and knowing full well what the monster is capable of, after all the monster has murdered William and Clerval, Frankenstein ignores the monster’s threat. Once again, Frankenstein eschews responsibility to gain personal satisfaction. By marrying Elizabeth, not only is Frankenstein signing her death warrant, but he is also enabling the monster to carry out his revenge. Regardless of the consequence, Frankenstein is determined to find happiness for himself.

Chapter 23

After Elizabeth is killed, Frankenstein decides to come clean and publicly denounce the monster and his atrocities. However, the magistrate to whom he confesses the monster’s crimes is unwilling to believing such a fantastic tale. Frankenstein deposes, “This is the being whom I accuse, and for whose seizure and punishment I call upon you to exert your whole power. It is your duty as a magistrate, and I believe and hope that your feelings as a man will not revolt from the execution of those functions on this occasion.” However, the magistrate takes a position that mirrors the adage of “you made the mess, now you have to clean it up.” The magistrate’s inaction forces Frankenstein to finally take action against his monster instead of recoiling in fear, or ignoring his threats. It is ironic that it took Frankenstein so long to hunt down the monster. It is only after he has nothing left to lose that Frankenstein sets out to stop his creation. It would have made more sense for him to stop the monster before he inflicted any harm or killed anybody, but because Frankenstein has demonstrated that he cannot take responsibility for his actions, possibly because he cannot bring himself to believe that he actually created life out of death, it is not surprising that he did not try to stop the monster before things got so complicated.