# Chapter V explained — Frankenstein

> Chapter companion for Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.

## What happens

Victor Frankenstein brings his creature to life on a dreary November night, but is immediately horrified by its hideous appearance. He flees his apartment, experiences a nightmare about Elizabeth and his mother, and later encounters Henry Clerval, who has arrived in Ingolstadt. Victor hides his terror and the existence of the creature from his friend.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dangerous Knowledge

Victor's pursuit of the secret of life leads to the creation of the Creature, resulting in immediate horror and regret.

### Creation and Responsibility

Victor abandons his creation in disgust, shirking his responsibility as a creator and setting the stage for tragedy.

### Monstrosity and Otherness

The Creature's appearance is described as monstrous and repulsive, highlighting themes of otherness and societal rejection.

## Character check-ins

### Victor Frankenstein

Victor creates the Creature and is filled with horror and disgust; he experiences a nightmare and later reunites with Henry Clerval.

### The Creature

The Creature is brought to life by Victor; described as hideous with yellow skin, watery eyes, and black lips; it approaches Victor's bed and makes inarticulate sounds.

### Henry Clerval

Henry arrives in Ingolstadt and joyfully reunites with Victor; he notices Victor's ill appearance and shares news of Victor's family.

### Elizabeth Lavenza

Appears in Victor's nightmare, where her lips become livid with the hue of death; mentioned as a dear friend and cousin.

### Caroline Beaufort

Appears in Victor's nightmare as a corpse in a shroud, representing Victor's guilt and fear.

## Key lines

> It was on a dreary night of November, that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.

On a gloomy November night, I finally saw the result of my hard work.

_Victor describes the moment the Creature comes to life._

> I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body.

I had labored for almost two years just to bring a lifeless body to life.

_Victor reflects on his obsessive dedication to his experiment._

> I dreaded to behold this monster; but I feared still more that Henry should see him.

I was terrified of seeing the monster myself, but even more afraid that Henry might see him.

_Victor's fear of the Creature is compounded by his desire to hide it from Clerval._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/chapter-v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/frankenstein_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters