Chapter 5 is so significant to the novel because this is where everything starts to go wrong. Frankenstein had to make a few choices and decided to abandon the monster because he was so disgusted with what he had created. “but now that I had finished the beauty of the dream vanished and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” this shows that Frankenstein could not stand the sight of the monster so he left. His actions lead to terrible events later in the novel. Society was never going to accept the monster but Frankenstein could have. Things can only get worse now. If only Frankenstein hadn’t abandoned the monster things wouldn’t get so bad.
Frankenstein is a coward he runs away from his responsibilities. “I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited, but felt impelled to hurry on.” Frankenstein is too scared to return to his home because of the responsibility he has in looking after the monster. Frankenstein is also quite obsessive, he doesn’t think about anything but his work. “For this I had deprived myself of rest and health.” Frankenstein has worked so hard for two years to create this creature. No matter how tired or ill he was. Frankenstein is so naïve he believes that after he has left the monster it will be the last he hears of it, “I sincerely hope that all these employments are now at an end, and that I am at a length free.” Frankenstein admits that he has been very busy but now he feels that its all over and that he can now be free. He thinks that life will just return to normal but it won’t.
Mary shelly uses pathetic fallacy to good effect. The weather reflects the mood of the characters. ‘It is a dreary night in September’ this makes us realize that Frankenstein is not in a good mood. He is distraught and quite disgusted at what he has created and the use of the weather helps to portray this. At the end of the chapter Frankenstein‘s feelings are much more positive, he thinks he has left the monster and all of its troubles behind him, so the weather changes. ‘I predicted that the fallen leaves has disappeared and that the young buds were shooting forth from the trees that shaded my window.’ Frankenstein is in a much better mood so the weather has changed to portray his change I mood.
The themes in chapter 5 include dangers of obsession, man vs. nature and loneliness vs. isolation. The dangers of obsession are clearly expressed in the novel. Frankenstein got so carried away with creating the monster, that he didn’t stop to think about the consequences until it was too late. “I behold the wretch the miserable monster whom I had created.” Frankenstein thought that he was making the perfect being but it wasn’t until after he created him, did he start realizing that he had created a monster, but by this time it was too late the monster was created. Man vs. nature (playing god), nobody has the right to play god and man certainly isn’t ready to do so yet. Frankenstein abused his sudden power. He was not responsible enough. He created a being and then abandoned it, “how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe.” Frankenstein only starts to recover when he has Clerval his friend to look after him. this tells us that man needs friends to be able to cope with loneliness. But the monster won’t have any friends so he will be very lonely. ‘nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval. His presence brought back to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth and all of those scenes of home so dear to my recollection.’ Just seeing Clerval brings back all of Frankenstein’s good memories. Also seeing Clerval makes Frankenstein’s mood instantly change form being quite scared and disgusted to feeling ‘calm and serene joy.’ seeing Clerval has instant positive effects on Frankenstein. It’s a relief from all of the stress creating the monster had put on him. where as the monster has no friends. no one to make him feel wanted or even loved. He’s on his own.
The novel shows us that 19th century literature was very descriptive. There are lots of long sentences which eventually build up to the main action. It is not instant action unlike today.
The themes in the novel connect with science and religion. It was very important when it was written because there was a lot of conflict around the subject at the time. The novel was written as a gothic fiction, because it was very popular at the time. The novel creates horrific mental images which were very popular when the novel was written. Chapter 5 is this probably the most important chapter in the novel because this is where the problems occur. Frankenstein leaves the monster to look after itself which it can not do so things start getting worse. It’s a downwards spiral from now on.
