Chapter 5 is a turning point in the novel as two crucial events occur; one of them is when the monster is bought to life for the first time. This is an important event because for the first time the reader is made aware of what has been created. This is highlighted in the novel when Shelly writes “I saw the dull eye of the creature open.” This is important because the story from this point on is based on the monster and how it has been created. The way that the monster has been created by Frankenstein angers the monster which results in violent actions such as Frankenstein being hunted down by his creation and killing his family. Also, as the monster is portrayed as being evil to the reader it had more of an impact when the twist is revealed and the monster is merely seeking revenge for his existence.
The other reason why chapter 5 is a crucial moment is when Frankenstein is horrified at what he has created and runs from the monster in terror. This is portrayed in the novel when it is quoted “A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as the wretch.” This event is important and affects the rest of the story because Frankenstein ran away from his creation because he didn’t know what the monster was capable of doing and was frightened. The fact that the he ran away makes the monster angry for creating and making him that way that he seeks revenge resulting in the event that occur in the rest of the novel.
In chapter 5 we gain more of an insight into doctor Frankenstein’s character. In the chapter we see that Frankenstein is determined and dedicated to his work of creating life. This is shown when Victor says “dreams that have been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me.” This quote implies that it has been his life long lasting dream and one of his passions and he really wants it to work. When his experiment goes wrong, Victor feels as though he has failed and his life has become a living hell with the monster on the lose outside.
We also learn that Frankenstein is heartless and selfish. This is shown when Frankenstein quotes “my loud unrestrained heartless laugh…” this quote implies that that you can tell that Victor only cares about his creation and nothing else, just through his laugh and through the way he talks.
Also in chapter 5, Frankenstein realises that he misses his family and friends. This is shown when Frankenstein says, “whom I love and who are so deserving of my love.” This implies that he ha realised he loves his family and has been leaving and forgetting about them and that they deserve better that how he is treating them.
In this chapter we see the demise of Victor Frankenstein. He turns from a strong, determined scientist who is interested in recreating life to a family loving man after his creation fails
In chapter 5, the reader gets a feeling of the setting and atmosphere from the way Mary Shelly writes her novel.
At the beginning of the chapter you get a feeling of the atmosphere being dull and dismal. This is shown when Shelly quotes “the rain pattered dismally against the panes.” This quote builds up the scene because the language used shows that it is a dull night as it rains. The use of the word “patters” creates a dismal atmosphere.
When Dr. Frankenstein runs out to see if the monster is outside the atmosphere e becomes very tense and scary for victor. The use of the quote “I then paused; and a cold shiver came over me,” shows his fear. The emphasis of the word “shivering” created the fearful atmosphere because Victor doesn’t know what is going to happen.
The four atmospheres described above are quite depressing ones but they are not the only atmospheres portrayed in this chapter.
During chapter 5 the atmosphere described at one point are quite happy and exciting for Victor when he first sees Clerval, the scientist that is also interested in creating life too. The evidence is shown is “nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence brought back thoughts of my father.” This shows that the fact that Clerval’s presence brings back memories of his dad which creates the atmosphere of delight and relief.
In chapter 5 there are several key themes that we are presented with and continue through out the novel. One of them is when Frankenstein is stood alone in the courtyard and quote “I issued into the street pacing them steps quickly.” This links into the theme of loneliness and isolation in the rest of the novel. It links into when Frankenstein is been lonely and becomes scared after isolating himself from everyone to create the monster and finds himself no where to turn. Other events in the chapter that link into key themes in the novel are when Frankenstein isolates himself when creating the monster in the laboratory. This is shown when Frankenstein says “I had worked hard for nearly two years for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inmate body.” This links into the theme of angers of obsessions, which in the novel Frankenstein was obsessed with his creation but the output became very dangerous and a hazard towards him.
Another event in the chapter is when the monster is seen as a scary, frightening, loathsome and beastly when really he is not evil at all but kind hearted. This links into the theme of appearance vs. reality. This theme runs through out the novel and is also shown when the monster meets the blind man. The blind man cannot see the monster so does not judge him by what he looks like. He gets to know the monster and comes to the term that he is not a bad creation.
After reading the novel and particularly concentrating on chapter 5 I have come to the conclusion the 19th century prose is different to todays. The use of old English language really gives the effect of age, and era of when it was written. I do believe it has a good effect on the reader to if it was written in today’s time. Some of the plot and events would still occur but be replaced with more modern ones. The techniques that were used then would be effective now because they are not used now so people because more interested in how things were done. .