Frankenstein's Wedding Night: A Night To Remember

In Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein, the wedding night of Victor Frankenstein and Elizabeth Lavenza is one of the most tragic and devastating moments in the story. After exchanging vows and celebrating their union, the monstrous creature that Victor brought to life through his reckless experimentation crashes the festivities, fuelled by jealousy, loneliness, and a thirst for revenge. The creature, having been rejected by Victor and left to wander alone, seeks to destroy Victor's life by making him lose everyone he loves. True to his word, the creature appears in the couple's bedroom and brutally strangles Elizabeth, leaving Victor consumed by grief, guilt, and rage. This event sets off a chain of tragic consequences, including the death of Victor's father and his relentless pursuit of the creature across Europe, ultimately leading to his own demise.

The monster strangles Frankenstein's bride, Elizabeth

On the night of Victor Frankenstein's wedding to Elizabeth Lavenza, the monster breaks into the bridal suite and strangles Elizabeth to death. This is in fulfilment of the monster's vow to be with Victor on his wedding night.

Victor had created the monster, but destroyed its mate before it was complete. In revenge, the monster had threatened to be with Victor on his wedding night. Victor believed the monster intended to attack him and resolved to fight back. However, it was Elizabeth whom the monster intended to kill.

After killing Elizabeth, the monster vanishes into the woods. Victor, consumed with grief, returns home and tells his father the gruesome news. Victor's father, shocked by the tragic end of what should have been a joyous day, dies a few days later. Victor resolves to devote the rest of his life to finding and destroying the monster.

Elizabeth's death gives Victor a unique understanding of his creation. He now knows what it feels like to be completely alone in the world, with nothing to live for but revenge.

Victor sees the monster at the window, pointing at Elizabeth's body

Victor Frankenstein's wedding night is the most important part of Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. It is the moment when the monster, fuelled by jealousy, loneliness, and a thirst for revenge, makes good on his promise to visit Victor on his wedding night.

After a long day of travel, Victor and Elizabeth arrive at their new home. They take dinner and retire for the evening. Victor is nervous about the monster's arrival and worried that Elizabeth might be upset by the monster's appearance and the ensuing battle. He asks her to retire for the night while he searches for the monster in the house. Suddenly, he hears Elizabeth scream. He runs to her room and finds her lifeless body. He has lost her forever because of his unnatural creation.

In that moment, Victor sees the monster at the window, pointing at Elizabeth's body. The monster's promise has come true. He is there on Victor's wedding night, and he has robbed Elizabeth of her life and Victor of his reason for living. Consumed by grief, guilt, and rage, Victor is left utterly devastated by the loss of his beloved Elizabeth. He is now determined to pursue the monster, even if it kills him.

The realisation dawns on Victor that his reckless pursuit of knowledge and his disregard for the consequences of his actions have led to this tragedy. His creation has inflicted upon him the same unbearable agony of solitude and despair that the monster has experienced. Victor is now alone, having lost everyone he loved. Revenge becomes his only goal, and he embarks on a relentless pursuit of the monster across the bleak and desolate landscapes of Europe.

Victor resolves to devote his life to finding and destroying the monster

Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus', resolves to devote his life to finding and destroying the monster he created. This decision comes after a series of tragic events that occur as a result of the monster's creation.

Victor, a Swiss scientist, creates the monster through a scientific principle he discovers, bringing it to life from old body parts. However, he is horrified by the creature's ugliness and flees from it. The monster, feeling shunned and seeking revenge, kills Victor's younger brother, William, and frames Justine Moritz, the Frankensteins' housekeeper, for the murder. Justine is executed, and Victor is racked with guilt for his role in her death and that of his brother.

The monster confronts Victor in the mountains and admits to the murder, begging for understanding and pleading with Victor to create a female companion for him. Initially reluctant, Victor eventually agrees and sets out to create a female monster. However, he ultimately destroys this creation, fearing the idea of a race of monsters.

Enraged, the monster vows revenge and kills Victor's best friend, Henry Clerval, and his fiancée, Elizabeth Lavenza, on their wedding night. Devastated by these losses, Victor's father dies of grief. With nothing left to live for, Victor dedicates his life to finding and destroying his creation.

Victor pursues the monster to the Arctic, intending to destroy it, but the sea swells, and the ice breaks, separating them. Victor is rescued by a ship but dies after recounting his tale. The monster, upon discovering Victor's death, is overcome with sorrow and vows to incinerate himself at "the Northernmost extremity of the globe".

Victor's decision to devote his life to finding and destroying the monster is driven by his desire for revenge and justice for the deaths of his loved ones. He feels responsible for their deaths, as they are a direct consequence of his creation. Victor's pursuit of the monster becomes his obsession, and he is consumed by guilt, despair, and a need for vengeance.

Victor's father dies of illness, leaving him alone

Victor Frankenstein's father, Alphonse, dies of grief a few days after his son's wedding night. On their wedding night, Victor's creation, often referred to as Frankenstein's monster, strangles Victor's new wife, Elizabeth, in their matrimonial bed.

Victor had always been close to his father, and his death leaves a void in his life that cannot be filled. Alphonse had been a source of comfort and support for Victor, especially during difficult times. Now, Victor must confront his grief and find a way to cope with his immense loss. He feels a profound sense of loneliness and wishes he had done more to protect his father from the pain and suffering caused by Elizabeth's death.

Victor's father's death serves as a turning point for him. He becomes more determined than ever to find and destroy the monster that has caused so much devastation in his life. He swears to avenge his father's death and spends the rest of his life obsessed with finding the creature and putting an end to its reign of terror. Victor's grief turns into a relentless pursuit of justice, and he dedicates all his efforts to eradicating the threat posed by his creation.

The death of Victor's father marks a significant moment in the story, highlighting the devastating consequences of the monster's actions. It adds to the sense of loss and tragedy that Victor experiences and fuels his motivation to seek revenge. With his father's passing, Victor is truly alone, facing the world and his demons without the support and guidance of his family.

The monster's revenge does not bring relief

The monster, fuelled by jealousy, loneliness, and a thirst for revenge, sought to inflict upon Victor the same unbearable agony of solitude and despair that he had experienced. However, instead of finding relief in Victor's misery, the monster only feels desolation and fear. He understands the responsibility for his actions and the consequences of his revenge.

Victor, on the other hand, is driven by his inner demons and haunted by the memory of the monster. He resolves to devote the rest of his life to finding and destroying the monster, embarking on a relentless pursuit across Europe. He is willing to risk his life to avenge Elizabeth's death and end his suffering.

The tragic events of Victor and Elizabeth's wedding night serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of tampering with the natural order of life and death. It highlights the ethical implications of scientific innovation and the moral responsibilities that come with the power of creation. Ultimately, the story of Frankenstein stands as a cautionary tale of hubris, loss, and fate.

Mary Shelley's novel presents a complex exploration of love, hate, and the consequences of rash decisions. It delves into the dangers of playing god and the importance of family and social interaction. The monster, in his pursuit of revenge, only succeeds in bringing Victor closer to the state of isolation that he himself experienced.

Frequently asked questions