"Such Wicked Intent" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "Such Wicked Intent" by Kenneth Oppel, the characters play crucial roles in shaping the story and driving the narrative forward. The protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, is a brilliant and ambitious young scientist determined to bring the dead back to life. Other significant characters include Elizabeth Lavenza, Konrad Frankenstein, Henry Clerval, Justine Moritz, Alphonse Frankenstein, and the author and narrator, Mary Shelley.

Character Descriptions

Victor Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist of the story, is a complex and tormented character. He is a young and intelligent scientist who is deeply passionate about his work. With a tall and lanky physique, Victor has dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He is often described as having a haunted and intense expression, which reflects his troubled mind. Victor's appearance tends to reflect his internal struggles and his obsession with his experiments.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Elizabeth Lavenza is Victor's love interest and childhood friend. She is portrayed as a gentle and kind-hearted young woman with a delicate appearance. Elizabeth has fair skin, soft features, and long, flowing hair. Her beauty and grace captivate Victor, and she serves as a source of comfort and stability in his tumultuous life.

Konrad Frankenstein

Konrad Frankenstein is Victor's twin brother, who plays a significant role in the story. Unlike Victor, Konrad is portrayed as the embodiment of perfection and balance. He is physically strong, with a muscular build and a charming presence. Konrad's appearance highlights his idealized image, which becomes a source of jealousy and rivalry for Victor.

Henry Clerval

Henry Clerval is Victor's best friend and confidant. He is depicted as a cheerful and optimistic young man with a warm smile and friendly demeanor. Henry has a medium build and a charismatic personality that draws people towards him. His appearance reflects his positive outlook on life and his role as a stabilizing force for Victor.

Justine Moritz

Justine Moritz is a servant in the Frankenstein household. She is described as a petite and fragile-looking girl with a timid demeanor. Justine's appearance reflects her vulnerability and innocence, which makes her a target of unfortunate circumstances. Despite her delicate appearance, Justine possesses a strong moral compass and a steadfast devotion to her duties.

Alphonse Frankenstein

Alphonse Frankenstein is Victor's father, a wise and caring figure in the story. He is depicted as an older man with gray hair and a gentle expression. Alphonse's appearance reflects his wisdom and experience, as well as his role as a guiding presence in Victor's life.

Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley, the author and narrator of the book, does not have a physical description within the story. However, her presence as the narrator provides insights into the characters' thoughts, emotions, and motivations.

Character Traits

Victor Frankenstein

Victor is intelligent, driven, and ambitious. He possesses a relentless pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery. However, he is also prone to obsession, guilt, and a lack of moral judgment, which ultimately leads to his downfall.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Elizabeth is compassionate, loyal, and supportive. She serves as a source of stability and love for Victor, offering him comfort during his darkest moments. Her presence represents innocence and purity in the story.

Konrad Frankenstein

Konrad is portrayed as the epitome of perfection, embodying physical strength, charisma, and balance. He is seen as the ideal counterpart to Victor, which creates a sense of rivalry and envy.

Henry Clerval

Henry is optimistic, kind, and loyal. He serves as a grounding force for Victor, offering him guidance and friendship. Henry's unwavering support highlights his loyalty and unwavering faith in Victor.

Justine Moritz

Justine is meek, obedient, and morally upright. Despite her vulnerable position as a servant, she maintains her integrity and righteousness, becoming a symbol of innocence and integrity.

Alphonse Frankenstein

Alphonse is wise, caring, and protective. He acts as a guiding figure for Victor, providing advice and emotional support. Alphonse's love for his son is evident in his actions and words.

Character Background

Victor Frankenstein

Victor comes from a wealthy and respected family. He is driven by a desire to overcome death and discover the secret of life, motivated by the loss of his mother. His childhood fascination with natural sciences and alchemy shapes his future as a brilliant scientist.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Elizabeth is an orphan adopted by the Frankenstein family. She grows up alongside Victor and Konrad, forming a deep bond with Victor. Elizabeth's tragic past and her role in the Frankenstein household shape her character and influence her relationship with Victor.

Konrad Frankenstein

Konrad is Victor's twin brother and shares a close bond with him. He embodies physical perfection and is admired by everyone around him. However, his mysterious illness becomes a central point of the story, leading to a dangerous quest for a cure.

Henry Clerval

Henry is Victor's childhood friend and constant companion. He shares Victor's passion for science and supports him throughout his endeavors. Henry's unwavering loyalty and friendship are the result of a deep connection formed during their early years.

Justine Moritz

Justine is a servant in the Frankenstein household, taken in by the family due to her impoverished background. Her virtuous nature and dedication to her duties make her an integral part of the family. However, she becomes entangled in the tragic events that unfold.

Alphonse Frankenstein

Alphonse is Victor's father, a respected and loving figure in the family. He encourages Victor's pursuit of knowledge and supports him in his endeavors. Alphonse's background as a well-respected member of society influences his protective nature towards his family.

Character Arcs

Victor Frankenstein

Victor's character arc revolves around his obsession with playing God and his eventual realization of the consequences of his actions. Initially driven by curiosity and ambition, Victor becomes consumed by guilt and despair as his experiments lead to tragedy. His arc involves a descent into darkness and a quest for redemption.

Elizabeth Lavenza

Elizabeth's character arc is primarily defined by her unwavering love for Victor and her role as a source of stability for him. Throughout the story, she remains loyal and supportive, even in the face of Victor's increasingly destructive behavior.

Konrad Frankenstein

Konrad's character arc revolves around his mysterious illness and the search for a cure. His illness becomes a catalyst for Victor's experiments and the central point of tension in the story. Konrad's arc explores the themes of mortality and the pursuit of immortality.

Henry Clerval

Henry's character arc is closely intertwined with Victor's. As Victor spirals deeper into his obsession, Henry serves as a moral compass and a voice of reason. His arc involves the challenges of maintaining a friendship with someone consumed by darkness.

Justine Moritz

Justine's character arc is tragic and highlights the consequences of society's judgment. She becomes a victim of circumstance, accused of a crime she did not commit. Her arc explores themes of injustice and the impact of societal pressures.

Alphonse Frankenstein

Alphonse's character arc is primarily focused on his role as a protective father. He witnesses the destructive path Victor is on and struggles to understand and save his son. Alphonse's arc explores the complexities of parenthood and the sacrifices made for family.

Relationships

Victor and Elizabeth

Victor and Elizabeth share a deep and passionate love for each other. Their relationship is founded on childhood friendship and grows into a romantic connection. Elizabeth provides emotional support and stability for Victor, but their relationship is strained by Victor's obsession.

Victor and Konrad

Victor and Konrad share a complex relationship as twin brothers. Initially close, their bond becomes strained as Victor's jealousy and rivalry grow. Konrad's illness becomes a catalyst for Victor's experiments, leading to a dangerous power struggle between them.

Victor and Henry

Victor and Henry share a strong bond of friendship. Henry serves as a stabilizing force for Victor, offering guidance and support. Their relationship is tested as Victor becomes consumed by his experiments, straining their friendship.

Victor and Justine

Victor and Justine's relationship is primarily defined by their shared connection in the Frankenstein household. Justine's innocence and moral compass serve as a stark contrast to Victor's dark path. Their relationship becomes entangled in the tragic events of the story.

Victor and Alphonse

Victor and Alphonse have a loving and supportive father-son relationship. Alphonse acts as a guiding figure for Victor and tries to protect him from the consequences of his actions. Their relationship is tested as Victor becomes consumed by his experiments and descends into darkness.