Alphonse Frankenstein
Father of Victor, Ernest, and William
Frankenstein; husband of Caroline; uncle and
adoptive father of Elizabeth.
Alphonse Frankenstein is a syndic (magistrate) of Geneva and comes from a long line of
syndics. Victor describes his character and his devotion to public duty:
my father had filled several public situations with honour and reputation.
He was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable
attention to public business. He passed his younger days perpetually
occupied by the affairs of his country; and it was not until the decline
of life that he thought of marrying, and bestowing on the state sons who
might carry his virtues and his name down to posterity. (1.1.1)
The emphasis on duty is clear in all of
his dealings with his son.
Alphonse dies of an apoplectic fit after hearing of the death of Elizabeth.
- 1.1.1 and note ("Bestowing on the state
sons")
- 1.1.1 and note ("My father loved
Beaufort")
- 1.1.3 and note ("A sense of justice") [1831 only]
- 1.1.5 and note ("Intimate friend of my
father")
- 1.5.1 and note ("Your father's health")
- 1.5.2 and note ("Through his interest he might
become a judge")
- 1.6.11 and note ("So much depravity and
ingratitude")
- 1.7.6 and note ("My father wished her
not to go")
- 2.1.1 and note ("No one could love a
child more")
- 2.2.4 and note ("Your duty")
- 2.3.6 and note ("Unlike what I have
since found cottagers")
- 3.1.4 and note ("Our domestic calm")
- 3.4.1 and note ("The magistrate, an old
benevolent man")
- 3.5.1 and note ("How little do you know
me")
- 3.5.8 and note ("I concealed ...
father")
