“When my father returned from Milan, he found playing with me in the hall of our villa, a child fairer than pictured cherub—a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks, and whose form and motions were lighter than the chamois of the hills. The apparition was soon explained. With his permission my mother prevailed on her rustic guardians to yield their charge to her. They were fond of the sweet orphan. Her presence has seemed a blessing to them; but it would be unfair to her to keep her in poverty and want, when Providence afforded her such powerful protection. They consulted their village priest, and the result was, that Elizabeth Lavenza become the inmate of my parents’ house—my more than sister—the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures.” -Page. 35
This passage from chapter one, describes the first time Victor’s father met Elizabeth and how she came to stay with the Frankenstein family. Victor describes this interaction as almost seeing an angel like figure in Elizabeth because of how beautiful she was and how graceful she moved. She became a blessing to the Frankenstein family who everyone adored.
I am very interested in this passage due to how Victors describes Elizabeth. It is clear that sense they were kids Victor has loved Elizabeth, and she has always been his “more than sister.” Not only does Victor love Elizabeth but they whole family does. Victor’s mother and father went to the priest so that she could become a part of their family because they were so fond of her. But my question then is why does Victor refer to Elizabeth as “the inmate of my parents”?
The term “inmate” can best be described as a person confined to an institution, in most cases prison. I believe Victor refers to Elizabeth as an “inmate” because he sees her as more than a regular person. Victor sees Elizabeth as an angel who is confined to Earth. The first thing Victor compares Elizabeth to is a “cherub,” which in itself is a child angel sent from heaven. The next line he says is “a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her look.” Angels are often depicted with halos and light radiating off them and their wings. When Victor looks at Elizabeth all he sees is brightness from her beauty. One last line Victors says her “form and motions were lighter than the chamois of the hill.” These are antelope that climb the sides of mountains, these animals must have perfect and graceful steps to stay on the mountain. When comparing these chamois to Elizabeth, Victor is saying every move Elizabeth makes is perfect and graceful. Victor feels as though Elizabeth is more of an angel than she is a human, and is not just an “inmate” to his parents, but an “inmate” on Earth.