An Explication of a Passage in Frankenstein

An Explication of a Passage in Frankenstein

The selected passage highlights the story of Beaufort, who is a friend of Victor’s father. The reading explores how Beaufort and his daughter retreat to another town after facing a financial crisis. Victor also explains the constant support that his father, Alphonse, gave to Beaufort even in his “wretched” state. This scenario illustrates the theme of companionship, which is established in this passage regarding the caring attitude which friends can extend to each other.

One of the primary ways in which companionship is illustrated throughout this passage is through Victor’s admiration of Beaufort and his father’s friendship through the happy and sad moments of their lives. For instance, even when Beaufort retreats to another town, Alphonse remains to be a worthy friend to the extent of checking on him and locating him whenever he tried to hide.

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Shelley describes Alphonse’s love for his old friend. She explains that Victor’s father “loved Beaufort with the truest friendship” (Shelley 19). Further, she shows the difference from other instances of spoken language terms such as “wretchedness” to highlight Beaufort’s dwindling economic fortunes, culminating in slipping from wealthy to poverty. Victor explains that even with such a tragic fall, his father was still there for Beaufort though he keeps on wondering how society could lose such a person. All these illustrations all point to the emphasis of companionship as a theme that cannot be underestimated.

Shelley also uses concern from Victor to show how his father’s friendship is true for his well-being. This helps us to understand the situation of Beaufort’s fall, which happened after “numerous mischances” (Shelley 19). Shelley also illustrates the fall by stressing on Alphonse’s position shift from a proud and relaxed character of high social rank to one of poverty. This shows the concern attitude and theme used in this excerpt. It makes us understand why Alphonse was upset by the situation and why he forever remained loyal to his friend.

Moreover, Shelley brings into limelight the town of Lucerne and its role as an escape zone for Beaufort. Despite moving to Lucerne after his fall, Victor’s father was kind enough to follow his friend and to discover his hiding place finally. This kind of follow-up done by victor’s father is not ordinary since it has a bigger picture and meaning regarding the sort of friendship being illustrated here.

Throughout the passage, Shelley uses the idea of companionship. For example, Shelley mentions that Beaufort was one of Alphonse’s “intimate” friends. Here, Shelley chooses to use intimate instead of words like close friends to show the wisdom of their friendship. “My father loved Beaufort with the truest friendship” (Shelley 19). He explains that Alphonse was deeply concerned instead of just mentioning that he was concerned. By doing this, it is a demonstration of Alphonse’s deepest feelings towards his friend. This shows why Alphonse must have chosen Beaufort as his

companion. Traditional words like “flourishing,” “unbending,” “honorable” and “magnificence” indicate the type of character that Beaufort exhibited. Victor mentions that Beaufort flourished before his fall to emphasize that he was doing well financially. He also says that he was a man of “unbending disposition” to hint that he was a strong character. Even his retreating was “honorable” even though he lived in “wretchedness” or an unhappy place. All these hints that Beaufort has morals and was a well-respected man within their society, which shows the idea that Alphonse had a reason to be Beaufort’s friend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the central theme in this passage about Beaufort and his relationship with Victor’s father is the theme of companionship. Shelley brings this out through the structure of the passage and the tone, which shows Beaufort’s fall and that Alphonse felt. Other examples used include tone and contrast, which shows the level of Beaufort’s fall and why Alphonse was

concerned about his welfare. This act further underscores the value of friends, especially when tragedy knocks. Lastly, traditional words are used to show the depth of Alphonse’s love for his friend.