Storytime for Grownups — Frankenstein: Chapters 17-18

Host: Faith Moore
Date: October 13, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Storytime for Grownups with Faith Moore continues Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, focusing on chapters 17 and 18. Moore offers an engaging blend of literary analysis, guided reading, and community discussion. The episode dives into the aftermath of the Creature’s story, grappling with ethical questions around sympathy, guilt, and creation. It explores the tragic nature of Shelley’s narrative, especially as Victor is faced with the Creature’s demand: to fashion him a female companion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap of Previous Chapters and Events

(Recap starts at 04:03)

• The Creature's Education and Isolation: The Monster has read Paradise Lost and ponders his identity—likening himself both to Adam and to Satan for his loneliness and alienation.
• The Theft and Revelation: The Monster steals Victor's journals and discovers the truth of his origins, cursing his creator for making him so hideous.
• Failed Attempt at Connection: The Monster tries to reveal himself to the cottagers, but is violently rejected after an initial, hopeful encounter with the blind father.
• Growing Rage and Revenge: After further rejections—including saving a child but being shot at—the Monster’s pain transforms into rage. He kills a young boy (William) and frames an innocent girl (Justine) out of spite and hopelessness.
• Demand: The Monster confronts Victor, telling his story and demanding Victor create a female for him.

2. Community Responses and Moral Questions

(Listener letters from 06:31 to 08:03)

• Megan Pack: "By the end of these chapters, the monster has lost my sympathy... To kill a child is beyond evil... I am neither on Team Victor nor Team Monster... A friend asked me to describe this book in one word, and I said, tragic." (06:34)
• Corinthia: "This chapter gives us a full view of the monster's tragic descent... What began as a plea for compassion has twisted into calculated cruelty..." (07:10)
• Anne: "I actually had to listen to the chapters twice because I couldn't believe the turn in the monster... Victor really did create a sociopath... If I want to be gracious, like a child who can't control their own emotions, I still dislike Victor more." (07:37)

3. Thematic Exploration: Tragedy and Moral Complexity

(Starts at 08:09)

• Absolute Condemnation of Murder: Faith makes clear her (and the show’s) unwavering stance: "By stating unequivocally that murder is wrong... Killing a small child is not something that we can get over." (08:09–09:09)
• Tragic Inevitability: The podcast examines the idea of literary tragedy—events are driven by inherent flaws or circumstances that make them inevitable. Faith explains, "Tragedy is inevitability coupled with the sense that it could have been avoided... That's what makes it so hard to bear." (13:46–13:57)
• The 'If Only's' of Tragedy: Both Victor and the Monster are haunted by regrets and hypothetical alternatives ("If only..."), but their fates seem sealed by their circumstances.
• The Monster’s Humanity and Monstrosity: Despite committing murder, the Creature’s potential for goodness is emphasized—he is both deeply sympathetic and deeply culpable.

4. Reader Empathy and Literary Nuance

(14:47–15:19 and 22:03–23:10)

• Sympathy for the Monster: Faith argues that the reader, unlike characters in the story, perceives the Monster’s underlying humanity, making his crimes more tragic.
• Reader’s Dilemma: "Can we still love him? Can we sympathize with him?" (15:20–15:27)

5. The Monster’s Request: Creation of a Female Companion

(23:12–25:03 and 26:34 onward)

• Genesis Parallels: The Monster wants an "Eve," having read Paradise Lost. Faith highlights the deep biblical and literary resonance: "The creature is Victor's Adam, but unlike the actual God and the actual Adam, this God and this Adam are really pretty messed up." (24:00–24:10)
• Threat of Procreation: Faith notes that granting the Monster’s wish may lead to a race of beings, raising profound ethical questions: "What will that mean for the creature, Victor, for the world?" (24:58)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Faith Moore on tragedy:
  "Tragedy is inevitability coupled with the sense that it could have been avoided— even though it really couldn't have. That's what makes it so hard to bear." (13:46)

• Listener Megan Pack:
  "To kill any human is evil, but to kill a child is beyond evil. To me, I am neither on Team Victor nor Team Monster. He should be punished for his actions." (06:34)

• The Monster, pleading with Victor:
  "You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do, and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede." (26:49)

• Victor’s turmoil:
  "Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world? Begone. I have answered you." (27:37)

• The Monster’s tragic logic:
  "If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear..." (28:34)

• Faith Moore, reflecting on sympathy:
  "While I can't condone the murder, I do still kind of feel for the creature. And I think that's allowed because it's a book and not a true story." (23:05)

• Victor, resigned:
  "I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe forever, and every other place in the neighborhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female who will accompany you in your exile." (36:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Episode Recap/Previous Chapters: 04:03–06:25
• Listener Letters/Community Reflections: 06:31–08:03
• Faith’s Analysis of Tragedy: 08:09–14:47
• Discussion of the Monster's Humanity and Crime: 14:47–23:10
• Introduction to Companion Request: 23:12–26:34
• Reading Begins (Chapters 17–18): 26:28
  • Monster's Plea for a Companion: 26:49–30:57
  • Victor’s Inner Debate and Reluctant Consent: 31:05–37:03
  • Victor Returns Home, Remorse and Planning: 39:15–45:16
  • Plans for Journey to England with Clerval: 45:16–55:02
  • Clerval’s Joy vs. Victor’s Despair: 55:10–57:36
  • Arrival in England: 58:28
• Closing Call for Listener Responses: 59:01

Episode Highlights & Tone

• Tone: Warm, engaging, and thoughtful. Faith guides listeners through both the narrative and the deeper philosophical and emotional currents of Frankenstein.
• Memorable Moments: Faith’s compassionate but clear-eyed take on the Monster’s crimes; the connection drawn between classical tragedy and Shelley's modern myth; insightful, heartfelt listener letters.
• Community Feel: The podcast maintains a friendly, book club-style atmosphere, encouraging listeners to write in and share their own moral, emotional, and literary takeaways.

Summary of Chapter Content Read Aloud

• Victor is confronted by the Monster’s demand for a mate. Initially appalled, Victor is swayed by the Monster’s eloquence but fears the consequences—namely, the potential for the creatures to harm humanity or propagate their own kind.
• After much internal debate, Victor reluctantly agrees to the Monster’s demand on the promise that the pair will leave human society forever.
• Victor returns home, burdened by the task. He delays beginning the new creation, feigning a need for further study, which leads to a planned trip to England, accompanied by his steadfast friend, Clerval.
• The contrast between Clerval’s delight in the world and Victor’s gloomy obsession is underscored during their journey.

Questions Posed for Further Reflection

• Should Victor make another creature? Does he owe the Monster this “Eve”?
• Can the Monster ever be forgiven or sympathized with after his actions?
• What responsibilities does a creator have toward their creation—and toward humanity?

(Write in to share your answers: faithkmoore.com/contact)