Podcast Summary: Storytime for Grownups with Faith Moore

Episode: Frankenstein: Chapters 23-24 (Part 1)
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Faith Moore

Episode Overview

In this climactic episode, Faith Moore guides listeners through the critical and devastating events of Frankenstein’s penultimate chapters, covering all of Chapter 23 and the first half of Chapter 24. With her signature blend of narration and insightful commentary, Faith unpacks Victor Frankenstein's deepest tragedies, the monster’s final acts of revenge, and the narrative’s intense culmination of grief, obsession, and the consequences of Victor’s narcissism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Approaching the Conclusion (00:00 - 04:30)

• Faith expresses disbelief that the book is nearly finished, setting a reflective and anticipatory tone as “spooky season” concludes.
• She announces the upcoming Victorian Christmas read (A Little Princess) and ties in her passion for family and communal reading.

“I know this was a short book, but it really did feel like it just flew by. It’s been tons and tons of fun. So spooky season is almost over…” (00:44)

2. Recap of Previous Chapters & Thematic Connections (04:30 – 14:00)

• Faith recaps Victor’s exoneration after Clerval’s death, his return to Geneva, and the immediate rush to marry Elizabeth.
• She highlights the monster’s threat to be with Victor on his wedding night, and the thematic build-up of inevitable tragedy.
• Three listener emails are read, each touching on Victor’s failings, flaws, and impending doom.

Notable Quote:

“If the creature wanted to kill Victor, he could have easily done it a hundred pages ago. But the creature is torturing Victor on purpose…” — EJ, listener letter (11:17)

3. The Narcissism and Blindness of Victor (14:01 – 19:55)

• Faith praises EJ’s observation about Victor’s narcissism making him blind to the monster’s true intent.
• She elaborates on the nature of revenge: the monster tortures Victor by killing those he loves, not Victor himself.

“He really is a monster now, right? He’s embraced his monstrosity… he’s going to make Victor’s life a living hell because Victor made his.” (17:42)

• Faith reflects on the symbolism of Henry Clerval’s death—Henry embodied the real world and hope, which die along with him.

4. Victor, Elizabeth, and the Role of Women (19:56 – 26:45)

• Faith discusses the significance of marriage, motherhood, and the union Victor sought with Elizabeth, paralleled by the monster’s wish for a mate.
• She analyzes Victor’s approach to his “terrible secret” as egotistical and controlling, trapping Elizabeth in marriage before revelation.

Notable Quote:

“‘I will confide this tale of misery and terror to you the day after our marriage shall take place. For my sweet cousin, there must be perfect confidence between us. But until then, I conjure you, do not mention or allude to it…’” — Victor (24:56)

• Commentary on how Victor’s behavior feels more like that of a villain than a hero.

“It’s always Victor, Victor, Victor. But that’s the tragedy of it. That’s the inevitability…” (26:30)

5. Reading of Chapters 23 and Part of 24 with Interactive Notes (26:46 – 1:35:50)

A. The Wedding Night Catastrophe (26:46 – 34:35)

• Victor’s mounting anxiety on his wedding night.
• The sudden, horrific murder of Elizabeth—Faith notes Victor’s blindness to the monster’s true target.

Notable Quote:

“Great God, why did I not then expire? Why am I here to relate the destruction of the best hope and the purest creature on earth?” — Victor (33:55)

• Victor glimpses the monster grinning at the window, attempts to shoot him, but the monster flees.

B. Aftermath: Victor’s Spiral of Grief (34:36 – 44:00)

• The impact of Elizabeth’s death, compounded by memories of previous losses.
• Victor’s father, consumed by grief, quickly dies, leaving Victor with only Ernest.

Notable Quote:

“He could not live under the horrors that were accumulated around him. The springs of existence suddenly gave way…” (42:08)

• Victor is institutionalized, his trauma mistaken for madness.

C. Obsession and Vengeance (44:01 – 52:48)

• Freed from the asylum, Victor swears revenge.
• He recounts his futile attempt to persuade the magistrate to pursue the monster, detailing the disbelief and helplessness of authority.

Notable Quote:

“My rage is unspeakable when I reflect that the murderer whom I have turned loose upon society still exists…” — Victor (51:48)

D. Victor’s Vow and Final Pursuit (52:49 – 1:17:00)

• Victor describes visiting the graves of his loved ones, swearing vengeance and calling on supernatural forces to aid him.
• The monster taunts Victor audibly, urging him to continue the chase.
• Victor describes his relentless international pursuit, guided both by clues from the monster and by what he believes are the spirits of his dead loved ones.

Notable Quote:

“Let the cursed and hellish monster drink deep of agony. Let him feel the despair that now torments me.” — Victor (56:38)

E. Across the Frozen North (1:17:01 – 1:33:12)

• Description of the physically and psychologically grueling chase across Europe and into the Arctic.
• Monster leaves taunting inscriptions for Victor:

“My reign is not yet over. Live, and my power is complete. Follow me.” — The Monster (1:22:35)

• The final leg: Victor, depleted and desperate, nearly reaches the monster but is separated when the ice breaks, leaving him adrift.

F. Arrival at Walton’s Ship and Plea for Vengeance (1:33:13 – 1:35:50)

• Victor is rescued, recounts his story to Walton, and makes a final impassioned plea that Walton pursue the monster if Victor dies.

Notable Quote:

“He is eloquent and persuasive… But trust him not. His soul is as hellish as his form, full of treachery and fiend-like malice…” — Victor (1:35:05)

Notable Listener Interactions

Brooke Preschia (07:16)

“Oh, no, Henry. I knew it was coming, but still so sad. I am hoping Victor will man up and take control of things...”

Mariam (08:29)

“Victor said there must be perfect confidence between us...but is going to tell her about his terrible secret only after she is already married to him...It seems quite cruel...another indication that he is more concerned with performing his guilt rather than facing any consequences for it.”

EJ (09:56)

“The thing that keeps bothering me about Victor’s Narcissism is...it’s blinding him to what the creature is doing to him... Maybe I should label this fatalistic narcissism... Either way, it’s infuriating.”

Faith’s Tone and Style

• Warm, conversational, with a balance of wit, compassion, and critical insight.
• Maintains suspense (avoiding spoilers), validates listener interpretations, and offers clear literary analysis.
• Integrates literary context (symbolism, tragedy, thematic resonance).
• Invites continued listener engagement for the concluding episode.

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Introductions, upcoming episodes, announcements | 00:00-04:30| | Recap of last chapters | 04:30-07:15| | Listener Letters & Commentaries | 07:16-14:00| | Narcissism and Victor's Blindness | 14:01-19:55| | Victor & Elizabeth, Marriage & Gender Themes | 19:56-26:45| | Reading: Wedding Night & Elizabeth’s Death | 26:46-34:35| | Aftermath: Victor’s Grief & Father’s Death | 34:36-44:00| | Victor’s Revenge, Magistrate Scene | 44:01-52:48| | Graveside Vow & Arctic Pursuit Begins | 52:49-1:17:00| | Arctic Chase, Monster’s Taunts, Final Ice Collapse | 1:17:01-1:33:12| | Rescue by Walton, Victor's Last Plea | 1:33:13-1:35:50|

Memorable Quotes

• “[The monster] is going to make Victor’s life a living hell because Victor made his.” — Faith Moore (17:42)
• “He thinks this way, the tragedy will unfold… And so it is about to unfold. We know that right? We’re pretty certain whatever is about to happen, it’s not going to be good.” — Faith Moore (26:30)
• “Great God, why did I not then expire? Why am I here to relate the destruction of the best hope and the purest creature on earth?” — Victor (33:55)
• “Let the cursed and hellish monster drink deep of agony. Let him feel the despair that now torments me.” — Victor (56:38)
• “My rage is unspeakable when I reflect that the murderer whom I have turned loose upon society still exists…” — Victor (51:48)
• “[The monster:] ‘My reign is not yet over. Live, and my power is complete. Follow me…’” (1:22:35)

Closing & Listener Engagement

• Faith encourages listeners to send thoughts and questions about the final chapters.
• Teases the final episode and the upcoming Christmas Spectacular.
• Expresses gratitude for community support and announces related community events.

This episode brings Frankenstein to its dark crescendo, highlighting the destruction wrought by narcissism, the thirst for vengeance, and the tragic unraveling of both Victor and his creation. With clear, compassionate insight, Faith Moore leads listeners through the book’s emotional climax while keeping the conversation communal and engaging.