Wedding Preparations Under the Shadow of Threat — Frankenstein

Victor and his father return to Geneva. Elizabeth welcomes Victor warmly but is clearly changed, thinner, less vivacious, marked by worry and grief. Victor receives her touching letter asking if he truly wants to marry her or feels bound only by duty. He responds with love but mentions he has 'one secret, a dreadful one' he'll reveal after the wedding.

Victor's father, eager to see some happiness restored to their devastated family, pushes for the wedding to happen soon. Victor agrees, believing the creature's threat 'I will be with you on your wedding night' means the creature will kill him. He's actually relieved, death would end his torment. Victor prepares for the wedding day as if preparing for battle, arming himself with pistols and daggers, ready to fight the creature. The tragic irony is that Victor completely misinterprets the threat.

He assumes he's the target and focuses on defending himself, never imagining the creature means to kill Elizabeth. Victor even feels a dark satisfaction, thinking 'a deadly struggle would then assurably take place' where he'd either die and find peace, or kill the creature and be free. The chapter is heavy with dramatic irony, readers can see what Victor can't: his self-centered assumption that he's the target blinds him to the real danger. Elizabeth moves forward with 'placid contentment, not unmingled with a little fear,' completely unaware she's walking toward her death. Victor's father tries to encourage hope and new beginnings, not knowing this wedding will destroy what's left of their family.