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1. Robert Walton:
   An Artic seafarer and adventurer. He writes letters to his sister, Mrs. Saville.
   
   Preface: "I also became a poet, and for one year lived in a Paradise of my own creation; I imagined that I also might obtain a niche in the temple where the names of Homer and Shakspeare are consecrated. You are well acquainted with my failure, and how heavily I bore the disappointment. But just at that time I inherited the fortune of my cousin, and my thoughts were turned into the channel of their earlier bent."
   
   
2. Victor Frankenstein:
   Protagonist and narrator. His tragic downfall, as he sees it, was brought about by his search for knowledge.
   
   Chapter 1: "I was their plaything and their idol, and something better--their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by Heaven, whom to bring up to good, and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me."
   
   
3. Elizabeth Lavenza:
   An orphaned young girl taken in by Victor's parents. She is passive, waiting for Victor's attentions. She marries Victor, and is murdered on their honeymoon.
   
   Chapter 1: "Every one loved Elizabeth. The passionate and almost reverential attachment with which all regarded her became, while I shared it, my pride and my delight. On the evening previous to her being brought to my home, my mother had said playfully--'I have a pretty present for my Victor--to-morrow he shall have it.' And when, on the morrow, she presented Elizabeth to me... to protect, love, and cherish."
   
   
4. Alphonse Frankenstein:
   Victor's father. Offers encouragement and support.
   
   Chapter 1: "He was respected by all who knew him for his integrity and indefatigable attention to public business. He passed his younger days perpetually occupied by the affairs of his country; a variety of circumstances had prevented his marrying early, nor was it until the decline of life that he became a husband and the father of a family."
   
   
5. The Monster:
   Victor Frankenstein's creation.
   
   Chapter 5: "I started from my sleep with horror; a cold dew covered my forehead, my teeth chattered, and every limb became convulsed: when, by the dim and yellow light of the moon, as it forced its way through the window shutters, I beheld the wretch--the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed down stairs."
   
   Chapter 10: "I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king, if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me. Oh, Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other, and trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency and affection, is most due. Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous."
   
   
6. Henry Clerval:
   Victor Frankenstein's friend and companion. Victor is questioned when Henry is murdered.
   
   Chapter 2: "Henry Clerval was the son of a merchant of Geneva. He was a boy of singular talent and fancy. He loved enterprise, hardship, and even danger, for its own sake. He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance."
   
   
7. William Frankenstein:
   Victor's younger brother. The Monster takes his revenge on his creator by strangling William.
   
   Chapter 6: "I wish you could see him; he is very tall of his age, with sweet laughing blue eyes, dark eyelashes, and curling hair. When he smiles, two little dimples appear on each cheek, which are rosy with health."
   
   
8. Justine Moritz:
   A young girl also taken in by the Frankensteins. Accused of Henry's murder, she is hanged and becomes a martyr.
   
   Chapter 6: "Justine was the most grateful little creature in the world: I do not mean that she made any professions; I never heard one pass her lips; but you could see by her eyes that she almost adored her protectress. Although her disposition was gay, and in many respects inconsiderate, yet she paid the greatest attention to every gesture of my aunt. She thought her the model of all excellence, and endeavoured to imitate her phraseology and manners, so that even now she often reminds me of her."
   
   
9. Caroline Beufort Frankenstein:
   Victor's mother. Died of scarlet fever when Victor was 17.
   
   Chapter 1: "Everything was made to yield to her wishes and her convenience. He strove to shelter her, as a fair exotic is sheltered by the gardener, from every rougher wind, and to surround her with all that could tend to excite pleasurable emotion in her soft and benevolent mind."
   
   
10. M. Waldman:
    Professor of Chemistry.
    
    Chapter 3: "He appeared about fifty years of age, but with an aspect expressive of the greatest benevolence; a few grey hairs covered his temples, but those at the back of his head were nearly black. His person was short, but remarkably erect; and his voice the sweetest I had ever heard."
    
    
11. M. Krempe:
    Professor of Philosophy.
    
    Chapter 3: "M. Krempe was a little squat man, with a gruff voice and a repulsive countenance; the teacher, therefore, did not prepossess me in favour of his pursuits."
    
    
12. Mr. Kirwin:
    Magistrate.
    
    Chapter 20: "Mr. Kirwin is a magistrate; and you are to give an account of the death of a gentleman who was found murdered here last night."