Journal Entry for My Note, Part 1

In the Novel, Frankenstein describes Waldman as his “True Friend” (31), yet he never describes the conversations between him and Waldman, and provides only a few direct quotes of Waldman. This emphasizes the fact that Frankenstein is an unreliable narrator.

Waldman provides emotional support for Frankenstein, yet it is only described from Frankenstein’s point of view. Waldman’s intentions are not clear throughout the book and there could be a motive for Waldman’s friendship with Frankenstein. I therefore decided in my “move” to emphasize that by showing the potentially bad intentions of Waldman.

Throughout the book, Frankenstein questions his intentions and falls ill due to his guilt and disgust with the creature he created. He describes Waldman as a “true friend” who’s instructions “were always given with an air of frankness and good nature” (31). Yet, Frankenstein vulnerability could be the cause of him seeing Waldman as a friend of good intentions. Waldman interest in Frankenstein can be perceived as caused by bad intentions. When Frankenstein visits Waldman, Waldman persists on discussing the sciences with him (46), although Frankenstein describes it as “inflicting torture” over him (46). And even though Waldman notices Frankenstein’s suffering he continues in his attempt to “draw Frankenstein Out” (46). Frankenstein chooses to rationalize it, explaining that Waldman probably only thought Frankenstein’s modesty is the cause of the suffering, yet with no real evidence from Waldman as to his consideration of Frankenstein and his feelings. Waldman, Frankenstein’s professor, could simply be jealous of Frankenstein’s intelligence and with the single intention of stealing Frankenstein ideas by pretending to be his good friend and discussing the sciences with him