Elizabeth Lavenza is an orphan child. She was raised by Victor Frankenstein’s family, who later becomes his bride. Being an idealized character, she combines positive traits. Some of them are beauty, loyalty, and kindness.
Detailed answer:
In the novel by Mary Shelley, both Frankenstein and the Monster have similar negative features and motives. But there is a character that is aimed to show a unique combination of positive traits. Elizabeth Lavenza is the daughter of Victor Frankenstein’s father’s sister and her Italian husband. After her mother’s death, she is adopted by the Frankenstein`s family. She becomes a devoted daughter and a loving sister.
After the death of Victor’s mother, Caroline, she accepts the role of the center of the family. She writes long letters to Victor, providing him with information and comfort when he is away. In many aspects, she resembles his deceased mother by being kind and beautiful and dying at a young age.
The novel gives quite an extensive description of her personality traits. She is a creature of multiple contrasts. The woman knows how to enjoy liberty while still being able to submit to the demands of others. She is good-tempered yet playful and gay. Elizabeth can endure fatigue but looks fragile with her light and airy figure. While being so tender, she is not weak – she is a person who can calm and influence others. In the case of Victor, she appeals to his best qualities.
Elizabeth is a beautiful woman with her bright gold hair, tender lips, and clear blue eyes. Her features are depicted in terms that can be associated with nobility and religion. Thus, Elisabeth combines the best personal traits and physical traits expected of a woman at that time. She is idealized throughout the novel. The woman is a model of femininity representing beauty and kindness.
Elizabeth is devoted to helping others. She makes no distinctions between the rich and the poor, caring for people of all social classes. For instance, she helps Justine Moritz. The servant girl lives in the Frankenstein family after her mother’s death.
When Victor’s brother is murdered, she is accused of the crime and arrested. The Frankenstein family rejects her. Elizabeth does not think she is guilty and sympathizes with Justine, believing that she is a kind person. Victor is also sure that she is innocent but fails to protect her. In contrast, Elizabeth speaks in Justine’s defense at her trial, having no evidence to prove her words. It shows that she is a caring and devoted person who is not afraid to take brave steps to help those in need.
She dies as a result of the Monster’s revenge. The beast who wants to hurt Victor, who refused to create a couple for him. After her death, Frankenstein decides to kill the Monster. He loses the remains of compassion. Her positive influence on Victor and its loss shows her significance and role in the story.