In Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein, the creature's first confirmed kill is William Frankenstein, the young boy who is alone at the De Lacey cottage when the creature enters. This occurs in the remote Swiss Alps after the creature recounts his learning and growing awareness, then describes meeting William and striking when the boy flees. William is strangled, and the creature subsequently frames Justine Moritz for the murder by planting the locket on her. The sequence is narrated retrospectively in Volume II as the creature tells Victor his story and marks the point of no return in the novel.
Context for the Creature's First Kill
Before examining the specifics of the murder, it is useful to understand how the creature reaches this point. The narrative structure places the murder within the creature's account to Victor, which begins after the creature's creation and his initial observations of humanity. Early in his experiences, the creature learns language from the De Lacey family, studies human society, and gradually develops both intelligence and a sense of injustice regarding his abandonment and persecution. His emotional shift from curiosity to vengefulness is pivotal and contextualizes his later actions, including the confrontation with William.
The Setting of the Murder
The murder occurs in a secluded mountain setting in the Swiss Alps, near the cottage inhabited by the blind old man, his son Felix, daughter-in-law Safie, and Felix's younger brother William. William has traveled to the cottage while escaping the authorities, unaware of the danger. The creature, having approached cautiously and shared his story with Victor earlier in the narrative, recounts how he finds William alone and how the encounter escalates into violence.
Immediate Aftermath and Framing
After strangling William, the creature places the locket previously belonging to his mother, which Victor had earlier given to Elizabeth, into the boy's pocket. This action frames Justine, William's nurse, who is found with the locket and subsequently condemned. The framing of Justine marks the creature's first direct harm to an innocent third party and deepens the tragic trajectory of the novel.
Key Details of the Murder and Its Consequences
Several details are consistently reported in the novel regarding this event. The time of day is late afternoon, William is alone outside the cottage, and the creature seizes the opportunity when the boy is frightened and running. The locket is central to the false evidence against Justine. These facts are corroborated across editions and critical studies of the text, confirming the sequence and its narrative consequences.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | William Frankenstein | Text: Volume II, Chapter VII |
| Location | Swiss Alps, near De Lacey cottage | Text: Volume II, Chapter VII |
| Method | Strangulation | Text: Volume II, Chapter VII |
| Frame Evidence | Mother's locket planted on Justine | Text: Volume II, Chapter VIII |
| Consequence | Justine accused, convicted, executed | Text: Volume II, Chapter VIII |
Comparison to Later Deaths Caused by the Creature
The murder of William is distinct from the creature's other victims, as it is the first and is driven by a combination of rage, opportunity, and a deliberate attempt to implicate another. Later deaths—most notably Henry Clerval and Elizabeth Lavenza—are more personal and occur closer to Victor's own choices and promises. The chronological progression shows an escalation from symbolic, indirect harm to direct, targeted attacks on Victor's relationships.
- William Frankenstein: First victim, killed indirectly to frame Justine
- Henry Clerval: Killed by the creature in Ireland after Victor destroys the female
- Elizabeth Lavenza: Killed on her wedding night by the creature
- Alphonse Frankenstein: Dies indirectly after Elizabeth's death