Elizabeth Lavenza

*Frankenstein* (Hallmark Channel, 2004)

Nicola Lewis (2004)

Sweet and Beloved Elizabeth

Justine Moritz (foster sister, †, deceased)

### Personalities

Beautiful, pure, angelic, feminine, sweet, friendly, patient, lively, compassionate, playful, humble, innocent, loving, sensible, passive, idealistic, loyal, trustworthy, maternal, sympathetic

### Allies

Victor Frankenstein
Alphose Frankenstein
William Frankenstein
Justine Moritz
Ernest Frankenstein

Caroline Beaufort

### Likes

Her relationship with Victor, writing letters to Victor, caring for the family

### Goal

To always stay in contact with Victor with letters
To be a supporting caregiver to the family
To marry Victor (all succeeded)

### Fate

Killed by the monster on her wedding night

> "*They consulted their village priest, and the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents' house--my more than sister--the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures.*"
> ― Chapter 1
>
>

Elizabeth Lavenza is a major character in Mary Shelley's *Frankenstein*. She is the adoptive daughter of Alphose Frankenstein and Caroline Beaufort and the adoptive cousin/wife of Victor Frankenstein.

A pretty, young woman adopted into the Frankenstein family household, Elizabeth falls in love with Victor and eventually marries him, but was murdered by the Monster on his quest of revenge against his creator Victor.

## Description

Elizabeth Lavenza is one of the most important people in Victor's life; if not his most special and beloved. She was taken into the home at a young age and they were close as children and fell in love as adults. She was loved and adored by everyone and wasn't always seen as just a foster child. She would also fill in the role of a mother-figure; such as when her adoptive mother Caroline Beaufort passes away, she says to her that she must "supply her place". She is even considered to be a feminine character with the role she had played since the beginning of the novel.

She is also a source of information to Victor. She is the one who mostly writes letters to him on some updated information about their family and are a major importance in the novel. She is perhaps the one person Victor had depended on the most than anyone. While he didn't get to spend much more quality time with her in his adulthood, she was still looking forward to their upcoming marriage.

Like Victor, Elizabeth was deeply affected by the tragic deaths caused by her lover's creation, such as William Frankenstein and Justine Moritz, while she still had Victor to be with. Unfortunately, not even her happiness with him could save her from her demise at the hands of the Monster on her wedding night, which was an even more devastating blow to Victor.

## Storyline

### Early Life with the Frankenstein's

Elizabeth was the daughter of a Milanese nobleman and his German wife. Her mother died giving birth to her, and she was placed in the care of an Italian peasant family at Lake Como. Her father fought for the liberty of his country from Austria, but he either died or was imprisoned by the Austrians. As a result, his wealth was confiscated, and Elizabeth grew up as a poor orphan while living with the Italian family.

A woman named Caroline Beaufort was visiting Lake Como to help the poor when she discovered the Italian peasant's family home. She then brings her young son, Victor Frankenstein, with her, where she discovered Elizabeth among the peasant family's young children. Caroline immediately became smitten with her and wanted to adopt her, as she wanted a daughter. The family was initially reluctant, as they were fond of Elizabeth, but they knew raising her in poverty wouldn't be fair. After consulting their local priest, the family allows Caroline to adopt Elizabeth. She was brought to the Frankenstein's home in Milan, where Alphonse, Caroline's husband, discovered her playing with Victor and she explained everything. Everyone loved and adored Elizabeth, and she was shown to Victor as a gift for him. He immediately became close with her, even referring to her as his cousin rather than his adoptive siblings.

Elizabeth and Victor grew up together, and there wasn't a difference in their ages. She enjoyed pursuing poetry and surrounding herself with nature.

## Personality/Appearance

Elizabeth is an angelic, beautiful young woman whose beauty makes her lovable by her relatives. When she was discovered by Caroline Beaufort while in an Italian family's foster care, she noted how the young girl was among the most prettiest of the children and that it made her into wanting to adopt her. She is friendly and loving towards her adoptive parents and her siblings, mostly to Victor, who she enjoyed playing and interacting with during their childhood. While he is away, she would send letters to him with information about their family and her concerns about him. She is understanding of his suffering and seems to be patient when he told her he had a terrible secret and is wanting to wait for the right moment to tell it to her. She was mostly innocent and cheerful when she is with her family and Victor, but after the deaths of William and Justine, she starts losing her innocence.

In addition, she acts as a mother-figure towards her foster siblings. After Mrs. Beaufort‘s death, she is told to take her place and raise the younger children as their mother. She can also be maternal towards Victor, as she would warmly welcome him back home and gave him the source of information from their family. She is dutiful to her tasks and protective of the younger boys, mainly to William. After the youngest child disappears, Elizabeth became anxious and afraid for him, and when his body was brought back, she was so hysterical that she faints in shock. She even went on to believe she has caused his death.

Elizabeth is often described as having blonde hair with curls and blue eyes, which is the definitive example of her beauty.

## Relationships

### Victor Frankenstein

Elizabeth's adoptive brother and husband. After being taken into the family at a very young age, she became a playmate towards him as a child, and as an adult, she loves him unconditionally. She is often concerned about him whenever he is feeling depressed or stressed out, but knew that she will soon one day become his wife.

### Justine Moritz

A young girl taken into the Frankenstein family. Elizabeth is close to Justine and is like a sister to her. But after Justine was accused and convicted of William's death, Elizabeth tries everything to prove Justine is innocent, but not even her kindness could save her foster sister from execution. Justine's death causes Elizabeth to slowly lose her own innocence.

### Alphonse Frankenstein

Elizabeth's adoptive father. She is supportive towards him when raising the family and is loved and adored by him.

### Caroline Beaufort

Elizabeth's adoptive mother. She takes her into the Frankenstein home at a young age and before Caroline passes away, Elizabeth accepts her task to take her mother's place and to marry Victor.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 1
2. ↑ Chapter 2