In most literary analysis, the protagonists, antagonists, and other major characters are the ones most heavily studied and deemed to be the most significant. Characters who make brief appearances or are only mentioned are often overlooked and regarded as inconsequential. This is unfortunate, however, as authors may utilize characters appearing or mentioned in only a limited manner to play a pivotal role in a novel. Professor M. Waldman in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Henry Ford in Aldous Huxely’s Brave New World are examples of this literary technique. Waldman and Ford are minor characters, and in Ford’s case a non-appearing character, who play a major role in developing the key themes and events in their respective novels. Professor Waldman
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Prior to Frankenstein attending the University of Ingolstadt, he solely studied alchemy. At the university, however, Waldman convinces Frankenstein to pursue modern science, a choice that would forever alter Frankenstein’s life. After the lecture, Frankenstein says: “Such were the professor’s words-rather let me say such the words of my fate- enounced to destroy me…..I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation” (Shelley 33). Clearly, Waldman plays an important role by inspiring Frankenstein to use science to discover the deepest mysteries of creation, a decision that leads to the creation of the monster. Furthermore, Waldman takes Frankenstein as a disciple, even granting him access to his laboratory, where Frankenstein would eventually create the monster. Reminiscing on his encounter with Waldman, Frankenstein says: “He took me into his laboratory…promising the use of his own when I should have advanced far enough in the science…Thus ended a day memorable to me; it decided my future destiny” (Shelley 34). After this encounter with Waldman, Frankenstein is inspired to create what would become the monster. This, of course, leads to the demise of everyone Frankenstein loves. Waldman, therefore, proves himself to be an extremely significant character in the novel by influencing Frankenstein to create the monster, a decision that forever changes his
Prior to Frankenstein attending the University of Ingolstadt, he solely studied alchemy. At the university, however, Waldman convinces Frankenstein to pursue modern science, a choice that would forever alter Frankenstein’s life. After the lecture, Frankenstein says: “Such were the professor’s words-rather let me say such the words of my fate- enounced to destroy me…..I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation” (Shelley 33). Clearly, Waldman plays an important role by inspiring Frankenstein to use science to discover the deepest mysteries of creation, a decision that leads to the creation of the monster. Furthermore, Waldman takes Frankenstein as a disciple, even granting him access to his laboratory, where Frankenstein would eventually create the monster. Reminiscing on his encounter with Waldman, Frankenstein says: “He took me into his laboratory…promising the use of his own when I should have advanced far enough in the science…Thus ended a day memorable to me; it decided my future destiny” (Shelley 34). After this encounter with Waldman, Frankenstein is inspired to create what would become the monster. This, of course, leads to the demise of everyone Frankenstein loves. Waldman, therefore, proves himself to be an extremely significant character in the novel by influencing Frankenstein to create the monster, a decision that forever changes his