The appearance of a character forms an image in the mind of the reader, and many illustrative words cause one to form certain assumptions. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the appearance of Elizabeth paints a clear and vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Shelley writes, “Her hair was the brightest living gold, and, despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed to set a crown of distinction on her head” (42). Shelley describes Elizabeth with vivid descriptive words and the image of a perfect demure girl is painted. The choice of the words “living gold” is incredibly potent, we can see her long golden locks, shimmering in the light as she moves, seeming almost alive with color. Even though she is surrounded by poverty it does little to diminish the distinction of her beauty, she comes across as a pure perfect creature, untouched by darkness, cruelty or hardship, despite what she has suffered. “[She] bloomed in their rude abode, fairer than a garden rose among dark-leaved brambles,” in fact, Shelley describes Elizabeth as being all the more beautiful for the dirt and poverty she is surrounded by, it merely serves to enhance her already pronounced beauty (42). The image forming in the readers mind is solidified fully, “Her brow was clear and ample, her blue eyes cloudless, and her lips and the moulding of her face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness, that none could behold her without looking on her as of a distinct species, a being heaven-sent, and bearing a celestial stamp in all her features” (42). Not only is Elizabeth beyond compare in beauty she is of another world entirely, her beauty is of the angels, her being seems to radiate a light, the image is almost too bright to look at. It is clear that Victor idolizes Elizabeth, that to him she is the best and most beautiful of humanity, that his perception of her is untarnished by anything, it is a clear ethereal portrayal. Victor has placed on an unattainable pedestal, and the reader can’t help but feel her appearance has been greatly swayed by Victor’s emotions and feeling towards Elizabeth. She appears to be too perfect to be real.