Victor does not like Krempe or the subject he teaches, modern studies of natural philosophy. Krempe calls Victor’s prior studies of alchemists a waste of time by asking him if he has “really spent your time in studying such nonsense?” Krempe tells Victor that he must begin his studies again and gives him a list of books to read. He also advises Victor to attend the lectures of Professor Waldman in the forthcoming days.
Victor’s visit with Professor Waldman goes much different. He describes the 50-year-old Waldman as “his person was short but remarkably erect and his voice the sweetest I had ever heard.” Waldman explains to Victor that alchemy was a false science and teaches him that while the alchemist’s pursuits were noble, real scientists do the scientific, valuable work.
Perhaps Shelley is trying to tell us a bit about both men’s personalities if we translate both names from the German language. Krempe is the brim of a hat, rather ordinary and mundane; the name sounds like the word “crammed.” Wald is a forest or wood, and man, means woodsman or forester. A “wood” jibes with the Romantic idea of returning to nature or natural things, a good place to revive the spirit and spend time; thus, a man with the name “Waldman” would be a more kind and reviving spirit.
