Course:ENGL100-014/Frankenstein
Frankenstein
"For this was it a glorious, for this was it an honourable undertaking. You were hereafter to be hailed as the benefactors of your species, your names adored as belonging to brave men who encountered death for honour and the benefit of mankind."(Chapter 24)
In this quote, Victor is on Walton's ship and he is trying to persuade the crew to continue their mission in the Arctic. Throughout his telling of his story to Walton, he insists again and again that he had made a mistake, that he reached too far and that is why he had gone through so much misery. But here we see that he clearly has not learned his lesson. He firmly believes that it is a godgiven right to mankind to push the boundaries of nature in the name of science and discovery. The speech he delievers is eerily similar to the thoughts he had toward the beginning of the book that had compelled him toward the creation in the first place: "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs." (Chapter 4) He had fully believed it was his right, his responsibility, to hold the power of creating life; not only should his creations be perfect--- they should be grateful to him. And to an extent, he still believes this. When the creature awoke Victor realized he was not perfect, and after being abandoned he was definitely not grateful. So Victor pinned the cause of the miserable events that followed not to his own failings and ill concieved intentions, but to an inherent fault/flaw in the Creature. As much as he claims to blame himself, he never did, and now he continues to advertise his quest for unbounded glory-- at any expense.
"I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself ... we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless, and free from the misery I now feel." (Shelly 175)
In my opinion, this quote demonstrates the objectification of women at the time. Here, the creature wants to selfishly subject another being to the unusually cruel treatment he received merely to console his own feelings. He never considers this person's agency or feelings, but instead expects her to stay by him for eternity to provide emotional support for him. Thus, this woman is seen and valued purely for her ability to alleviate misery, instead of a human being with her own aspirations. His specific request for a female further demonstrates that this desire is motivated by the notion that a women's supreme role is to provide for a man. Ultimately, his prioritization of his own feelings over women's agency proves the patriarchal notions present when Shelly wrote the novel.
“You must create a female for me, with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. ”
this quote is interesting to me because it highlights that women in Frankenstein have a passive presence and only exist to contribute to the male character's stories and development. the creature is implying that a woman is necessary to his existence and for maintaining his emotional needs and ability to be moral. He doesn't ask for a friend, or a lover, or a family member specifically, he only says female to emphasize companionship but he doesn't see her as an independent person; she only exists for him. It's not even considered that the female created might want a different fate or might not love the creature. I believe this reflects the relationship between Elizabeth and Victor; Elizabeth was also "given", meant to be his companion and wife from the start and that is her central role in the novel. this is also interesting because it reflects how society viewed women in Mary Shelley's time; they were domestic caretakers needed to support men and society via motherhood and they were also symbols of virtue-- they needed to be pure, innocent, and kind ideally and weren't given the same capacity to make mistakes and err as the men could. However, its not clear to me whether Mary Shelly is criticizing these ideas and gender roles or if they're simply a part of her world that she is mirroring in the text.
“Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.” (Shelly, 61)
As we read the tragic story of the creature’s and Frankenstein's life, it raises the question: is Victor Frankenstein’s creation inherently evil? Or did society— including Victor’s rejection—shape the creature into what he ultimately becomes? This is a question I consistently found myself returning to as I read. It's important to remember that the entire story is told through layers of narration, Victor is telling his story to Walton, who then records it for his sister. This adds distance from us to the characters and leaves us wondering whether we’re getting the whole unbiased truth. Leading to the conclusion that perhaps the creature isn’t as monstrous as Victor makes him out to be. Throughout the novel, I often find myself feeling sympathy for the creature. Imagine being brought into existence against your will, with no understanding of why you're alive or where you belong. Worse still, you’re perceived as hideous by everyone you meet. The creature is abandoned moments after coming to life, left without any guidance, or love. He’s not taught right from wrong, good from bad, instead he's simply left to figure out survival on his own. Can we really blame the creature for his actions? Universally, all beings crave love, attention, and affection. And ultimately, the creature’s desperate desire for companionship and true understanding makes him almost in a weird twisted way, relatable.
“I am malicious because I am miserable; am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces, and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me? You would not call it murder, if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-rifts, and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands.” (Chapter IX)
This line stood out to me because it made the creature seem much more human rather than just a terrifying monster who kills every creature for revenge. It gives us a chance to empathize with the creature and see him through a different perspective. It helps us see his side of things and how his actions could be justified. His creator, Victor, is repulsed and fearful of his own creation and does not take responsibilty for the monster or help the creature adjust to life. The creature explains that since it is shunned by all and hated, no one would call it a murder if he was killed, as he is not even worth being called a living being. This made me wonder if villains are only villains and turn evil due to how others treat them. It makes me think about how the treatment of a person or how they are brought up affects how they act in the present. Although the monster murders several people in the novel, his actions are somewhat explained and justified. The monster was shunned by everyone around him, horrified by his grotesque figure. He also was plagued by his own existence and his way of coping was to hurt the creator who brought him to life. It makes me remember that not all actions are completely right or completely wrong and we must look at different perspectives in order to gain a proper opinion. “Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!” - Frankenstein, Chapter 20
“Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!” - Frankenstein, Chapter 20
The creature declaring himself as Victor’s master highlights the power dynamic between the two. He is indicating that he is willing to take on responsibility for Victor and his actions, while Victor, though credited with the creation of the creature, does not necessarily follow things through with taking responsibility for the creature’s wellbeing. The creature thought of Victor initially as his master, someone who could provide guidance and influence due to being his creator; he initially wants to see Victor as a leading figure. He is aware that his grotesque image cannot integrate into society without the help of someone who understands him, or even better - created him. However, that is shattered with Victor destroying the female companion, and the creature quickly draws the line between creator and master, implying that he will be taking matters into his own hands. By stepping up as a “master”, the creature is stepping into a role that Victor refuses to fulfill.
The line between master and creator can also be shown through Victor’s thought process just before destroying the female companion. Victor is fearful that the female creature will take pleasure in destruction and not listen to either him or the initial creature, and a further worry of her trying to integrate and even resulting in reproduction with the male creature leads him to destroy her creation. Victor, despite being a creator, is unwilling to take on the role of a master and the responsibility that supposedly comes with his creations.
What I ask of you is reasonable and moderate; I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself: the gratification is small, but it is all that I can receive, and it shall content me. It is true, we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless, and free from the misery I now feel. (Shelly, 157)
This quote highlights the creature’s desperation and selfishness. The creature's loneliness and rejection by both humans and his creator, Victor, become evident when he demands a female companion from Victor. His request reveals a deep sense of desperation that emphasizes the creature's unfortunate status in the readers' eyes. He acknowledges that "lives will not be happy," yet the term "harmless" underscores his miserable nature. His tragic existence arises not from being a demon or fiend, as Victor claims, but from societal prejudices and the judgment of individuals who constantly judge who deserves love, respect, and acceptance.
But also, this quote gives me a negative impression of the creature because I perceive his desperation as not centered on love but on fulfilling his loneliness by sharing the same suffering and rejection with a female companion. He envisions that creating another being like himself would satisfy his emotional needs without fully considering how this new creature might feel or the consequences of their shared misery. The creature fails to account for the emotional impact of exposing a new companion to the same pain and rejection. Based on this idea, I conclude that the creature is selfish and ignorant, yet also innocent and pure, primarily focused on his own needs without taking into account others' perspectives. Furthermore, I question whether a female companion could love him in return. As she suffers, she might develop hatred for a creature, much like he did for Victor, his creator.
“You have read this strange and terrific story, Margaret; and do you not feel your blood congeal with horror, like that which even now curdles mine? Sometimes, seized with sudden agony, he could not continue his tale; at others, his voice broken, yet piercing, uttered with difficulty the words so replete with anguish. His fine and lovely eyes were now lighted up with indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow and quenched in infinite wretchedness. Sometimes he commanded his countenance and tones and related the most horrible incidents with a tranquil voice, suppressing every mark of agitation; then, like a volcano bursting forth, his face would suddenly change to an expression of the wildest rage as he shrieked out imprecations on his persecutor.” (Chapter 24)
When I first read this paragraph, I had to reread it twice because I found it to be very odd but an insightful look into Walton's perspective on the main story. His word choice and the way he writes about his perception of Victor and his story feels almost insensitive. Despite describing Victor's distressed expressions and tone of voice with much detail, it does not feel like Walton completely believes his story. Rather, it seems as if Walton thinks of his story more as a fictional, gothic fairytale being told. His descriptions of Victor’s tone and expressions is akin to how an actor would act in a dramatic Shakespearean play. The way Walton speaks about the story after he has heard it all feels closer to how someone would react to a fairytale or play rather than a real person’s traumatic situation.
This almost unsympathetic tone reminds me of Lisa Diedrich’s argument in “Being-becoming-monster: Mirrors and Mirroring in Graphic Frankenstein Narratives” where she argues that the listeners, such as Walton, refuse to sympathetically receive the story told to them. I think it brings up an interesting point that the more distant we are from the story being told to us, the more surreal, absurd, and fantastical it will feel to us regardless of how real the story may be. The fact that we are just observers and listeners without any real interaction with the original story will always create this cold gap of uncertainty and lack of sympathy.
“If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear!” (Chapter 20)
This quote from Frankenstein highlights the consequences of neglect and rejection - both as a larger theme and in the specific context of Victor abandoning the creature. Victor's job was to act as a "parent" to the creature, yet he failed in that. Because it was deprived of parental affection and attention, the creature sought revenge, accepting that even if it was by instilling fear in Victor, it was better to get some attention from its father than none at all. Despite being a murderer, the creatures intentions weren't actually horrifically malicious - rather, it hadn't been raised to differentiate right from wrong (another job of a parent that Victor failed in), and was suffocated by an overwhelming need to be acknowledged,.
This quote sheds light on the damaging impacts of neglect, and what happens when we mistreat those who are different from us. Shelley is urging her readers to consider the long-term effects of how we treat others, particularly those who do not fit our stereotype of "normal". The creature’s anger was a direct result of being unloved and rejected by its father, and people lost their lives because of it. In real life, studies prove that children who are neglected by their parents are more likely to commit crimes, as they lack a role model to illustrate ethics to them, and may seek any form of attention that they can get. Though this quote is spoken by a monster, it stands as a valuable reminder of the human need for affection and the consequences of parental neglect.
”I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn.” (Chapter III)
This quote stuck out to me because it conveys the true nature of the creature’s vengeance. All that the creature yearned for was affection and acceptance from the human race, but instead he was faced with rejection and disgust. His resentment for Victor stems from the rejection that he faced over and over, including that from Victor himself. Victor’s duty as the creator of the creature was to care for and protect him, but he failed miserably. Part of me feels very empathetic towards the creature. This line made me feel sad and think about how sometimes no matter who you are, people will not accept you, and captures the emotional perspective of the creature and his suffering. In a way, it makes him see more human. This is interesting because every character in the story sees the creature as a monster or beast, but in reality he is just as human as anyone else. He is a deeply lonely, misunderstood and hurt being.
One could argue that emotions and cognitive abilities are what makes a being human. To me, the fact that the creature would rather have negative attention, as in revenge against Victor, rather than no attention whatsoever, shows how he is vulnerable and in need of companionship. Despite his natural craving for affection and love, he constantly receives a negative response from humanity, highlighting the painful message encapsulated in this quote; he is human in his need for connection, but will always be treated as something less than human.
“Sometimes, indeed, I dreamt that I wandered in flowery meadows and pleasant vales with the friends of my youth; but awoke, and found myself in a dungeon” (Shelley 151).
A pattern that I noticed while reading Frankenstein was the emphasis on dreams and nightmares and how Victor often blurred the lines between his reality and his dreams, which further emphasized his growing isolation. This quote shows how Victor tries to escape into idealized dreams only to be violently confronted by the harsh reality of his situation when he wakes up.
In the novel, Victor lets go of his sense of reality and gives in to his pursuit of glory while neglecting to consider the consequences of his actions. Horrible things continue to happen to him due to his creation and neglect of the monster, and his dreams become his only comfort. He watches as his loved ones die off one by one, and now they only exist in the scope of his mind. He begins to believe that what is happening to him in reality is a nightmare, and when he goes to sleep, he is “waking up.” This quote represents the internal conflict experienced by Victor the more overwhelmed he becomes with his guilt and the loss of his family members and friends. In this quote, we see how he dreams of “flowery meadows” and “pleasant vales,” which can symbolize his idealized life and his visions of success and greatness. In these dreams, Victor is able to live out the life he wants with “the friends of [his] youth.”
The comfort he finds in his dreams is erased once he wakes up to this metaphorical dungeon. Victor feels trapped by the consequences of his actions and the creature he abandoned. He is in this endless cycle of watching the people he cares about die, almost like he’s living a nightmare come alive, and he can’t escape it. This quote illustrates how Victor’s guilt and isolation have caused him to escape into his dream fantasies, but is forced to face reality when he wakes up. The psychological toll that Victor’s ambition takes on him is shown through his inability to break free from this cycle.
"I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery. Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful."- Frankenstein, Vol.3, Chapter III
This quote highlights the deep despair and hopelessness the creature is harbouring within himself as he confronts Victor. The creature has taken a position of pure hatred and despise for Victor as he feels he is worthless, for not even his creator can show him the slightest affection. In stating "I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery" the creature shows us he has chosen a path of retaliation for the suffering Victor has caused him by bringing him into such a cruel world.
The section of the creature's threat to Victor where he states "Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful" shows us that he feels he is at his lowest point, having to more to give or to lose. Being "fearless, and therefore powerful" made me think about the quote "The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose" by James Baldwin. If we liken the James Baldwin quote to the story of Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein's creature is society's dangerous creation. The creature was not always angry and came into the world as innocent as a new born child. The anger that the creature now possesses is a product of society's persistent abuse and it has truly turned him into the monster they described him to be all along.
"Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, this quotation—spoken by Victor Frankenstein as he recounts his tragic story—is a multifaceted warning against unbridled ambition and the ruthless pursuit of forbidden knowledge. Within the narrative, Victor’s own downfall serves as a dire illustration of what can happen when the human desire to transcend natural limits becomes an all-consuming obsession.
Victor’s lament—"how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge"—captures one of the novel’s central conflicts. His obsessive studies and experiments, driven by a desire to surpass the natural order, eventually lead him to create life in a manner that defies the boundaries of human nature. This act of playing god not only isolates him from society but also unleashes unforeseen consequences. The warning is clear: knowledge pursued without restraint or ethical consideration can backfire disastrously.
The second part of the quotation contrasts the contentment of "the man who believes his native town to be the world" with the inevitable sorrow of one who strives to exceed what is innately human. In Frankenstein, Victor’s attempt to elevate himself above the natural order—achieving greatness at any cost—ultimately leads him to ruin. His story suggests that accepting our limitations and the natural order can foster a more balanced, humane life, whereas unchecked ambition disrupts our intrinsic connection to nature and community.
Mary Shelley’s warning continues to hold relevance today. It challenges modern readers—not only to admire intellectual progress but also to heed the potential for its abuse. Her words remind us that growth and discovery must coexist with self-awareness and respect for the natural order if we are to avoid the tragic pitfalls of our own unbridled ambitions.
“I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I have finished, the beauty of the dream had vanished, and breathless horror filled my heart.” (Frankenstein, Chapter V.)
Modern scientific ambition is heavily embedded within our society and although 200 years have surpassed since Mary Shelley produced Frankenstein, mankind persists in its endeavour to create something revolutionary still. Victor’s interest in science consumes him to surpass nature with an arrogant ambition seen in scientists today. With isolation from society, with no rest or a moment to reflect, he creates a sentient being and immediately regrets his years of hard work.
This quote serves as a warning for us, with a strong relevance to current accelerating AI development that pushes boundaries everyday just as Victor aspired with his work. However, the tale of Victor Frankenstein demands us to consider what should happen if we push AI too far and produce something uncontrollable? Once a barrier is broken we may not be able to revert intelligence that greatly surpasses that of humans similar to how Victor could not kill the monster with superhuman speed, strength, and withstanding conditions humans can not.
This quote urges us to check our ambitions (to rest and reflect as Victor did not in Ingolstadt) and consider all ethical aspects of what we are aiming to achieve. Victor fails to do this because he selfishly “desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation”. Likewise, I believe we are creating artificial intelligence far too quickly without considering ways it can be harmful, what if AI treats humans with revenge and hostility much like the monster did, what if we are dooming ourselves by not recognizing a boundary to stop at. Ultimately, how far are we willing to pursue super intelligence before we realize we should stop and are these conversations given priority? By not chasing the mere "beauty of a dream" (and we acknowledge the reality of the dream) we are able to accesses how much power we code in AI and if this power can then become abused. Perhaps we need to rest for a while.
“Oh, Frankenstein, be not equitable to every other, and trample upon me alone, to whom thy justice, and even thy clemency and affection, is most due. Remember, that I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Every where I see bliss, for which I alone am irrevocably excluded.” (Shelley, 105)
To me, this quote demonstrates just how much the creature has evolved since he first came to life; from simply a body with limited capacity for thought and speech to a complex being. The creature’s ability to understand that he too is just as deserving of respect and kindness as anyone else indicates his capacity for critical thinking and emotion. He has learned more about human nature by watching the DeLacey family, understanding concepts like family and friendship. He can therefore identify the lack in his own life in terms of connection, particularly where it would make the most sense; a connection with his creator. This self-awareness allows him to recognize that Victor’s treatment towards him is therefore wrong. Despite him being the culmination of Victor’s ambitions and desires, Victor rejected the creature almost immediately. As he confronts Victor, the creature points out that Victor is “equitable to every other”. He is respectful and kind to his own family, just as the DeLaceys were with each other, but he does not extend these courtesies to his own creation. The creature says it is this treatment that he is the most deserving of, far more so than anyone else, and claiming Victor is inflicting upon him a great injustice by denying him such grace.
"An idea seized me, that this little creature was unprejudiced, and lived too short a time to have imbibed a horror of deformity. If, therefore, I could seize him, and educate him as my companion and friend, I should not be so desolate in this peopled earth." (Shelley, 154)
It is striking to me how prejudice, discrimination, and fear is narrated in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, in which fear is presented as not only the creature's insecurities but also the fear the people have for the creature's deformities. In the novel, the instinctive terror others feel upon seeing his appearance, pushes the creature to long for acceptance. This desire pushes the creature to cling onto hope that a child, who the creature believes to be too young to be touched by societal judgement will accept him for who he is. Although, this belief was shattered when the child like other people, was in horror of his deformed state.
It should be noted that the quote emphasizes how rejection and prejudice are learned behaviours rather than innate ones. This emphasis gives the creature a false sense of hope that there can be a person who will love him without judgement. Moments like these can fuel the creature with hatred which bring him to form evil, malicious, or vengeful intentions when he realizes that his hope is futile.
This quote highlights two ideas, the first being the creature's insecurities and deformity and the other being societal judgement and how the prejudice ingrained in society negatively affects those who fail to appear normal under society's social norms. These two concepts work together to showcase how a person's longing for acceptance can eventually make them bitter and the experiences these people undergo only paves a path of violence and despair.
“Shall each man,” cried he, “find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn. Man, you may hate; but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness for ever. Are you to be happy, while I grovel in the intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions; but revenge remains—revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery. Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful. I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting with its venom. Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict.” (Chapter III)
This quote from the creature in Frankenstein is one that stands out to me as a painful plea for compassion as the creature knows that every other being in the world has a mate, but that is the very thing Victor mercilessly denies him. This quote then shifts the creature's motives and desires from desperately seeking admiration and companionship to finally seeking vengeance. He concludes that if he is denied by his creator something so essential for a meaningful life, then his creator, Victor, must suffer for the pain he so selfishly caused as there was never a need for his creation. This quote makes me feel torn between the two characters as we are shown both perspectives of what creating another being such as the creature will do. This quote highlights the creature’s despair and finally his vindictive nature. But who are we to judge the morality of a creature that will forever be alone, subject to a life he did not ask for? The creature believes it is the only thing that will end his own suffering and the pain he inflicted upon the world. For Victor, he refuses out of fear of releasing another unpredictable, and what he deems wretched, being onto the earth. We cannot deem Victor’s refusal as evil either, as he truly believes his cause is noble and the same can be said for the creature. This part in the novel had me wondering who I truly side with as they both have done irreversible and irredeemable things and yet also don’t seem to deserve the extreme suffering they face at the hands of each other.
“Wandering spirits, if indeed ye wander, and do not rest in your narrow beds, allow me this faint happiness, or take me, as your companion, away from the joys of life.” (Shelley, p. 76)
This quote comes right as Victor finally gets a taste of happiness following months of grieving from the deaths of his brother and Justine. In this quote, Victor seems to be asking some supernatural entities (or entity…) to allow him to enjoy this one moment of joy, or to die if not. This alone highlights how depressed Victor has been, to the point where he is often found wishing to die, and how much he holds himself responsible for the deaths of those close to him through his creation of the creature, all leading back to his immense regret for having brought it into existence. What is even more outstanding about this quote, however, is the fact that immediately after Victor speaks, almost in prayer, to these “wandering spirits,” the creature, who had previously been described by Victor before as a “spirit,” appears. This line alone could be an argument for the creature itself being some sort of supernatural being; it is miraculous that it appeared right then, and seems almost as if Victor spoke it into existence at that very moment. Additionally, meeting the creature after asking for happiness couldn’t be more ironic, as it was the most opposite thing to happiness Victor could have received from his request, as the creature is the root cause of all his sorrow, suffering, and pain.
"I am alone and miserable: man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me." (Chapter 16)
This passage describes the Creature’s belief that he will never be accepted by humanity. His desire for companionship is overshadowed by his self-perception; “deformed and horrible,” a reflection of society’s rejection. Mary Shelley presents the creature as a victim of circumstance. His experiences with the Delacey family and society shaped his character. The once innocent and caring creature, turned to cruelty and became evil.
The quote also highlights Victor Frankenstein’s moral failure. By refusing to create a companion for the creature, Victor deepens his suffering, demonstrating his irresponsibility as a creator. This moment in the novel reinforces Shelley’s view of unchecked ambition and the ethical dilemmas of creation. Ultimately, the Creature’s isolation from society forces readers to reflect on how prejudice and exclusion individual-identity.
“Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness" (Shelley, ch. 20)
Victor was consumed with a thirst for knowledge and the desire to create the Creature in order to achieve an extraordinary thing and be viewed as god-like. In the end, he did accomplish the extraordinary, which begs the question of why he was not satisfied after completing his goal. One would believe that he would be satisfied no matter what he created, however, this quote contradicts that notion. Victor was always chasing more, the unknown; when he found it, he was unhappy. He is a person who is never satisfied no matter he accomplishes, which can speak to a plethora of people in the real world. The non-stop pursuit of knowledge has inadequately fulfilled him because in his mind he may have thought that once he accomplishes one thing, he will be happy. Then the next, and the next, in the end leaving him unsatisfied. He chases one thing that he believes will make him happy, completely overlooking what would actually gratify him, no matter what that may be. This quotation is a reminder to step back and appreciate all that we have achieved in life, as well as to be grateful for all that we have, even if we have not accomplished everything we sought out to.
"Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by such slight ligaments are we bound to prosperity or ruin." (Chapter 2)
This sentence by Frankenstein encapsulates one of the book's underlying themes: the fragility of human life and the fine line between success and catastrophe. Victor Frankenstein reflects how seemingly insignificant choices his ambition, his pursuit of unnatural creation, and his abandonment of the creature, end up destroying his life. The adjective "strangely" creates an air of mysteriousness to human nature, the feeling that our fates are controlled by forces beyond our full understanding or control. Shelley’s application of the word “slight ligaments” poetically presents the idea that the bonds of human connection, moral character, and sanity are held together by weak, easily damaged threads. This is a recurring idea throughout the novel, particularly in the way in which Victor’s actions have permanent repercussions. His pursuit of knowledge, driven by an unchecked ambition, breaks natural order of things and leads him to guilt, paranoia, and misery. So too is the creature’s life one of rejection what could have been a life of kindness and friendship becomes one of revenge and despondency. On a broader plane, Shelley’s work warns against hubris, illustrating the way a single misstep can initiate a chain reaction of uncontrollable ruin. The theme is equally relevant today, particularly in the fields of science and technology, where moral boundaries are challenged every day. The novel forces us to wonder: where do we draw the line in the quest for advancement and court catastrophe? How do the smallest of decisions dictate the course of our fate? Shelley warns that the answers hang as tenuous as the “slight ligaments” that bind us.
“What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?” (51)
I found this quote interesting because throughout the novel Shelley uses the symbolism of light to portray and foreshadow the chaotic and tragic course of events. Where Victor is often isolated in darkness both physically and mentally throughout the book, he concludes his journey in the arctic which Robert Walton refers to as the “country of eternal light”. Light in the novel often symbolizes knowledge and discovery and we see small figures of different light sources before the darkness following Victor’s creation of the creature. Due to the pattern of tragedy in darkness, I thought it was interesting that Victor’s search of the creature takes place in the country of eternal light. I think that this highlights the destructive nature of his ambitions which ultimately leads to his death. The setting creates a sense of irony, in a location where the sun never sets there is also an unparalleled sense of loneliness and isolation. Humanity is nowhere to be found and the harsh cold physical nature of the arctic represents the consequences of Victor’s pursuit of forbidden knowledge while also mirroring his emotional and physical ruins.