Frankenstein: Key Quotes

Chapter 16, page 146. The Creature's fall from goodness mirrors that of Satan.

'I, like the arch-fiend, bore a hell within me.'

Chapter 17, page 155. This highlights the Creature's deterministic attitude.

"I am malicious because I am miserable."

Chapter 3, page 49. Frankenstein refusing to take responsibility for his actions.

"Chance or rather the evil influence of the angel of destruction

Chapter 17, page 156. Frankenstein accepts a portion of responsibility to his Creature which he has not previously shown. He begins to recognise the Creature's humanity.

"Did I not, as his maker, owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow?"

Chapter 16, page 154. The Creature's isolation leads him to request a mate from Frankenstein. Link to Paradise Lost.

"I am alone, and miserable."

Chapter 17, page 155. The Creature views the notion of companionship a matter of simple justice, which links to God making a wife for 'Adam' in Paradise Lost.

"I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede."

Chapter 4, page 60. Leads to Frankenstein's lack of social empathy

'I shunned my fellow creatures.'

Chapter 2, page 40. Demonstrates Promethean ambition and god-like aspirations.

"It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn."

Chapter 4, page 59. Frankenstein's withdrawal from nature leads to his transgressive act of creation.

"My eyes were insensible to the charms of nature."

Chapter 16, page 151. William has already been educated, further highlighting to the Creature the prejudice in society.

"You are an ogre."

Chapter 3, page 51. Determinism and Frank not taking responsibility for his actions.

"The words of fate enounced to destroy me"

Chapter 8, page 94. Illustrates Frankenstein's perception of the Creature, as well as illustrating Frankenstein's naivety regarding his involvement in the Creature's actions.

'A Creature capable of a crime which none but the devil himself could have perpetrated.'

Chapter 19, page 176. Frankenstein's Promethean ambition had previously blinded him to the horrors of his creation.

'A kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment'

Chapter 4, page 58. Selfish aspirations to become a deity. He expects his new race to look gratefully upon him as their deliverer. Trying to usurp the role of God.

'A new species would bless me as its Creator and source'

Chapter 20, page 178. Frankenstein persists in viewing his unwanted creation as a threatening 'other'.

'A race of devils would be propagated upon the earth'

Chapter 6, page 76. Plays down the gravity of his experiment - refusing to accept responsibility. Use of litotes.

'A selfish pursuit had cramped and narrowed me.'

Chapter 7, page 77. Alphonse's words are ironic as Victor's prolonged absence has affected his ability to empathise with society.

'Absence could not have rendered you callous to our joys and griefs.'

page 238. The Creature poignantly views the 'injustice' of his persecution.

'Am I thought to be the only criminal when all human kind sinned against me'

Page 238. Narrative. Creature alerting Walton that Frank is an unreliable narrator.

'But in the detail which he gave you of them, he could not sum up the hours and moths of misery which I endured'

Chapter 21, page 190. This addition was made by Shelley in 1831 conveying her sadness over so many personal losses in her life. The irony being, Frankenstein has not been a 'doting parent' to his 'child'.

'Death snatches away many blooming children, the only hopes of their doting parents'

Chapter 20, page 179. Frankenstein's shocking destruction of the female Creature highlights his 'monstrous' character. He also seems to understand the implications of his murderous act in terms of his Creature's happiness.

'Destroy the Creature on whose future existence he depended for happiness'

Chapter 10, page. Links to determinism, John Locke's ideas (Tabula Rasa) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (noble savage)

'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.'

Letter 1, page 15. Walton's sister Margot warns Walton of the dangers of his Promethean ambition.

'Evil forebodings'

Chapter 10, page 110. Frankenstein is finally enlightened towards his duty as a creator. Creature's arguments highlight his intelligence in so far as it has convinced Frankenstein of his responsibility.

'For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were.'

Chapter 24, page 225. Frankenstein persists in viewing his Creature as an alien other.

'His soul is as hellish as his form.'

Chapter 10, page 107. The Creature chastises Frankenstein's dangerous Promethean ideals.

'How dare you sport thus with life?'

Chapter 19, page 171. This highlights Frankenstein's self imposed isolation; a cruel parody of the isolation he inflicts upon his Creature.

'I abhorred society.

Chapter 22, page 199. Highlights Frankenstein's self-imposed isolation, and his inability to empathise with others.

'I abhorred the face of man.'

Chapter 19, page 172. This draws back to the lightning bolt which strikes the oak tree (Page 44), encouraging Frankenstein to use the principle of galvanism to animate the Creature. It also highlights Frankenstein's lack of compassion and goodness.

'I am a blasted tree; the bolt has entered my soul.'

Letter 4, page 31. Frankenstein warning Walton regarding the dangers of the pursuit of knowledge. Link to Page 181 "I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting with its venom."

'I ardently hoped that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you.'

Chapter 8, page 95. Demonstrates similarities with the Creature; use of imagery from Paradise Lost.

'I bore a hell within me, which nothing could extinguish.'

Chapter 21, page 190. Frankenstein accepts responsibility and aligns himself with the Creature, which can be linked to the Creature's statement on Page 107 "to whom thou art bound by ties."

'I called myself the murderer of William.'

Chapter 15, page 145. This reflects the Creature's humanity, and his inherent goodness despite being 'abandoned' and ostracised.

'I could have torn him limb from limb... but... I refrained.'

Chapter 17, page 157. Frankenstein's lack of humanity contrasts with the Creature's sensitivity and compassion. This makes readers question Frankenstein's capacity to comply with the Creature's request.

'I could not sympathise with him'

Chapter 16, page 146. The Creature's turning point which also mirrors Satan's war against humanity and God.

'I declare ever-lasting war against the species'

Chapter 23, page 215. Frankenstein mirrors the Creature's quest for revenge. This echoes the Creature's words on Page 107 "Bound by ties, only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us."

'I devote myself, either in my life or death, to his destruction'

Chapter 16, page 151. Despite the Creature's rejection, he still wants to help humanity.

'I endeavoured...to restore animation.'

Chapter 16, page 151. The Creature's murder is arguably accidental. This differs from Frankenstein's perception of the murder.

'I grasped his throat to silence him'

Chapter 4, page 55. Foreshadows Creation scene. This links with the Creature's supernatural strengths, energies and capabilities.

'I had been animated by an almost supernatural enthusiasm.'

Chapter 9 ,page 97. Frankenstein's unstable narration as initially he sought personal glory (although you could argue he wanted to "banish disease from the human frame"- Page 43).

'I had begun life of benevolent intentions.'

Letter 2, page 19. Walton's Promethean ambition leads him to his inevitable isolation, and foreshadows his desire for Frankenstein's companionship.

'I have no friend.'

Chapter 5, page 63. Oedipus complex, Freud. - unnatural desire for his mother, death imagery suggest this embraces taboo. Mirrors violation of mother nature. Foreshadows death of loved ones. His punishing unconscious guilt denies him the embrace of his future wife. Suggests he's created life through death.

'I held the corpse of my dead mother in my arms.'

Chapter 13, page 129. Creature's ultimate isolation. The Creature understands the importance of such things that humans value so highly and shows is innate humanity and intelligence. This is tinged with sadness at the fact that he lacks these things and understands how much he lacks, this creates pathos.

'I possessed no money, no friends, no kind of property'

Chapter 20, page 181. The murder of Elizabeth mirrors Frankenstein's murder of his Creature's mate. Frankenstein crucially misinterprets the threat to apply to himself, highlighting his selfish personality.

'I shall be with you on your wedding night.'

Chapter 12, page 124. This stimulates an empathetic response from the reader and shows the Creature wants access to society and community the very thing which Frankenstein has 'shunned.'

'I should first win their favour, and afterwards their love.'

Chapter 9, page 97. Frankenstein's self-imposed isolation which has led to the Creature's rejection by society.

'I shunned the face of man.'

Chapter 21, page 194. Frankenstein's gesture to his own father cruelly highlights his own rejection of the Creature. Link to Page 63.

'I stretched out my hand to him and cried.'

Chapter 18, page 165. Frankenstein realises that he is losing control over his creation. Link to Page 180 - "you are my creator, but I am your master; - obey!"

'I was a slave of my Creature.'

Chapter 12, page 119. The Creature is deeply moved by the cottagers' misery. Creature showing empathy, a deeply human emotion.

'I was deeply affected by it'

Chapter 7, page 81. Links to Creature. Claiming fate is responsible for his actions.

'I was destined to become the most wretched of human beings.'

Chapter 12, page 120. The Creature portrays his inherent benevolence. This 'applied' approach to learning whereby the Creature learns to help others, could be a valuable lesson from which Frankenstein could learn.

'I was enabled to assist their labours.'

Chapter 12, page 123. The Creature's discovery of his own identity reflected in the pool makes him miserable. This comes after his good deeds and human emotions. This makes reader question what's makes someone human.

'I was in reality the monster.'

Page 237. The Creature suggests his malevolence is beyond his control as an individual, and he has 'no choice' but to act as he did.

'I was the slave, not the master.'

Letter 3, page 23. Walton is the opposite; he is unstable.

'I will be cool, preserving, and prudent'

Chapter 20, page 181. The Creature aligns himself with the character of 'Satan' from Paradise Lost, as he embodies the forbidden knowledge and the danger it possesses. Link to Page 31 Knowledge is a "serpent to sting you."

'I will watch with the wiliness of a snake that I may sting with its venom.'

Page 238-239. The Creature's only social experiences have been those teaching him to regard himself as a threat, and an ugly outcast. He is defined by total rejection. Link to Nicolas Marsh's discussing of the Creature's identity as an embodiment of the repressed industrial working class of Shelley's era.

'I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on.'

Page 234. Frankenstein momentarily accepts responsibility for his creation, and admits the flaws of his scientific principles.

'In a fit of enthusiastic madness, I created a rational Creature and was bound towards him.'

Chapter 11, page 113. The fire represents Shelley's portrayal of forbidden knowledge, whereby if you cross the boundary the consequences will be dire.

'In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.

Chapter 7, page 83. Similarity between Frankenstein and the Creature. He recognises that the Creature's personality emulates his character.

'In the light of my own vampire, my own spirit let loose from the grave, and forced to destroy all that was dear to me.'

Chapter 2, page 39. Frankenstein's self-imposed isolation inevitably leading to the Creature's exclusion from society.

'It was my temper to avoid a crowd, and to attach myself fervently to few.'

Chapter 4, page 57. Frankenstein's warning to Walton and also serves as Shelley's warning to the reader.

'Learn from me if not by my precepts...how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.'

Page 228. Like the Creature before him, Frankenstein links himself to 'Satan'.

'Like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell.'

Page 230. Walton feels he cannot refuse his sailors' request to return home. This mirrors Victor's initial response to the Creature.

'Make me a requisition which, in justice, I could not refuse.'

Chapter 15, page 139. The Creature laments he should be 'like Adam,' however he feels more aligned to Satan.

'Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition.'

Page 236. The Creature outlines his deterministic argument, asserting that he was initially "benevolent and good," but "misery made [him] a fiend."

'My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy; and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred.'

Chapter 1, page 38. Foreshadows Elizabeth's death and her treatment as a possession (feminine reading of text).

'My more than sister, since to the death she was to be mine only.'

Chapter 1, page 35. Frankenstein's ideal upbringing later contrasts with his treatment of the Creature. Contextual point: Mirrors Shelley's own views on the importance of parenting and the value of nurture.

'My mother's tender caresses, and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure.'

Chapter 15, page 141. The Creature is denied the comfort of any female company. Link - Frankenstein's dream, in which he is denied the embrace of his future wife Elizabeth, as she turns into the corpse of his dead mother. Frankenstein's punishing unconscious guilt will ensure the Creature is denied a mate.

'No Eve soothed my sorrows.'

Chapter 23. page 212. The Creature's act of revenge has made Victor as miserable as he is. This also highlights Victor's lack of empathy towards his creation.

'No creature had ever been so miserable as I was.'

Chapter 13, page 130. Creature's upbringing juxtaposed to Frankenstein's, 'My mother's tender caresses and my father's smile' - Page 35. Arguably the Creature is more deserving of a parental figure and love. There is a dichotomy in treatment with Shelley's use of the same words to show contrast.

'No father had watched my infant days, no mother had blessed me with smiles and caresses'

Chapter 5, page 63. Creature seeking comfort towards his father figure. Crucial misinterpretation by Frankenstein. Prejudice against appearance.

'One hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me.'

Chapter 10 (Creature's narrative), page 112. For the creature, the moon symbolises a maternal presence which could symbolise the active and watchful presence of Mary Shelley in the text. (The moon is typically a feminine symbol in romantic literature, symbolising gentleness and fertility). Mary Shelley's illustration of the importance of parental figures considering she lost her own mother and her own children.

'Soon a gentle light stole over the heavens, and gave me a sensation of pleasure.'

Chapter 13, page 129. Shelley highlights the dangers of knowledge. Link - Page 57 'Learn from me if not by my precepts... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge.' Frankenstein's warning to Walton. Is blissful ignorance better. Link to Handmaids Tale.

'Sorrow only increased with knowledge.'

Chapter 22, page 203. The sin had been committed. Frankenstein recognises he has transgressed the boundary of knowledge, demonstrating how he has acknowledged his reckless ambitions. Relates to Paradise Lost.

'The apple was already eaten.'

Chapter 5, page 62. Illustrates Frankenstein's blinkered attitude towards his ambitions.

'The beauty of the dream vanished.'

Page 238. The Creature again compares himself to 'Satan', which links to Frankenstein's 'fall' outlined by Walton earlier.

'The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.'

Chapter 8, page 96. Foreshadows death and illustrates Frankenstein's attempt to take responsibility for his actions.

'The first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts'

Chapter 18, page 163. Due to Frankenstein's transgressive (violation of moral/social boundaries) act of creation, he is unable to indulge in his own relationship, when that of his Creature is denied.

'The idea of an immediate union with Elizabeth was one of horror and dismay.'

Page 240. Shelley playing with ideas of light and darkness.

'The light of that conflagration will fade away; ... He was soon borne away by the waves, lost in darkness and distance'

Chapter 22, page 205. The Creature has not blinded him, but Victor himself is morally blind, and cannot foresee the consequences of abandoning his offspring.

'The monster had blinded me to his real intentions'

Chapter 10, page 105. Nature is presented by Shelley as a healing force which also highlights Frankenstein's dangerous violation of nature, which will inevitably lead to his downfall.

'The sight of the awful and majestic nature had indeed always the effect of solemnizing my mind.'

Chapter 11, page 115. The appalling ugliness of the Creature will ensure that he will be rejected by the society that Frankenstein himself turned his back on in order to create his 'son.' Link to JJR when 'Emile' was published, JJR was brutally attacked as his ideas (every man should be brought up to be loved and love) were seen as politically threatening.

'The whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked me.'

Letter 2, page 22. Walton's unstable ambitions lead to his dangerous pursuit of knowledge which links to Frankenstein.

'There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand'

Chapter 12, page 121. The Creature learns that language gives him a sense of empowerment, much like Frankenstein's quest to penetrate nature's secrets and to discover where 'the principle of life proceed[ed].' - Page 55.

'This was indeed a godlike science'

Chapter 10, page 107. The Creature highlights the inescapable link between the two of them.

'To whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us.'

Chapter 13, page 129. Industrial revolution, pollution. Artificial and not natural. Landscape ruined with the buildings of factories everywhere. 'Blot' implies a mistake with no use.

'Was I then a monster, a blot upon the earth'

Chapter 13, page 128. The Creature contemplating the duality of humanity. He has received such horrible treatment from humanity but still has faith in the humanity he has observed. The juxtaposition between what he has watched and what he has experienced.

'Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and base?'

Walton in continuation. Page 227. Walton portrays Frankenstein as a tragic figure, like 'Satan', the 'fallen angel'. Walton laments he must feel the "greatness of his fall." - Page 227.

'What a glorious creature must he have been...when he is thus noble and godlike in ruin!'

Chapter 15, page 140. Who can explain Frankenstein's desire that 'far exceeded moderation'? - Page 62.

'Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?

Chapter 10, page 109. Highlights Frankenstein's hypocrisy as well as the Creature's insight. Creature's own intelligence.

'You accuse me of murder; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature.'

Chapter 20, page 180. Frankenstein is unable to control his creation.

'You are my creator, but I am you master; - obey!'

Letter 4, page 28. Images/language of animation foreshadows the creation scene.

'You have benevolently restored me to life.'

Page 231. Frankenstein's 'rallying' speech to the sailors seems to contradict his earlier warning to Walton to draw an apt moral from his tale. Links to Page 58 "A new species would bless me as its creator and source."

'You were hereafter to be hailed as the benefactors of your species'

Chapter 13, page 129. Knowledge has an irresistible appeal which cannot be unlearnt.

'[Knowledge] clings to the mind... like a lichen on the rock.'

Chapter 2, page 40. Shows the incredibly positive and fortunate childhood that Frankenstein experienced which shows a bitterness towards Frankenstein as a character as Shelley didn't grow up with this tender love from her mother because she died, this prompts her emphasis on parental relationships and figures. Good life and still lead to a bad person (Frankenstein). A good person can have a good life (Creature)

'no human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself.'

Chapter 14 is the Creature telling the story of Safie and why the family is in the woods. It is the centre of the novel, the chiastic structure which suppresses the Creature's narrative similar so his suppression from society.

...

Chapter 10, page 108. The Creature laments his lost potential for goodness. He blames his creator for not doing his duty towards him. Religious imagery, could have been the good creation as Frank being God but instead the Creature is the devil.

I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel.