Analyzing Quotes from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Essay Example

Victor accentuates how he started believing that he possessed Elizabeth; therefore, she was his responsibility. Perhaps, he adopted this approach in consequence of the stories concerning his parents. His father looked out for his mother at a time when she direly needed somebody; Victor too wanted to play the same role for Elizabeth. He seized the opportunity to take care of Elizabeth not because he pitied her but rather because he believed she was worth it; so she became dearer to him than everything else.

Quote: “I need not describe the feelings of those who dearest ties are rent by that most irreparable evil, the void that presents itself to the soil, and the despair that is exhibited on the countenance (Shelley).”

Victor is of the opinion that a person cannot put the immense trauma of a loved one’s death into words. Therefore, he considers it futile to expound on the sentimental state of a person after suffering the death of someone close. The hollowness and void from such a death are irrecoverable. Nobody can escape from the phenomenon of death; hence, it is pointless to express one's emotions, as everyone will eventually experience the same. These words can also imply that despite people’s sympathies, nobody can truly understand the agony from the loss of a loved one until they undergo the same experience. His words mirror his despondency and devastation from his mother’s death.

Quote: “My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement, but by some law, in my temperature, they were turned not towards childish pursuits but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things indiscriminately (Shelley).”

This quote reveals that Victor was hot-blooded and quick-angered but he directed this energy towards attaining knowledge and his ultimate goal. In other words, he did not let that negative energy from a violent temper be vested in immature acts, unlike other kids. Rather, he focused that energy towards his quest for knowledge. In addition, he did not learn about random subjects but particularly gained knowledge that was of interest to him.

Quote: “So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation (Shelley).”

Victor to Walton in Chapter 3 articulates the above words. He tries to explain to him how his professor provoked him to uncover the enigma of life. The use of third-person by Victor depicts that his desire for uncovering the secret of life is irrepressible and uncontrollable. His forceful speech reflects that he shall not be deterred by the thought of probable repercussions of his quest for knowledge about life. Not only does he yearn to learn something but rather discover something unknown to humankind, the secret to life. Furthermore, his statement demonstrates his belief in fatalism, as he believes that his quest is pre-destined. In addition, these words also widen the gulf between Walton’s spatial study and Frankenstein’s quest of revealing the secret of life. Both men are in search of novel ways to advance far ahead of the recognized limits (Morton).

Quote: “The labors of men of genius, however erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind (Shelley).”

Victor’s chemistry professor, Waldon, uttered these words extracted from chapter 3. He emphasizes to Victor that if man whole-heartedly strives for a cause, it is impossible for him not to accomplish success. Moreover, he accentuates that even if a person’s efforts are directed in the wrong direction, they will ultimately lead to good. His words carry wisdom and truth as every experiment in history eventually led to favorable outcomes. Therefore, a person should solely focus on the struggle, as they will eventually prove advantageous for humankind. These words reignite in Victor his previous desire to learn the secret of life.