Frankenstein: Quotes

Quotes by theme

Revenge

Frankenstein: Revenge Quotes

“I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery.” (The Monster, Chapter 20)

This quote shows the Monster's desire for revenge against Victor, his creator. He sees Victor as a tyrant and tormentor who has caused him immense pain and suffering. The Monster wants to make Victor suffer as he has suffered and promises to curse the sun that shines on his misery. This quote highlights the destructive nature of revenge, as the Monster's desire for revenge has consumed him and led him to want to inflict harm on others.

“Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.” (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 24)

In this quote, Victor warns Walton against the dangers of ambition and urges him to seek happiness in tranquility. This foreshadows Victor's own descent into obsessive ambition and the disastrous consequences that follow. It also highlights the theme of revenge, as Victor's ambition ultimately leads to the creation of the Monster and his desire for revenge against his creator.

“I will revenge my injuries: if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear; and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred.” (The Monster, Chapter 17)

This quote highlights the Monster's desire for revenge against his creator, Victor. He vows to cause fear if he cannot inspire love, and reserves his greatest hatred for Victor, whom he sees as his arch-enemy. This quote emphasizes the destructive nature of revenge, as the Monster's desire for vengeance has consumed him and led him to seek harm against his creator.

“I must pursue and destroy the being to whom I gave existence; then my lot on earth will be fulfilled and I may die.” (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 24)

In this quote, Victor resolves to pursue and destroy the Monster, his own creation. He sees this as his duty and believes that it is the only way to fulfill his purpose on earth. This quote highlights the cycle of revenge that exists between Victor and the Monster, as each seeks revenge against the other for the harm they have caused.

“I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge.” (The Monster, Chapter 16)

This quote illustrates the Monster's complex emotional state and his evolving mindset throughout the novel. It showcases his struggle to navigate his own identity, his battle against despair, and his overwhelming feelings of anger and desire for vengeance. It captures the Monster's profound internal conflict, as he grapples with his own humanity and the consequences of his actions.

Nature

“The sun sank beneath the horizon; the heavens were draped in black, and the rain pattered dismally against the panes, as I viewed the half-extinguished light of the cottage, which twinkled faintly in the yellow light that arose from the moon, sunk behind the trees.” - Chapter 22

This quote represents the use of pathetic fallacy, where nature is used to reflect the emotions of the characters. The dark and dreary weather reflects the despair and hopelessness felt by the creature.

“The immense mountains and precipices that overhung me on every side, the sound of the river raging among the rocks, and the dashing of the waterfalls around spoke of a power mighty as Omnipotence — and I ceased to fear or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements, here displayed in their most terrific guise.” - Chapter 9

This quote shows how the power of nature is used to inspire awe and reverence in characters, and how they can find solace and comfort in its grandeur.

“The very winds whispered in soothing accents, and maternal Nature bade me weep no more.” - Chapter 10

Here, nature is personified as maternal and nurturing, providing comfort and support to characters in times of distress.

“The moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding-places.” - Chapter 9

This quote represents the connection between Victor and nature, as he uses it as inspiration and guidance in his scientific pursuits.

“The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage, but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” - Chapter 4

This quote shows the contrast between the beauty of nature and the obsession of Victor with his scientific experiments, highlighting the danger of ignoring the natural world in pursuit of knowledge and ambition.

Isolation

Isolation quotes in Frankenstein

“But I was in reality very ill, and surely nothing but the unbounded and unremitting attentions of my friend could have restored me to life” (Chapter 5).

This quote, spoken by Victor Frankenstein, highlights his isolation and dependence on Henry Clerval after he falls ill following the creation of the monster. Without Clerval's constant care and attention, Victor may have died alone.

“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).

In this quote, the monster speaks of his own isolation and loneliness, unable to find any companionship or acceptance from humans due to his physical appearance.

“My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture” (Chapter 10).

This quote reveals the Monster's deep yearning for love and connection, as well as the devastating consequences of his experiences of rejection and misery. It underscores the Monster's struggle to reconcile his initial compassionate nature with the profound changes forced upon him by his circumstances. It highlights the tragic irony of a being created with the potential for love and empathy but ultimately driven to vice and hatred due to the harsh realities he faces.

“I was dependent on none and related to none. The path of my departure was free, and there was none to lament my annihilation” (Chapter 17).

This quote, spoken by the monster, highlights the ultimate isolation that he feels as he contemplates his own death. He is alone in the world and no one will mourn his passing.

“I have lately been so engaged in one occupation that I have not allowed myself sufficient rest, as you see; but I hope, I sincerely hope, that all these employments are now at an end, and that I am at length free” (Chapter 5).

In this quote, Victor speaks to Walton about the end of his obsession with creating life, which has left him isolated and consumed by his own work. His hope for freedom suggests a desire to escape the isolation that he has created for himself.

Dangerous Knowledge

“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.” - Victor Frankenstein (Chapter 4)

This quote by Victor Frankenstein represents the theme of dangerous knowledge in the novel. Here, he warns Walton of the dangers of pursuing knowledge beyond one's natural limits. He speaks from personal experience, having pursued knowledge beyond what was appropriate and caused his own downfall.

“The sun sank beneath the horizon, and we proceeded homeward. I paused and spoke to the old man. ‘You should not have spoken to me like that. It was wrong, and you know it was wrong. Why did you do it? Do you hate me?’ ‘I do not,’ he replied, and before I could say more he walked away.” - The Monster (Chapter 16)

This quote represents the danger of knowledge and the consequences of isolation. The monster, having learned to read and speak on his own, confronts the old man, who then rejects him. The monster's knowledge has led him to believe that he can find acceptance and companionship, but his isolation and appearance cause him to be rejected by society.

“A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility. I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule.” - Elizabeth Lavenza (Chapter 4)

This quote sheds light on Victor's personal philosophy, emphasizing his desire for control, order, and intellectual pursuits. It also highlights his struggle with the consequences of his own ambition and the detrimental effects that his obsessive pursuit of knowledge and creation have had on his well-being.

Through this quote, Mary Shelley explores themes of ambition, the limits of knowledge, and the potential dangers of unchecked passion. It raises questions about the balance between intellectual pursuits and emotional well-being, highlighting the ethical and moral responsibilities that come with the acquisition of knowledge.

“The moon gazed on my midnight labours, while, with unrelaxed and breathless eagerness, I pursued nature to her hiding places.” - Victor Frankenstein (Chapter 4)

This quote uses imagery to emphasize Victor's intense pursuit of knowledge, even at the cost of his own health and well-being. The use of the moon as a symbol of nature further emphasizes his obsession with the natural world.

“Seek happiness in tranquillity and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.” - Victor Frankenstein (Chapter 24)/blockquote>
This quote represents the theme of dangerous knowledge and the warning against ambition. In this quote, Victor warns Walton against the dangers of ambition and urges him to seek happiness in tranquility. This foreshadows Victor's own descent into obsessive ambition and the disastrous consequences that follow. It also highlights the theme of revenge, as Victor's ambition ultimately leads to the creation of the Monster and his desire for revenge against his creator.

Ambition

“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.” (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 4)

This quote comes early in the novel and sets the stage for the theme of ambition. Victor warns against the dangers of seeking knowledge beyond what is natural or healthy, implying that his own ambition has led him down a dark path.

“A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.” (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 4)

Here, Victor reveals his ambition to create life and become a godlike figure. He sees himself as a creator of a new species, and his ambition blinds him to the potential consequences of his actions.

“You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” (Victor Frankenstein to Walton, Letter 4)

This quote shows that Victor sees his ambition as a warning to others, acknowledging the danger that comes with seeking knowledge and wisdom beyond what is natural or reasonable.

“I was seized by remorse and the sense of guilt, which hurried me away to a hell of intense tortures, such as no language can describe.” (Victor Frankenstein, Chapter 9)

This quote illustrates the negative consequences of unchecked ambition. Victor's guilt and remorse over his creation lead him to suffer intensely, showing that his ambition has ultimately brought him nothing but pain and suffering.

“I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred.” (The Monster, Chapter 10)

This quote shows that the Monster has become consumed by his own ambition for revenge against Victor, to the point where he is willing to cause fear in others and swear "inextinguishable hatred." The Monster's own ambition for revenge mirrors Victor's earlier ambition to create life and become godlike, highlighting the dangers of unchecked ambition in both characters.