50 Frankenstein Quotes. Oh! I gazed with a kind of wonder. It was a divine spring; and the season contributed greatly to my convalescence. Frankenstein, Chapter 2. He didn't even return to the apartment. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. you wish to eat me and tear me to pieces. You dare not keep me.' You had endowed me with perceptions and passions and then cast me abroad an object for the scorn and horror of mankind. No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. When he first makes the creature he runs from it, leaving the creature to fend for himself; even when reuniting with the creature he continues displays cruelty. Her hair of a shining raven black, and curiously braided; her eyes were dark, but gentle, although animated; her features of a regular proportion, and her complexion wondrously fair, each cheek tinged with a lovely pink. How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? ugly wretch! Romantics invariably equated nature with God, attributing magical powers to it. "Soon after my arrival in the hovel, I discovered some papers in the pocket of the . I gazed with a kind of wonder. board with our, See Unlike Victor, the monster was never loved because of the way he looked. But he has already recovered his spirits, and is reported to be on the point of marrying a lively pretty Frenchwoman, Madame Tavernier. "He struggled violently. "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Victor Frankenstein Quotes Analysis. The first problem seems to be that the monster has no money, friends, or property. He is now filled with remorse and a desire to die. Beauty may only be skin deep, but, as Shmoop's campus gym once advertised, no one can see your brain from twenty feet away. Frankenstein at a glance is all about the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, who is captivated and so consumed by the thought of the secrets to . You are an ogre. What was I? (13.19). I contemplated the lake: the waters were placid; all around was calm, and the snowy mountains, the palaces of nature, were not changed. Like Victor Frankenstein, Walton is a man who has ambitions to make a great discovery, and doesnt pay attention to the danger involved. A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed that it was the wretch, the filthy daemon to whom I had given life. Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember. (7.22). For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I sank to the ground, and my injurer, with increased swiftness, escaped into the wood., Let me go, he cried; monster! Some years ago, when the images which this world affords first opened upon me, when I felt the cheering warmth of summer and heard the rustling of the leaves and the warbling of the birds, and these were all to me, I should have wept to die; now it is my only consolation. The first specific quote that shows Dr. Frankenstein pondering the consequences of his actions is when he states, "but now that I had . By her choice of words readers are hooked to think Victor is the antagonist. The statement Mary Shelley seem to make about her novel is that beauty is usually found threw love, youth and innocence. Who was I? Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred., I persuaded myself that when they should become acquainted with my admiration of their virtues, they would compassionate me, and overlook my personal deformity. "There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand." - Robert Walton, 'Frankenstein'. I rushed from my hiding-place and with extreme labour, from the force of the current, saved her and dragged her to shore. Although her disposition was gay and in many respects inconsiderate, yet she paid the greatest attention to every gesture of my aunt. "Yet she appeared confident in innocence and did not tremble, although gazed on and execrated by thousands, for all the kindness which her beauty might otherwise have excited was obliterated in the minds of the spectators by the imagination of the enormity she was supposed to have . My papa is a syndiche is M. Frankensteinhe will punish you. Frankenstein Quotes. The storm appeared to approach rapidly, and, on landing, I ascended a low hill, that I might observe its progress. my own beautiful lake! All, save I, were at rest or in enjoyment; I, like the arch-fiend, bore a hell within me, and finding myself unsympathized with, wished to tear up the trees, spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin., The mildness of my nature had fled, and all within me was turned to gall and bitterness. After abandoning his creature and spending time in nature with childhood friend Henry, Victor Frankenstein discovers the restorative powers of nature. and the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents ' house--my more than sister--the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations, His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Victor is consumed with grief after the death of Elizabeth at the hands of the monster he created. On seeing me, he darted towards me, and tearing the girl from my arms, hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood. I dreaded to behold this monster (Shelly 62). After creating the creature, Victor realises that. The monster was deserted without an advocate to speak for him, as his appearance would not allow him the opportunity to be heard. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Elizabeth Lavenza in her letter to Victor, on how he valued Justine Moritzs great beauty. In this quote, Frankenstein details his solitary trip to Montanvert to grieve the death of his brother William. On seeing me, he darted towards me, and tearing the girl from my arms, hastened towards the deeper parts of the wood. Frankenstein, Chapter 2. William immediately thinks that the monster is, well, a monster. (16.19-20). Frankenstein, Chapter 24. Is this to prognosticate peace, or to mock at my unhappiness?. The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit. "I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge.". He is unable to make any sense of his existence and he cannot find his place in the world and the link with humankind. His love for nature and the perspective it provides is invoked throughout the novel. This film was a great success and was followed by dozens of variations on the . The monsters ugly appearance is equated with fiendishness. Frankenstein Quote #1. `Let me go,' he cried; `monster! When he heard the sound of my approach, he ceased to utter exclamations of grief and horror and sprung towards the window. The light refers to new ideas and discoveries that have yet to be found by humanity. . Farewell, my dear, excellent Margaret. Term. (4.10), The beauty of nature distracts Victor from his other worries. I must say also a few words to you, my dear cousin, of little darling William. Over him hung a form which I cannot find words to describegigantic in stature, yet uncouth and distorted in its proportions.As he hung over the coffin, his face was concealed by long locks of ragged hair; but one vast hand was extended, in colour and apparent texture like that of a mummy. Safie is soooooo pretty. A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy daemon, to whom I had given life. Quotes from Frankenstein about Destiny. Fiend that thou art! I passed whole days on the lake alone in a little boat, watching the clouds, and listening to the rippling of the waves, silent and listless. During this short voyage I saw the lightning playing on the summit of Mont Blanc in the most beautiful figures. Felix associates beauty and sweetness in Safie. Frankenstein, Chapter 16. She continued her course along the precipitous sides of the river, when suddenly her foot slipped, and she fell into the rapid stream. I started up and beheld a radiant form rise from among the trees. However, that was not the case, he was not able to run away from his problems. Great God! Even in death she was still seen as beautiful as shown when Victor Frankenstein saved her head for the monsters bride. I stepped fearfully in: the apartment was empty, and my bedroom was also freed from its hideous guest. Darkness had no effect upon my fancy, and a churchyard was to me merely the receptacle of bodies deprived of life, which, from being the seat of beauty and strength, had become food for the worm. His appearance, different from any I had ever before seen, and his flight somewhat surprised me. Her ugly sister, Manon, married M. Duvillard, the rich banker, last autumn. 913 Words4 Pages. Over two hundred years ago Mary Shelley, at age nineteen, published the gothic novel Frankenstein.It has become a classic of English literature. He just fled hoping that abandoning his creation would solve the problem. I stepped fearfully in: the apartment was empty, and my bedroom was also freed from its hideous guest. Frankenstein, Chapter 16. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung, in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick. It looks like judging people based on their appearances isn't as straightforward as it seems. Frankenstein, Chapter 13. Could they turn from their door one, however monstrous, who solicited their compassion and friendship?, Do not despair. The monsters last attempt to find a place in society is ruined when the family returns to their blind father. The creatures desire for affection and love makes him appear a sympathetic and deeply human character. The beauty of the church is juxtaposed with the ugliness and decay of death. 1. As I stood at the door, on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak which stood about twenty yards from our house; and so soon as the dazzling light vanished, the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump. At length lassitude succeeded to the tumult I had before endured, and I threw myself on the bed in my clothes, endeavouring to seek a few moments of forgetfulness. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch. Could he be (I shuddered at the conception) the murderer of my brother? (7.20). this is thy funeral, this thy dirge!" Throughout the story Elizabeth is praised for her beauty and is thought to be good and innocent because of it. There, Margaret, the sun is forever visible, its broad disk just skirting the horizon and diffusing a perpetual splendour. Provide specific quotes from the text as evidence for all of your answers in correct M L A format. His nature is to be good and kind, but society only views his external appearance which is deformed. However this theme should also teach readers that beauty is subjective to the one perceiving and should be used objectively when judging ones character. In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein brings his creation to life and has to endure the repercussions of his actions. The monster hopes to gain the confidence of the De Lacey family so they would overlook his deformed looks. Frankenstein, Chapter 23. Frankenstein Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices. Notice that the "spark of being"i.e., something like the soulmakes him even more hideous? No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. The natural world is beautiful and capable of destruction at the same time. How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form? The monsters character was affected by the amount of beauty he lacked in this way. A tear seemed to dim her eye when she saw us, but she quickly recovered herself, and a look of sorrowful affection seemed to attest her utter guiltlessness. During this short voyage I saw the lightning playing on the summit of Mont Blanc in the most beautiful figures. The novel includes many interesting events. let me goMy papa isM. He wants nothing to do with the monster it frightens him so that he deserts it to fend for itself in his apartment not caring about any sort of trouble the monster can cause: I then reflected, and the thought made me shiver, that the creature whom I had left in my apartment might still be in there, alive and walking about. Victor Frankenstein is revulsed by the hideousness of the creature he has created. "One thing cannot be denied: the creature is exceedingly ugly" (Gigante 565) More than anything else Frankenstein's Creature has become known for his beauty, or indeed his lack thereof. Walton is on a quest to reach the northernmost part of the earth. Victor hopes that people will learn from his mistakes, accept their own limitations and not try to be greater than their own nature. Had the villagers given the monster the chance to prove himself many deaths may had been avoided which leads the underlying message to be a classic saying of dont judge a book by its cover. To die so miserably; to feel the murderer's grasp! Miserable, unhappy wretch!, I was dependent on none and related to none. He does eventually overcome these obstacles, although it is undoubtedly too late. But on you only had I any claim for pity and redress, and from you I determined to seek that justice which I vainly attempted to gain from any other being that wore the human form. Beauty, throughout the whole book, is seen as safe, charming, and benevolent. You dare not keep me., As I fixed my eyes on the child, I saw something glittering on his breast. (13.17). The sight of the awful and majestic in nature had indeed always the effect of solemnizing my mind and causing me to forget the passing cares of life. (16.27-29). "It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn". Frankenstein, Robert Walton in Letter 1. "Nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose- a point on which the soul can focus its intellectual eye". She is very clever and gentle, and extremely pretty; as I mentioned before, her mein and her expression continually remind me of my dear aunt., I wept like a child. The Hollywood film Frankenstein (1931), with Boris Karloff as the monster, was based as much on The Golem as on Shelley's novel. What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? I sawwith shut eyes, but acute mental visionI saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. On the evening previous to her being brought to my home, my mother had said playfully, "I have a pretty present for my Victor--tomorrow he shall have it." I determined to go without a guide, for I was well acquainted with the path, and the presence of another would destroy the solitary grandeur of the scene. Frankenstein, Chapter 5. She was tranquil, yet her tranquility was evidently constrained; and as her confusion had before been adduced as a proof of her guilt, she worked up her mind to an appearance of courage. The aim of the study is to investigate about the mythical norms created by the society about beauty and ugliness and that if an ugly person reacts devastatingly then its just the mere reflection of the society that how they treat a person as we can witness in Mary Shelley Frankenstein. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, while often regarded as a horror and science fiction novel, is also representative of the Romantic movement of the time. That all the deeds done by the monster in the novel is totally the fight towards beauty and ugliness. You wish to eat me and tear me to pieces. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch. This caused a lot of anger for the monster, and he would then release this anger onto Victor to make him pay for abandonment. The sun might shine or the clouds might lower, but nothing could appear to me as it had done the day before. Much like children in a schoolyard the villagers did not accept him because he was not like them. Within Frankenstein cruelty can be attributed, often affecting both Victor and the creature; serving as a crucial motivator and revealing their anger, pain, frustration till eventually both die. Now I was led to examine the cause and progress of this decay and forced to spend days and nights in vaults and charnel-houses. Frankenstein, Chapter 2. He wants his companions to be "amiable"but first of all, he wants them to be "lovely. 9. I remembered the effect that the view of the tremendous and ever-moving glacier had produced upon my mind when I first saw it. Nature and the landscape around him. Victor Frankenstein is awed by the beauty and violence contained together in nature during a lighting storm. "It was about seven in the morning, and I longed to obtain food and shelter; at length I perceived a small hut, on a rising ground, which had doubtless been built for the convenience of some shepherd. Frankenstein, Chapter 5. It was the 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. It doesn't take long for the monster to go from ugly-and-kind to ugly-and-murderous, and the whole transformation takes place because he's ugly. The dissecting room and the slaughter-house furnished many of my materials; and often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupation, whilst, still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work near to a conclusion. Promethean ambition is a dominant aspect in Macbeth, Victor and the creature which compels them to perpetrate monstrous acts. On. This natural occurrance is what prompts Victors fascination with science. Elizabeth life would be considered to be an ideal princess dream little girls dream of prior to the monsters birth. In both the novel and film, there is a strong overarching theme of appearance vs. reality, which, when studied closely, can tie in to other elements of fiction in each text. (2.9). Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung; in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick., I rushed from my hiding-place and with extreme labour, from the force of the current, saved her and dragged her to shore. Quote about the monster finding the papers documenting his creation. The Romantic movement began in . After it is created, one of the first experiences the monster has is seeing the moon in the sky, enjoying its beauty and foraging for food with its light. Victor Frankenstein says these words in Chapter 2 while recalling his childhood. She thought her the model of all excellence and endeavoured to imitate her phraseology and manners, so that even now she often reminds me of her. How much more a murdered that could destroy radiant innocence! By continuing well assume you As I stood at the door, on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak which stood about twenty yards from our house; and so soon as the dazzling light vanished, the oak had disappeared, and nothing remained but a blasted stump. The monster is upset that normal people will not treat him with kindness merely because he is not attractive. Agatha fainted, and Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage. How does a six-year-old kid learn about ogres? This item: Frankenstein Book Poster Mary Shelley Literary Quotes Poster Wall Art Prints Deco Living Room Painting for Bedroom Wall Decor for Hallway (20x30inch(50x75cm),Framed) $79.66 In stock. Here he is describing Victor Frankenstein. The monster to Victor on his sense of isolation and loneliness, as he reflects on his deformities and differences from man. The natural world is at once beautiful and capable of immense destruction. Victors obsession to act superhuman blinded him while he was creating the creature because he had a desire to assemble the creature from makeshift parts so that the creature would be hideous and therefore inferior to Victor. It was not splintered by the shock, but entirely reduced to thin ribbons of wood. Inspirited by this wind of promise, my daydreams become more fervent and vivid. It was not splintered by the shock, but entirely reduced to thin ribbons of wood. (5.4). Share. . 10. how do you welcome your wanderer? Victor is willing to abandon his own creation because he views the creature as a, filthy mass that moved and talked (136). Singer. Let me go, or I will tell my papa. He seeks love from different people, but everyone treats him bad. (Click the themes infographic to download.) As the old man is blind he cannot see the hideous monster, therefore doesnt judge him based on appearance. Hm. 1 / 38. Mary Shelley displays through her writing that outer beauty does not always mean it is the best or the most innocent, but at some points the total opposite. Soon a gentle light stole over the heavens and gave me a sensation of pleasure. For a few moments I gazed with delight on her dark eyes, fringed by deep lashes, and her lovely lips; but presently my rage returned; I remembered that I was forever deprived of the delights that such beautiful creatures could bestow and that she whose resemblance I contemplated would, in regarding me, have changed that air of divine benignity to one expressive of disgust and affright.. The beautiful Justine who wears the appearance of an innocent despite the grave crime she is accused of. (16.32). "My education was neglected, yet I was passionately fond of reading.". "The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Victor selfishly creates the Creature to gain prestige, pretentiously claiming himself as a human god when he succeeds and saying it was for the sake of humanity. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy . His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath (60), however, he was in a state of semblance believing his creation was preeminent. De Lacey to the monster. But my heart sank within me as with bitter sickness, and I refrained. Frankenstein, Robert Walton in "Letter 1". Frankenstein, Chapter 2. Although he could succeed in doing things such as saving a little drowning girl his appearance gave his character a hard life because in the eyes of villagers beautiful things did good and ugly things did evil. The beauty of Elizabeth and the goodness for which it stands are threatened by Victors scientific endeavors and the ugly thing he has created. I could hardly believe that so great a good fortune could have befallen me, but when I became assured that my enemy had indeed fled, I clapped my hands for joy and ran down to Clerval. But where was mine? 'Thus not the tenderness of friendship, nor the beauty of earth, nor of heaven, could redeem my soul from woe; the very accents of love were ineffectual.'. Before going into what happens when there is an absence of beauty one first has to determine what is beautiful. Frankenstein, Chapter 7. (5.3). But it was in vain; I slept, indeed, but I was disturbed by the wildest dreams. This benefit was fully repaid; Justine was the most grateful little creature in the world: I do not mean that she made any professions I never heard one pass her lips, but you could see by her eyes that she almost adored her protectress. It advanced; the heavens were clouded, and I soon felt the rain coming slowly in large drops, but its violence quickly increased. "I was scarcely hid when a young girl came running towards the spot where I was concealed, laughing, as if she ran from someone in sport. This breeze, which has traveled from the regions towards which I am advancing, gives me a foretaste of those icy climes. Victor's quote on nature, earth and science show how he harnessed the powers of science for personal gain in the creation of his famous monster creature. I could hardly believe that so great a good fortune could have befallen me, but when I became assured that my enemy had indeed fled, I clapped my hands for joy and ran down to Clerval. She is very clever and gentle, and extremely pretty; as I mentioned before, her mein and her expression continually remind me of my dear aunt. They point out Victor's great desire and goal: to reach and possess divine knowledge. Three of the best book quotes from Justine. Even though he didnt do anything wrong, Felix judged him based on his looks and attacked him. While Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, and The Prestige, directed by Christopher Nolan, are both works of art that distinctly follow the codes and conventions of an epistolary story, they contain several other similarities and differences within their elements of fiction that can be used for analysis purposes. Victor is obsessed with discovering the secrets of nature. Two German films, The Golem (1914) and Homunculus (1916), dealt with a similar theme derived from Jewish folklore. Let me go. The monster recalls his first experiences of the beauty of the natural world. Let me go or I will tell my papaHideous monster! For each character the amount of beauty they had paralleled with the how much they were liked by people. Romanticism. Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change. ", "At that instant the cottage door was opened, and Felix, Safie, and Agatha entered. When Victor enters the University of Ingolstadt in Germany, however, he learns that the philosophers he's loved for so long have been widely discredited, dismissed as kooks, fakes, charlatans -- and worse. Frankenstein, Chapter 15. His appearance comes second. You must pardon me if I regard any interruption in your correspondence as a proof that your other duties are equally neglected." While Victor is in fact human, the question of whether the creature or Victor is more human still stands.