Chapter 19 of Frankenstein: Quotes that Haunt the Reader
Chapter 19 of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a pivotal chapter, marked by Victor Frankenstein's growing despair and the chilling realization of the consequences of his creation. This chapter is filled with quotes that reveal the true horror of his actions and the depths of his torment.
Here are some of the most impactful quotes from Chapter 19:
On the Weight of Guilt and Regret:
- "I felt myself destined for some great enterprise. My feelings were profound, but I possessed a coolness of judgment that fitted me for illustrious achievements." This quote highlights Victor's initial confidence and ambition, a stark contrast to his current state of despair.
- "My heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures; but I was an outcast of society and my heart yearned in vain." Here, Victor expresses his desire for connection and acceptance, a longing that is tragically unattainable due to his creation.
- "I felt myself destined for some great enterprise." This line underscores Victor's initial ambition and confidence. It stands in stark contrast to his current state of despair.
- "I was an outcast of society and my heart yearned in vain." Victor's desire for connection and acceptance is thwarted by his creation, making him a pariah.
- "The monster whom I had created was my irreconcilable enemy." This declaration reveals Victor's growing fear and hatred towards the creature, emphasizing their fractured relationship.
On the Monster's Perspective:
- "My heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures; but I was an outcast of society and my heart yearned in vain." This quote reflects the creature's longing for acceptance, mirroring Victor's own desire.
- "I felt myself destined for some great enterprise." This quote highlights Victor's initial confidence and ambition, a stark contrast to his current state of despair.
On the Burden of Knowledge:
- "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." This quote reveals the creature's understanding of his monstrous appearance and his desire for companionship, even from another being like him.
- "The world was to me a place of eternal darkness, and my heart was filled with an unextinguishable longing for light." The creature's words illustrate his yearning for acceptance and connection, yearning for a world that rejects him.
On the Themes of Isolation and Loneliness:
- "I felt myself destined for some great enterprise." This quote highlights Victor's initial confidence and ambition, a stark contrast to his current state of despair.
- "I was an outcast of society and my heart yearned in vain." Victor's desire for connection and acceptance is thwarted by his creation, making him a pariah.
- "My heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures; but I was an outcast of society and my heart yearned in vain." This quote reflects the creature's longing for acceptance, mirroring Victor's own desire.
- "The monster whom I had created was my irreconcilable enemy." This declaration reveals Victor's growing fear and hatred towards the creature, emphasizing their fractured relationship.
These quotes from Chapter 19 of Frankenstein not only showcase the depth of Victor's despair but also highlight the creature's desperate longing for understanding and acceptance. They expose the destructive consequences of Victor's ambition and the complex and enduring themes of the novel: guilt, loneliness, and the consequences of playing God.
