Frankenstein Chapter 19 Quotes Quiz & Flashcards

Study Notes

Chapter 19 - 21 Quotes Analysis

Doubling and Identity: Victor Frankenstein recognizes his past self in Clerval, suggesting a thematic doubling linked to identity and self-perception.
Symbol of Despair: The imagery of a "blasted tree" signifies Victor's profound inner turmoil and lost vitality, evoking the emotional weight of his past suffering.
Chains of Suffering: Victor's brief moment of freedom is overshadowed by his enduring psychological and emotional bondage, stressing the lasting impact of his traumas.
Blunted Sensations: A commentary on human suffering; Victor reflects on the indifference of the Scottish island's inhabitants to their bleak existence, which mirrors the Creature's own plight.
Semantic Field of Misery: Repeated references to "miserable" highlight the bleakness of the island, enhancing a feeling of desolation and despair.
Sublime Desolation: The Scottish island is portrayed as a landscape of horror, foreshadowing the Creature's arrival and the calamities that follow.
Contrast in Creation: Victor's second attempt at creating life is devoid of the initial excitement, highlighting his detachment and the gruesome realities of his scientific endeavors.
Dehumanization of the Creature: Victor's term "race of devils" indicates a prejudiced view of the Creature and its potential offspring, showcasing his fears and dehumanizing attitudes.
Guilt and Consequences: Victors' recognition of the potential consequences of his actions illustrates a change in perception, revealing his egoism and the heavy burden of guilt.
Grin of Monstrosity: The Creature's smile is described ominously, linking it back to the initial moments of creation; Victor's horror persists.
Witness to Despair: The Creature's reaction to the destruction of his mate amplifies the theme of rejection and highlights Victor’s moral descent into violence.
Role Reversal: The Creature asserts dominance over Victor, underscoring the reversal of power dynamics between creator and creation, marking Victor's loss of control.
Isolation and Longing: The Creature articulates the deep injustice of his loneliness, mirroring the Biblical longing of Adam, indicative of his failed existential contract with Victor.
Intellect Denied: Victor's refusal to acknowledge the potential intellect of the female Creature exemplifies his ongoing denial of her humanity.
Threat of Vengeance: The Creature's ominous words foreshadow a deadly confrontation, emphasizing the dire consequences of Victor’s past decisions.
Self-Identification with Evil: The Creature likens himself to a serpent, drawing parallels to sin and evil, and highlighting the moral complexities of his existence.
Misinterpretation of Fate: Victor's misunderstanding of the Creature’s threat showcases his egotism and constant resignation to a tragic fate.
Sense of Guilt: Victor experiences feelings akin to guilt, recognizing the act of killing the Creature as akin to murder, reflecting deep psychological conflict.
Superhuman Torment: Victor perceives himself as uniquely suffering, likening his anguish to that of Prometheus, which enhances the themes of punishment and sacrifice.
Oppressive Isolation: Victor’s suffering in darkness and solitude highlights his victimization, showing parallels with the Creature’s own experiences of alienation.
Approaching Mortality: The emphasis on imminent death conveys a sense of despair and the weight of accumulated anguish that Victor carries.
Hallucinations and Madness: The presence of the Creature's glaring eyes suggests psychological turmoil, possibly indicating Victor's descent into madness.
Inexpressible Horror: Victor's reaction to Clerval's corpse moves beyond words, embodying the Gothic elements of terror and horror that characterize his experiences.
Monstrous Creation: Victor reflects on the Creature's monstrosity, contrasting its external appearance with its lack of soul, emphasizing themes of humanity and monstrosity.

Description

Explore key quotes from chapters 19 to 21 of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'. This quiz focuses on Victor's reflections and emotional turmoil, highlighting themes of identity and despair. Test your understanding of the text with these insightful flashcards.