Frankenstein Chapter 19 Quotes Quiz & Flashcards

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.