14.12.2021
Notes: Chapter 6 Summary/In-Depth Analysis
Themes: Knowledge, Justice, Equality, Rejection, Identity
The creature is learning that Man is evil, depraved and unable to be benevolent.
‘distant evil’ – the creature hasn’t yet realizes the full capacity for man’s evil, he still wants to
become part of the DeLacey family, an actor in their performance.
‘Paradise Lost’…Plutarch’s ‘Lives’ (2AD, 48 biography in Roman and Greek in pairs -
comparison)…’Sorrows of Werter’ (1774, about unrequited love – sentimental novel – deals
with the concept of death, which the creature is already curious about) – Juxtaposition of
the books that Victor reads and the creature reads.
‘prize’ and ‘treasure’ – the acquirement of knowledge is so important to both the creature
and Victor. The creature is just gaining more and more knowledge and power.
‘raised me to ecstasy but more frequently sunk me to the lowest dejection’ – he is learning
that he doesn’t belong. Knowledge is ruining the creature. The creature is learning about
emotions and is experiencing them himself.
‘disquisitions upon death and suicide were calculated…opinions of the hero, whose
extinction I wept’ – he understands the feelings of being abandoned by a parental figure.
The creature continues to compare and apply to his own life.
‘unformed in mind; I was depended on none and related to none’, he cannot truly
understand these emotions because he doesn’t have a family.
‘none to lament my annihilation’ – if he did die or kill himself, no-one would know/notice
because he did not have a family.
‘What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my
destination?’ the creature is questioning his very own existence.
‘far different effect on me…Plutarch taught me high thoughts’ – learning that humans kill
each other for gain and power.
‘greatest ardour for virtue rise within me’ – the creature is intrinsically a good being, link to
John Locke, everyone is born good. The creature is attracted to the heroes in the books,
‘firm hold on my mind’.
2nd King of Rome 70BC known for moderation, peac
‘far deeper emotions…it moved every feeling of wonder and awe’ – Paradise Lost is the book
that the creature really related with, ‘special care of his creator’ – Jealous of Adam and finds
that ‘Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition…the bitter gall of envy rose within me’.
’disgusting circumstance’ – the creature knows how he was created. ‘my odious and
loathsome person’ ‘cursed creator…filthy type of yours’ ‘I am solitary and abhorred’ ‘hours
of despondency and solitude’
‘compassionate me and overlook my personal deformity’ – optimistic like Godwin, so
hopeful.
‘dread lest I fail’ – the creature doesn’t rush in, not a overreacher (seven heavenly virtues -
temperance).
‘Increase of knowledge…wretched outcast I was’
‘fortify myself’
‘I cursed him’ – first time when he has actually cursed his creator – is foreboding because he
is changing, changing because of what he has learnt about humanity and himself.
‘beauty of the dream vanished’, Victor – creature wants to be loved and accepted. ‘kindness
and sympathy’
‘tolerated by my younger protectors’
Notes: Chapter 6 Summary/In-Depth Analysis
Themes: Knowledge, Justice, Equality, Rejection, Identity
The creature is learning that Man is evil, depraved and unable to be benevolent.
‘distant evil’ – the creature hasn’t yet realizes the full capacity for man’s evil, he still wants to
become part of the DeLacey family, an actor in their performance.
‘Paradise Lost’…Plutarch’s ‘Lives’ (2AD, 48 biography in Roman and Greek in pairs -
comparison)…’Sorrows of Werter’ (1774, about unrequited love – sentimental novel – deals
with the concept of death, which the creature is already curious about) – Juxtaposition of
the books that Victor reads and the creature reads.
‘prize’ and ‘treasure’ – the acquirement of knowledge is so important to both the creature
and Victor. The creature is just gaining more and more knowledge and power.
‘raised me to ecstasy but more frequently sunk me to the lowest dejection’ – he is learning
that he doesn’t belong. Knowledge is ruining the creature. The creature is learning about
emotions and is experiencing them himself.
‘disquisitions upon death and suicide were calculated…opinions of the hero, whose
extinction I wept’ – he understands the feelings of being abandoned by a parental figure.
The creature continues to compare and apply to his own life.
‘unformed in mind; I was depended on none and related to none’, he cannot truly
understand these emotions because he doesn’t have a family.
‘none to lament my annihilation’ – if he did die or kill himself, no-one would know/notice
because he did not have a family.
‘What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my
destination?’ the creature is questioning his very own existence.
‘far different effect on me…Plutarch taught me high thoughts’ – learning that humans kill
each other for gain and power.
‘greatest ardour for virtue rise within me’ – the creature is intrinsically a good being, link to
John Locke, everyone is born good. The creature is attracted to the heroes in the books,
‘firm hold on my mind’.
2nd King of Rome 70BC known for moderation, peac
‘far deeper emotions…it moved every feeling of wonder and awe’ – Paradise Lost is the book
that the creature really related with, ‘special care of his creator’ – Jealous of Adam and finds
that ‘Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition…the bitter gall of envy rose within me’.
’disgusting circumstance’ – the creature knows how he was created. ‘my odious and
loathsome person’ ‘cursed creator…filthy type of yours’ ‘I am solitary and abhorred’ ‘hours
of despondency and solitude’
‘compassionate me and overlook my personal deformity’ – optimistic like Godwin, so
hopeful.
‘dread lest I fail’ – the creature doesn’t rush in, not a overreacher (seven heavenly virtues -
temperance).
‘Increase of knowledge…wretched outcast I was’
‘fortify myself’
‘I cursed him’ – first time when he has actually cursed his creator – is foreboding because he
is changing, changing because of what he has learnt about humanity and himself.
‘beauty of the dream vanished’, Victor – creature wants to be loved and accepted. ‘kindness
and sympathy’
‘tolerated by my younger protectors’
