The Educational Texts - Quotations

The texts that the Monster reads are hugely influential upon him. The texts are intensely symbolic as to what Shelley views as the creation of the Monster’s moral and emotional questioning. Here they are in order, and what he learns from each:

Milton’s 'Paradise Lost' (1667)

The Monster learns "different and far deeper emotions" when he reads Milton’s epic poem.
He comments that "Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence...Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition".
Even within the image of Satan, the Monster concludes that "Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred."

Plutarch’s Lives

The Monster learns of "men concerned in public affairs, governing or massacring their species".
This text taught him "the greatest ardour for virtue rise within me, and abhorrence for vice".

Goethe’s 'The Sorrows of Werther'

The Monster learns "lofty sentiments and feelings", deep emotions and "disquisitions upon death and suicide" from this text.
"I learnt from Werter’s imaginations despondency and doom".

1Narrative Structure

1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.2Narrative Distancing

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

2.1Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton

2.1.2Victor Frankenstein

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1The Monster

2.2.2The Monster 2

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.2Justine Moritz

2.3.3Henry Clerval

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.4Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family

2.4.2The De Lacey Family

2.4.3Other Characters

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters

3Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus

3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3.1.3The Bible

3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References

3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke

3.2.2Thomas Paine

3.2.3John Locke

3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.2.5Historical Figures

3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories

4Biographic Context

4.1Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents

4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety

4.1.3Literary Legend

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context

5Chapter Summaries

5.1Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 2

5.1.2Letters 3 & 4

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters

5.2Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-2

5.2.2Chapters 3-4

5.2.3Chapters 5-6

5.2.4Chapters 7-9

5.2.5Chapters 10-11

5.2.6Chapters 12-15

5.2.7Chapters 16-19

5.2.8Chapters 20-23

5.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters

5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

5.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15

5.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23

5.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters

6Key Themes

6.1Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge

6.1.2Science & Society

6.1.3Loss & Companionship

6.1.4Connection to Nature

6.1.5Injustice

6.2Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes

6.2.2Industrialised University Cities

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations

7Recap: Main Quotes

7.1Characters Quotes

7.1.1Walton - Quotations

7.1.2Victor Frankenstein - Quotations

7.1.3The Monster - Quotations

7.1.4The Educational Texts - Quotations

7.1.5Elizabeth Lavenza - Quotations

7.1.6Justine Moritz - Quotations

7.1.7Henry Clerval - Quotations

7.1.8Alphonse Frankenstein - Quotations

7.1.9The De Lacey Family - Quotations

7.2Quotes by Chapters

7.2.1Letters 1 & 2 - Quotations

7.2.2Letters 3 & 4 - Quotations

7.2.3Chapters 1-6 - Quotations

7.2.4Chapters 7-13 - Quotations

7.2.5Chapters 14-20 - Quotations

7.2.6Chapters 21-24 & Waton's Last Letters - Quotations

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