2.1.2

Quotations

Test yourself on Quotations

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Quotations about Victor

Here are some quotations highlighting key aspects of Victor's character.

Idealistic childhood

Idealistic childhood

  • 'My mother's tender caresses and my father's smile of benevolent pleasure...'
    • Victor's childhood is full of love and affection, in contrast to his own treatment of the Monster.
  • 'I was their plaything and their idol'
    • The word 'idol' warns about Victor's hubristic (boastful) nature and again juxtaposes with (contrasts with) his own views of the Monster.
Sees himself as god-like

Sees himself as god-like

  • 'Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.'
    • Victor sees himself surpassing the natural limitations of the world and improving it.
    • His pursuit of science is presented as a type of enlightenment using Biblical imagery. There is a suggestion that without this, the world is lacking.
Obsessive

Obsessive

  • 'The summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit.'
    • Victor is single-minded. Even though he has very supportive friends and family, his scientific endeavours lead him to neglect them.

Quotations II

Here are some quotations highlighting key aspects of Victor's character.

Self-centred and cowardly

Self-centred and cowardly

  • 'But I, the true murderer, felt the never-dying worm alive in my bosom, which allowed of no hope or consolation.'
    • Victor seems to acknowledge his role in his brother William's death but does nothing to clear Justine's name.
    • Victor focuses on his own suffering, further highlighting how self-centred he has become.
Values fame and glory

Values fame and glory

  • 'Do not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows. Return as heroes who have fought and conquered...'.
    • Despite warning Walton of the dangers of ambition, Victor gives this rousing speech to the crew, encouraging them to proceed with the journey despite its dangers.
    • This speech suggests that Victor has not learnt anything from his experiences and still values fame and glory above all else.
Jump to other topics
1

Plot Summaries

1.1

Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV1.1.2Chapters 1-31.1.3Chapters 4-61.1.4Chapters 7-81.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I
1.2

Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-31.2.2Chapters 4-61.2.3Chapters 7-91.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II
1.3

Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-31.3.2Chapters 4-61.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III
2

Characters

2.1

Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role2.1.2Quotations2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein
2.2

The Monster

2.2.1Role2.2.2Quotations2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract
2.3

Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein2.3.4Henry Clerval2.3.5Justine Moritz2.3.6The De Laceys2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys
3

Key Themes

3.1

Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation3.1.2Key Quotations
3.2

Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.3

Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice
3.4

Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.5

Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations
3.6

Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation3.6.2Key Quotations
3.7

Gender

3.7.1Presentation3.7.2Key Quotations3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More
4

Authorial Method

4.1

Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre4.1.2Intertextuality4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality
4.2

Form & Structure

4.2.1Form4.2.2Structure
4.3

Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings4.3.2Symbolism
4.4

Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery4.4.2Doubling4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More
5

Context

5.1

Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley5.1.2Time of Writing5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Victor Frankenstein6.1.2Quotations6.1.3Robert Walton6.1.4Elizabeth Lavenza6.1.5Alphonse Frankenstein6.1.6Henry Clerval6.1.7Justine Moritz6.1.8The De Laceys
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge6.2.2Prejudice6.2.3Justice6.2.4Companionship & Family6.2.5Revenge6.2.6Monstrosity6.2.7Gender

Practice questions on Quotations

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Key aspects of Victor's character:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Which word in the quotation __'I was their plaything and their idol'__ anticipates Victor's hubristic (boastful) nature?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What kind of imagery suggests that Victor's pursuit of science is a type of enlightenment?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Who does Victor give this speech to? <br> __'Do not return to your families with the stigma of disgrace marked on your brows. Return as heroes who have fought and conquered...'__Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What suggests that Victor has not learnt anything from his experiences and still values fame and glory above all else?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Quotations

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Role

End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein