Key Quotations

Key Quotations on the Theme of Ambition and Knowledge

Shelley presents various types of education. Knowledge itself is not presented as a negative thing, but the damaging effect of a single-minded pursuit of knowledge is one of the central concerns of the novel.

Walton

'I may there discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle; and may regulate a thousand celestial observations, that require only this voyage to render their seeming eccentricities consistent forever. I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man.' (Letter 1).
- Walton's aims are lofty, and his language reflects this.
- It seems important to him that he will accomplish something 'never before' done.

The value of knowledge

'"Every minute," continued M. Krempe with warmth, "every instant that you have wasted on those books is utterly and entirely lost. You have burdened your memory with exploded systems and useless names. Good God! in what desert land have you lived, where no one was kind enough to inform you that these fancies, which you have so greedily imbibed, are a thousand years old, and as musty as they are ancient?”' (Chapter 3).
- Through Krempe, we are given the sense that not all knowledge possesses the same value and that Victor has been wasting his time.

Walton's entitlement

'"Do I not deserve to accomplish some great purpose? My life might have been passed in ease and luxury; but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path.”' (Letter 1).
- Walton seems to exude a sense of entitlement – he believes he "deserves" to accomplish his purpose, perhaps feeling that the work he has put in necessitates a reward.

Key Quotations on the Theme of Ambition and Knowledge

Shelley presents various types of education. Knowledge itself is not presented as a negative thing, but the damaging effect of a single-minded pursuit of knowledge is s one of the central concerns of the novel.

Knowledge as self-destructive

'Every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to a most painful degree; the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime.' (Chapter 4).
- Shelley presents the pursuit of knowledge as self-destructive.
- Because of his complete dedication to his studies, Victor has become physically unwell.
- He also seems to have been impacted mentally, avoiding the company of anyone else and feeling particularly nervous.

The Monster

'I discovered the names that were given to some of the most familiar objects of discourse; I learned and applied the words, ‘fire,’ ‘milk,’ ‘bread,’ and ‘wood.’ I learned also the names of the cottagers themselves.' (Volume Two: Chapter 4).
- The Monster is presented as having a desire for knowledge, which he is able to acquire through 'great application'.
- Although the knowledge the Monster acquires seems insignificant in comparison to Victor's, perhaps Shelley is seeking to highlight another connection between the two characters.

Final words

'Farewell, Walton! Seek happiness in tranquillity and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries. Yet why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed.' (Walton, in continuation).
- Victor's final words to Walton are contradictory.
- He clearly warns Walton against the dangers of ambition but his final statement acknowledges that others could possibly succeed where he failed.
- This acknowledgement could be read as a sign of humility in Victor.

1Plot Summaries

1.1Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV

1.1.2Chapters 1-3

1.1.3Chapters 4-6

1.1.4Chapters 7-8

1.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I

1.2Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-3

1.2.2Chapters 4-6

1.2.3Chapters 7-9

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II

1.3Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-3

1.3.2Chapters 4-6

1.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III

2Characters

2.1Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role

2.1.2Quotations

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1Role

2.2.2Quotations

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract

2.3Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton

2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein

2.3.4Henry Clerval

2.3.5Justine Moritz

2.3.6The De Laceys

2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse

2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys

3Key Themes

3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation

3.1.2Key Quotations

3.2Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice

3.4Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.5Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.6Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation

3.6.2Key Quotations

3.7Gender

3.7.1Presentation

3.7.2Key Quotations

3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More

4Authorial Method

4.1Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre

4.1.2Intertextuality

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality

4.2Form & Structure

4.2.1Form

4.2.2Structure

4.3Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings

4.3.2Symbolism

4.4Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery

4.4.2Doubling

4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More

5Context

5.1Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley

5.1.2Time of Writing

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

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