Presentation & Key Quotations

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Theme: Revenge

Shelley presents revenge as a never-ending cycle, bringing only misery to those who pursue it.

The pursuit of revenge leads to the deaths of many characters, demonstrating the serious impact of this course of action.

After being rejected consistently, the Monster vows to take revenge on Victor, who has created him in his hideous form and left him without protection or provision.

As the novel progresses, Victor also wants to “wreak a great and signal revenge” on his creation, who has caused him so much pain and loss.

By the end of the novel, the Monster and Victor are in mutual pursuit.
This highlights the impossibility of escaping revenge once one is embroiled in it.

Shelley presents revenge as a never-ending cycle, bringing only misery to those who pursue it.

After being shot for saving a little girl's life, the Monster fully embraces revenge for the hardships he has experienced, which he considers to be Victor's fault.
He vows to enact revenge on all of mankind, and his hellish language perhaps reminds the reader of Satan in 'Paradise Lost'.

“This was then the reward of my benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and as a recompense, I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound, which shattered the flesh and bone."
"The feelings of kindness and gentleness which I had entertained but a few moments before gave place to hellish rage and gnashing of teeth."
"Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind.” (Volume Two: Chapter 8)

After committing his first murder, the Monster experiences a type of pleasure.
This seems to stem from a feeling of power, of which, up until this point, the Monster has had no experience.
He immediately links the murder of William to the effect it will have on Victor, demonstrating how revenge has led the Monster to be single-minded and obsessive.

"I gazed on my victim, and my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph: clapping my hands, I exclaimed: 'I, too, can create desolation; my enemy is not invulnerable; this death will carry despair to him, and a thousand other miseries shall torment and destroy him.'” (Volume Two: Chapter 8)

Shelley presents revenge as a never-ending cycle, bringing only mystery to those who pursue it.

After Victor destroys the female creature, the Monster is enraged.
He presents revenge as if it is now the sole thing which will sustain him, suggesting it is more valuable to him than necessities such as 'light or food'.

“Are you to be happy while I grovel in the intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions; but revenge remains -- revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food!"
"I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery. Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful. I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting with its venom. Man, you shall repent of the injuries you inflict." (Volume Three: Chapter 3)

By the end of his narrative, Victor also seems to be sustained by the pursuit of revenge, just like the Monster.
Shelley depicts how the negative impact of revenge can lower a previously noble and intelligent man to a base level.

“I was possessed by a maddening rage when I thought of him, and desired and ardently prayed that I might have him within my grasp to wreak a great and signal revenge on his cursed head.” (Volume Three: Chapter 6)