Frankenstein Group

Question:

bethanie18
bethanie18
Student
High School - 12th Grade

I need a quote from the novel "Frankenstein" that describes Victor Frankenstein's character and that portrays his characterization.

I am in AP Literature, and we are analyzing the novels we have read. I have searched for hours and can not find anything.

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Posted by bethanie18 on Wednesday November 5, 2008 at 5:46 PM and tagged with characterization, frankenstein, quote, victor.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Characterization can come in one of four ways: 1) narrator's comments; 2) character's actions; 3) character's words; 4) character's thoughts.

    In part one of this book, the narrator is the Robert Walton, the captain of the ship that Victor ends up on.  Robert gives us many comments about Victor that help to characterize him:

    I never saw a more interesting creature: his eyes have generally an expression of wildness, and even madness; but there are moments when, if any one performs an act of kindness towards him, or does him the most trifling service, his whole countenance is lighted up, as it were, with a beam of benevolence and sweetness that I never saw equalled. But he is generally melancholy and despairing, and sometimes he gnashes his teeth, as if impatient of the weight of woes that oppresses him.

    From this quote, we see that Victor is emotionally unstable, but that there is some level of kindness and gentility in his behavior.

    When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it. Although I possessed the capacity of bestowing animation, ... I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself, or one of simpler organisation;

    This quote is from Frankenstein himself, and it tells us that besides being intelligent, he does have a strong moral compass.  Even though he has the power, he questions whether or not he should use it.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/frankenstein/characters

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    Posted by sullymonster on Wednesday November 5, 2008 at 6:01 PM