My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path. – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Robert Walton in “Letter 1”. On his motivation for his voyage of discovery.
What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man? – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Robert Walton in “Letter 3”.
One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought, for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race. – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Robert Walton in “Letter 4”. On how important his ambitions are.
“Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught? Hear me – let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!” – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Robert Walton in “Letter 4”. Victor Frankenstein decides to tell Walton his story to warn him of the perils of ambition and pursuit of dangerous knowledge.
It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed at the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world. – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Chapter 2. From early in the novel, Victor Frankenstein shows that he is not like others. He is driven to discover the secrets of heaven and earth, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
For when I would account to myself for the birth of that passion, which afterwards ruled my destiny, I find it arise, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten sources; but swelling as it proceeded, it became the torrent which, in its course, has swept away all my hopes and joys. – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Chapter 2. Victor on the origins of his obsession with artifically creating life.
“I trod heaven in my thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their effects. From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition.” – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Chapter 24. Victor Frankenstein to Walton.
“Seek happiness in tranquility, and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.” – Mary Shelley Frankenstein, Chapter 24. Victor to Walton, as he reflects on his mistakes and his reckless ambition.
