Frankenstein Parenthood Quotes

My mother’s tender caresses and my father’s smile of benevolent pleasure while regarding me are my first recollections. I was their plaything and their idol and something better – their child, the innocent and helpless monster bestowed on them by heaven, whom to bring up to good, and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery, according as they fulfilled their duties towards me.

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Chapter 1. Victor Frankenstein speaks of his happy childhood and how he was deeply loved by his parents. His use of the word “monster” foreshadows his later behavior and the terrible deeds to come.

No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein in Chapter 4. Victor doesn’t just have a scientific curiosity about the world and how it works. But he is arrogant and holds moral view of a world where science is the source of light, and the natural boundaries are darkness which must be overcome. He sees himself as a parental figure, bringing new individuals into the world, and a human god.

“Sometimes I allowed my thoughts, unchecked by reason, to ramble in the fields of Paradise, and dared to fancy amiable and lovely creatures sympathizing with my feelings and cheering my gloom; their angelic countenances breathed smiles of consolation. But it was all a dream; no Eve soothed my sorrows nor shared my thoughts; I was alone. I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator. But where was mine? He had abandoned me, and in the bitterness of my heart I cursed him.”

– Mary Shelley

Frankenstein, Chapter 15. Victor’s creation just wants friendship and compassion. But he learns that he was just an experiment for his “father” who had now abandoned him.
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