this is the only shout heard in Frankenstein. The intense silence of the novel, indeed,
is a remarkable stylistic achievement. The noisy enthuasiasm of the sailors may remind
us of Victor's recent recollection of how the Greek soldiers wept for joy upon reencountering
the sea when they returned from Persia (III:7:17). The naturalness of the mariners'
response stands in paradoxical contrast with Victor's sense of transcendental empowerment.
It is little wonder that he should be awakened from his sleep by the threat simple
humanity poses against his aims.