This significant emendation enlarges the connotations of the "ardour" expressed not
just by Victor at the beginning of Chapter II (I:2:1) of the 1831 edition, but by
Walton and the Creature as well. Victor here exonerates himself of any evil consequences
from this trait before we have sufficient information to corroborate his view or,
alternatively, to question how well his potentiality for violence has been displaced
into other pursuits. As he speaks, after all, he is still on a mission whose sole
purpose is the destruction of the Creature whom he brought to life and who has known
from him only rejection or rage. Walton, at this point, has solely Victor's word for
his guiltlessness.