1088
In the sense of "natural philosophy" encountered earlier (I:3:1), a physical scientist.
1087
thus not only dehumanizing him through an association with Satanic evil, but also,
by conferring on the Creature a transcendental status, absolving himself as his Creator
from any responsibility for his nature. In effect, linguistically, Victor is canceling
his own role in the formation of the Creature.
1086
paragraph of his resumed narrative (III:Walton:1 and note), we are here made conscious
of how essentially manipulative (even if it could be argued to be not wholly intentional)
is Victor's effort to insure that his perspective on events becomes the official record
handed down to posterity.
1085
eloquence and truth, between the representation of action and action itself, well
aware of how the issue impinges both on her characters (particularly Victor's desire
to vindicate himself to the world) and on her own art.
See also I:L4:24 and note; 1831:I:8:31 and note; I:7:5 and note; I:7:13 and note.
1084
to beware of mere eloquence, since the Creature's eloquence had once persuaded him
to undertake a second monstrous creation to which on sober reflection he should not
have agreed. Should we therefore construe Walton's faith in Victor's eloquence in
similar terms? Or does it testify to the innate sympathy that eloquence forges between
one human being and another? Again, Mary Shelley seems to raise major questions only
to leave them wholly ambiguous in their import.
1083
it would appear, his friend's later adjustment that he was then "actuated by selfish
and vicious motives" (III:Walton:28 and note).
1082
the one hand, Victor's oratory energizes the crew in positive thinking and rouses
them to their tasks. Without this invigoration their situation could degenerate into
a laxity of spirit and effort perilous to their well-being. Yet, the emptiness of
mere rhetoric is likewise emphasized here, since the courage roused one day gives
in to despondency the next. Words relate to reality only tangentially or conditionally,
and when the reality remains implacable, Victor's signifying words appear hollow substitutes
for its unavoidable presence.
1081
that he is insane? Then, the magistrate would only be defusing a tense and socially
threatening situation by trying to soothe him into emotional tranquillity.
1080
We may observe how totally within a masculine prerogative lie the consummation, delay,
or even the value of a marriage. Values like "honour and utility" are not to be thought
of in relation to women's lives. Before questioning why Mary Shelley would adopt so
seemingly unfeminist a posture, we should recognize that this is exactly how Mary
Wollstonecraft saw the case: see, for instance, Vindication of the Rights of Woman
(12.25).
1079
I:1:1), and he has quite recently been on trial himself with the magistrate Mr. Kirwan
leading his defence; so therefore it is clear that he perfectly well knows what their
duties are. To state them so boldly to this judge requires something of his father's
authority.