Frankenstein quotes

Key lines, in story order

1. “Before I come on board your vessel, will you have the kindness to inform me whither you are bound?”

2. “I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic.”

3. “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.”

4. “I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.”

5. “William is dead! That sweet child, whose smiles delighted and warmed my heart, who was so gentle, yet so gay!”

6. “She is innocent, my Elizabeth, and that shall be proved; fear nothing, but let your spirits be cheered by the assurance of her acquittal.”

7. “Hear my tale; it is long and strange, and the temperature of this place is not fitting to your fine sensations; come to the hut upon the mountain.”

8. “Hateful day when I received life! Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?”

9. “From that moment I declared ever-lasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery.”

10. “I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quit Europe for ever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man, as soon as I shall deliver into your hands a female companion.”

11. “Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you.”

12. “That is also my victim! In his murder my crimes are consummated; the miserable series of my being is wound to its close! Oh, Frankenstein! Generous and self-devoted being! What does it avail that I now ask thee to pardon me?”

Quotes by character

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  “No... Great God! What have I made?!”

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  “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.”

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  “Margaret, I write to you from the vast icy plains of the North... where glory and discovery await us.”

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  “I am Elizabeth. May I be your friend and sister, Victor?”

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  “My dear Frankenstein, how glad I am to see you! How fortunate that you should be here at the very moment of my alighting!”

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  “I did confess, but I confessed a lie. I confessed, that I might obtain absolution; but now that falsehood lies heavier at my heart than all other sins.”

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  “Victor, my dear son, your melancholy weighs upon us. Elizabeth loves you; let your union bring peace back to our home.”

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  “My children, my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union.”

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  “Enter, friend. Though I am blind and cannot see your face, you are welcome to whatever humble cheer we have.”

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  “Get out of our home! Leave my father!”

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  “They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven.”

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  “A gentleman was found murdered on our beach last night. You must look upon the body to clear yourself.”