Knowledge is an obsession.
Ex: devouring books
Ex: paradise lost tree of knowledge led to downfall of man
Creator-creation, bitterness, evil, envy
Thesis: Creation brings bitterness, evil, and envy amongst the creator and the creation.
Ex: adam is resentful of god—starts to look towards satan’s side.
Ex: the creature is resentful towards Victor and envious of all mankind and acts maliciously for Victor’s attention
Ex: Victor is bitter because of how his creature turned out. (it wasn’t an eloquent human, but a monster)
Passage from 117
( Hateful day when I received life!….Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance.)
(I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.)
(Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred.”)
First he compares himself to adam, the he is too horrid so he compares himself to satan. The monster feels so horrid and monstrous he can’t even compare himself to Satan. Then he says that even satan has companions so what does that make him? Even more wretched and evil. This could guide his behavior to do malicious evil things.
Is a passion for knowledge a consuming obsession?
Knowledge can bring about glorious creations and benefit the world, but it can also become a harmful addiction that consumes a person. Victor thrived in a scientific and intellectual environment. He was an introvert and the obsession with knowledge caused him to become physically sick and mentally ill. (insert passage about his work ethic and working days and nights without food or sleep until his project was complete)
