Double Entry Journal
Ideas from Text
1. I had worked hard for
nearly two years, for the
sole purpose of infusing life
into an inanimate body. For
this I had deprived myself of
rest and health. I had
desired it with an ardour
that far exceeded
moderation; but now that I
had finished, the beauty of
the dream vanished, and
breathless horror and
disgust filled my heart (83-
84)
2. It was a divine spring; and
the season contributed
greatly to my convalescence.
I felt also sentiments of joy
and affection revive in my
bosom; my gloom
disappeared, and in a short
time I became as cheerful as
before I was attacked by the
fatal passion (88)
3. Instead of that serenity of
conscienceI was seized by
remorse and the sense of
guilt, which hurried me
away to a hell of intense
tortures, such as no
language can describe
(111)
Reactions/Connections
1. This quote pertains to the theme
of a dangerous pursuit of
knowledge. Victor Frankenstein
states that he was so involved in
his scientific work it affected his
rest and health. He had worked
so long for so hard yet once his
creation was complete he was
disgusted by his work. I believe
this is a turning point for
Frankenstein; he was so blinded
by his desires that he didnt
realize the consequences of what
he was creating.
2. Here the affect nature has in the
story is highlighted. Frankenstein
notes that his health improves as
the season changes from winter to
spring. I personally think that
nature can have a healing quality
for Frankenstein, but also
contribute to his downfall.
3. When Justine is held responsible
for the death of his young brother,
Frankenstein thinks he should be
at peace. Yet he is riddled with
guilt because he knows the true
aggressor is his own creation. I
think this quote is important
because it marks the beginning of
his long relationship with guilt,
yet doing nothing to take

4. Seek happiness in
tranquility, and avoid
ambition, even if it be only
the apparently innocent one
of distinguishing yourself in
science and discoveries. Yet
why do I say this? I have
myself been blasted in these
hopes (216)
5. I had gazed on him while
unfinished; he was ugly
then; but when those
muscles and joints were
rendered capable of motion,
it became a thing such as
even Dante could not have
conceived (84)
6. Every where I see bliss,
from which I alone am
irrevocably excluded. I was
benevolent and good;
misery made me a fiend.
Make me happy, and I shall
again be virtuous (119)
responsibility for it.
4. His dying words to Walton,
Frankenstein warns him about the
dangers that science and
knowledge can lead to. He instead
advises him to be content with
peace and calm. This is an
important quote because all of his
regret that surrounds himself and
the creature is finally coming to
fruition as he lay dying.
5. This quote shows physical
characteristics of the monster that
Frankenstein has just created. He
is horrified by what he has done,
and upon seeing his creation move
with life he realizes the enormity
of his work and compares the
monster to something from hell. I
believe this is the starting point of
the monsters misfortune, as he is
born in an environment of disgust,
and his creator cannot stand the
sight of him.
6. The monster is telling
Frankenstein that he notices there
is happiness all around him, yet it
is something that he is unable to
obtain. He states that he is was
once good but the hate that he has
been subjected to has made him
evil. This quote is very important
when thinking of the
characterization of the monster. It
shows that he is inherently good,
and if he can achieve happiness he
will no longer commit heinous
acts.