Frankenstein Quotes

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus]] was written in 1818 by Mary Shelley. A reflection of her time, it warns of the dangers of mankind's technological evolution during the Industrial Revolution. This page links to quotes from the original novel.

Mary Shelley was born in London in 1797. She was raised only by her father, as her mother died shortly after giving birth to her. In 1812 she was sent to Scotland to live with William Baxter and his daughters. It was there, with the large estate and countryside, that she developed her writing and decided she wanted to be an author. In addition to Frankenstein, her other novels include Mathilda, The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck and The Last Man.

• Wikiquote: Frankenstein
  • "Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world." -Victor, Ch. 4

• • "It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open..." -Victor, Ch. 5

• • "Great God! If for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish intention of my fiendish adversary, I would rather have banished myself forever from my native country and wandered a friendless outcast over the earth than have consented to this miserable marriage. But, as if possessed of magic powers, the monster had blinded me to his real intentions; and when I thought that I had prepared only my own death, I hastened that of a far dearer victim." -Victor, Ch. 22

• • "I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other." -The Monster

• • "You are my creator, but I am your master—obey!" -The Monster, Ch. 20

• • "I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery. Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful." -The Monster, Ch. 20

• LitQuotes: Frankenstein Quotes
  • "Nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose..."

• • "You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been."

• • "Man," I cried, "how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!"

• • "The agony of my feelings allowed me no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could not extract its food..."

• SparkNotes: Frankenstein - Important Quotations Explained
  • "I saw—with shut eyes, but acute mental vision—I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion. Frightful must it be, for supremely frightful would be the effect of any human endeavor to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world." -Victor

• • "Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mould me Man, did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me?" -The Monster

• • "What may not be expected in a country of eternal light?" -Walton

• YouTube: "It's Alive!!!"
• IMDb: Frankenstein (1931) Memorable Quotes
  • Henry Frankenstein: "Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive... It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, IT'S ALIVE!"
  • Victor Moritz: "Henry - In the name of God!"
  • Henry Frankenstein: "Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!"

• • Henry Frankenstein: "The brain you stole, Fritz. Think of it. The brain of a dead man waiting to live again in a body I made with my own hands!"

• • Doctor Waldman: "You have created a monster, and it will destroy you!"

• IMDb: Frankenstein (1994) Memorable Quotes
  • Victor Frankenstein: "It's alive. It's alive!"

• • Krempe: [voiceover] "You fool, Victor Frankenstein of Geneva, how could you know what you had unleashed? How was it pieced together? Bits of thieves? Bits of murderers? Evil stitched to evil stitched to evil. God help your loved ones."

• • The Creature: "I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other."

• • The Creature: "I will have revenge! FRANKENSTEIN!"

• • The Creature: "If you deny me my wedding night... I shall be with you on yours!"