Ambition
Enlightenment
Victor and the monster represent the good and evil sides of humanity
“I little expected, in this enlightened and scientific age,” ch3
Appearances
“M. Krempe was a little squat man with a gruff voice and a repulsive countenance; the teacher, therefore, did not prepossess me in favour of his pursuits.” Ch3
“He appeared about fifty years of age, but with an aspect expressive of the greatest benevolence; a few grey hairs covered his temples, but those at the back of his head were nearly black. His person was short but remarkably erect and his voice the sweetest I had ever heard.” Ch3
“but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” Ch5
Fate/destiny
Victor has a fatalistic view of the world
“rather let me say such the words of the fate--enounced to destroy me” ch3
“Thus ended a day memorable to me; it decided my future destiny.” Ch 3
“In other studies you go as far as others have gone before you, and there is nothing more to know; but in a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder.” Ch4
Tampering with nature
Nature is all powerful
Has an balance/cycle
“I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead and found a passage to life, aided only by one glimmering and seemingly ineffectual light.” Ch4
Light
“until from the midst of this darkness a sudden light broke in upon me--a light so brilliant and wondrous, yet so simple,” ch4
“Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should