The scientist shows weariness and weakness in his thinking and lets the creature persuade him to make him a mate, “I had before been moved by his sophisms…” and it is only slowly that the genius realises that his promise is wicked – not for the creatures but for the whole human race who will have to deal with the creations he made for his “own peace of mind”.
Throughout the first part of the gloomy and black passage, the scientist seems helpless and resigned to his fate. He is weary and while realising the horror of what he is doing appears to accept that it will be done. The sentences are long; punctuated by colons and semi-colons, indicating that the narrator’s thoughts are crowded in his mind
The language in the passage is menacing. The fiend has “unparallel barbarity” and his mate may delight in “murder and wretchedness”. Their children would produce a “race of devils”. As the scientist sees the demon at the window he realises “with a sensation of madness” that to create a second monster would be too horrible and he tears it to pieces. The creature sees this and withdraws with “a howl of devilish despair and revenge”. The theme of despair is brought to the forefront again at this point as the monster now feels the loss of his “dream” of companionship.
This is the only section of the passage which moves. Here the scientist takes action. He leaves the room and goes to his apartment where once again he sits in reverie. He could have fled, but chooses to sit and wait and think. He is alone and his thoughts are “sickening”. He is lost in his own gloomy world only vaguely aware that life is carrying on out on the sea. The fishermen can be heard talking to each other – but only in the distance.
The passage ends when it is implied that the monster has returned to take his revenge on the scientist. “I trembled from head to foot; I felt a presentment of who it was…” but he is helpless and cannot call for help.
Mary Shelly’s character, “Frankenstein” has brought the wrath of heaven upon himself because, like Prometheus (who stole fire from heaven and gave it to man), has ‘played God’ and created a living creature.
The passage seems to be showing that although man feels he is powerful and clever, the opposite is true.
