Patterns of language use

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

You will often be given more credit for analysing patterns of language use in English Literature texts, rather than single quotations.
The table below gives a selection of quotations which include variations on the commonly used word ‘wretch’ in order to provide you with models
of how you could analyse these details, ideas to get you started, and further opportunities for analysing on your own. Most of the table has been
completed but there are gaps left for you to fill.
This could be repeated for any word in Shelley’s narrative using a reliable online text, such as Project Gutenberg.

Location Quotation Context Significance and analysis

Letter 4 ‘I never saw a man in so wretched a condition’
Chapter ‘How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe,
5 or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite
pains and care I had endeavoured to form?’
‘I beheld the wretch—the miserable monster whom I
had created’
‘A mummy again endued with animation could not be
so hideous as that wretch’
‘I passed the night wretchedly’
Walton describing This description of Frankenstein through the eyes
Frankenstein. of Walton may invite the reader to consider Victor
initially as a sympathetic ‘wretched’ figure.
However, having read the whole novel, the reader
may retrospectively consider this portrayal of
Frankenstein as a way of presenting the negative
consequences of the two men’s egocentricity.
Frankenstein’s reaction Frankenstein’s narrative (which is being told to
to seeing the creature Walton) immediately presents the creature as an
after its creation. inhuman ‘wretch’ on several occasions. He is
threatened by his creation.
However, this narrative viewpoint is heavily
biased; as we read the creature’s narrative which
retells the events in Chapters 11-16, here we may
become more compassionate towards the
abandoned creature.
Frankenstein suggests that passing the night
‘wretchedly’ is a direct result of seeing his
creation. This links with his term of abuse
‘wretch’ earlier.
However, later, the reader may consider
Frankenstein’s lack of responsibility towards his
creation as the more wretched act.

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 Patterns of language use
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Chapter ‘What would be your surprise, my son, when you Letter from Can you link the use of ‘wretchedness’ to the
7 expected a happy and glad welcome, to behold, on Frankenstein’s father death of William? Look at William’s use of
the contrary, tears and wretchedness?’ about death of ‘wretch’ later, too.
William.
‘The picture appeared a vast and dim scene of evil, Frankenstein’s self-pity linked with the creature’s
and I foresaw obscurely that I was destined to become Frankenstein travels self-pity as described later in the novel?
the most wretched of human beings.’ towards home.
‘“She most of all,” said Ernest, “requires consolation; Ernest speaks to How have Frankenstein’s actions affected others,
she accused herself of having caused the death of my Frankenstein about such as Elizabeth? Does the reader feel sympathy
brother, and that made her very wretched.”‘ Elizabeth. for her?
Chapter ‘this wretched mockery of justice’ Frankenstein on the Frankenstein admits that justice has not been
8 trial of Justine. served – can you link this to his description here,
and the fact that he did nothing to save Justine?

‘Dear lady, I had none to support me; all looked on me Justine to Elizabeth Why might you feel compassion for Justine as she
as a wretch doomed to ignominy and perdition’ about lying about her admits her guilt? Is she a ‘wretch’, like
guilt. Frankenstein?

Chapter ‘“I expected this reception,” said the daemon. “All Creature to Why do you think the creature calls himself
10 men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, Frankenstein when ‘wretched’?
who am miserable beyond all living things!’ they meet on the
glacier.

‘Wretched devil!’ and ‘You have made me wretched Frankenstein to Why, then, might Frankenstein use the same term
beyond expression.’ creature just after to address the creature and describe himself soon
this. after?

Chapter ‘I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch’ Creature at the start of

11 his narrative.
Chapter ‘If such lovely creatures were miserable, it was less Creature describing the Why do you think Shelley has the creature
12 strange that I, an imperfect and solitary being, should De Laceys. compare himself with the de Laceys using the
be wretched.’ word ‘wretched’?

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 Patterns of language use
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Chapter ‘I learned from Werter’s imaginations despondency Creature reflecting on Why do you think Shelley describes the creature
15 and gloom, but Plutarch taught me high thoughts; he what the texts he as being ‘elevated above the wretched sphere’ of
elevated me above the wretched sphere of my own found taught him. his own thoughts at this point in the story?
reflections, to admire and love the heroes of past
ages.’
‘“But Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper
emotions … I often referred the several situations, as
their similarity struck me, to my own. Like Adam, I
was apparently united by no link to any other being in
existence; but his state was far different from mine in
every other respect. He had come forth from the
hands of God a perfect creature, happy and
prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his
Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire
knowledge from beings of a superior nature, but I was
wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times 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.”‘
Chapter ‘Let me go,’ he cried; ‘monster! Ugly wretch!’ William to the creature Why do you think William calls the creature
16 before he dies. ‘wretch’? Does this link to Frankenstein’s use of
the word earlier? Is it because William is Victor’s
brother? Why does William add the adjective
‘ugly’ here? Look above at the Chapter 7
comments too.
Chapter ‘And you, my friend, would be far more amused with Frankenstein to
18 the journal of Clerval, who observed the scenery with Walton, describing his
an eye of feeling and delight, than in listening to my journey with Clerval.
reflections. I, a miserable wretch, haunted by a curse
that shut up every avenue to enjoyment.’

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 Patterns of language use
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Chapter ‘I was now about to form another being of whose Frankenstein

20 dispositions I was alike ignorant; she might become describing the creation
ten thousand times more malignant than her mate and of the creature’s mate.
delight, for its own sake, in murder and
wretchedness.’

‘The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose The destruction of the
future existence he depended for happiness, and with mate.
a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew.’

“Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have Creature threatening
proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Frankenstein after this
Remember that I have power; you believe yourself event.
miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the
light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator,
but I am your master; obey!”
Chapter ‘But I was doomed to live and in two months found Frankenstein in
21 myself as awaking from a dream, in a prison, custody after death of
stretched on a wretched bed, surrounded by jailers, Clerval.
turnkeys, bolts, and all the miserable apparatus of a
dungeon.’

‘I was overcome by gloom and misery and often

reflected I had better seek death than desire to
remain in a world which to me was replete with
wretchedness.’
Chapter ‘I was answered through the stillness of night by a When Frankenstein Why do you think the creature calls Frankenstein
24 loud and fiendish laugh. It rang on my ears long and starts to pursue the a ‘wretch’ here? How does it link to Victor’s
heavily; the mountains re-echoed it, and I felt as if all creature and describes pursuit of the creature?
hell surrounded me with mockery and laughter. Surely hearing the creature’s
in that moment I should have been possessed by frenzy laugh.
and have destroyed my miserable existence but that

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 Patterns of language use
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

my vow was heard and that I was reserved for

vengeance. The laughter died away, when a well-
known and abhorred voice, apparently close to my
ear, addressed me in an audible whisper, “I am
satisfied, miserable wretch! You have determined to
live, and I am satisfied.”‘

‘Hear him not; call on the names of William, Justine, Frankenstein’s last Why does Victor call himself ‘wretched’, even at
Clerval, Elizabeth, my father, and of the wretched words. the end?
Victor, and thrust your sword into his heart. I will
hover near and direct the steel aright.’
‘His fine and lovely eyes were now lighted up with Walton in continuation.
indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow and
quenched in infinite wretchedness.’
‘I was at first touched by the expressions of his Walton to the
misery; yet, when I called to mind what Frankenstein creature.
had said of his powers of eloquence and persuasion,
and when I again cast my eyes on the lifeless form of
my friend, indignation was rekindled within me.
“Wretch!” I said. “It is well that you come here to
whine over the desolation that you have made.’
‘But it is true that I am a wretch.’ Why does the creature also call himself a ‘wretch’
‘Farewell! I leave you, and in you the last of Creature to Walton. at the end? How does it link him and his creator?
humankind whom these eyes will ever behold. Why might Shelley have done this?
Farewell, Frankenstein! If thou wert yet alive and yet
cherished a desire of revenge against me, it would be
better satiated in my life than in my destruction. But
it was not so; thou didst seek my extinction, that I
might not cause greater wretchedness; and if yet, in
some mode unknown to me, thou hadst not ceased to
think and feel, thou wouldst not desire against me a
vengeance greater than that which I feel.’

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