More on reaction to Victor's story

More on reaction to Victor's story:

 

• This is the first time that Victor receives an ‘official' reaction to his story, and in some respects it is as he expects, since the magistrate to whom he ‘confesses' is at first ‘perfectly incredulous'.
• Victor is careful to note the magistrate's reactions, who goes from being ‘attentive and interested' to ‘horror', then ‘lively surprise, unmingled with disbelief'. This encourages Victor to press the magistrate to take steps to capture the monster.
• At this point, the magistrate's reaction changes and Victor realises that he has been listening with ‘that half kind of belief that is given to a tale of spirits and supernatural events' and is not really prepared to take serious steps to capture the monster.
• Although the magistrate assures Victor that he will do his duty, he constantly emphasises the difficulty of capturing the monster and the improbability of doing so.
• This makes Victor very angry and leads to him challenging the magistrate's wisdom and understanding and leaving to work out his own plan of action.
• The scene tells us a good deal about Victor's personality, which still retains elements of pride and arrogance. Although he asserts that he wishes to capture the monster in order to protect society, it is quite clear to the reader that his feelings are entirely to do with exacting revenge for the pain that the monster has inflicted on Victor and his family.

• Tweet