Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Most Iconic Quotes

Last updated on Apr 10th, 2023

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Most Iconic Quotes

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818) is a novel by English author Mary Shelley.

The book follows the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a living thing in an unorthodox scientific experiment.

Key Takeaways

  • Mary Shelley started writing the novel when she was 18 years old.
  • The first edition was published anonymously in 1818. Shelley’s name first appeared in the second edition, published in 1821.
  • Often cited as one of the earliest examples of science fiction, the novel’s influence has spawned numerous horror stories, films, and other works.

Here are some of the most famous Frankenstein quotes about love, friendship, and isolation, along with their chapters and page numbers.

Table of Contents
  1. Letters 1 and 2 Quotes
  2. Letters 3 and 4 Quotes
  3. Chapters 2 and 4 Quotes
  4. Chapters 8 and 9 Quotes
  5. Chapters 10 and 16 Quotes
  6. Chapters 17 and 20 Quotes
  7. Chapters 23 and 24 Quotes
  8. FAQs

Letters 1 and 2 Quotes

I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven, for nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose - a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
1

I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven, for nothing contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose – a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.(ed. 1831), Letter 1, Page 4

You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
2

You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend.(ed. 1831), Letter 2, Page 7

There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
3

There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand.(ed. 1831), Letter 2, Page 9

Letters 3 and 4 Quotes

What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man? - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
4

What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?(ed. 1831), Letter 3, Page 10

We are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves - such a friend ought to be - do not lend his aid to perfectionate our weak and faulty natures. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
5

We are unfashioned creatures, but half made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than ourselves – such a friend ought to be – do not lend his aid to perfectionate our weak and faulty natures.(ed. 1831), Letter 4, Page 16

Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
6

Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature.(ed. 1831), Letter 4, Page 16

Chapters 2 and 4 Quotes

The world was to me a secret which I desired to divine. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
7

The world was to me a secret which I desired to divine.(ed. 1831), Chapter 2, Page 23

Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by such slight ligaments are we bound to prosperity or ruin. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
8

Thus strangely are our souls constructed, and by such slight ligaments are we bound to prosperity or ruin.(ed. 1831), Chapter 2, Page 28

With how many things are we on the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
9

With how many things are we on the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries.(ed. 1831), Chapter 4, Page 37

To examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
10

To examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death.(ed. 1831), Chapter 4, Page 37

Chapters 8 and 9 Quotes

Live, and be happy, and make others so. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
11

Live, and be happy, and make others so.(ed. 1831), Chapter 8, Page 73

Nothing is more painful to the human mind, than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows, arid deprives the soul both of hope and fear. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
12

Nothing is more painful to the human mind, than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows, arid deprives the soul both of hope and fear.(ed. 1831), Chapter 9, Page 74

When falsehood can look so like the truth, who can assure themselves of certain happiness? - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
13

When falsehood can look so like the truth, who can assure themselves of certain happiness?(ed. 1831), Chapter 9, Page 77

Chapters 10 and 16 Quotes

Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
14

Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.(ed. 1831), Chapter 10, Page 83

I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
15

I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.(ed. 1831), Chapter 10, Page 84

I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
16

I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me.(ed. 1831), Chapter 16, Page 126

Find more about Frankenstein on Amazon

Chapters 17 and 20 Quotes

If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
17

If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear.(ed. 1831), Chapter 17, Page 127

It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
18

It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another.(ed. 1831), Chapter 17, Page 127

Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
19

Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful.(ed. 1831), Chapter 20, Page 149

How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery! - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
20

How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery!(ed. 1831), Chapter 20, Page 153

Chapters 23 and 24 Quotes

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
21

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.(ed. 1831), Chapter 23, Page 177

Man, how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom! - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
22

Man, how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!(ed. 1831), Chapter 23, Page 180

Learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
23

Learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own.(ed. 1831), Chapter 24, Page 189

The companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
24

The companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds which hardly any later friend can obtain.(ed. 1831), Chapter 24, Page 191

The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone. - Mary Shelley (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Quotes)
25

The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone.(ed. 1831), Chapter 24, Page 200

FAQs

What is the first line of the book Frankenstein?

"You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings."

What is the last line of the book Frankenstein?

"He was soon borne away by the waves, and lost in darkness and distance."

What is the most famous quote from Frankenstein?

"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."