benevolently
Victor's stress on the term marks it as of particular importance to him
and indicates that it is also of concern to the novel. With some pathos,
Victor will begin the second volume by recalling that he had himself "begun
life with benevolent intentions" (2.1.1).
At this point we cannot know how far from disinterested benevolence Victor has
strayed. In retrospect, however, the novel's readers can easily comprehend
why fervent emotions would be generated in him by a return to civilized
human standards and ethical conduct.
