that could not be
This phrase carries a significant freight. Although it might be read as
one more occasion in which Victor yields up his distinctive identity,
substituting an obscure destiny in the process of fulfillment for his
innate responsibility for events (see, for instance, 1.6.6, 1.7.1)
in fact this necessity is driven by his
own remorse, which is so acute that it can never be assuaged. Although he
seems unaware of what he is doing, he is actually claiming
responsibility for that destiny.
