I had now neglected my promise for some time, and I feared the effects of the dæmon's disappointment. He might remain in Switzerland and wreak his vengeance on my relatives.
Chapter 19 · Victor Frankenstein
Context
Victor explains why he grows anxious during his travels through England: he has delayed creating the creature's companion and fears the creature will punish his family in Switzerland.
Analysis
Victor frames his fear in conditional terms ('He might remain... and wreak') rather than certainty, yet this vague possibility is enough to drive his actions. The word 'wreak' carries a tone of unstoppable, impersonal violence, as if the creature's revenge would be a natural disaster rather than a response to Victor's broken promise. This language choice makes the creature sound like a mindless force, which lets Victor avoid considering that the threat exists because of his own delay.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that Victor's vague, catastrophic language about the creature ('wreak vengeance') keeps him from addressing the actual relationship between them—if the creature is an unthinking disaster, Victor doesn't have to treat his promise as a real moral obligation.