That is my least concern; I am, by a course of strange events, become the most miserable of mortals. Persecuted and tortured as I am and have been, can death be any evil to me?
Chapter 21 · Victor Frankenstein
Context
When Mr. Kirwin suggests Victor will soon be freed from the murder charge, Victor responds that legal guilt is his least concern given the suffering he has endured.
Analysis
Victor calls himself 'the most miserable of mortals,' a superlative that positions his suffering as historically unprecedented—'more miserable than man ever was before' (from earlier in the passage). The rhetorical question 'can death be any evil to me?' expects the answer 'no,' but its phrasing ('any evil') inadvertently raises the question of what evils Victor has committed rather than suffered. His self-description as 'persecuted and tortured' adopts the language of martyrdom.
Essay Tip
Support a thesis that Victor frames himself as a martyr to deflect responsibility—he uses the passive voice ('persecuted and tortured') to position himself as victim, even when speaking to the man investigating him for murder.