In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational creature and was bound towards him to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness and well-being. This was my duty, but there was another still paramount to that.
Letters, Walton, _in continuation._ · Victor Frankenstein
Context
In his final speech to Walton, Victor reflects on his responsibilities as the creature's creator, acknowledging he had a duty to ensure the creature's happiness but claiming a greater duty to humanity.
Analysis
The phrase 'fit of enthusiastic madness' compresses creation into a temporary lapse, as if Victor were possessed rather than deliberately working for months. By calling it a 'fit,' he medicalizes ambition into something like a seizure—uncontrollable and brief—which again deflects agency away from sustained choice and deliberate action.
Essay Tip
Support a thesis that Victor's self-reflections are exercises in self-justification rather than accountability—he frames creation as momentary madness to avoid confronting it as a long series of choices he made while fully aware.