A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy dæmon, to whom I had given life.
Chapter 7 · Narrator
Context
During the storm, Victor sees a large figure moving in the darkness. A lightning flash reveals the creature he brought to life, and he immediately recognizes it by its enormous size and deformed appearance.
Analysis
The lightning functions as a narrative spotlight, but notice that Victor describes what it "discovered" rather than what he "saw"—the passive construction ("discovered its shape plainly to me") makes the revelation feel imposed rather than sought. His leap from appearance to identity ("instantly informed me") collapses perception and interpretation into a single moment, as if the creature's physical form is self-evidently monstrous, requiring no thought.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that Victor's immediate recognition depends entirely on visual disgust—he reads the creature's guilt from its body without evidence, exposing how appearance functions as false proof in a novel where the truly innocent (Justine) will be convicted on circumstantial evidence.