He is eloquent and persuasive, and once his words had even power over my heart; but trust him not. His soul is as hellish as his form, full of treachery and fiend-like malice.
Chapter 24 · Victor Frankenstein
Context
In his final warning to Walton, Victor cautions him not to be deceived by the Creature's persuasive speech, insisting that his inner nature is as monstrous as his appearance.
Analysis
Victor's acknowledgment that the Creature's words 'once had even power over my heart' inadvertently admits the Creature is capable of moving, rational speech—yet he immediately commands Walton to ignore it ('trust him not'). The simile 'His soul is as hellish as his form' insists on a direct equation between appearance and morality, the exact prejudice that has caused the Creature's suffering throughout the novel. Victor's warning reveals his fear that Walton might listen and sympathize, which would validate the Creature's perspective and undermine Victor's entire narrative of righteous pursuit.
Essay Tip
Support a thesis that Victor's final warning exposes his own unreliability—his insistence that Walton not listen to the Creature shows he fears his enemy's eloquence will reveal truths Victor has spent the novel trying to suppress, particularly about who bears responsibility for the chain of violence.