His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks.The diction Shelley uses to describe Cornelius' experiences highlight how similar he is to a baby. In the above quote, the phrase "inarticulate sounds" parallels the way a baby tries to speak. I laugh everytime I read this part because I just picture this gigantic creature in footed pajamas or a onesie.
Later, when Cornelius is telling his story to Victor, he describes his learning process. The way he learns is through accident, trial-and-error, and observation, much like a small child. For example, Cornelius discovers that fire burns by sticking his hand in the flame (pg 72). He learns the concept of poverty by observing the family's unhappiness (pg77). Words like "discovered" (77), "examined" (72), and "perceived" (73) emphasize the similarity between Cornelius' learning process and that of a baby.
While most compare him to a human baby by virtue of his man-like appearance, I find his childhood is also very similar to an animal's first years. He was able to walk as soon as he was created; human babies just don't do that. He also learns much quicker than a human baby and is less dependent on a parent than a human baby; he thrives on his own for the first two years of his life. I think this is meant to emphasize the difference between Cornelius and a regular human. As if his appearance didn't do that enough.
Until Next Time,
Alysse
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