How can such disparate characters, who even resent each other, be so consubstantial? Although Victor and the Monster do not share the same physical or social traits, they do have many of the same personality traits. Victor and the monster are analogous in their desire for knowledge, relationship with nature and the desire for family. The author uses complex diction, symbolism, and syntax to emphasize these similarities. Over the course of the plot, these similarities become more apparent and as this happens their relationship worsens. Victor and the monster both crave knowledge. Walton remembers Victor stating, “You seek knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I earnestly hope that the gratification of your desires will not be a serpent that stings you, as mine has been. (Letter 4) This is important because this desire to learn drives most of their actions and decisions they make. We can see examples of this in the text for both Victor and the monster. For example, Victor read a lot of literature on the natural sciences and then went to university to further his knowledge of the field. (pg. 45) As for the monster, we can see that he was driven to learn French in order to communicate with others. The monster is also very well spoken; he says, “I wasn't even of the same nature as man. I was more agile than them and could survive on a coarser diet; I have endured extreme heat and cold with less damage to my body; my stature far exceeded theirs.” (ch.13) The diction that the author uses to portray the monster also contributes to his apparent intelligence. Over the course of the novel, both characters acquire particular knowledge of the world around them. Victor and the monster are also similar in their relationship. he became more like the monster. This is where both characters really started to resent each other. Since the monster killed people close to Victor and Victor refused to take the monster as his wife, their relationship with each other deteriorated further. This is despite the fact that they may have close company with each other. Their growing similarities led to further animosity towards each other. Although Victor and the monster are physically and socially divergent, they have many identical characteristics. Even as they become more and more alike, their relationship only exacerbates. They are similar in their desires for knowledge, in their relationships with nature and in their desire for family. These defining characteristics are what shape these characters, their actions, and ultimately the plot of the novel.