Final answer:
Victor is captivated by M. Waldman’s lecture in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein because Waldman speaks about the power of chemistry to unlock the secrets of the universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Victor is captivated by Professor Waldman’s lecture when he speaks about chemistry and its potential to grant new powers to mankind. Waldman describes modern chemistry as a science that has the capability of peeling back the layers of the natural world and providing profound insights into the nature of things, which deeply resonates with Victor’s own ambitions and interests. The idea of using science to unlock the secrets of the universe ignites a passionate pursuit in Victor to create life, setting the stage for the rest of the novel’s events.
Waldman’s words inspire Victor to believe in the power and potential of human knowledge and innovation. He is particularly struck by the descriptive and almost magical language that Waldman uses to portray the powers and possibilities of the scientist who pushes the boundaries of the known world. This encouragement and idealization of scientific pursuit by M. Waldman are central to Victor’s decision to engross himself in his research, which later leads to the creation of the monster.