Answer: It serves as characterization by showing that Victor is ambitious and willing to gain more knowledge about science and the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characterization is a literary device that uses words or actions to tell the personality of a character. It can be direct (stated clearly in the text) or it can be indirect (said in such a way that makes it left for readers to decide).
The statement “The world was to me a secret which I desire to divine” stated by Victor serves as characterization. It shows how curious and ambitious Victor is as a person and how wiling he is to grow and become more knowledgeable in science.